Hey! I watch Star Trek!

 

Now, THAT'S funny!

 

I started on a Kawasaki Vulcan 800A. I customized it, and turned it into a "Chopper", changing just about everything on it! When I would go to rally's etc. I always felt left out......It was obvious I wasn't welcome....if you don't care fine, but be HONEST about it....if you want to ride with others and be a part of something, it is hard to do. I found the fit and finish to be kinda bad, but I also only had 10K in it, fully customized and decked out when done!

Then, I bought my Superglide. The fit and finish has been "okay"; the rear gas tank bracket was wleded on crooked by the factory, kind of bugged me....I noticed it after the bike was home with the seat (piece of crap seat)off....and I had just paid 13K for it! The rubber grips and foot pegs are really cheap pieces as well.

Now...I have changed about 50-60% of my bike to build it where I want it......would I buy another one? New-NO! ......Used? Yes! The custom bikes are pretty cool, but I like having a customized Harley-Davidson.....If I did it again, I'd buy a used H/D, and tear it completely apart, and custom build it, with a chopped and raked neck, stretched swingarm, custom forks, custom wheels, custom made solo seat, etc. The new models just don't appeal to me....and the prices are just ridiculous for what you get! And how about the guy's that think there bike is worth just as much used?

Joe

 

exactly, thats why i bought my vulcan 900 classic LT, I figure im about 5 yrs from a HD at this time unless some one out there wants to pay my sons collage tuition,so i can have the softtail ive always wanted, on a side note since this is a HD fourm I i really dont want to come here to post about my bike, im mainly here to shoot the breaze about bikes and rideing in general

 

Take a look at Yamaha cruisers. NIce bikes. Well built, good price points. IMO the Kawi 900 Vulcan is the best looking of the metric cruisers. Absolutly beautiful machine.
I know several VTX owners and they are all very happy with their bikes. Nothing against Suzuki(in fact I love their quads)but their cruisers don't do much for me. Now if we're talking a GSXR-1000 or a Hayabusa.....

 

thankyou akenaten

 

No anger Ken. If you metric lovers want to sing their praises then go to their forum. Notice the name of this one - HDForums.
I'm all for looking at whats available if you are going to make a change but I don't care for the synopsis.
Talk about your HOG here and your Suzuki over there. Seems simple to me.

 

I've owned an '85 V45 Magna since it was new. It was my second bike. Traded in my first bike, an'84 500 Shadow, for it. I bought the Shadow because at the time the cost of a Harley was out of this world, compared to a metric bike. The Shadow was a compromise. I wanted to ride, and it was what I could afford at the time. One year later I traded it in, the situation hadn't changed much, and the Magna was the way to go. The wife & I did our honeymoon on it back in '87, and have agreed to never sell it. She's old, tired, has nearly 150,000 kms on it, and looks pretty rough, but has been reliable as hell, and a big part of my life. She'll always have a place in my heart & my garage. However I ALWAYS wanted a Harley. Simply because I think they are the coolest bikes in the world.I don't hate metric bikes. I simply prefer Harleys. This year I was finally in a position to get the bike I've dreamed of for 20 plus years. I picked up my Fat Boy on St. Paddy's Day. It was 2 degrees celcius out, but the roads were clear, and the skies were blue. I rode her home 140 kms from the dealership. Froze my azz off, but loved every second of it. The weather has largely sucked this spring, but I've still managed to put just about 1000 kms on her since bringing it home last month. Tonight the wife & I went for a ride after supper, to relax after a long week at work. Me on my Fatty, and her on her '03 800 Vulcan. (She started riding about 7 years ago...) Got back from our run a couple of hours later, and were pulling into the garage, and saw my old girl sitting there, looking sad. (the Magna...) Felt bad, as I've pretty much ignored her this year. She's plated, insured, and ready to go, just relegated to semi-retirement now. However I decided to bring her out for a short run, just to let her know she's still loved. I have to admit though, I felt like I was riding a kid's bike. I figured I'd still use her for commuting, or the odd run, just for old time's sake. I have to admit, after the short run tonight, its not looking good. Do I regret buying any of the metric bikes I've owned? Hell no! If I hadn't started riding until I was in a position to own a Harley, then I'd be a rider with about 6 weeks of experience under my belt, instead of a guy with 22 + years in the saddle, and all the great times & memories that go with that. Will I ever go back to a metric bike? I don't believe so. However I think my son is going to LOVE learning on it!

 

Why not just ignore a thread that has 'Metric Shopping" as the title?

 

Wow! I didn't mean to start this! I think theres a missunderstanding. I'm not buying the rice burner, he is. What I can pay him it's all he can afford with 5 kids and all. I'm a die hard Harley owner. I've owned two. I was almost killed last aug. on my 05 superglide, RIP, and just now getting well enough to ride again. I love my 06 softail. After breifley leaving this world on the side of the road, thanks to an impaired driver, and my life being ruined by his state min. insurance, it's my bike that keeps me sane most of the time. I can safely assume that I love Harley Davidson motorcycles more than anyone. Besides my family, it's all I thought about my 4 months in a nursing home lying on my back. Which is not easy for a 38 year old man. As soon as I was able, I jumped on a harley and rode my a** off without fear or hesitation. The only jap ride I own is a suzuki king quad. As soon as Harley Davidson makes quads, I'll be the first to own one. My loyalty cannot be questioned.