Harley-Davidson or Honda?

Question

I was seriously thinking about buying a Harley-Davidson XL883C Sportster, but i looked at the Honda website today and saw a slightly less powerful Honda Shadow Spirit 750 (VT750C2) for over $1000 less money.

I love the nostalgia of Harley's, and i really couldn't picture anything else, but i am a college student, and i need to save money (not that i can't afford the Harley)

What i need to know, is it worth saving money to go with the Honda (which looks relatively similar to the Harley) or should i stay true to my first true desire. will i get and extra $1000 dollars worth of enjoyment from a Harley? Basically, which is more "Bike" for the money, and which is more respected and mutually accepted by the motorcycle community? (this is my first bike)

Answer 1

Who cares what is accepted by the community!!! I dont know who you have been talking to but this is a materialistic thing.If you want to "keep up with the jones" than get your harley and be prepared to pay 100 an hour for shop fees.That includes changing the oil.I drive a 1983 Suzuki gs 650 L and get lots of compliments on my bike.It's 25 years old and paid for and I alos work on it myself.Dont be a fool and fall into the trap of having to be better than somebody else.Having a harley means nothing!!!!

Answer 2

Get a scooter!

You are going to college for crying out loud! Blow $3,500 on a Vespa (and keep the money for other things, like books and paying off the loans) Besides, 883 Sportsters don't hold value, Hondas don't either, but are rock-solid reliable. Harleys are much better than before, but are years behind. The best way to decide is to figure what you want for 4 years, not 30. By the way, there were 20 Harleys to 1 Honda 30 Years ago, so that point is not valid. Never mind that 30 Years ago the Honda power bikes were 400ccs, of course the smaller ones won't be around! I have seen plenty of 40 Year old Vespas though, and many on original rings! It's an option. Don't go big if you do not have to, and don't think it is about gas mileage, because if it was, you would want a Bajaj Chetak!

Answer 3

Here is my advice...
If you are doubting the Honda in any way and think you may not be happy with it, go with the Harley. I was in your same shoes. I was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, so Harley is in my blood. I wanted a Harley but could only afford a used Victory. The Victory was nice but it didn't satisfy my need. I figured I would get it to fit in with the Harley riders...they didn't pay much attention to me. I bought a 2000 Softail Deuce the next year and haven't looked back.

The Honda's are great bikes and will last forever! But if you are looking to ride a peice of history and join a motorcycle family, go with the Harley. You will notice respect from other Harley riders but also onlookers. Everyone loves and respects a Harley...except those who wish they had Harley's. When you buy a Harley you become part of something big. It is almost like a cult. You are part of a family that will always be there for you.

I honestly think you will be happier in the longrun with the Harley. The Harley will also get you a better resale than the Honda so consider that in the price as well...an extra $1k now may save you in the long run.

The Harley's are also very customizable so you can make it your own bike little by little. Try searching for bikes on Craigslist or Cycle trader.com. You are likely to find a better deal on your sportster especially this time of year...or wait two months and you can steal them!

Answer 4

When it comes to new, modern production bikes, harley can and will hold its own in reliability, performance, and styling with any other similar brand out there. Their maintenace schedules are no better or worse than the other makes, and yes, even the lowly sportster will retain a better trade-in value than the 750 honda.
As to power comparison between the bikes you mentioned My wife has a '03 honda shadow ace with the 750 V-twin and it is a fine bike. The original 2 into 1 muffler was modified and the sound it produces is great, the bike has plenty of power, and the ride is good. I had a 2000 sportster 883 custom a few years ago, and the two bikes are comparable in the power and performance of the engines. The sporty has an advantage when you ride 2 up, because it has more torque than the honda, but otherwise, without modification, they have similar performance. This is speaking from my own personal experience, and not quoting from something I have read somewhere. Styling of the two you mention is somewhat similar, although I would have to give the Honda a slight edge due to the bobbed style fender.
Just my opinion and experience, take it as you will. Just don't let someone talk you out of what you want. If you really like the harley, you won't be displeased, and if you decide on the honda, You will enjoy it as well. Ride safe, see ya on the road!

Answer 5

If you ever need to resell the Harley a good percentage of the extra $1000 will be recovered. I personally have ridden over six different Harley models in 40+ years of riding; including 2 sportsters. Every time I've sold one to get another, the Harleys bring over 3-4 times the money that ANY comparable machine will bring in. A lot of people say a bike is a bike; it's not true. There's other motorcycles and then there's Harleys.
Harley's never die they get rebuilt!
Go by a motorcycle junk yard and count the Harleys--0, Hondas--you can't count 'em all.
And remember, the Harley sound is patented. Any other bike got that too? To me the extra grand would be worth it.

Answer 6

You should get the bike you really want deep down inside. If you've had your mind set on a Harley, but get the Honda, you'll always regret your decision every time you see a Harley go down the road. Motorcycle selection is a personal thing and should not be solely based on dollars and cents. What you feel inside when you ride is priceless, so get the one you know will make you the happiest. Both bikes are respected and accepted by various factions in the motorcycling community. Some prefer the Honda and some the Harley. Don't worry about what they think. Get the one that triggers that inner excitement every time you look at and ride the bike. If you follow what I'm saying we both know you'll get the Harley. Good selection.

Answer 7

I'll admit this first. I have a Harley, so I'm a Harley guy. The reliability thing changed in the 90s with the Evo engine and is even better now with the twin cam engine. I love Harleys, the sound, the rumble feeling, the experience. You're not going to get the same thing with a Honda. Not discounting the Shadow, it's a great bike, but it's not a Harley.

Answer 8

harley owners will say theirs as ill honda owners
but even HD owners will agree with the sportster not being a good buy just look how many recently purchased 883 and 1200 sportsters are up for sale
on the other hand is the honda its not a bad bike good reliabilty and decent power
I ride a kawasaki meanstreak 1600 so Ive got no bias
but youl want more power then eather bike has shortly after you get comfterable on it
so the most respected harly you can get for the least amount is probably the street bob at about 17500 or the honda shadow 1100 or the vtx 1300 at about 9000
just remember its about your comfort and ride safe

Answer 9

Hey Derek,

the purchase of a motorcycle is a personal thing, as you can see from the answers you have so far most people are passionate about the type of bike they like or ride, rather than objective. it sounds like your passion lies with the Harley, i cant help but think you would be sitting at the lights on the Honda when a Harley pulls up next to you and your fist thought would be i wish i bought one of them, so how much is that worth to you??

Just because the two bike look similar don't think they will be they are very different, go to the dealers and ride both and buy the one that puts the biggest smile on your dial, it dosent matter which one you buy you will have to spend money on them its a fact of life.

I have owned Japanese and European bikes all my life but have many friends with Harley's, you get good and bad in both. some have spent an absolute fortune on maintenance and repairs others have done nothing more than change the oil.

good luck

Answer 10

My first bike was a honda back in the 70's. It was a good bike but I always wanted a Harley. My first harley came in 1977 a Sportster and it has been Harley since then. Other brands are fine but if you want the respect from people on motorcycles nothing gets it like a Harley

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Answer 11

Both are fine bikes, but lets face it the Honda Shadow is a Harley knock off. The main thing to consider is long term for your investment. The Sportster will hold its resale value much better that the Shadow.