Why would anyone buy a harley?

Question

When a SportBike is twice as cheap, and has at least quadruple the performance. Harleys seem like a waste of money.

Answer 1

It's a combination of mystique and brand recognition, and a preference of riding styles. True, a sport bike like a Hayabusa or ZX-14R will destroy a stock Harley in terms of speed and handling, they are also much, much less fun to ride for any extended period of time than a Harley. It comes down to how/where you like to ride. If you like road trips, cruising and style, the Harley is unbeatable. But, if you are a speed demon or like handling and nimbleness, sport bikes are the way to go.

Like anything in life, it comes down to personal preference. Harleys are good bikes, and so are sport bikes- apples and oranges at the end of the day, since their function is different.

My advice? Go ride both, and see how you feel afterwards. Harleys are not as slow as you think, and while they are expensive, they retain their value much better. Happy Riding.

Answer 2

two say twice as cheap is ridiculous, there are jap crap that cost as much as a Harley. 4 times the performance, well at 1640 cc vs a 1000 or 660 cc doesn't seem realistic. o.k. you have the initial front end speed but for the most part the guys(and gals) riding Harley's have been riding for years and can keep up with and even beat out a majority of you rice rocket riding punks. so the reason is quite simple. Harley's last longer, get more booty, have a resale value, and feel so much more comfortable than being bent over. get some real fact next time you have the burning desire to ask a ridiculous question.

Answer 3

Sportbikes twice as cheap, New or Used? Check your facts again. Performance and handling imported motors have far surpassed Harleys pushrod performers not to mention brakes, handling and comfort.

Many folk prefer Harley just cause the name, want to fit in, be cool, look cool, be a outlaw, cause they like the sound the Harley makes, it's a American Motor, it's a safe investment, they hate all that isn't Harley, they really aren't bikers but posers, etc. etc.

It's alot of all that and more, personely I owned 2 Harleys and 7 Sport Motors and Love the Sport Motors for the need for speed and love the Harley for the exact opposite.

Myths- imports are not made to last, Really? only someone who hates machines would make a blanket statement such as this, I have two imports that are older then many of you here.

Answer 4

Why would anyone buy a sportbike? My Harley will still be on the road long after your last ride to the junk yard on your sportbike. It will still be on the road after your last ride to the junk yard on your replacement sportbike. In the long run the Harley is cheaper. Sportbikes seem like a waste of money.

Answer 5

"At least quadruple the performance". Where are you getting your figures? The real question is, why do you care? Or, why don't you see any older riders riding Sportbikes? Is it because it's not a way of life, just something they do until they get married, or knock up their chick.

Answer 6

rhand182 would probably wet his pants if he rode a Harley. It's obvious by his answer he's never ridden one.
I bought a new Harley in '87 for $9200, rode it 60,000 miles in the ensuing years with very little maintenance cost, then sold it for $9,000 in 2005. How many rice bikes can you say THAT about?? How many rice bikes from 1987 do you still see on the road now? How many rice bikes would even last for 60,000 miles?
I've been riding nothing but Harleys since 1972, and wouldn't have it any other way.

Answer 7

a) It's a matter of style.
b) The Harley dealership in your area may sponsor more rides and a more clublike atmosphere than your metric dealership.
c) You want a big touring motorcycle that doesn't give the overdone appeareance of a Goldwing.
d) Your friend has a Harley and recommended Harleys to you.
e) You want a motorcycle that will keep more of its value.

Answer 8

If you want to ride a sport bike, then buying a Harley would, indeed, be a big waste of money.

Answer 9

Twice as cheap, that statement screams for the old saying "you get what you pay for" shown in the resale value. Quadruple the performance, a bit of exaggeration but at any rate what's your hurry and where are you riding? The Bonneville salt flats? Running from the law? Unless you're a knee dragging competitor if we head over the pass I won't be far, if at all, behind you even with all that responsive power.
A waste of money, well if you're right I could sell mine and get at least one and a half brand new of whatever you're ridding.
And I'm guessing this will probably come as a revelation to many. I've most likely ridden what you're ridding or close to it. Bought my latest Harley brand new so it goes without saying I could afford what you're ridding. Still I stick with Harley-Davidson. It gets old when people talk of Harley's like they were still cast iron. But in today's market to try and discredit Harley's value in dependability and performance can only come from misinformation, inexperience or denial.

Answer 10

u ride ur's, i ride mine. for the coin u throw down replacing the bikes u wrecked actin like a squid, u coulda had a harley. the price might be cheaper, but the insurance definately makes up for it. ahhhh i forgot...u gotta be a certain age to ride a harley. problem is, u'll wind up dead before gettin to that age.

lets see...lets estimate about 8 grand for a 600cc rocket. wreck 2 from bein a moron. that's 16 grand roughly. enough for a heritage softail. u get the pic