I've always admitted I'm not much of a Harley fan, even after buying the bike, but once I decided it was what I was after, I don't know what would have been considered in it's place. maybe a Honda rune.
When I started thinking about getting back into riding 7 years ago I considered a Roadstar because I saw one done up Harley style ( apes, fishtails, etc. ) and it sounded good and they could be had much cheaper. When I told my wife about it she said if that's what you want that's fine but I won't be riding on it. So I got a Harley instead. Made us both happy.
Checked out the Goldwing FB6 and I just couldn't get past the looks and amount of plastic that's on that thing.
Considered the BMW1600GT but I heard there was a lot of issues with the water pump and the lack of dealerships along with price tag turned me off it.
Vintage Japanese???
Test rode a Victory Cross Country. Wasn't bad but the tranny sounded like it had loose marbles bouncing around in it and the guru said that was normal. Overall fit & finish was lacking and the price wasn't far off from a HD so didn't see the point.
Diavels are notorius for electric issues..... Had a Nightrod for a couple years which is basically the same thing minus the problems.
I really dig the Triumph Thruxton R! That may be another possible bike added to my stable down the road.
Test road an Indian Chieftan a couple months back and was thoroughly impressed. I already had my RGS bye that time but I wanted to compare. They definitely give you a lot of bike right off the bat with a stock. Love my RGS but had I seen that Indian Darkhorse Bagger 1st can't say I wouldn't have thought long and hard about it. Only knock is lack of dealerships
The BMW Nine-T is a cool little bike and I've always wanted a shaft Drive. The price is a little steep and I'd rather have the Thruxton R over it
Last edited by MatteGlide15; 10-20-2016 at 11:12 AM.
R-Nine-T in a heartbeat, but the whole point of my Harley is because the wife hates riding on my supermoto & zx-10r almost as much as I have having passengers (that don't like tricks) riding on those. She enjoys the Harley.
It was 23 years ago when I bought my Harley. Most of those alternatives didn't exist. I will say that 40 year old me would have loved the Bonneville, but lack of a dealer network and aftermarket/indy support would have made it a no-go, like most of those alternatives listed.
One bike. Yamaha xsr900. Modern vintage style and the triples make power like a buell but rev to the moon. That's my next bike. My evo is the only harley I want.
10-19-2016, 01:39 PM
8 Bikes You Might Have Bought If You Didn't Buy a Harley
