Nothing else is a Harley
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 458
Likes: 102
From: Alabama
I've owned and ridden Kawasaki & Honda - but knew both were really bought because they were less expensive, not that I preferred the brands. When I was able to afford a Harley, I bought one. There is a vast difference in the Japanese, plastic, bikes and a heavy-duty (HD) solidly built, steel bike. The ride is different, and well worth the $$$, IMO. Also, the other "bikes" are nowhere near customizable like Harley's. Not only does each individual Harley have a soul, but also part of the owner/rider's soul as well.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 492
From: Heart of Georgia
I went back and read my OP and I can see how some people think I was saying metric bikes are more reliable than Harleys. I didn't mean that at all. I just said they are not more reliable. Mine has never stranded me. In fact the only bike that ever did that was my 87 Goldwing. The stator went out, which was a known issue on those bikes. It was repaired free of charge but at least that one Honda was LESS reliable than my Harley has been so far.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 15,468
Likes: 14,365
From: Illinois
Same here.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
I swore when I was a young man I'd never buy a Harley.
When I was in the market again, the only thing that would do was a Harley for some reason.
After almost 8 years of owning my Softail and basically on the ride home, I know why. I won't own a different brand if I can avoid it.
Not that the others are bad, they're just not a Harley.
When I was in the market again, the only thing that would do was a Harley for some reason.
After almost 8 years of owning my Softail and basically on the ride home, I know why. I won't own a different brand if I can avoid it.
Not that the others are bad, they're just not a Harley.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,613
Likes: 7,087
From: SoCal / AZ
That extra long thread about Yamaha's whizz bang new touring bike got me thinking about why I ride a Harley. It hasn't always been so. I've owned eleven motorcycles over the past 40 years (6 Yamahas, 5 Hondas and 1 Harley) so I do have some knowledge of metric bikes. I'm also a boater. I bought my first boat 17 years ago. So far all my boats have had Mercs hanging off the back of them but I have no particular loyalty to Mercury Marine. In fact, Yamaha probably makes a better outboard than they do and I would love to own one if the price was right. We boaters tend to be more loyal to the boat than the motor. I'm more partial to Starcraft than I am to Crestliner but I run a Merc because that's what Starcraft Marine hung on the transom. But motorcycles are a different animal. My Harley moves me like nothing else ever did. Is it better than a Honda or Yamaha? Far from it. Better in some ways and not as good in other ways. Is it faster? Nope. More reliable? Hardly (though I have no complaints). All I know is nothing else is a Harley Davidson and no motorcycle I've ever owned puts a smile on my face like it does. Hard to explain. I'm on two wheels. I'm in the wind. Why does it matter what brand I'm riding? I don't know. It's not so much the brand as it is the experience. Nothing else is a Harley. Can you relate?
Back to the topic...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
Well, after getting my start on Whizzer motor bikes, Doodlebugs, and Cushman scooters, I bought my first Harley a 1942 flat head "45" in 1955. I was 15 when I got the Harley. That started my life long love for Harleys. Not that I have not owned a few others, but Harleys are just, well, Harleys. What can ya say. They ain't nothing likem. I rode an 84 Iron Head Sporty for 23 years. I now have what to me is the ultimate Harley, a 99 Softail Custom. I love the EVO and the carb. I love the simplicity of the machine. You can tell by the grin on my face.
Last edited by Jim Kraft; Jun 14, 2017 at 02:20 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 15,468
Likes: 14,365
From: Illinois
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 81
From: Largo, FL
With motorcycles, I agree, there is nothing that has a soul like a Harley does. I've owned a few metric bikes too, and prefer HD over all of them. But as far as outboards go, I will never own anything other than a Yamaha. Every boat I've ever owned has had one. After seeing how well they hold up in marine law enforcement and the punishment they can take, I will keep they Yammy's on any boat I own. I have several friends with black motors and nearly every one of them has had issues.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
Owning a Harley as well as riding one is most certainly a unique and special experience but so is owning other brands. They all have their place and appeal to certain riders. I have enjoyed a lot of motorcycles brands and continue to do so.