So I've been riding for a few years and I'm currently on a Yamaha FZ6. I'm really looking for a change in the next few months, and the Wide Glide & Fat Bob are at the top of my list currently. Talking to people I know that ride, all I hear are bad things about Harley's. Even someone that has ridden them for years is always saying, 'that's why they're called Harley - they can't harley run!' It's kind of funny actually...lol.

My bike now runs flawlessly. I've never had a single mechanical problem after 20k miles. I've never had it in the shop either, besides tire replacements. I've done all the changes for oil, coolant, and brake fluid. I average about 5k a year with mostly light commuting and some small trips here and there, so I'm not abusing the bike but I do ride almost everyday for 9-10 months out of the year. I'm sure many of you have seen those videos on youtube comparing Victory and Harley, and the guy basically bashes Harley the whole time. Are those videos valid? What are things I would have to worry about with a Harley? I don't want to have to get a bike and have it in the shop every year. Thanks for your help!

 

Run clear of Harleys. They are well known to be going down the road and instantaneously blow up. Well, this is what I heard from my wife's hair stylist's, cousin's mother's brother's dog's veterinarian's gardener.

 

<p>All I have to say is:</p><p><img src="http://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdforums.com-vbulletin/202x250/80-images_9d974ca77b9813ec2ecf11ccd5772bac70817e72.jp g" title="" /><br /><br />&nbsp;</p>

 

Obviously I don't think Harley's are junk, otherwise I wouldn't be interested in one. I'm just curious where they get all of their bad press from.

 

OK, I'll bite.

I ran Hondas for years. Made the jump to Harleys in 2014. I wondered at the time if I should have stayed with Hondas, which have ran fine for me over the years. But I like the way Harleys sit, fit, sound, look, and ride.

I was very pleasantly surprised by my first Harley, a 1200T Sportster. The bike ran like a top, handled great, and the fit-and-finish and overall quality were superb.

I upgraded this year to a Fatboy (Softail). Same deal: runs great, looks great, fantastic fit-and-finish.

I'll never ride anything but a Harley again. Love 'em. I Harley know why anyone would buy anything else.

 

I was in a similar spot as you. I rode dirt bikes for many years and had Honda and Suzuki sport bikes for a few years then stopped riding for about ten years. I wanted to get a bike again and shopped Triumph, BMW, Victory, and HD. I chose the Dyna Wide Glide because I wanted to experience a Harley and I haven't regretted it for even a minute. I'm not into the Harley lifestyle - no pirate costumes, no tattoos, etc. but the bike is huge fun to ride, I love the looks of it, and I've put about 6,000 trouble free miles on it since January. If you want to experience a Harley you won't get it by buying a Victory.

 

FZ-6? Could you get more plain vanilla than that?
Yeah, my Harley's really easy to push home because it has a low center of gravity. I've just never had the opportunity to test this.
Victory, aren't those the cigarettes old lady's used to smoke?

 

I have also owned many bikes from japan and a couple BMW, were all good machines, however last year purchased my first HD, have over 13k miles, no regrets. is the most fun to ride motorcycle I have ever owned.

 

Great quote!

Yeah, I'd say I'm in the same mind frame as you were. I was thinking I wanted to experience everything 'Harley' and not just get another bike.

 

Hey, no knocking the Fazer....lol. I'd say it's one of the best 'all around can do a little bit of everything' bikes. She has served me well...