Because my wife said she wasn't putting out anymore until I got a real bike! [sm=hail.gif]

Seriously, I wasn't really a Harley fan until about 2002. My first time on a bike was my uncle's Goldwing in the 80's, and then a GSXR 750 (1991). I was hooked on sportbikes at that point (18 years old, what do you expect?), rode a friend's Yamaha Seca II in college. Basically I liked sportbikes until I saw a Fatboy (my wife - then girlfriend, was a serious Harley fan, and alot of our friends rode Harley's) A Fatboy was what changed my mind, and is still my favorite bike, even though I never owned one (bought 2 Buell Blasts after the MSF for us to learn to ride, bought and 03 Lowrider, and now I have an 05 EG Standard).

One thing I've noticed, the people that feel the need to belittle other's bikes (and this isn't limited to just metric riders), have some serious inferiority complexes. (That guy that has that "American Angst" site is a perfect example!) I'm not talking about some ribbing between friends, but the trash talkers. To me, a Harley is like having a Cadallac. They're not the fastest, more expensive, not made 100% in America, etc. etc., but they are still beautiful to look at, have a fit and finish that is about the best out there. I own my Harley because I enjoy it. I'd love to have a second bike (Ducati or that Boxer BMW in particular), but I would never replace what I have (well maybe, with another Harley! [sm=shades.gif]

 

'Cause I wanted one since I was a kid. That's the biggest reason. I can try to objectify it, been sitting here thinking about "why", but it just comes down to "want." Much of what has already been said plays in to it. Nostalgia, classic lines, the "feel" of the bike, the sound...the sum of all those things make it the bike for me. And I've ridden others, and have no reason to bash them, but they're not what I want.

Now, once I had the first one, some of the objective reasons came into play: I like the ease of working on the bike (that's relative, 'cause things have always gotta go wrong when I'm working on something), the ability to customize and change things, the large aftermarket, the availability of independent mechanics...all these things are nice, but the reason goes back to the above.

Enjoy the ride.

 

For the same reasons I like my women in Jeans, t-shirts and holding a beer. It just feels right.

 

Look at all the reply's. If you don't get it then you truely do not understand. No need to explain. Go buy a Jap bike and ride it. This is a rediculous question in my opinion.

 

When I park my Low Rider in a group of motorcycles that have hondas and suzukis. The other riders come over and drool over my Harley. My Low Rider will go as fast as I want to go and gets there as fast as I want to get there.

I was riding on Hwy 64 the other day and two crotch rockets pulled up beside me and tried their best to taunt me into racing them. They would lay back and zip up to me and rev their engines.

They sounded like a singer sewing machine on steroids. They kept having to raise up to stretch from their layed down riding position. Yea I want to ride something like that. I just look at them and shook my head. One of them goosed his engine one more time and I swear I heard parts rattle. Then I didn't see the green one anymore.

People buy the other brands because they are cheap. And they are built cheap. I have owned hondas and suzukis. There was always something wrong on them. I have a cousin that has a Superglide that is over 30 years old. Nothing but tires, brakes, plugs, and fluid changes. Harley got that put down when a certain company owned it and tried to cut a lot of corners. At least we don't have any reports of frames breaking in half like suzuki has.

Nimble. Damn bubba a 650 pound Low Rider vs a 480 pound suzuki. Duh! Lets compare it to one of their cruisers. I'll be in front of his *** through the dragon.

Why do the jap bikes makers have so many "look like a Harley" bikes. I didn't want an imitation. I wanted the real thing. My Harley.

American Made. Actually they are American Made. Their plants aren't over seas. They have foreign parts in them. So does the Space Shuttle. So frickin what.

As for not being the cheapest. I look at the wanna be's, then I look at my Harley. You notice I said My Harley.

So as for the phrase. "If I have to explain it you just would not understand"

I'm riding a Harley Davidson. It has a history that the jap bikes can only dream of. Over 100 years. When i get on it I get a rush, Every time. What I feel and what I hear excites me. The sound, the power. It looks dominating just sitting there.

When I walk out to get on my Low Rider it feels great to have a Honda rider standing there looking at my ride, saying to me "man nice bike, I wish I had one". I politely tell him it is not a bike it's a Harley. But thanks.

So "If I have to explain it. You just wouldn't understand."

 

Not totally made in America by Americans, hasn't been for a while. Victory is the only company that can say that. Hopefully Harley will be able to say it again some day but not today. Sad but true.

 

After riding for nearly 35 years, the last 15 on Japanese 'supersports' machines, I finally realised that these machines were too fast for road use. It's too easy to travel at 150mph +. It wasn't my ability I questioned, it was everybody else and I thought my days were numbered. Time for a change and that meant 'cruiser'. I looked at every alternative on the market and did a lot of research at dealers and on the web. Reliability is no longer an issue and hasn't been for some time now. I can honestly say that in my opinion the finish on HD machines is much better than any of the competition.
The clincher was the dealer - when I walked in, there was no pressure to buy - just a 'feel free to look around, help yourself to coffee and if you need any help, give me a shout'. When I showed an interest, the first thing they did was to show me their service department. That place is so clean it's like a hospital's operating theater, with the mechanics in spotless HD overalls. The walls were covered in HD certificates of proficiency. All together a very professional outfit and the only dealership to allow me to do this.
One other thing is, if you want a flash watch, you don't buy a fake Rolex, you buy the real thing or stfu, which explains why so many riders who own 'cruisers' from the land of the rising sun remove the manufacturers logos. They want people to believe that they are riding a HD and we can all hazard a guess as to why.
I ride a Harley because for my purposes, there is no alternative.

 

When it comes to cruisers, Harley is the original. They are also the nicest looking cruisers and not less reliable than anything else these days. That's the reason I like Harleys, not because they are bad boys bikes or anything. I think the bad boys attitude has changed to sportbikes these days. Harleys are very socially accepted (which is a good thing) while sportbikers have a reputation of being outlaws.

You need to get out more. I know tons of people that could afford a Harley, but they don't want one. Ducati has just as devoted followers as Harley, and most of the Ducati folks wouldn't want a Harley, it's not their thing. Just appreciate that there are different bikes for different people.

 

Why a Harley? For me it was a dream since I was child. I never dreamed about owing a honda, suzuki, or yamaha. A dream is priceless, and regardless of what people may say about the price or problems . . . it is still MY dream. Owning a HD is a personal decision, it is great that we all have the freedom of chosing the type of bike that we want to ride, but nothing compares to the "dream of freedom" on Harley.

Thanks,

Scott

 

Because they're the best cruising bike you can buy. I honestly believe that 99% of the people out there riding something else, if they're honest with ya, dream of eventually owning a Harley. I know I did when I couldn't afford one and was ridin' metric bikes. In 1993 when I finally got my first Harley (FatBoy) - I'd arrived - I'd done it - I finally had a Harley. Now I can relax & ride.

How many sport bikers have you talked to lately who've said "I sure like that VRod, damn it's sweet". Now, the sport bikers have a bike to dream about owning too - compliments of Harley-Davidson!

They're just beautiful bikes that are fun to ride, fun to customize, fun to look at, and give a sense of pride in ownership that no other brand can touch.

Dave from Georgia
2004 FLSTCI