If Harleys suck- then why do...?

Question

If Harleys are suck so bad,then why does every foreign motorcycle try and copy their design?They all seem to have a Harley look-alike and I usually see their riders wearing Harley clothes.So what's up with that?

Answer 1

Because more than half of all bikers could care less about performance.  They are more about lifestyle, history, buying status, hanging out at Trekkie type events and getting all nerdy about a brand of bike.  

Who knows why anyone would buy a Japanese cruiser.  You get awful V-twin type performance even when that performance is better then that of the Harley it still sucks.  But you don't get the status of a Harley.  I guess they really want to be riding a Harley but at the same time don't want to pay twice the price for a lesser bike or they don't want to be grouped in with the other Harley sheep.

Answer 2

harley sold more than 300,000 bikes last year. everyone wants a piece of that action.

theres more mark up & profit in large displacement crusiers than in small entry level or low production sport bikes.

Answer 3

I try really hard to be unbiased on these questions. Harley certainly does not suck by any means. There was a time when they had some issues and people still make comments these days based on what someone said 20 years ago. Bad word of mouth dies hard. Current models are very reliable and Harley has an incredible engine, as cruisers go. It is without a doubt the most copied motorcycle out there. Folks will also comment about them being behind in technology, but that is a load of c**p also. The look of the bike may make it seem out dated, but they have all the same technology of most any other cruiser. You can even get a touring model with ABS. How many Japanese cruisers offer that? They are a little pricey but if it is what you want nothing else will fill the void. The folks that bash them don't know any better, they have never owned one. All I can say is that in all my years riding I have never heard anyone say they were selling their crappy Harley to buy a Honda. (I ride a Honda also and I'm not bashing the brand, just stating a fact)

Answer 4

I ride a Yamaha roadstar, I'd put it's engine and maintainance record up against any Harley made.  But you're right in the fact that most cruisers look alike.  It's all V-twin, and there's only so many ways to design one, sorta like a mini van in that regard.  

The only thing with Harley now is that it used to mean something if you rode a Harley, it meant that you were a biker.  Now it just means that you have enough money to buy one.  I see more Harleys being trailered than any other bike.  What does it mean, your guess is as good as mine.

Answer 5

because squids secretly have an HD t shirt in their closet.

Don't tell magszs that honda is trying to copy HD!

Answer 6

harleys really aren't behind in technology and power.  people on here like to compare them to sport bikes, which is just dumb.  but a buddy on a vtx1300 had a tough time keeping up with a group of harleys, some of which were only 1340cc and more weight.  

and anyone who says that other cruisers aren't trying to copy HD is lying to themselves.

Answer 7

Harley's have been around over 100 year's. They are copied because there design's are timeless. Ever notice j*p bike's on the side of the road broke down no one around. That's because the owner know's nobody want's to steal it. You see old harley's from the 30's 40's 50's 60's 70's all the time. Do you ever see that old of j*p product's still rolling (not likely)

Those who bash harley's are just jealous. I hear the i would have bought a harley, mine is a good as a harley, but,but,but all the time.   HARLEY DAVIDSON AN AMERICAN ICON !!!

Answer 8

They don't suck and every foreign manufacturere doesn't copy their  design.    Harley sells good clothing.

Now, troll elsewhere.

Answer 9

they copy the styling, not the shoddy outdated mechanical design.

Answer 10

Because they don't suck.

Answer 11

Thats like saying if American cars suck why do foreign car companies copy their design ? They also have Ford and Chevy look-alikes but Ford and Chevy are not in the clothing business so Honda drivers can't wear any Chevy/Ford clothes. There are sportbikes with V twin engines are they trying to copy the Harley design also ? American Victory bikes are also V twin cruisers, check the JD Power ratings to see how they compare to Harley.