Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

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x01660
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Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#1

Post by x01660 »

Hey. :)

I'm not trying to start a flame war; just wanting to understand the appeal of an HD, from some people who actually have one or have ridden one. I've never piloted a Harley, just been on the back of one for a short period. It was rumbly, which was pretty cool, but it would seem like that would get tiresome real quick.

I've had 3 bikes; 1980 Suzuki GS 1000G, 1985 Suzuki GS 1150E, and 1978 Honda Goldwing GL1000. The 1150 was fun, if a bit rough around the edges and the 1000G was a total beater. But both were smooth on the highway, and handled decently.

I love the GL more than the others given how smooth it is. I dunno. Maybe I'm expecting the wrong thing, but trying to understand.

So, those of you with HD's, why do you like them?
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#2

Post by brokentoe »

I don't think there is any explaining something as personal and subjective as this topic. Can someone explain the Chevy or Ford experience? Brand loyalty, American made (somewhat), Apple vs PC, on and on. I have a 75 GL and a 2014 Softail and love them both. They're different, they ride and shift different, they both go fast enough for me, they both make me smile. I might be the exception on this subject.
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#3

Post by x01660 »

brokentoe wrote:I don't think there is any explaining something as personal and subjective as this topic. Can someone explain the Chevy or Ford experience? Brand loyalty, American made (somewhat), Apple vs PC, on and on. I have a 75 GL and a 2014 Softail and love them both. They're different, they ride and shift different, they both go fast enough for me, they both make me smile. I might be the exception on this subject.
I guess what I'm asking is for a subjective comparison between the ride of a GL, and the ride of an HD.... All of my bikes have been Japanese, and I'm sure I'm biased. I want to hear from someone who has owned both and can provide a comparison.

Sorry if that's a bit vague...

:?:
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#4

Post by n5zhu »

I have road one HD and after opening the thoule sorta a joke the 4cly wing would run away from it.Did like the fuel use better than the GL 1000.
HD has spent much money to sell folks that a vibering engine is cool,but to each there own. 73 Patrick
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#5

Post by leggman »

I am sure a lot of the appeal is the history and nostalgia of owning an american brand that has been around forever. I have had a lot of bikes both german and japanese but never bought into the harley thing. I never wanted to pay more for a name.
To each his own , as long as you are in the wind thats all that matters, at least to me
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#6

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I think essentially the Ford/Chevy/Dodge comparison is the best one. Everybody has "their" brand, and as much as I rag on my co-worker who's a dyed-in-the-wool Ford man, or the fact I would NEVER own a Dodge, what your looking at is, essentially, the same exact product. Sure, there's minor differences, but that's what they are- minor.

Same with bikes. No matter what, you've got two (sometimes three) wheels and an engine. There's only so may ways you can do that. Once you get beyond that fact, what your left with is brand loyalty, and that's not an overarching question- that's a personal one.

Maybe you, your dad, or someone else worked at a factory. Maybe you want to be part of a larger community. Maybe it's a way of expressing your views, moral, political, and (who knows) spiritual? Why you're loyal to a brand is like "what is art"? COMPLETELY subjective.

Me personally? I don't want to spent a load of money for a name, at least if I'm not getting something else in return. It stems from the fact I financially CAN'T, and even though I've been known to spend too much on a bad idea (cough, KZ1300, cough), there's enough of a tradeoff on the flipside that I'm okay with it. Not to mention that, while I've put a lot of money into this bike, comparatively it's really not that much.

But this being so subjective also means I can't hate on anyone who HAS to own a Harley either. I mean, I'll joke about it and give 'em crap about it, but never actively think less of someone for owning one. At the end of the day we all want the same thing- an open road and a full tank of gas. Who cares how you get there?

Now where do I put this soap box.....
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#7

Post by desertrefugee »

I am not a Harley guy. (Yeah, that's a period)
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#8

Post by robin1731 »

Haven't owned one. Have ridden a few. Older and newer. Older like from the 70's and newer from 2000's. Huge difference really no matter how the look may be the same. Can't say I would never own one if the right deal came along. I'm not brand loyal. On bikes or cars. I've had GM, Ford, and Dodge trucks. Have a Dodge and a Ford right now. Wife drives a Caravan. Before that she had a Riviera.

You ride, that's all that matters.

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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#9

Post by x01660 »

Ok. Let me clarify;

Our GL's are known for being smooth, reliable, quiet, and (in stock form and maintained), fuss free. From what I've seen and heard, the HD's shake a lot, don't produce a lot of power, require a lot of maintenence, and are much more prone to problems in stock form.

In addition, there is supposedly this feel of "power" because it shakes at idle. Maybe I should just ride one. But I'm wanting to know from those of you who have ridden both, what the comparison in the ride quality and experience is to a GL.

If that's not clear enough, then maybe we should just lock this; I'm not trying to start a flame war. I've talked to a few Harley people, and ridden with them. Its my interest in the machine.

