Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,386
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From: Johnston County, NC
Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
A guy I used to work with IMd me yesterday asking me about bikes... Of course I tell him, "Get a Harley." I also pointed out that he may be able to get an '06 for a good deal since the 07s are hitting.
He then makes some comment about how Harley is not his thing and that he wants a reliable bike.... WTF?!?!?!? So I ask him WHAT the heck he is talking about. He made some comment about them breaking down all the time. Well were the hell did you hear that? The Kawasaki Dealership?
Here's the thing... I don't care if it is American, Japanese, German, Sweedish, or Martian... Mechanical things can have issues. Often from mfg. defects or from simple human stupidity.
Where the heck do these people all get that the Harley does nothing but leak oil and explode? Was this a big problem when they were owned by AMF or something? The biggest problem I have had with my Harley is paint... And I am **** about that on ALL of my vehicles. My theory is that if I have to pay this much for something the paint should be in good shape to start with.
Anyway... had to set Mr. Man straight about the "bad Harley" thing. He is apparently thinking about a Vulcan... Told him good luck with that as I had owned one and I had a TON of problems with it. Not to mention the fact that the thing had NO pickup at all. Not like I drag race with the Harley but it is nice to know the power is there when/if you need it.
He then makes some comment about how Harley is not his thing and that he wants a reliable bike.... WTF?!?!?!? So I ask him WHAT the heck he is talking about. He made some comment about them breaking down all the time. Well were the hell did you hear that? The Kawasaki Dealership?
Here's the thing... I don't care if it is American, Japanese, German, Sweedish, or Martian... Mechanical things can have issues. Often from mfg. defects or from simple human stupidity.
Where the heck do these people all get that the Harley does nothing but leak oil and explode? Was this a big problem when they were owned by AMF or something? The biggest problem I have had with my Harley is paint... And I am **** about that on ALL of my vehicles. My theory is that if I have to pay this much for something the paint should be in good shape to start with.
Anyway... had to set Mr. Man straight about the "bad Harley" thing. He is apparently thinking about a Vulcan... Told him good luck with that as I had owned one and I had a TON of problems with it. Not to mention the fact that the thing had NO pickup at all. Not like I drag race with the Harley but it is nice to know the power is there when/if you need it.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,682
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
RE: Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
In the 70s the gasket material was not that great, and there was also more DOP (Dreaded Oil Puke). So they leaked, or puddled oil.
And most likely the 'break downs' myth was added to when guys would tear their rides down over the winter and then take forever to put them back together.
Add to it the jealous rice riders that looked for anything so they could feel superior.
I don't care about any of that.
And most likely the 'break downs' myth was added to when guys would tear their rides down over the winter and then take forever to put them back together.
Add to it the jealous rice riders that looked for anything so they could feel superior.
I don't care about any of that.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City, LA
RE: Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
Everybody has their own opinion of Harleys as well as metrics. I have owned both and I think if he is buying the bike for simple transportation then he will be ok with either. If he is worried about getting a basic bike then a Metric is for him. I did the metric thing and found that a Harley just seemed the logical progression. He may start on a Metric but he will finish on a Harley. I won't be going back Metric, thats for sure.
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 981
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma
RE: Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
We are always dealing with the HUMAN factors. I know that sounds philosophical but it a fact of life that we talk to people every day that have their own agenda. Some appear to be on a crusade and others are kind of suddle in there tactics.
I have found that there are people that take things that others tell them as the gospel and other are more skeptical. Me, I like to be in-between and will trust what people say unless there's overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
In Short, you've got to let a lot of the garbage you hear roll off like water off a duck's back.
I have found that there are people that take things that others tell them as the gospel and other are more skeptical. Me, I like to be in-between and will trust what people say unless there's overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
In Short, you've got to let a lot of the garbage you hear roll off like water off a duck's back.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
RE: Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
On a lighter note about the "Harley Myths"...a buddy of mine bought a '06 883R on Monday. He rode it to work on Tuesday and when he came out to go to lunch...his co-workers had poured some oil under the bike! He looked around and they were all standin' near by laughing their butts off...
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 981
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma
RE: Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
That happened to me with my last new Goldwing shortly after I bought it. On the first day I rode it to work someone had poured a small bag of rice under it. Then, someone came to me and said, "if that's your new Goldwing out in the parking lot, there's something leaking from it onto the ground". Man, did they get a kick out of that when I walked out there.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 2
From: Suamico, WI (Green Bay)
RE: Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
ORIGINAL: DMSC
On a lighter note about the "Harley Myths"...a buddy of mine bought a '06 883R on Monday. He rode it to work on Tuesday and when he came out to go to lunch...his co-workers had poured some oil under the bike! He looked around and they were all standin' near by laughing their butts off...
On a lighter note about the "Harley Myths"...a buddy of mine bought a '06 883R on Monday. He rode it to work on Tuesday and when he came out to go to lunch...his co-workers had poured some oil under the bike! He looked around and they were all standin' near by laughing their butts off...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 0
From: Severna Park, Maryland 21146
RE: Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
Hear one similar about pouring the oil under, this guy got even. He slid under the culprits new Toyota and punched a small hole in the muffler. He inserted a grease zerk fitting in the hole and pumped a small amount of grease in. Guy kept taking his truck back to dealer cause it smoked. Then it would stop smokin after awhile, then he would give it another shot. Never heard the outcome, maybe I should see if he's still around LOL
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 2
From: LAKESIDE CA.
RE: Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
most of what you hear started years ago when yes harley marked it's spot
and yes they did need a lot of tlc. people just can't let go
as for the vulcan I own one still my son rides it power wise it will out pull my
harley almost anytime also has been a very reliable bike leave the metrics alone
they are all good bikes and no I will never go back..
[IMG]local://upfiles/5757/A82F15CA395B420A9FC2F5FE6D0D6B80.jpg[/IMG]
and yes they did need a lot of tlc. people just can't let go
as for the vulcan I own one still my son rides it power wise it will out pull my
harley almost anytime also has been a very reliable bike leave the metrics alone
they are all good bikes and no I will never go back..
[IMG]local://upfiles/5757/A82F15CA395B420A9FC2F5FE6D0D6B80.jpg[/IMG]
Novice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
RE: Where do people get all this Anti-Harley Propoganda?
The Harley's of "yesteryear" did not have oil in them at the dealership because they would leak onto the floor. After you bought one, they would put oil in then, and send you home. For some reason everyone remembers that. The word on Harley's today has not soaked into everyone's mind because that generation is still around telling everyone what they know about Harley.