Is Harley Davidson the best bike Our What!!?

Answer 1

Forever, the King of Bikes.

Answer 2

NO !!!!

The best bike is the one that runs and gives the least amount of trouble{it could be any type} Harley like many things is a name and folks fall in love with names and hardly ever notice the facts of products. Go look at 5{or more}different bikes that are close to the same style size etc... then figure which bike is the best. Harley's are okay but they also are over priced compared to other bikes in the same or bigger class.

Answer 3

Please people brand is so irrelevant. My first bike was a Kawasaki Vulcan 500, i am currently riding a Harley 883r that has been modified.
Comparisons noted, from the factory the Vulcan was faster straight line, the Harley is now far faster and still only pumping 883cc's
The Harley handles way better on the open road, I wasn't expecting that one but how it is.
The Harley is very heavy.
The Harley crowd are some of the friendliest bikers i personally have ever riden with, and i ride with everybody.
Ride what you like oh and FYI when it comes to speed skill can be more important than the bike and they still race 883's down at louden if you ever want to see a "slow" bike ridden really fast.

Answer 4

No, they are not. There is no 'best' bike.

As an earlier responder said they have a rather limited genre of use. They cruise well and in full dress mode they can make very decent long distance tourers. But when it comes to ease of everyday use, sport riding, racing, dirt riding...well, they dont do to well. Harley's are about Poise and Lifestyle. It says something about you immediately when you are seen on a Harley. And if that is what you want said about you then yes, a Harley is probably the best bike for you.

My problem with Harley is that I am an American and Harley is the main representation of American motorcycles to the world. And all they can seem to make, for the most part, are outdated cruisers and tourers. Vrod excepted. I remember the Harley race bike from a few years back they they entered in AMA superbike racing. Wow, that was a flop. The VR1000 I think it was called. Since motorcycles began a large part of their draw has been peoples desire to race them and make them go faster. And as an American I am disappointed that we have no better bike to represent us on the world stage.

Dont get me wrong....I know Harleys are raced in dirt-track and such. But this is the international stage I'm talking about here. Hardcore road racing in time honored motorcycle tradition.

I can say that what Harley does do they do very well. They have the retro bike concept down to a T and it is a business model that works for them. I am glad they survived the hard times of the 70's and 80's to become the power house they are today. They definitely add to the story of motorcycling.

But buying a bike isn't about just buying into a pre-determined lifestyle so you can instantly have a bunch of new cookie cutter friends. Its about buying a bike and riding. Riding far....riding long. And meeting people along the way who are also riding. On god only knows what. And not making any pre-conceived notions about the type of person they are because their bike isn't an outdated narrow angle pushrod v-twin.

In all my years and all my roads I have found Harley riders to be the quickest to judge my bike (which has either been Japanese or Italian) and the least inclined to wave back if I wasn't on Hog. That says something about the lifestyle they buy into, at least from my experience. I have also seen more Harley Davidsons trailered in the back of trucks on the way to bike gatherings then any other brand. COME ON!!! Trailering your bike to a bike meet then putting around on it for a couple of days so you show everyone what a hard biker you are then loading it up and taking it home? LOL!!!!!

Its about the ride...not the bike. But if Harleys work for you or anybody else out there....then by god go get one. And RIDE it. For god sakes RIDE it. And have fun.

And dont forget to wave.

Answer 5

One of the things that I like about Yahoo answers is the motorcycle folks on here are very diverse, and realise there are lots of brands of bikes for all kinds of riders. HD's are certainly the best bike for hanging out with other Harley owners, so you can all pat yourself on the back for your smart purchasing decision. ;-) Whatever floats your boat!

Other than that, they are one of many choices we motorcyclists have, based on our needs. In general, I would say that Harleys are a decent choice for highway riding, cruising, and long distance touring. They are generally not the best choice for carving up the twisty roads, sport touring, or road racing (closed course, certainly). There are a few exceptions - like the V-Rod and the Buells. You do recognise those as Harleys also, right?

Answer 6

Depends on who you ask. I have owned 4 bikes 2 Yamahas
1 Honda CX500 Custom and 1 Kawaaki Vulcan 800. The Vulcan gets close to looking like a Harley. The center of gravity on te Vulcan was perfect and really suited me. But a divorce got the bike [durn] .

good luck you will hear a hundred Harley overs talk to you.

Answer 7

That's like asking which day is the 'best' day of the year. Depends of what you like about the day: sun, snow, rain, naked women, sand, mountains or a visit from god.
Someone else might choose another day for another reason.
Do like simple bikes you can work on yourself? Go for a classic Triumph or current Enfield. Want a super reliable V-twin that never breaks, try maybe a Kawasaki Vulcan. Want a Harley? Get one.

Answer 8

For some people, Harleys are the best. everybody has their own preference. I personally like Harley cruisers, and I think all the Jap cruisers are wannabe Harleys. As far as sport bikes go, I like European bikes like MV Agusta, Triumph, and Ducati.

Answer 9

No, not the best.

It's a good bike, but not the best. I'd personally put Honda first, Yamaha second and Harley third. I like the Harley bikes, but my dad has one, and has been a bit disappointed with it. Two recalls and a repair in the first year, and some of the ergonomics are poor. So over all, it's good, but not top dog.

Answer 10

hard to answer that, Ive had all kinds of bikes but still Always have a Harley despite the drawbacks. Basically I dont care about technology. In fact I prefer my basic no frills chopper. No front brake, open chain primary, suicide shift,kickstart only,no front fender. I do have electronic ignition which makes starting my beast a lot easier and it is a beast 120 cubic inches!! Oh yea not one of these new H.D. models I ride a Panhead. 1962 panhead to be exact.