I hate to sound likea Johnny Come Lately, but I believe I've been truly converted to the Church of Harley Davidson. I bought my first Harley last year, a gently used'04 Fat Boy. I truly love this bike. However I fought the urge to become a rabid Harley lovin'/metric hatin' redneck Harley owner. Seemed like too much of a sterotype.
Just recently though my wife finalized a deal on an '08 1100 V-Star. After 169 kms, I noticed that one of the passenger pegs had vibrated off the bike. (no loctite on the factory installed mounting bolts!) As I had the time off work, I volunteered to take it over to the dealership for her, to get the passenger peg remounted, plus have them re-do the PDI they'd charged her for. (And do it properly this time!) I figured it would also give me an opportunity to assess her new purchase.
I came away supremely underimpressed. Don't get me wrong. I think it is a great looking machine. Not plastic Jap crap. This thing is tin front to back. Starts first time, every time, runs smoothly, has decent power, a smooth clutch, and handles well. It also bored the crap out of me. I guess I've gotten used to the clunk whenI put her in gear, the rumble my bike makes when I'm idling (or going down the road...), the subtle vibration it makes, the thousand pound clutch, etc. I guessthe V-Starfelt too 'tame'. (I'd never tell this to my wife, as she's very proud of her new bike...the first one she's purchased on her own...)
Iowned metric machines for the first 22 years I rode. (actually four out of five currently in our garage are metric...) I've only been a Harley owner for just over a year. I think I realize now that I'll never own another brand of bike ever again. It'd be like discovering filet mignon, and then being forced to go back to eating blade steak.
Do I require counselling? Am I ruined for all time? Am I destined for a Tom Cruise like life, of espousing the gospel according to Willie G, understood by few, reviled by many? Will I have to clean out my closet to make room for even more HD t-shirts? Can one survive a mixed marriage of a metric owner and a Harley owner? I've grown kind of fond of her over the last 22 years. I'd hate to lose her over this!

 

You and me have a lot in common. Bought my first Harley just this year and now i am becoming a Harley chic. I have an HD bandana and jacket now
My Nightster is far from being the most powerful bike ive ridden, I have owned a 636 Ninja and a customized Vulcan which has as much power as a vrod, but my Nightster is a great streetfighter. Very responsive. Splitting lanes is no problem due to its small size. And its just fun to ride even in L.A. freeway traffic. And it looks real cool to.

 

I think you'll be just fine there dude. Ive only had 2 bikes, both Harleys (An 07 XL 883 Sportster and my beloved 07 Fatboy) so I cant say anything about metrics. I too could never see myself on anything but a Harley-Davidson. Sure I may buy a Buell Blast or 1125R in the future strictly for commuting to work ( dont want my baby getting to many miles on her just to get me to work and back) but for fun and pleasure? ALWAYS a Harley-Davidson (or bobber based off of a Harley-Davidson).

 

My experience is very much like yours. Over the years I kept buying faster bikes, until I had a super bike.
I cooled to get a Yamaha cruiser because I still thought Harley wasn't worth the price. The Yam was very boring.
I sold the Yam for half price, bought a Wide Glide, and now an Ultra. There's no going back. The best bikes by far I've ever had.

 

Now if we could all work together to reinstitute the code of the road, rescuing its demisefrom the grasp of the evil yuppy fugue( a disturbed state of consciousness in which the one affected seems to perform acts in full awareness but upon recovery cannot recollect the acts performed) that pervades the life style......it'll all be good, well at least better.

 

No mixed marraige here but it was a close call. Wife was pretty much settled on the Vstar Silverado (Heritage Knockoff).It fit her good, had excellent writeups, and was half the price of a Deluxe. Came down to the wire when one day last week she decided on her own that she wanted to take a second look at the Deluxe. The rest is history. I swear I had nothing to do with her decision.

 

WELCOME TO THE CLUB.

 

welcome to the family.

 

We've got two V-Star 1100's, a Suzuki Intruder, a Deluxe and a Softail Standard. They all are great bikes. The metrics have been as dependable and durable as the HD's.

 

I am at a disadvantage here ...... I can't comment because I've never had any other bike besides my 2 Harleys.