What's up with unfair Harley bashing?

Question

How come when people bash Harleys they don't compare them with motorcycles in their respective market segments?

Of course Harleys aren't as fast as an R1. They are built for two different purposes. And if you want to race the two, race from Alaska to Florida. We'll see who is able to get their first. I'm sure the HD rider won't need a chiropractor when he gets there. Would you call a Ferarri slow because a Formula 1 racecar is faster?!

Secondly, if you compare Harleys to Japanese cruisers, they hold their own pretty well. Sure Harleys cost twice as much, but consider you are paying for actual metal. Not chromed plastic.

Is there anyone out there that will actually bash a Harley using facts, and not tired old rhetoric?

Answer 1

Unfair?

No, I haven't ever heard of any Harley owners who said anything against imported bikes, rice burners, j*p c**p and all that.

Though it's kind of funny how all that j*p c**p is of equal or better quality than Harley Davidsons for less cost and have less problems and maintence cost than the everpopular American made quality Harley Davidson.   yeah, that deserves some bashing and teasing...don't it?  Not much to say about an over-paid American Union worker whose product isn't much better than that of a minimum wage worker from another country.

Kind of shuts off the bragging rights for Harley Davidson...Doesn't it?

Especially when Harley Davidson is still overpricing their motorcycles considering all that "actual metal" you think is on modern made Harley's is indeed cheap, imported, chrome covered plastic.

Harley riders and lovers should enjoy their ride, but no longer have the right to think they are better than the guy with the Honda, Kawasaki, etc. and as long as there are those Harley riders who do, they are going to get bashed.

Answer 2

Ignorance is bliss. If it makes them happy let them have at it. I've owned HDs since 1959 and I don't want any other bike, they can rant, degrade, curse etc, it's not changing my mind.

Answer 3

The bashing goes both ways.

Live with it and get on with your life.

Answer 4

i don't bash Harleys, i ride a Victory, i know it's the better bike. people who bash others bikes have an inferiority complex.

Answer 5

I do see your point, I had a 2003 vulcan and my dad has a 2001 electra glyde classic, I ride his a mine  back and fourth, The harley does have a smoother ride but the the vulcan was less than half the price. I am a firm beliver that now adays As long as you take care of something it will last, with the engineering in todays equipment its built to last, however, I have a buddy that has a BMW bike that looks like a softail model and it has almost 100,000 miles on it, and has never had any problems, Its the same when people compare a Volvo to a Freightliner, Yeah the volvo cost more but why not save money and use it somewhere else to make the 2 even more comparable. Like my bike, I paid about 7,000 brand new for mine, My dad paid almost 16,000 for his harley, So with the differece I bought bags, Added chrome pipes, kits, and still have about 5,000 left over and he will drive crosscountry and I will be right behind him, And like you said about a R1, You cannot even compare a Road bike to a crotch rocket, All they are is a Quick way out of this so called life. I thinks its just a stage to get one off and then I bet anything when they get older you'll see that same person on a road bke

Answer 6

They probably do it for the same reason that Hog riders bash sports bikes.

You know?....the rice burner, crotch rocket, j*p bikes don't last comments.

A bike is a bike by virtue of not being a car, ANY bike.

Answer 7

Yes it is tiresome at best, but those of us that actually own Harley's know the real truth so I'm not sure why we even waste or time debating with these folks. I have been as guilty of it as anyone else. The real truth is that this whole thing has nothing to do with motorcycles at all. Some people are just bitchy little whiners and if they didn't have Harley's to bash it would just be something else.

As to the answer above, if you spent any time here, and/or paid any attention you would realize that HD4me, HD William and the rest of that bunch only post this c**p to get folks worked up. Their posts are basically Harley bashing also, just done in a sarcastic manner that obviously some people do not get. And after statements like Bluff Mike's you think Harley riders have a superiority complex.

Answer 8

I have no problem with them, would never buy one, but what do I care what you're riding?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

This imaginary superiority complex is the only problem I have with HD riders.

stfu.

Answer 9

Ok, lets use some facts.1st compare the J.D Power ratings between Harley and Victory see which one is ranked higher based on actual riders. Both are made in USA with about the same amount of imported parts like front forks etc. The Vic has 100 cubic inch 4 valve double OHC oil cooled V twin to Harleys 96 that has to idle on 1 cylinder to keep from overheating and puts out 80 HP to the Vics, 90. Add a Stage 1 to the Vic for a grand and you are close to 100 HP. There are 300 Victory dealers in the USA that focus more on sales and service than selling clothes and chrome. Resale value? Look at a VROD. Looks like I got to snoop with the facts

Answer 10

(1) I don't own a harley

(2) harley is over priced.

But everything else - I COMPLETELY AGREE with you.  I like to ride. ANYTHING. I don't care if I ride a bicycle with electric motor, a scooter, motorcycle, cruiser, etc.  I've owned everything (scooter, cruiser, racer, etc.)  I often ride my bicycle even if my bike is just there waiting.

I like riding and I like other people riding - PERIOD.

Good luck...

Answer 11

you must be another biased idiot who doesnt know what hes talking about. is that what is importnant to you, what the part is made of, metal or plastic. If thats the case I can find you a '72 Ford Galaxie and trade you for a fiberglass vette. because afterall thats what is important. Harley's suck and thats all there is to it. Victory's are a much better cruiser all around.  And j*p bikes will last much longer than any harley and cost much less.

Answer 12

Ok.  Cruisers are the worst performing class of bikes and  Harley is the worst performing bike in this class.  There ya go.

