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I've been dying to get a Harley ever since I got my first Japanese bike about 7 years ago...a Kawasaki KZ440. I grew bored of that bike pretty quickly.
Years later, I ended up picking up a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I thought it was 'big enough'. When I started it up, it had a nice rumble too it. I thought I'd be happy with that bike for a long time, but again I grew bored of it quickly. I worked with a a bunch of guys that had Harley's, and when I sat on them I would always say THIS is what a bike should feel like. I never got to ride any of them though, nor did I ask. I never thought I'd own one because I simply didn't think that I was willing to spend 10K+ on a bike.
Just a few weeks ago, I ended up grabbing a GSXR 600, thinking that maybe I'd be into the crotch rocket thing since most of my friends were into it. Nope. Bored of it after about 3 rides. I didnt like how I felt on it, and I really had no desire to be going over 100 mph. I didn't like the way I was seated on it, and I just felt that it wasn't my style at all. So 3 weeks later, I sold it and took a $500 loss. I didn't care though, because at least I got to try it out.
After selling that bike for $3500 cash, I went over to the Harley dealership and checked out some bikes. I checked out several, but only test rode one of them - the street bob. It was used, but with low mileage and already had V&H pipes on it. I fell in love immediately after just doing that one test ride.
That is how a bike should feel, I thought to myself as I was riding it. The sound is amazing, as you surely all know. Arms are fully extended, which is extremely comfortable. And I just feel 'safer' for some odd reason on it. It's like I was gliding on a cushion of air or something...and everything just felt so solid.
It's hard to explain, but I remember feeling a similar way after finally getting my first Gibson Les Paul after years of playing on the cheap, imitation Epiphone models. I think it's almost necessary to go through a few smaller, Japanese bikes first just so you can fully appreciate a Harley.
This is how a bike should feel.
Sorry for the long post, but I just took her home yesterday, so I'm pretty excited!
The right thread at the right moment Now you understand that which can't be defined.
I just came back from riding in the escort for the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall; can't tell you how many bikes. 375 or more, mostly HD. To hear them all start at once was absolutely intoxicating; believe me, I know what you're feeling. I've ridden HD since '78 but still feel like a little kid when I start this bike. This morning was a fantastic ride; all that thunder, the Moving Wall, all the flags lining the streets...
Yea, I'm a big giddy right now I'll start a thread and post up the images I took in Off Topic...
I wonder if a Gibson Les Paul(I prefer a far superior Suhr or Anderson) has as many Japanese parts as a Harley?
The thing is, is that I don't care about the whole "American" thing. I care about the feel. When I play my Gibson, I think "yup, this is how a guitar should feel". It's the same with the HD.
These companies have a reputation for a reason, and they make sure to deliver the quality that the people are looking for.
As far as cars go, I'm a Honda guy. I get my ***** busted all the time, but they are solid constructed cars. My previous car, which was a newer mustang felt like a cheap toy on the inside (and as soon as I hit 100K miles, it had a new problem every other week). I just love Honda cars. It's the feel.
Whatever HD needs to do to achieve that feel...then keep it up!
Originally Posted by TinCupChalice
The right thread at the right moment Now you understand that which can't be defined.
Exactly!
By the way, I just watched that movie the other day from your profile pic...that's pretty much what made me wanna get rid of Gsxr and get a Harley instead haha.
Yup I know that feeling exactly and having come from a sportbike back ground I with ya bro. There is just something different about it its hard to explain to people if they havent ridden one.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
NOTHING feels like a Harley!!
Now you understand that which can't be defined.
I'll start a thread and post up the images I took in Off Topic...
