Why Do Harley Davidson...?

Question

Guys berate the Japanese bike makers? Don't they realize that without the insight of their Japanese counterparts their couches (with exception to the V-Rod family) ... er bikes would be puking oil and they'd still have to adjust the carbs every second set of lights?...

Answer 1

Harley's (AMF's) don't puke oil, they leak to mark their territory. That's why you have to rebuild them the right way.
Both Japan & American bike companys 'borrow' ideas from eachother.

Answer 2

Ever see the sign on the jeeps that say, "it's a jeep thing...you wouldn't understand." It's the same thing...you wouldn't understand, since your only a wannabe. Look at ALL of the jap bikes. From a distance, they ALL look like Harleys, with the possible exception of the Honda Gold Wing. Used to be you could tell the difference in a second, now you have to get up close and personal, cause the Honda or Yamaha stickers are under the seat or on the bottom of the gas tank, so that people like yourself can say you ride a chopper or a Harley, and a novice wouldn't be able to tell the difference. If jap bikes are so wonderful, why do the manufacturers copy the Harley? Doesn't make much sense...you'd think that if they were any better, they would have their own style. And as far as prices go, there is very little difference any longer, when you take bikes of equal cc's and extras. I just checked the Honda website, and a Honda Goldwing can go for $27,000. Only the custom Harleys cost that much.

Answer 3

Harley has a very good engineering department, and although the outward appearance of the HD's hasn't changed much since the 1930's, they have some very high tech stuff going on "under the sheetmetal". I wouldn't say it's due to the insight of the japanese manufacturers - rather, it's due to the competition from the japanese manufacturers.

I don't agree with bashing somebody just because they ride a different brand. I will occassionally pick on an HD owner, but not because they own one, but because they're making a jerk of themselves. I ride a japanese brand, but that doesn't automatically make me dislike them. I'd probably own one, if they weren't so darn expensive. Maybe someday.

A relatively small segment of the population rides, we should stick together rather than nitpick over others' preferred brand of ride.

Answer 4

Well Well...Willie G himself would be the first to admit this to you. HD had a terrible Quality problem in the 70s,they were thinking quantity not quality and it hurt them bad!!! In the early 80s a small group of investors bought the company back from AMF. AMF had "DEEP" pockets and with their R/D department the EVO engine was born. But it still was a struggle for HD in the early days of private ownership,they came close to bankruptcy again . They still had manufacturing problems. The new owners knew if they didn't change their ways it would be certain doom for the HD brand.

The company copied manufacturing techniques from the Japanese and decided to go public with their company I think in 1986. Its been a great ride since then!!! I bought a 95 FXDL and still have it. Ive logged 90,000 on her since new and haven't had any major problems.

Oh yeah ,guess who shipped a whole motorcycle factory to Japan , HD did back in the early 20th century. The Japanese needed simple transportation and wanted to build it themselves so HD sold them everything they needed. The reason for the big sale? ,there was a major earthquake which destroyed most of the roads and people were in need of transportation. So ,all you HD Bashers out there , It looks like you owe HD a big thank you for starting the Japanese motor cycle business ,with out them what would you be riding???

Answer 5

To me it doesn't matter what bike you ride as long as you don't endanger my life if you ride safe then we are cool. I am 68 and still ride, aHiway couch Honda Goldwing . I have heard Honda is the BEST Harley is the Best BMW is the Best,But you must remember there is no bike out there that is 100% American MADE It might be assembled in the US but look at all the IMPORTED parts YES even HARLEY has HONDA parts on it LOOK at the front forks If they are Showa they are made by HONDA.

Answer 6

Why do Jap biker riders (like Chester, HarleyHater, etc) berate Harleys?
Where do you think the Jap Company's got their ideas to START making bikes?
After a huge earthquake in Japan (who'd ever thought), Harley gave the industry there tooling for their old flathead bikes, which Japan made, called a RICCO.

Answer 7

I think you are refering mostly to the clueless, newbie, RUB Harley riders - the ones that have no clue about what it really means to be a motorcyclist, or the true history of motorcycling. They simply bought into the marketing gimicks and purchased a Harley because they had money to burn and thought it would make them cool, and/or help them pick up women. The real Harley riders I know aren't like that (but unfortunately get judged by the company they keep!).

Answer 8

because, harley's the jap bikes are totally different. it's a personal preference. The jap bikes did steal alot of their ideas and design's from harley, but even with a bigger motor they still don't have the balls a harley does. but im not saying harley didn't steal any ideas from the japs too. But in general i think tat there 2 completely differen't types of bikes on here so theres different people with different opinions.

Answer 9

I've got to agree that it's mostly a response. I tease the Harley guys too, even while being one. But I rode Hondas in weather that keeps most people in bed.

I bought Honda repair manuals because I needed to.
They needed to be fixed.
I bought HD manuals because I wanted to.
It doesn't need fixing.
There is a difference.

With the Hondas it was always the carbs.

Answer 10

those that "berate" the jap bikes usually do so because of antagonistic comments like yours. Maybe you should recheck your history as to which bike started being manufactured first and where, and who made what upgrades first. You will be surprised.
As for me, I've ridden for 41 years. and during that time I owned 26 different bikes. Started with a mini bike I built at age 10. I've owned or ridden just about every brand, and most models of bikes that have been made to date. My last 5 have all been Harley's, including the new '07 Ultra Classic I bought a month ago.
I've ridden jap bikes,german bikes, british bikes, american bikes, russian bikes and more. I don't run down someone else's ride, I don't brag my ride as being better. I know what my experience has shown me, I know which ones I believe are worth having and which ones are inferior. I don't have to prove anything to, or justify my findings to anyone .

Answer 11

It's a reflection of our society and culture. For whatever reason we (human beings) feel the the need to bereate those which are different or which we don't understand. Of course I generalize but it hold true for a large percetage of people.

HDers berate Japanese. Japanese berate HDers, Crotch Rockets berate Cruisers and vice versa and Germans (BMW) berate all. Of course they make the best bikes so they can! (No, I don't own a BMW...just wish I could afford one.)

LIke other have said...It shouldn't matter what you ride...as long as you ride. "Can't we all just get along...."