When you are into motorcycles as a sport and not a fashion show weight becomes very important.  Chromed plastic is a good thing when the bike is to use and not just for show.

Answer 13

I own a cbr600f4 and an 03 road king. I love them both.

Ride whatever makes you happy. Just ride.

Answer 14

I like a motorcycle that's not too heavy, not too expensive, and gets pretty good mpg.

Answer 15

rhetoric is all they have I havent seen a new one in months

Some wad said the other day we had j*p parts on them

that was 35 yr old news then Maytag Mike says victory is the only American made bike They are 65% j*p korean and c***k junk with more recalls than GM

Let them amuse themselves every post just makes them look worse

Answer 16

the pure and simple fact is whatever you're buying a harley for...(speed, comfort, range, agility, etc etc) WHATEVER...

you can find a BETTER bike for that purpose for less money...

they are not the best for ANY purpose, except brand recognition...

and i don't know how you guys sit like that anyway, you look like you should be at the OBGYN with your legs all spread out on those highway pegs...

kyle: even people over 40, i know a couple of old dudes in their 50's and 60's who ride 'busas...you just have to understand HOW to support your weight (it's NOT with your hands)

edit: I don't know where you keep your testicles, but I don't sit on mine...My seating position is pretty much upright most of the time, I lean forward a little, but not a whole lot, and when I tuck for speed, there is plenty of room between my butt and the tank for testicles. Theres even room for a manta tank bag, a cell phone, and an Ipod for my stereo...

and I typically only tuck for short periods of time (roads don't last too long at 170)

Answer 17

No such thing as "unfair Harley bashing".  

HD fans go on about "resale value", planning to get rid of the bike even before its bought.  Not that "resale value" (which is pretty tired rhetoric, itself) has any place in a legitimate discussion about the true worth of a motorcycle (you may not understand the difference between "price" and "worth"),

As far as being made for different purposes , you are right,  j*p bikes are made to ride, not to impress bar maids and tittie dancers.

My Honda was made in USA, made of metal, has 7:1 weight to hp ratio, and has over 160K miles without even one top end job.

. I've ridden and camped (tent, not Holiday Inn) for two weeks at a time on my Honda without needing a bone cracker.  

I haven't been able to get a Harley rider to even race me to the next town, much less Alaska, but considering the usual blistering 50 mph pace usually set by HOG riders, I wouldn't worry about being left behind, anyhow.

Answer 18

Some just don't have anything better to do. Others can not afford a Harley so they bash them. Other have low self-esteem and try to prove how great they are by bashing others.

I just feel sorry for the person doing the bashing, they must be a very unhappy person.

Answer 19

You are just asking for people to bash harleys with this question, but I'll pass this time.

As for the sitting on your sack part, it happens rarely, mainly when setting up to take a corner at speed you'll roll over the top of one of the berries and at that point you have to hold yourself there and wait until you are thur the corner out of fear of distrubting the chassis.  It sucks.

The riding position on a sportbike is actually quite comfortable, but it is the seat that sucks.  Honda might as well make them out of wood, but Corbin makes great replacements although they are costly but what isn't on a bike.  There, I just bashed Honda for you, hope your happy.

After posting this I saw what Snoop had to say on this and have to respond with what about pissing on the other bikes buyer's parades, it goes both ways.  I think people are smart enough to know why they choose the bike they choose and most will be happy with their purchase.  The ones who buy a Harley to carve corners on or the one who buy a R1 to cruise around on are the only ones who regret their purchase.  Face it most Harley buyers buy the bike for the name and sound, nothing will change the way they feel about the bike, which is good for them, enjoy.  I just wish they would keep the baffles in the pipes that's all.

Answer 20

this topic is older than dirt (and dirt's been around a long time)

neither are gonna go away.

i really don't care about the ribbing for my own benefit, but these harley bashers to p**s me off when a newb wants info because they worked their *** off to save up and buy a harley, have been dreaming of it, spent a long time, and come here to ask a question, only to have the trolls **** all over the harley.

these people **** all over the hopes and dreams and the hard work these newbs put in to get their bike

and this can apply to anything, not just harley, so before you **** all over something for fun, realize that it does actually impact someone.  most of these people are going to buy anyways, but you made them feel less pumped about it, and that's the truly best part about any bike isn't it?  the excitement of it.  who the h**l is anyone to take the fun and excitement out of some strangers life!

Answer 21

I don't think it's "unfair harley bashing" as nearly everyone who owns a bike thinks theirs is the best. The only real problem I have with harleys isn't so much the bike (I have owned 3) but the w@nkers who buy them just to pose around on.

As for facts, harleys handle and perform adequately within their design brief.No cruiser will ever handle like a sports bike.But having owned 70 bikes over the last 25 years I have experience with just about every style and make of bike.

Compared to the equivilent japanese and european cruisers, some handle better than harleys, some worse, the same goes for performance.As for personal preference, I'd rather have a Triumph Rocket III instead of a harley as it out performs harleys in every way, and they still have a long heritage behind them.

As for the price difference between harleys and japanese cruisers, you do pay extra for the harley badge.

Personally, I will ride any bike anywhere...as long as it has 2 wheels and a motor I'm happy. I have been riding long enough to not care what name is on the tank

Answer 22

Life's not fair. Nobody ever said it was, and if they did, they were lying to you.

I was 100% in agreement with sn00p... until I got to the source part. I also agree with that, but would have left out the name-calling.