So I just recently, got my endorsement. I am an all American type guy, I drive an old ford 4x4. Will only ride an American bike. I've done some research on the Indians, they seem pretty bad ***. Not really into the victory look. So now on to harley, obviously the name and brand is there, done some research on the 103b, watched some video reviews on the milwaukee 8.... seems like an huge upgrade, but why should harley be my first bike....

thanks

RET. SGT Michael McLeod
United States Army

 

It's all up to you man.....Victory is on the way out....Indians are nice.......but I grew up in the 70's as a teen........ALWAYS wanted the Harley.........had a bunch of foreign bikes over the years but could never afford my dream......till about 4 years ago......LOVE my ride and will be my last.....but its all up to you as to what you want.......many will tell you why.......many will tell you why not.......just get out there a ride with what YOU want!

 

You already said it " I am a all american guy "
Oh Yea -- Welcome to the forum
You're going to learn a lot here

 

I guess I'm looking for some diehard harley guys or girls to point oit what they like or don't like about their bike other than the name on it

 

My father rode a Harley in the 1940s. I started riding in 1965 fut couldn't afford a Harley until the 1980s.I like the weight and balance and LOVE the sound! I like the 'primitive' construction on my 02 FXD, but it is all preference.

I don't think I would recommend a Harley as a first bike because you WILL drop it and Harley parts are a bit pricey. Get a bike you wont mind beating up and go for the Hawg when you have some experience under your belt.

 

I do understand the experience of riding, and I just can't picture me on a foreign bike. That's a pill I have a hard time swallowing just like I won't own some Toyota or Nissan pickup truck I've got to have my Ford. And I guess if Parts would be pricey if or when I laid it down, it's a good thing I make a decent living as a truck driver LOL

 

To me it's the timeless looks, feeling like you're riding something that really came from "back in the day". It's also the continuous production since 1903 with no breaks.
Don't really care for the swoopy looks of the Indian and never have. And now, they're a Polaris. That "since 1901" is bullshit because they've gone out of existence and been brought back a few times. My feeling is that Polaris will experiment with this 6 to 8 more years and then this incarnation will be gone.
Victory is now a thing of the past as Polaris has dropped them. Another look that never caught on with me. Too Buck Rogers In The 21st Century looking for me.
I hate to see any American production workers lose their jobs. But if someone had to go I'm damn sure glad that it wasn't H-D.

 

I rode heavy weight bikes from the time I was 21 years old up until last year. When I say "heavy weight" bikes, I am referring to Goldwings mostly. I have always admired the look, sound and the overall general aesthetic of Harley Davidson motorcycles, but have never been able to afford one until last year. I decided that I wanted an ElectraGlide Ultra Classic as the Mrs. and I wanted to do some touring. So I went in search of what I felt was the perfect Harley Davidson Touring bike.

I came across exactly what I wanted and decided to buy it. I haven't looked back since. There's just something about it's simple design, sound, raw power and torque that is just very thrilling to look at and ride.

When I rode Goldwings, no one even looked at it. Now that I ride around on this bike, I get looks, thumbs up, compliments, etc. Don't get me wrong, this is not what I'm after. But it is cool when someone stops and says, "Hey, that's a really nice bike!"

As for the Harley Davidson name, you can't get much more American than that.

 

Thanks everyone for the feed back. Definitely gotta agree with 2 Goldens. Harley has never stopped production, which is awesome. Kind of like the muscle car, the Camaro has stop production the Challenger the charger have all stopped production at some point but the mustang has stood the test of time just like a Harley.

 

I have no aversion to foreign bikes. I have a Harley because, to me, when I was growing up, that's what a "real" motorcycle was (uh, back in the 50s and 60s). I like the look of most of them. The FXDF handles pretty well for a cruiser.