Looking into HD's
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 353
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From: Land of the black buggy
Looking into HD's
I've been lurking a while, 
figured I'd chime in to say hello
My wife and I were at our local HD dealer last weekend for "bike night" (which ended at 8PM, but that's another story
) and sat on a few nice rides in the showroom.
A little background on us, we both ride Hondas, I ride a '84 VF1100C (V65 Magna) my wife is on a '84 VT700 (Shadow) I ride about 10,000mi/yr, my wife about 1,000.
I was impressed with the looks of the CVO Fat Bob, and it seems to be set up to handle well. The dual front brakes were a plus, but the lack of several items found on my 26yr old metric cruiser was kind of a put off.
1. hydraulic clutch (which I couldn't find on any bike in the showroom)
2. air pressurized, anti-dive front fork
3. adjustable rear shocks (compression, rebound and spring preload)
I'm really interested in the bike, but having trouble justifying the price for less (tunable) performance.
Has Harley missed the mark on muscle cruisers?
How much would it reduce their margin to include a few suspension upgrades on this high-end ride?
Am I looking at the wrong bike?
Before anyone starts bashing my Honda, it was assembled in the US by union workers using imported parts, just like a Harley
[flame suit on]
figured I'd chime in to say helloMy wife and I were at our local HD dealer last weekend for "bike night" (which ended at 8PM, but that's another story
) and sat on a few nice rides in the showroom.A little background on us, we both ride Hondas, I ride a '84 VF1100C (V65 Magna) my wife is on a '84 VT700 (Shadow) I ride about 10,000mi/yr, my wife about 1,000.
I was impressed with the looks of the CVO Fat Bob, and it seems to be set up to handle well. The dual front brakes were a plus, but the lack of several items found on my 26yr old metric cruiser was kind of a put off.
1. hydraulic clutch (which I couldn't find on any bike in the showroom)
2. air pressurized, anti-dive front fork
3. adjustable rear shocks (compression, rebound and spring preload)
I'm really interested in the bike, but having trouble justifying the price for less (tunable) performance.
Has Harley missed the mark on muscle cruisers?
How much would it reduce their margin to include a few suspension upgrades on this high-end ride?
Am I looking at the wrong bike?
Before anyone starts bashing my Honda, it was assembled in the US by union workers using imported parts, just like a Harley
[flame suit on]
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 93
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Gotta remember - no matter what the differences are between metrics and Harleys, you're always going to pay a premium for the name.
Not only that, but a buddy of mine told me once (and in my experience it has proven true), the initial cost of the bike is just the down payment. You pay for the bike at least twice with all the mods.
Personally, I think they should sell HDs by the frame, allow you to pick out the motor, the seat, the exhaust, handlebars, etc. 'Course that's not conducive to assemblyline work (nor high profit margins), but with all the mods folks do to these bikes you rarely (if ever) find one that's been owned (and ridden more than 6 miles to the neighborhood pub) that's even 90% what it was on the showroom.
Not sure what the Honda culture is like, I started out on Harleys, but you should take the price of your bike, add about 50% to it and that's what you'll spend on it in the first 2 - 3 years you own it.
My 2 cents, worth exactly what it cost ya.
P.S. IMHO, once you've pulled the trigger you'll never regret getting a Harley. I've seen some pretty nice metrics, but there's just something about the styling and the sound of a Harley that will never be replaced...
Not only that, but a buddy of mine told me once (and in my experience it has proven true), the initial cost of the bike is just the down payment. You pay for the bike at least twice with all the mods.
Personally, I think they should sell HDs by the frame, allow you to pick out the motor, the seat, the exhaust, handlebars, etc. 'Course that's not conducive to assemblyline work (nor high profit margins), but with all the mods folks do to these bikes you rarely (if ever) find one that's been owned (and ridden more than 6 miles to the neighborhood pub) that's even 90% what it was on the showroom.
Not sure what the Honda culture is like, I started out on Harleys, but you should take the price of your bike, add about 50% to it and that's what you'll spend on it in the first 2 - 3 years you own it.
My 2 cents, worth exactly what it cost ya.
P.S. IMHO, once you've pulled the trigger you'll never regret getting a Harley. I've seen some pretty nice metrics, but there's just something about the styling and the sound of a Harley that will never be replaced...
Last edited by Johnny Dangerously; Jul 15, 2010 at 02:48 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 13
From: 501
I suggest you try one on or two on for size by riding. I knew from the time I was five, that I would one day own an Electroglide. So, to me it didn't much matter how well it was equipped. I knew from the start that I would make it mine over time by changing whatever I didn't like. And this is a plus for HD's in general. No other brand has factory aftermarket or aftermarket support like a Harley.
I could have bought two bikes of another brand for what I spent, but mine is what I'd been looking for. I don't look back, and have no regrets no matter that I ride an 06' which is supposed to be a bastard mid model change model. Big whoopie. Once I get past the factory pitfalls, all will be good!
Good luck in your quest for change, and Oh yea, Welcome to the forums. You already know you need thick skin around here at times!
My0.02
aka Bob
I could have bought two bikes of another brand for what I spent, but mine is what I'd been looking for. I don't look back, and have no regrets no matter that I ride an 06' which is supposed to be a bastard mid model change model. Big whoopie. Once I get past the factory pitfalls, all will be good!
Good luck in your quest for change, and Oh yea, Welcome to the forums. You already know you need thick skin around here at times!
My0.02
aka Bob
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
I bought a Honda 750 (K-0) the first year they were inported, wish I still had it. Later I also rode a V65 Magna, fast, fast, fast. Then I bought a Sportster and modifed the front and rear suspension so it would handle. In '05 I bought first RG. Still have the Sportie and will probably pick up a 2011 RG.
The point here is buy and ride what you like and for the type riding you do. I'm retired and do a lot of touring 20K miles a year so the RG is good for me. If you want technology and a lower price HD is not the place to be.
The point here is buy and ride what you like and for the type riding you do. I'm retired and do a lot of touring 20K miles a year so the RG is good for me. If you want technology and a lower price HD is not the place to be.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Fort Collins, CO
I would have to agree with many of the above posts. Initial purchase is only the beginning, the MOCO seriously needs to produce better suspension, and higher HP/Tq motor...however its a Harley, and 50K miles miles later Im still grinning...MHO...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
They got the looks down. Power and other performance issues can be addressed with Upgrades (from Harley or the aftermarket). Competing with the Magna will be tough.
1200 Sportsters perform better Stock than the other air cooled Harleys.
You might take a look at the V rods. Stock performance is better than the other Harleys. Also used ones can be bought cheaper than other models, the selection of upgrades might be limited.
BTW Harley pushes test rides pretty heavily, you should be able to arrange some with a dealer in your area and many dealer rent bikes.