How many people do not ride Harley Davidson motorcycles?

Question

How many people ride bikes other then Harley Davidson? How many non harleys are there out there?

Answer 1

lots i dont ride a harley to expensive

Answer 2

After riding OPs in my teens, I bought my first motorcycle in 1979. It was a '74 Harley FX - the kick-only 1200cc "Superglide" model.

I'll admit, my decision was based partly on Harley's mystique and "outlaw" image. I grew up around those guys. That's what they rode, and I wanted to be like them.

Still, I've never regretted my choice. The moment I threw a leg over that bike, I knew I was on the right machine.

And, in spite of the fact that my Harley was built during the infamous AMF years, I still have it, and it's STILL the right machine for me. I do most of the work myself, and have well over a quarter-million miles on a bone stock engine and tranny. The secret? That I do my own work, do my best to make it right, and don't beat the crap out of my bike trying to impress bystanders and nosepickers. I've ridden my bike all over the country, and wouldn't hesitate to fire it up tomorrow morning and do it again.

Over the years I've owned other Harleys ('76 FXE, '96 FLH) and they both had that same appeal for me. I only let 'em go because I couldn't justify the finances of keeping 'em at the time, but I sure wish I coulda kept 'em, now!

My current stable includes that original '74 FX, an '87 HD FXR, and a '00 BMW R1100R, and they're ALL a blast to ride! I've also ridden sportbikes, and metric cruisers, and enjoyed them, too.

Still, at heart I'm a Harley guy through and through. However, unlike some of the bozos other folks here have encountered (you know the ones I mean), I'm not competing in the "loudest pipes and most chrome" contest. I just want to ride my bikes, and enjoy my life.

And, also unlike some of those aforementioned bozos, I have no bone to pick with anyone else's brand preference. If you're on two (or three) wheels, you're okay by me. If you respect my choices, I'll be more than happy to respect yours. Hell, I'll even pop for a cold drink at the end of the ride!

Answer 3

I ride a Harley. I have ridden many other bikes as well. Harley is the #1 selling large steet bike in the US. But plenty of folks ride other things. Ride what you like. Just be smart about it. Don't ride like an idiot. You give us all a bad name.

Answer 4

The truth is that world wide over 99% of the bikes on the roads are not Harleys. There have been hundreds of different manufacturers of bikes over the years and they have been around since 1903 and have been one of the oldest names still in the business (along with Swedish manufaturer Husquvarna). Unfortunately Harleys did get a very bad reputation for being unreliable (the period when the Italians were running the show didnt help) however things did get a lot better when they outsourced component production over the last decade or so(i.e. wheels,electrics,engine casting,etc). A few people will say that the only people who do not ride Harleys are those who cannot afford them though if it didnt have that name on the side you honestly would not buy one. $5000 bike with a $15000 tank badge. Its all about the image. Thats why Harley riders are easy to upset becuase they know they have the image but they also know that compared to most bikes on the market they are very old tech and just do not stack up in the performance side. But that is not what they are about so each to thier own. Vincent Black Shadow anyone? PS Harley also made scooters for a while but you do not see any bikies cruising around on them.

Answer 5

I will put it to you this way. If you want to tour the country and go on long trips and enjoy yourself and not worrying about being shook to death buy a non Harley motorcycle. If you want to look cool ,sound bad and just occassionally ride! Get a Harley. If you still like Harley and go across the country here what you have to do. Buy a $40,000 truck and a $20,000 trailer to pull your $20,000 harley to Sturgis just to look cool. If it wasn't for those outlaw pipes Harley would be nice to ride. but the noise sucks!!!!! and you always have to have someone in the back to pick up the pieces from the Harleys.

Answer 6

I ride a Suzuki GS500F. Nothing against Harleys - I considered a Sportster, in fact - but I don't find forward controls all that comfortable. So chances are if I do buy a Harley product it's likely to be a Buell.

Answer 7

I ride a kaw mean streak and never had a problem even if its used(2003), but my coworkers, have harleys and have problems and extremely expensive labors for repair. I do not hate harleys but jap bikes and cars are my thing, more so I think harleys expensive compare to japs even in maintenance and repair. If you're confused to buy bikes, buy first a used one and learn as you ride. Know other bikes too but in my experience, harleys have more problems than japs or european bikes.

Answer 8

No Harleys here. I sell Harley parts and accessories but I don't own one and have no desire to get one. It aint my thing.

Sport bikes and Sport tours are more my speed. Currently I have an 04 GSXR1000 and love the track and racing. When I get older I will get an ST1300 or FJR and travel more. Performance, comfort, reliability!

FYI - I never hear Porch drivers say people are jealous of me because of my car. Most people like to admire nice cars and jealousy is not in the picture. I guess if exotic car owners acted like SOME Harley riders there would be animosity. Not because of the car but because of the people.

I hear teenage girls and people on Jerry Springer say things like ‘your just jealous’. They must be Harley riders.

For all the Harley riders who are NOT dweebs ride on!!

Answer 9

I ride an old Honda,
and a pretty new Harley.

Answer 10

Harley's are popular, but more people ride other brands. I think Harley has about 40% market share.

Answer 11

I've owned 40 motorcycles in the 40 years I've been riding. One was a Harley -- an XR racer (not the street XR). It was the most impractical, loudest, funkiest bike I've ever had. Impractical, with no instruments except a tach. I even had to build a chain guard to keep the spooge off my back. Seat like a 2 x 4 with a folded Kleenex on top. No passengers, 2-gallon tank with no reserve; megaphone exhausts. The size and weight of a 350 Honda, with Jerry Branch 104hp engine, Barnett clutch, Andrews gears; Ceriani forks. 11.19 at 119mph -- in Colorado, at 5000 foot altitude -- not bad for a '65.

It was probably the worst bike I've ever ridden on the street, and the most fun. Currently, I have a Suzuki RF900R.