I have owned bikes since 1992, Suzuki, Kawi, various Honda's, all had some quirk or issue, mostly low resale value, but in all those years before buying my first Harley in 2012, I was never under any illusion that Harley's were the best quality or the best ride BUT they are Harley Davidson's, an American original.

I buy them (we have owed 4 of them) because of the traditional look and lack of major changes to design. Yes, that's right, I like them because they are not the latest and greatest, but because they are old school in many ways. Who else is going to give you traditional looks and style in a mostly reliable fuel injected, metal fender 45 degree V-twin?

I think a lot of guys are out of touch with what Harley is. Look at a 80's or 90's Goldwing. Are they still stylish? No. Every time these bikes get a major redesign the old one becomes less desirable, that's part of the marketing, same thing with cars, get the consumer in to buy the latest fashion. Give me a Evo Roadking that has been restored or well kept, it looks classic, many of those I prefer the looks over the new ones. That is lasting style not going out of style the next season. This is a big reason HD holds value. I wish they would change them less.

So when a guy who has owned BMW, Honda, etc. goes and buys a Harley thinking all bikes are the same, just another brand, he is in for a rude awakening. You got to love the bike for what it is. I know Harley sales want to be all things to all people but it ain't that way. Their advertising ought to say, "Handles like crap, low power, heavy and outdated, if that's important to you." Maybe that would keep some of them away. I for one, love what these bikes are, an Amercian tradition dating back over 110 years, it why I hated see them come out with the Street 500 / 750 liquid cooled. Why not just sell them a V-Star or Shadow.

I know, I know, sales are king and these bikes are to get the young guys into Harleys, but what about when that young guy wants to upgrade and the larger bikes are air cooled vibrating concrete mixers that handle like a tricycle?

IMHO

 

Went on an ABATE ride yesterday, at one of the stops there was this new bike next to me and when I looked over the rider commented on the color of my bike, That he really liked it. He was riding a new Yamaha Bat Wing Bagger that looked alot like a Victory. I thought to myself that there was nothing about his bike I liked, but I was lying. I did like that it was not mine.

 

Yep, Harley has some great paint options.

 

I was with you for the most part until this.

I disagree with the above words. I'm sure you don't really believe it either because who would buy a new Rushmore bike if it were true? You might as well buy that Evo Road King.

That said, I found my 14 SGS to handle wonderfully, have plenty of power and brakes, and is at the forefront of design/technology in many ways (Infotainment, Brembos, canbus, etc). Yes, one must factor that it's a heavy touring bike. It's not going to run with the lighter sport touring bikes. But then again, in my experience, many who ride sport touring bikes aren't up to the capabilities of their machines anyway. I have yet to have a problem hanging with the average Joe in the twisties regardless of his ride.

As mentioned in another thread, all one has to do is get on a pre Rushmore bike (in my case an Evo Springer) to appreciate just how far Harley has come with the Rushmore bikes. They definitely have their place within the heavy touring category against the Goldwing and the BMWs. Yes, they will lose some categories. But they will win others. It just depends on what's most important to that rider. For me a solid touring platform that has all the niceties one could want (again, infotainment, cruise, great fairing), with solid (not stellar like the BMW) performance, and the relaxed, feet out front comfort, is what I'm after. So when it was my time to buy, Harley won that shoot out. The fact that it's a beautiful bike and has the Harley mystique was icing on the cake. But in the end - I bought the bike because it's the best bike for me and that has nothing to do with the traditional Harley values. It's just straight up a great bike. I would have just as happily bought a Goldwing or K-bike if they would have fit the bill (for me) better.

 

Wouldn't give a nickel for a metric cruiser...

 

I agree; owned several new EVO touring bikes back in the day, they are real nice but don't compare to my 14 Limited. Wish a bike like my Rushmore would have been available 25 years ago. I toured cross country in the early 90's on EVO touring bikes, always wished for a sixth gear, more power, a larger tank and better brakes. Loved the bikes but they had limitations. You felt like you were pushing the bike at 80mph, on and on. Not knocking the EVO's, just saying.

 

Well I guess I'll add my opinion to this thread. I'm an old guy that just went through my second back surgery (L3-L5) and a complete rebuild (or should I say re-attach) of my right rotator cuff. I have ridden sorts and sport-touring bikes mostly. I would still have my Concours if I could flat foot at lights and (most importantly) get my leg over the bike. It seems that I have limited range of motion at the hips. SO if I wanted to still ride I needed to look at alternatives. My two most important criteria was a low seat height and a frame mounted fairing. Wandering through the local H-D dealership in between surgeries can get expensive when you're jonesing to ride. I really got drawn to the Superior Blue RGS. The dealership was offering some very enticing incentives and I walked out later that day with a new RGS.
Fast forward a few weeks to when I "could" ride prior to the doc ripping into my shoulder. I took the bike out for a couple of rides. I adjusted the shocks to where the manual suggested and then tried a few more settings. I decided the rear shock suck. Almost every OEM shock has not performed to my liking so it's NOT just a Harley thing. A pair of Howard's Ohlins 2.5s and rear is working like it should. The forks will be next. Now the MoCo could easily of put better shocks on the bike. Especially for the 25k plus cost. It "hurts" a lot less when the bike cost less because at lower price points you have to expect less.

I like the bike and it is the one that WORKS for me. I just wish the MoCo would of spent more on the suspension... The Ohlins made a world of difference and didn't change the look of the bike.

 

I didn't mean the newer bikes handled worse, they are definitely improved, I meant as compared to goldwings or some BMWs they might not be as soft of a ride due to less suspension travel.

I would like that Evo RK though

 

One of the best posts I've seen for awhile. Some of these posts make me wonder if they ever rode one or even knew what they were buying. BTW, the suspension on my SGS is the best of any of my bikes and I really like it.

 

The real problem with H-D suspensions is two fold:
The shocks have less than 3" of travel (after sag) and the spring rate has to be high to prevent a hard bottoming (because of the travel of the shocks.

If someone could design and manufacture a 4.5 - 5" travel shock, with the spring rate to go with it, AND have the shock stay close to factory length,
HE WOULD BECOME WEALTHY IN A FEW MONTHS.

Back in '78 My Lowrider was the best riding Big Twin around. EVERYBODY wanted to sit on it and they were amazed.

What I did was to move the lower shock brackets back 1" (More angle, more axle travel) (Dirt Bikes started to slant their shocks in the early 80's).

I also moved the spring assy to the highest setting. Rode like a Cadddy!!!!