we all like different things, and I'm constantly surprised by the Harley haters out there, most of whom don't know much about them.
It isn't the bike that draws the haters, it's the people on them. In general I think you're right in that very few people know much about Harley motorcycles, but I think that partly stems from the image that a percentage of the riders project. An image which repels many people, myself included. Is it a majority of the riders who adopt the bad-boy image? Possibly, although the worst offenders are definitely in a minority. Plenty of people complain about the bikes, but ultimately I think that's just proxy for the riders themselves. Again - the bad apples spoiling the barrel.
I may be showing my own prejudice, but you won't find do-rags, get back whips, "loud pipes save lives", coal scuttle helmets, etc on Concours or Moto Guzzi riders. So again, I don't think it's the bike, it's the image - an image which Harley has worked very hard to maintain and encourage. An image which other manufacturers have tried to embrace for their own line - even Triumph and their Rocket line.
In the very end, Harley certainly isn't unique in creating an image for themselves, but unlike pretty much all the other manufacturers - its the only image they have. At least Honda can appeal to the sport bike riders, cruisers, baggers, city riders, motorcross riders, etc..
I know this thread has gone on a bit since this post but.... This. I agree with this from my Topeka perspective. I played a biker bar the other day...typical imagery on leather and vests and every bike in the entire lot was a Harley except for a giant three wheeler with a 350 V8 in it. Not one feckin helmet, either.
Sure, there are other riders on the road. Lots of fat old Goldwing riders here, and plenty of young guys trying to be cool on their crotch rockets...
The most annoying by far IMO are the Harley guys. They think they belong to some elite club of bikers that are better than all the rest and that nothing touches a Harley because they're Soooo Cooooool. It's rubbish.
I've just never been a Harley guy. Some cool builds have been done (ahem Roland Sands) and I can appreciate those from an art perspective but... yeah. Beyond that I don't care. In fact, I really wasn't much of a bike guy at all until Honda CB's came into my life in the form of Cafe bikes.
I'll just take my Honda and my Corvair and go.... lol