Unrealistic expectations?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 824
Likes: 3
RE: Unrealistic expectations?
As far as complaints go, these forums can be misleading. Only a tiny fraction of Harley owners visit these forums and it's not necessarily a representative percentage. Of all the riders I personally know, exactly one of them even knows about these forums, and that is a Sportster forum. Most of the nearly 1.5 million new owners in the past 4 years are busy riding, or at least admiring, their bikes and are oblivious to all the complaining that goes on on the internet. It's also instructive to note that on all of these forums, it's a very small minority who make up most of the conversations. So, take it all for what it's worth, which is not much. If you're happy with your bike, ride it and enjoy. If not, sell it and get something else.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 1
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RE: Unrealistic expectations?
Yeah, I'm pretty happy. I test rode about 10 bikes and chose the HD. I really like the "tank" feel of the HD - it just feels really solid. I don't like how top-heavy it is, but I do like how nimble it is at slow and high speeds. On the roads, I don't even have to turn the handlebars - the bike just turns itself. I love the sound and feel of the BEAST of an engine under me. I don't like the high cost of parts and accessories, nor the service at the dealer.
All in all, it's a great bike, but no bike will ever be perfect. An ideal situation would be to own more than 1 bike, possibly quite a few. I'd love to have an R-series BMW, an old Triumph and possibly a high-rpm screamer. But when it comes to cruisers, the HD is pretty much the one that shines.
All in all, it's a great bike, but no bike will ever be perfect. An ideal situation would be to own more than 1 bike, possibly quite a few. I'd love to have an R-series BMW, an old Triumph and possibly a high-rpm screamer. But when it comes to cruisers, the HD is pretty much the one that shines.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
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RE: Unrealistic expectations?
When I was younger, my next door neighbor was always working on his bike; every day and only riding on the weekends before something else went wrong. He had an old Knuckle and I swear, he worked on it more than he rode. Yet when he fired it up, the deep potato sound echoed in the driveway, a sound I instantly loved.My first bike was a shovel sporty and I ended up doing a lot of work on it. I cussed and tossed tools,but in the end when the work is done; firing her up and hearing that beautiful sound reminded me of why I love harleys.
Banned
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 0
RE: Unrealistic expectations?
Perfect or not, it's a Harley-Davidson and that's what I wanted. I read about a lot of complaints on this forum before my purchase and learned a lot. Thanks to everyone here for their opinions and knowledge. Different strokes or V-Twins, for different folks. I like the Harley for just what it is, a HARLEY[sm=biker2.gif]
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 2
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RE: Unrealistic expectations?
ORIGINAL: kingk9
Like you, I got exactly what I wanted. It's exactly what I expected and I couldn't be happier. I'm glad you posted this. Restores my faith in humanity. I was beginning to think people just bought Harleys so they could come here and bitch about em, or about everything that makes riding them fun.
I made a conscious decision to buy a Harley Davidson and knew that I would be getting a motorcycle that was different than any of other Japanese bikes I have owned.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 0
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RE: Unrealistic expectations?
ORIGINAL: anubisss
1. Do you have them?
2. How much money justifies the right to complain about everything that YOU consider to be a flaw?
3. What is the "perfect" ride?
4. How would you build these bikes if you were in charge?
5. Did you pay too much?
6. Is the performance less than your sport bike?
7. Is your tranny loud?
8. Lights not bright enough?
1. Do you have them?
2. How much money justifies the right to complain about everything that YOU consider to be a flaw?
3. What is the "perfect" ride?
4. How would you build these bikes if you were in charge?
5. Did you pay too much?
6. Is the performance less than your sport bike?
7. Is your tranny loud?
8. Lights not bright enough?
2. I don't think 'complain' is the appropriate term here? Anytime a consumer puts forth his hard earned monies (irrespective of whether or not it's $1.00 or $100,000.00 dollars) in exchange for a product or service rendered, he should feel confident inknowing that he received said product or service in direct concert with the monies exchanged. It bears no difference if a purported problemis small in stature, it should be called toone's attentionfor remedy.Once that bike rolls off the showroom floor, ALLaspects should be in good working order.
3. The perfect ride? That question ranks right up there with 'the chicken or the egg?' All I know is that each and every time I ride my Harley, I discover something new and exciting about the bike, the road, and most importantly; about myself. So in that sense, if it's notthe 'perfect ride', ridingmy bikeis damn near about as close as it's gonna' get in my mind's eye.
4. How would I build these bikes if I were in charge? I wouldn't. I'm not an engineer nor am I adesigner. I trust that those employed in such capacities at H-D know full well what they are doing. Haven't had any realreason to doubt such thus far.
5. Did I pay too much? I don't think so, no. I've paid a helluva' lot more for other 'things' that haven't brought me anywhere near the satisfaction my Harley's bring.
6. Attempting to compare a Harley to that of a sports bike (be it performance or looks) is tantamount to comparing apples to oranges. Two different bikes. Two separate leagues and classifications.
7. Is my tranny loud? Not as far as I'm concerned.
8.Lights are plenty bright.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
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RE: Unrealistic expectations?
EVERY time I ride my Heritage someone always stops and admires the bike and makes some good comment about it. I never had this with any other bike I ever owned and I am damn well sure that all the Metric wannabees don't get this happening either. As we say in the UK "Horses for courses" and as far as I am concerned HD are the only bikes I ever wanna ride or own.
Paul Mac
Paul Mac
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 15
From: PA
RE: Unrealistic expectations?
I got taken to the cleaners when I bought my bike. Exactly what I expected 
But as far as performance and overall quality of my bike I have no complaints. Far more satisfying then any metric I ever owned. But it's an '05 and from what I'm seeing on here there might actually be some real issues starting with the intro of the 6-speed and then the bump to 96" 
But as far as performance and overall quality of my bike I have no complaints. Far more satisfying then any metric I ever owned. But it's an '05 and from what I'm seeing on here there might actually be some real issues starting with the intro of the 6-speed and then the bump to 96" 
