Honda Davidson
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 755
Likes: 5
From: Long Island New York
I SAW ONE at the NYC bike show Just yesterday, I didn't pay Alot of attention BUT it caught my eye, I did notice the ugly exhaust pipes( TO LARGE) IN my opinion, I liked the muted grey color on one, BUT again walk past it as i viewed it. AS FOR THE ROCKER< they had one all HARD NOSED UP< but as someone stated, THE FUGLY seat ruined it, for me. OH also THE BIKE SHOW WAS SMALLER BY FAR THEN PAST YEARS< WASN"T IMPRESSED WITH ANYTHING I SAW.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 90
From: People's Republik of Kalifornia
Harley is all over the sport bike market. It recently purchased MV Augusta, a maker of high end sport bikes.
While the Japanese cruisers are considered competition by many, and Harley certainly has to watch it's behind, in many respects the Japanese are playing a different game. As a BMW (car) owner I would never buy a Lexus, even though that marque has made great penetration into the US market. Lexus would like my business, but BMW, like Harley has managed to stay one or two steps of the supposed competition. In Germany, where the people want real performance with their luxury, Lexus is almost nonexistent. They cater to people who want "style and performance and luxury" on the cheap. But no BMW driver would look at any Lexus as anything other than a wannabee. Just the way Harley riders (while respecting others decisions) cannot look at a Japanese cruiser as anything other than a wannabee.
And it will always be this way while Harley maintains quality and keeps its bikes in the forefront of technology for its type. Remember, Harley is catering to the high end, not cheap wannabees and knockoffs.
While the Japanese cruisers are considered competition by many, and Harley certainly has to watch it's behind, in many respects the Japanese are playing a different game. As a BMW (car) owner I would never buy a Lexus, even though that marque has made great penetration into the US market. Lexus would like my business, but BMW, like Harley has managed to stay one or two steps of the supposed competition. In Germany, where the people want real performance with their luxury, Lexus is almost nonexistent. They cater to people who want "style and performance and luxury" on the cheap. But no BMW driver would look at any Lexus as anything other than a wannabee. Just the way Harley riders (while respecting others decisions) cannot look at a Japanese cruiser as anything other than a wannabee.
And it will always be this way while Harley maintains quality and keeps its bikes in the forefront of technology for its type. Remember, Harley is catering to the high end, not cheap wannabees and knockoffs.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 14
From: Yokohama
As a Mercedes owner I would never buy a BMW (car), even though that marque has made great penetration into the US market. BMW would like my business, but Mercedes, like Harley has managed to stay one or two steps of the supposed competition. BMW caters to people who want "style and performance and luxury" on the cheap. But no Mercedes driver would look at any BMW as anything other than a wannabee. Just the way Harley riders (while respecting others decisions) cannot look at a Japanese cruiser as anything other than a wannabee.
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Banned
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
As a Mercedes owner I would never buy a BMW (car), even though that marque has made great penetration into the US market. BMW would like my business, but Mercedes, like Harley has managed to stay one or two steps of the supposed competition. BMW caters to people who want "style and performance and luxury" on the cheap. But no Mercedes driver would look at any BMW as anything other than a wannabee. Just the way Harley riders (while respecting others decisions) cannot look at a Japanese cruiser as anything other than a wannabee.
I don't know, man, but it's pretty hypocritical for someone driving a Mercedes but owns a Harley to call out someone who has a Japanese cruiser. Luxury car or not....foreign is foreign. How come you didn't purchase an American luxury car? Isn't that just as un-American as buying a foreign bike? In fact, I would say it may even be more un-American given the state of the American auto companies.
I'm gonna guess you're in a legal, medical, or financial field of work? Guess you're just keeping up with the Jones'.