Benefits of a Harley?

Question

First off, I am asking this as a serious question. I'm not wanting to start a Harley vs. everyone else discussion.

I'm wondering what, if any, are the benefits of a HD over j*p cruisers. Virtually everyone I know has recommended j*p cruisers- even people who also own HDs.

What are the downsides of owning a HD? I have heard they require an insane amount of maintainence which is why I have steered clear of them.

Answer 1

it all depends on what you want man.... like ford or chevy.... you want to jump across town... you want to hit the highways... across country... back roads... or just ride.... it has a lot to do with what fits your butt better so what i tell anyone is go sit on a few.... you will know the one....2000  harley sportster 72,000 plus... been across country six times east to west.... still getting wherte i want to go... its not what you ride but its you ride what you want..... go sit on a few you will know what i mean

Answer 2

A late model Harley is about on par with any of the cruisers made in Japan. They have cured most if not all of the reliability problems older models suffered.  Now, IF you do have a problem, out of warranty, it will likely be more expensive to repair than a similar problem on Japanese bike. They are heavier, not as agile, and more expensive than the foreign built bikes.  The j*p cruisers most often handle better, are faster (larger engine sizes) than the Harleys.  Honestly, the only ones who think Harleys are fast are the Harley riders.  Most 600c j*p  cruisers will run with a Harley, the larger ones normally are faster.  

Harley ownership is rather a cult thing, they pay more, Harley and their riders do a lot of talking about the pride of ownership thing, buy American, etc. I operate a motorcycle service facility, work on all makes.  I do not ride a Harley,  can afford most anything I please, but do not like the ride, handling, and lack of performance. I ride to please myself, not to show off.  Harley riders talk about resale value, and how they hold their value compared to other brands.  What they do not take into considerationis that until mid '70's there were no j*p bikes

to compare with the Harleys.  Also, the bikes which came out them were more sport oriented than tourers.  There was no direct comparison to the Harleys before the Goldwing!  And even then, no direct comparison, for the Goldwing was years ahead of the Harley in every area.  

So, the only benefit of a Harley is in the mind of the owner.  Your choice, your money, your ride.  Harley rider seem to be more of a cult thing, the rest of us are motorcycle riders.

Tomcotexas.

  

Answer 3

I had my 1993 harley springer for 13 years and never had to do anything to it. It ran perfectly. I paid 13800 dollars for it in 1993 and in 2006, i sold it for 11500. They hold their value very well. The only reason i sold it was because i found a Big Dog K-9 motorcycle that i liked better.

Answer 4

At some point in my life I have ridden Kawasaki, Moto Guzi, Yamaha, Honda and Harley. 21 years ago I bought my first Harley and have never considered anything else. If any of these losers tell you that you can't depend on a Harley, trust me, they have NEVER  ridden one.

Answer 5

I own both, and I have stripped stroked and chopped both. dont see much differance they both their own issues.

Answer 6

If you don't want a Motorcycle you have to work on don't buy an old one.  j*p or American if you buy a 30 yr old bike no matter what it is your going to have to do some work. The Harley Evolution motor is awesome and is a low maintenance Vtwin . The price is higher because your buying an American made machine with the majority of the parts being made and assembled right here in the U.S.A. Not overseas like the cheaper look a likes. Why buy the fake one when you can have the real thing?

Support the American economy don't buy foreign vehicles .............

Answer 7

it benefits me tremendously,,,,,reddishpa is right,,,,,go harley

Answer 8

There aren't any specific benefits of owning a Harley except that you like the style of it and enjoy riding it and riding it with other Harley riders.

Cost wise,  import bikes offer more for the money and often are more reliable and offer more styles.

Otherwise Harleys aren't that special at all except for the popularity of being an American brand and having a distinct sound.

Answer 9

I'm not a harley guy

but a sportster came in third in the last iron butt rally, amongst a bunch of bmw's and fjr's

so i think if you keep it stock it can be extremely reliable, don't fall for the temptation of 'tuning' and getting a ridiculous sounding pipe.

Answer 10

I've owned HDs since 1959 and the only money I spend on them are fluids and tires. I've never had to replace brakes on them and most of them had at least 40K miles. I have an 08 Street Glide now and I don't know how it could be any better. My freind has an 89 dresser with 178K miles on it and he replaced the cam at 127K, thats all he ever did to it. A lot of metric people will tell you about the insane maintenance, but in 50 yrs I've never seen it.   Hope this helps.

Answer 11

You get to dress up like the village people and live an alternative life style like the other hardly owners, if you are into that kind of thing.

Answer 12

I use to ride j*p bikes.  I too heard all the high maintenance arguments against owning a Harley.  However, I always liked their looks and sound.  I finally rode one and I was hooked.  It was very comfortable and I felt like I was part of the bike and not just perched on the top.  I have a 2002 FXD.  Besides typical oil changes, cleaning the air filter, etc. the only issue I've had is a burned out headlight that I had to replace.  It hasn't leaked one drop of oil and has never left me stranded on the side of the road.  As far as my experience has gone the Harley is just as low on maintenance as the j*p bikes I rode and probably even a little lower.  If you're talking about the AMF Harleys of the 70's early 80's, that's a different story.  Quality was poor back then, but not today.  Don't dismiss a Harley because of the old maintenance issue, it simply isn't a valid argument any longer.