I was reading on Motorcyclecruiser.com, hoping to read some things about different cruisers, but specifically a couple different Harley models.

To give you a bit of background, I ride a 2000 883 Sportster. I'm a big guy, so I've really been looking for a big bike. In most things I am not very loyal as a customer, I'll buy whatever works best for me regardless of who makes it. Especially when it comes to Electronics. so I've been riding a few different types of motorcycles. It seems I am loyal when it comes to motorcycles.

As I have read these articles they frequently say that the metric cruisers are more 'Refined' than Harley. I've found the exact opposite is true by my observation. I find Harley Davidson uses some of the top quality stuff while most of the metric bikes cut corners, use crap plastic panels and such. I admit that HD tends to use some older technology, I mean they just barely went to Fuel injection on all their models in 2007, but still.


I guess it just seemed like that particular site was very partial to metric bikes, and they barely ever said anything good about Harley.

My own impressions are completely different. I recently rode a Yamaha V-Star 650, because Motorcyclecruiser.com said that out of all the bikes in that range, it was the most comfortable, and from how it looks, you already know its a Fatboy wannabe (Fatboy being my favorite bike). The bike is badly underpowered, but I expected that. To help this, Yamaha put a very steep gear ratio in, which makes the bike sound like its screaming if you get up over 65mph (most of my riding is done between 65-80 (Freeways)). The Seating position is good, feels very much like a fatboy, that is, until you get to the feet. The floorboards feel like they're mid-pegs that are up too high. It was hard for me to get my legs up onto them even.

After my ride on the Yamaha, I got back on my sportster, stretched out, and was more comfortable than I have been in the past, just because I knew how uncomfortable I was on the Yamaha.

Anyway, it looks like I'm just going to have to keep saving for my Fatboy, and I guess I prefer these non-refined American beasts.

 

Most generic magazines are partial to the imported bikes because they make more money off them for advertising versus the two or three (if Indian is alive and well) American makers. I therefore read their stuff with a grain of salt, keeping their bias in mind.

I like to think that Harley keeps doing what they do because they believe in the old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't f*** with it". Since they've been around longer than anyone else, I'd say it works.

 

I agree.. I ride with a guy that is 74 yrs old.. He was moving so I went up to help him. He has a couple goldwings and an ultra classic.. I road all three down to his new house.. Give me the Ultra Classic any day... I did not like the handle bars, lay out , and funky feel of the Goldwings. I likes my Harleys.

 

Wow, your current ride is an 883, your wanting a big bike so you look at a ......
650 Yamaha?
Then you compare it to the Fatboy. Apples and Oranges for sure.
It is a totally different class of bike, it is a small cruiser (Only the 250s are smaller). Most would consider the 650cc cruisers as entry level bikes.

 

I agree with all of you guys!!

 

And that's better than any other manufacturer other than BMW. Japanese bike manufacturers did not have all fuel injected models for street bikes. Many of theirs had carbs in 2007.

Fuel injection has been offered on some or most Harleys for almost 15 years. You'll find it difficult to find any metric bikes offering fuel injection when Harley did.

Many metric bikes had no fuel injection option and used carbs even in the last few years. And the ones that did often had the manual cable operated for cold start idle speed. Harleys is automatic.

There were no Japanese bikes that I know had fuel injection when Harley was offering it.

This "high tech" thing is a myth. Overhead cams and water cooled is not high tech. It's different tech. Harleys are known for pushrod, air cooled engines and have been advancing the technology within those confines.

Harley has used self cancelling turn signals, keyless ignition, electronic throttle and other tech that many metrics STILL don't have. You would think that would be common.

And I'll also suggest that high tech for high tech's sake doesn't make for a better motorcycle but a more complicated one. Honda put variable valve timing in some bikes but was it necessary?

So your Harley has plenty of tech that is necessary to be a reliable street bike and have features that make it more practical.

 

I read or heard somewhere that the use of self-cancelling turn signals is one of the main reasons Harleys are nto used for MSF. They teach the course with the manual turn signals because not all bike have them.

 

Well for me, I like the look of a harley over the plastic and scooter style of the gold wing. All the other metrics are harley knock offs or wanna bees. The victory's are a bit innovative but why not get the real thing rather than a look alike?

Anyway, regarding the technology. Fuel injection, electonic cruise contorl, antilocking brakes, keyless ignition, smart security, integrated stereo/audio system with easy to use buttons on the hand controls. Electonic fuel gauge indicates remaining distance. Intelligent self cancelling signals.

But the best part, it's a harley, sounds like one and looks like one. People respect that. Today, driving to work a dude passed me in traffic and shouted out his window, "hey, nice bike" and gave me the thumbs up. (I just shined it up last night). You don't get that when you ride a plastic covered rice rocket or one of those overgrown scooters they call a goldwing.

Get the harley and you'll never look back.

 

Size cant just quantified by cubic centimeters of your engine. The V-Star 650 is a much bigger bike than the sportster, both in weight, length, and width. It is designed as a fatboy knock off, but its more like a miniature fatboy. It just feels like it was designed to be a "big" bike for an asian, and not a big bike for a big, overweight american like myself.

 

metric bikes are very good bike and as good or better then a harley. majority of harley owners are biased and diehards and cannot admit that.
if i was going to buy a new bike i myself would be looking hard at the star raider, other than the rear swing arm is a great looking bike and the price is very nice.


when it all comes down to it, no matter quality, price, looks, etc....it's still not a harley.