You're right, Robin. If you ride, that's good enough... ;)

Edit: I'm asking for a subjective description of the comparison in the "ride" of an HD vs a GL, or any Japanese bike.
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#10

Post by dontwantapickle »

I've owned a few HD's over the years (the only brand I ever bought off of the showroom floor).
but.... they never made me "cool", I was still just a nerd on a motorcycle.

Since I resigned myself to that fate, I figured that I would ride the bikes that I really liked.
So, I rode british (not because they were better, but because they were different than all of the look alike HD's).

Having grown up with and worked on about all brands of air cooled motorcycles ,
the nerd in me was drawn to the engineering and practicality of water cooled, horizontally opposed,
shaft driven bikes. That was back in the early 80's.

Yeah, Harley's are fun to ride, all bikes are, but the durability of the wings won me over.
Also, the fuel tank under the seat and lower center of gravity makes them feel more "planted" on the road than others to me.
That includes my Valk which I ride every day.

IMHO, an older wing is the best bang for the buck large bike available.

Make yourself happy, buy the bike you want and ride the wheels off of it.
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#11

Post by CYBORG »

Lucien Harpress wrote:I think essentially the Ford/Chevy/Dodge comparison is the best one. Everybody has "their" brand, and as much as I rag on my co-worker who's a dyed-in-the-wool Ford man, or the fact I would NEVER own a Dodge, what your looking at is, essentially, the same exact product. Sure, there's minor differences, but that's what they are- minor.

Same with bikes. No matter what, you've got two (sometimes three) wheels and an engine. There's only so may ways you can do that. Once you get beyond that fact, what your left with is brand loyalty, and that's not an overarching question- that's a personal one.

Maybe you, your dad, or someone else worked at a factory. Maybe you want to be part of a larger community. Maybe it's a way of expressing your views, moral, political, and (who knows) spiritual? Why you're loyal to a brand is like "what is art"? COMPLETELY subjective.

Me personally? I don't want to spent a load of money for a name, at least if I'm not getting something else in return. It stems from the fact I financially CAN'T, and even though I've been known to spend too much on a bad idea (cough, KZ1300, cough), there's enough of a tradeoff on the flipside that I'm okay with it. Not to mention that, while I've put a lot of money into this bike, comparatively it's really not that much.

But this being so subjective also means I can't hate on anyone who HAS to own a Harley either. I mean, I'll joke about it and give 'em crap about it, but never actively think less of someone for owning one. At the end of the day we all want the same thing- an open road and a full tank of gas. Who cares how you get there?

Now where do I put this soap box.....
Well said....and I agree
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#12

Post by chewy999 »

In a nut shell we are all different (thankfully), and prefer different brands from cars and bikes to soap powder. What someone considers a great film, others will find it a bore.
At the end of the day, I have worked for my money so will buy the bike(s) that I like. Just so happens that apart from one, they have been Honda's.
When I got back into biking after a 19 year break, I went to the Honda dealer first and fell for the CB1300. Went to the Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Triumph dealers, but knew I wanted the Honda. I appreciate not everyones cup of tea, but have been happy with it for the last 8 years.

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1986 CBX550 Good commuter
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#13

Post by Bugdaddy66 »

Ignoring history, culture, where they are made and brand recognition, there is something viscerally different riding a large V-Twin powered motorcycle than any other power plant layout. Many other manufactures have built these, to varying levels of success. Some big V-Twins are those brands current flagship touring motorcycles.
Harley has an advantage in two points that I see. Good, bad or indifferent, they have been doing it a long time, so when someone thinks V-Twin touring motorcycle, Harley comes to mind first. Also they do not build a variety of other engine designs to choose from, which would dilute their identification with that engine layout.
Now is a V-Twin better than any other engine? That is back to preference/subjectivity!
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#14

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Bugdaddy66 wrote:Ignoring history, culture, where they are made and brand recognition, there is something viscerally different riding a large V-Twin powered motorcycle than any other power plant layout.
I'm actually curious if you want to expand on this. I've only been on a Harley for about 2000 feet, so I'm interested in what the differences in "butt-feel" there is between a v-twin, flat-4 and maybe a Japanese Standard inline. I'm sure the OP would be as well.
Last edited by Lucien Harpress on Tue Aug 14, 2018 4:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#15

Post by x01660 »

Lucien Harpress wrote:
Bugdaddy66 wrote:Ignoring history, culture, where they are made and brand recognition, there is something viscerally different riding a large V-Twin powered motorcycle than any other power plant layout.
I'm actually curious if you want to expand on this. I've only been on a Harley for about 2000 feet, so I'm interested in what the differences in "butt-feel" there is between a v-twin, flat-4 and maybe a Japanese Standard online. I'm sure the OP would be as well.
^ This.

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"The best motorcycle is the one well ridden" anim-cheers1

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
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