Topic: So we been picking on Harleys a bit but....

[Terry in Australia]

Well I for one, would be more than happy if HD was to close their "embarrassing" operation in the US and set  up here in Oz where we'll appreciate one of the Iconic brands that made America great.

Outside America, America isn't considered to be at the leading edge of "high tech", America has long been eclipsed by Asia and Europe in that regard. America is famous for big V8's and big V twins, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

For people like me with 20W50 running thru their veins, without Harleys and V8 cars, America would be about as interesting as England. If you don't want Ford, Chrysler or Chevrolet either, let me know, there's plenty of room here for them too! Cheers, Terry.  

[edbikerii]

I don't think Americans want to see Harley go under (or even go down-under).

I, for one, would love to see them innovate and become competitive again in something other than marketing.  I was excited about the V-ROD, but it sure is overpriced, and getting kind of old now, too.  I found Erik Buell's ideas incredible.  I think Erik Buell was one of the best things to happen to Harley in 40 years.  Very smart of them to buy him out.

I would like to see Harley Davidson try to compete in racing again.  Then maybe there'd be some hope for a future after the "mystique" wears off.  Fads and trends just don't last as long as good engineering.  I just don't see younger people falling for the Harley image-sales like they used to.  The older folks who are still buying Harleys won't be riding for too much longer, and frankly, they are the only ones who can afford to overpay for the Harleys that are out today.

[ofreen]

Harleys are what they are.  I have ridden current ones and they are fun in the same way that driving my '65 F250 or '68 Nova is fun.  They are a more basic experience than most other brands.  It seems to me that would be something appreciated by people frequenting a forum devoted to old bikes like this one. 

I don't have one because I don't like cruisers much, but if I were to buy one, I'd get a Superglide.  It's actually a good bike for the money when you compare it to a lot of the big Japanese cruisers.

Harley's image is both an asset and a liability.  It is an asset now because there are still a lot of people that like to dress up like pirates or klingons and go riding with others dressed the same way.  Some of those people are obnoxious to anybody riding anything else.  Then the image is a liability because they hurt the feelings of somebody who is riding a rice grinder.  The rice grinder guy's feelings are hurt, so they transfer their anger to the klingon's bike, too.  I'm pretty much convinced most of the vilification of Harleys has little to do with the bike itself.  Otherwise Moto Guzzi would not be getting away with it.  (I like those, too.)

[Joel]

I used to think all vehicle manufacturers should stive to evolve technologically.  Now I've come to accept that these strides are not always nessisary and do affect the selling price.  No too long ago I would turn my nose up if an engine wasn't multi-valve with OHCs.  Now I think it's pretty cool these old pushrod, 2 valve small blocks Chevy is producing are making 500+ hp, and most 4 cammers aren't...

I wouldn't say Chevy isn't advancing technology just because they still use pushrod motors.  They're simply continuing to build on their past achievements.  The new small blocks are just even more amazing considering the Vette can produce almost 400 horsepower and still get about 25 miles per gallon on the highway.    The 500+ horsepower may have more to do with displacement than valvetrain.  They say there's no substitute for it.

I'm not a Harley fan mainly because of the style.  I've got nothing against a low-revving, high-torque powerplant.  I like the looks of the new Buell Lightnings but they're still a bit expensive for me.

I love to buy American made products but I don't want to spend money on a lesser product just to do it.

[tortelvis]

There was an instructor in Enfland who did the cones on a KZ1300, very impressive. Definitely check out the Japanese motorcycle cops, unreal skills!

[dusterdude]

i havent run into any anti honda or anti jap stuff when i ride my 750,but i can say,if you do, it will probably be the guy who has been watching too much occ and not an "old school" rider.

[Terry in Australia]

When I worked at the gas station part time, there was an outlaw motorcycle clubhouse not far away, so these guys were regular customers. Because they knew I was a soldier they'd talk to me, but when I rode my Suzuki GS1000S there and parked it out front they'd ignore me.

If I rode my BMW R100RS, they were happy enough to talk to me again. Funny bunch for sure, and when Triumph started building bikes again, they all went out and bought Daytona's, because they really wanted to ride multi-cylinder sportsbikes, but their club constitution only allowed American and British bikes. The kept their Harleys for "official" functions, but most times I saw 'em flying around on these modern Trumpys having a ball............... 

[fuzzybutt]

i blew the clutch up on my 750k last year and rather than leave it roadside i started pushing it to the nearest convenience store. i heard a group of harleys coming up behind me then beginning to slow, when i heard one of the riders say "oh he rides a honda" and they then rode off without offering the use of a cellphone to call AAA or even an offer of help just "oh it's a honda" they looked like a bunch of dentists or lawyers or something
 

[ekim98]

i blew the clutch up on my 750k last year and rather than leave it roadside i started pushing it to the nearest convenience store. i heard a group of harleys coming up behind me then beginning to slow, when i heard one of the riders say "oh he rides a honda" and they then rode off without offering the use of a cellphone to call AAA or even an offer of help just "oh it's a honda" they looked like a bunch of dentists or lawyers or something

You must have been walking slow when you were pushing, or they never would have caught up with you. Hey 754, looks like a harley beat another jap bike. 

[Steve F]

they looked like a bunch of dentists or lawyers or something
 

Definately not mechanics, or they would MAYBE have stopped to offer help?  More that two cylinders and one carb perplexes them beyond comprehension.   

[UnCrash]

i blew the clutch up on my 750k last year and rather than leave it roadside i started pushing it to the nearest convenience store. i heard a group of harleys coming up behind me then beginning to slow, when i heard one of the riders say "oh he rides a honda" and they then rode off without offering the use of a cellphone to call AAA or even an offer of help just "oh it's a honda" they looked like a bunch of dentists or lawyers or something

While I was pushing my bike home last summer due to a wiring harness meltdown, I had two Harley riders stop and ask if I needed help, or a cell phone.  The second even went over some quick diagnostics with me before I showed hime the meltdown and he gave me the "Dude, you're hosed" look.

The were both gents.

[fuzzybutt]

there are jackasses riding all makes and models i'm sure, just happened to get that from a group of harley riders. i have good friends that ride harleys, hell my next oldest brother rides a roadking and a redneck engineering mutant buell.