what is first to second alternative to harley davidson motorcycles out there?

Answer 1

It depends on why kind of bike you are looking for, but there are some great alternatives. It used to be that Harley riders got the brand to be distinctive and different, but with all the Yuppie bikers (Rubies) out there these days, that is a thing of the past.

One of the best alternative brands, IMHO, is Triumph. They beat the Harley on cost and quality, and have equal street creds to real bikers. The brand is older than Harley, has European build quality, and are price competitive to the Japanense models. True rebels and individualists ride them, not folks that are trying to ride along with the herd. You can roll up to any biker bar and get respect, and you can also hang with the canyon carvers, cause they handle better than Hogs too!

The Bonnie America and Speedster are excellent vertical twin bikes, and then there is the Rocket III - a kick **** 2300cc road ripper.

If you are looking for American, Victory makes an excellent motorcycle as an alternative. Watch for the re-intro of Indian in 2008...

Answer 2

Well I own a Harley as well as 3 Japanese bikes and here's the deal. Everyone that owns a Harley will tell you it is the best bike made. Everyone that doesn't own a Harley will tell you it's the worst bike made. Personally I could give a crap less what anybody thinks. Just buy what you want and don't concern yourself with other peoples opinion. Harley is truely a unique bike like no other, love it or leave it. It is not a better bike and I don't think it is a worse bike than others out there from my experience. It is just different. You won't really know if a Harley is what you want until you ride one. A nice Harley is very expensive and not many people are willing to spend 20K or more on a motorcycle. The whole thing of what looks cool and all that goes out the window once you start riding. Just get something that you will enjoy and to hell with everybidy else.

Answer 3

Even though I'll catch a lot of heat from this, here's the plain and simple truth to your question from an old biker who's owned and ridden about everything on the planet at some point in time. I'll start by answering your question with another question....

Question: Why would anyone spend well over 20K for a reasonably good (but basically equipped) Harley Davidson motorcycle, 30K for a Rolex watch, 80K for a Corvette, or 100K for a pair of Brittany Spears' used panties (when she wears 'em) when a better performing, longer lasting, nicer looking, motorcycle, watch, or sports car could be purchased for far less money - and a clean pair of new panties could be picked up at Walmart for less than five bucks?

Answer: It is because someone is so deeply in love with a particular look, name, "status symbol" aspect, feel, sound, smell, or point of origin that nothing else is even considered. When true happiness, total fulfillment, and realization of a personal dream is at stake, price is no object and settling for anything else will bring nothing but disappointment. If this is your case, then accept nothing less or you'll never be satisfied with the idea of ending up with anything you consider as "second best".

If you're not mentally locked into any particular dream, fantasy, or status symbol concept, then go out and select a good motorcycle like you'd select a good woman because either one can be a major blessing or a cranky, expensive, high-maintenance pain in the butt (regardless of name or looks). Ride all of 'em you can that look good to you; then pick the one that best suits your taste in performance, handling, feel, eye appeal, reliability, affordability, and saddles up the most comfortably between your legs.

Answer 4

There is a Good article in Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine this month that talks about 3 of the best Contenders out there Against Harleys 2007 1200 Sportster Custom Suzuki BLVDS83 they claim was best out of 4 bikes for Handling Cruising and Price wise,Yamaha VStar 1300 came in second and Honda VTX1300 came in third , Of course this was written by 3 diffrent men of 3 diffrent hieghts But all 3 did Like the SuzukiBLVD S83 the most and sorry to say Harley was Last of the 4 But to each his own /Peace

Answer 5

Alternative is the key word in this question, not imitation. If you want an alternative that is not an imitation go with a triumph.I bought my Bonneville T-100 new in 2005 for less than a new Sporty.I blow my roomates Road King away off the line.Triumph has an assortment of "cruiser" models.It's a paralell twin so you don't have the V-twin look.Excellent variety in custom parts with there 68 line. If you don't want to look like every other rider, this is your bike.Quick and full of torque with excellent handling.Also,look in the want ads,not many people are parting with there bikes. That is telling you there is a high level of satisfaction. If you want a Harley you might as well pony up the cash. I know plenty of guys who bought Japanesse bikes when the wanted a Harley and it still eats at them.

Answer 6

A Harley is in a league of its own. With that said, a first or second alternative isn't an option. When seeking a bike to ride purchase what you can afford, feels good and is a pleasure on your personal eye.

Prior to making the purchase, I would highly recommend thinking the decision through carefully since you mentioned Harley in your question it may very well be the bike you truly want.

My opinion....Harley is as American as Apple Pie.... when we see them riding together in packs of hundreds, notice the crowds they gather.

Answer 7

Well, quality wise if you wanted to get the two bikes one and two places better than a harley, Royal Enfield, and Ural.

If you want to get a good bike then get a Suzuki.

I liek the older harleys, but the new ones are "american assymbled" not american made so dont let the weekend warrior bikers try and BS you into thinking a Jap bike is any less a bike than a "hardley ableson".

Every poker run I have ever gone too I have ended up keepng a part or two that has shaken of a harley.

Answer 8

Trust me on this, over 33 years of riding, including 6 years of working at shops that sold Metrics & H-D, I've seen this dilemma before. If you want a Harley, nothing else satisfies, so either buy used or save up. Otherwise you will be sitting on a bike you don't like, still wishing you could buy the Harley. Nothing against the Metrics, they're all good bikes, but that is the way it works out. I have seen too many people make that mistake, but if you must buy a Metric then get 1 used, so you don't lose as much on trade-in or resale, at least you'll be riding. But, honestly, try not to. By the way, although there is a lot of kidding around, I've rarely seen any true animosity between bikers. I would put 2nd choice as Victory & 3rd as Honda, but it is strictly subjective, the machines nowadays are great.

Answer 9

There is no real substitute for a Harley. They are totally unique and stand alone in the world of motorcycling.
There are other import cruisers that will get the job done. I see many Yamaha V-Stars out there, and as far as a bit sportier ,some of the Victory's are 1/2 decent.
If you are wanting a Harley but considering settling for less, " Don't Do It !" Save a little longer or buy used and get what you want.
I've known guys who bought metric cruisers because they could not cough up enough green for the H.D. and it was a mindfuck, they had a bike to ride but it just was not what they wanted.
I would guess kind of like having to face an ugly wife or GF.

Answer 10

Honestly, i like the Kawasaki alot. If u want a big bike, the 2 litter is huge. Its also belt driven like a harley, me personally i don't care for shaft drive. Triumph is a good choice also. Just get something u can afford and will like. If u like the styling and handling of a particular bike, get it. Most "harley" riders don't care what u ride.