Harley Superiority?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
When shopping for a bike I was determined to find the "perfect" one. No mechanical issues, good value, good ride, lonevity, etc. It ain't there. All bikes have good and bad points, and none are clearly superior. Get what YOU want and enjoy it. Don't worry about what others think. Even the Honda CBR will have cam chain tensioner issues (don't ask how I hnow) and Honda has probably the best reputation on overall reliability. I ride a Deuce, a CB-1, and a Fazer, and I like them all for different reasons. I think the tanking resale of HD is bothering some of the HD superiority guys ("like puttin money in the bank - NOT.") I just ride. 
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,271
Likes: 6
From: madison wisconsin
First off, I am suprised that this threads is still alive (it was started waaaaay before I joined this forum) & If I repeat what others have said, then sue me as I didn't read every single post on this thread. The 1st couple of pages & then the last...
But my thoughts on HD Superiority are...
Of course everyone (from riders to Motorcycle Companies) is going to compare their bike to a Harley. HD opened their first factory in 1906. I think they may be one of, if not the single, oldest Motorycycle Company still in operation. How many other bikes can boast a 103 year tradition? Motorcycles have been in the public conciousness ever since Brando rode one in "The Wild Bunch" (yes, I know he rode a Triumph). From the 50's thru the 80's Middle America has held the opinion that "Biker = Outlaw = Harley" So in effect, when we think of a motorcycle (here in America anyway) the first thing we think of is Harley (for the most part) I mean obviously other Motorcycle companies look at the Harley Tradition... why do you think they all have some kind of Harley clone? SO I don't think that Harleys are better per se... (okay so I do.. but thats not important right now) it's that Harley is the oldest fish in the pond, therefore the biggest.
But my thoughts on HD Superiority are...
Of course everyone (from riders to Motorcycle Companies) is going to compare their bike to a Harley. HD opened their first factory in 1906. I think they may be one of, if not the single, oldest Motorycycle Company still in operation. How many other bikes can boast a 103 year tradition? Motorcycles have been in the public conciousness ever since Brando rode one in "The Wild Bunch" (yes, I know he rode a Triumph). From the 50's thru the 80's Middle America has held the opinion that "Biker = Outlaw = Harley" So in effect, when we think of a motorcycle (here in America anyway) the first thing we think of is Harley (for the most part) I mean obviously other Motorcycle companies look at the Harley Tradition... why do you think they all have some kind of Harley clone? SO I don't think that Harleys are better per se... (okay so I do.. but thats not important right now) it's that Harley is the oldest fish in the pond, therefore the biggest.
Last edited by Lardog666; Nov 3, 2009 at 04:16 PM. Reason: fixing stream of conciousness grammatical mistakes
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA
You are correct,
Rationale,
I have a 2003 FXD, bought since new,
The wife HATES touring on the bike, she is to tall, and is cramped miserably on long rides,
I thought I would try a legitimate touring bike to make trips more comfortable for her,
I thought long and hard about the Honda and BMW rigs, leaning heavily towards the BMW. In the final analysis I picked a Harley Road Glide,
Reasons?
1) Availability of dealerships should a problem occurr while on a long trip, the superior Harley dealer network far exceeds any other brand,
2) Cost of BMW parts,
PS, my son now thinks the FXD is his
Last edited by ButtMan1000; Nov 3, 2009 at 10:45 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
If you're riding a moped, I'd still ride in a pack with you.
I got my Harley because that's what I wanted for me... not to try to make myself seem bigger and better than I really am.
I got my Harley because that's what I wanted for me... not to try to make myself seem bigger and better than I really am.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 9
From: 3rd Stone From The Sun
I've owned Harley, Honda, Buell, etc., and I never apologized to anyone about why I ride what I ride. Never will understand that mentality. When I had my Honda VTX 1800 I would frequently have folks ask me what type of bike it is and often some would ask if it's a Harley. I would always just say, it's a Honda. Occasionally, they would then ask why did you get a Honda as opposed to a Harley at which point I would explain I've owned both brands and I just enjoy riding and don't really pay attention to what brand I'm riding. That would always end the conversation and off I'd go...
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: FTW Texas
Seems to me the only people that ever make comments about my honda are the ones who dont ride at all. But i have to say Harleys are the chit! I thinks its all about prestige, cause i feel a lot more prestigous on my Harley than my Honda.