It always starts the same way.....
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
I've ran into this more times then I can count. What I usually ask them is. Show me a 20 year old + Honda, Yamaha or some other rice burnner thats still on the road and running hard, as I'm sitting on or standing next to my 49 Panhead. That usually shut's them up. As far as the price, I tell them what my son is paying for his new Fatboy and they get this look on thier face like, damm, I'm paying more a month then that. I don't really care about what you ride but don't put down Harley's because you know nothing about them or have never ridden or owned one.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
I've never felt the need to justify what I ride all the way from the days of my first bike.
I aleways rode what I believed was the most bang for my buck - which for me means many things - what puts a smile on my face - of course what I can afford - reliability, etc. More often than not in my 30 years of riding that was not a Harley. So what. I rode what I like and continue to ride what I like.
I have a friend who in the last ten years has gone from a Harley to a Yamaha clone, to a silverwing scooter. He went that route for very specific reasons and is very happy with his choice. Part of his choice was reliability/price (going to the Yamaha from the Harley). Whcih is legitimate because of how many miles and how long he had had the Harley. The used Yammie was much cheaper than a comparable HD. Then since he was having some physical limitations went to the Silverwing. 60 + years of riding.
I aleways rode what I believed was the most bang for my buck - which for me means many things - what puts a smile on my face - of course what I can afford - reliability, etc. More often than not in my 30 years of riding that was not a Harley. So what. I rode what I like and continue to ride what I like.
I have a friend who in the last ten years has gone from a Harley to a Yamaha clone, to a silverwing scooter. He went that route for very specific reasons and is very happy with his choice. Part of his choice was reliability/price (going to the Yamaha from the Harley). Whcih is legitimate because of how many miles and how long he had had the Harley. The used Yammie was much cheaper than a comparable HD. Then since he was having some physical limitations went to the Silverwing. 60 + years of riding.
Some people look at me like im crazy for being 26 and riding a bagger.
oh well, ****'em.
but i can understand where you're coming from...wayyyy too many people want to tell me their 'reason they/their dad/cousin/brother dont have a HD' story
oh well, ****'em.
but i can understand where you're coming from...wayyyy too many people want to tell me their 'reason they/their dad/cousin/brother dont have a HD' story
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,769
Likes: 22,993
From: North Carolina
If they did not wish down deep inside that they also owned a Harley they "WOULD NOT SAY A THING".
I started out with a Honda 100 in 1970, then a 350, 450 and a 750. Back then I never took a second look at a Harley. There are a lot of really great bikes on the market and if money was no object I would own EVERY Harley, a BMW, Victory, Indian, Triumph and even a crotch rocket. I know a lot of folks that really love their non-Harley bikes as much as I love my Harley. It's my money and it's their money to spend. To each his own. Just remember what I stated first and don't worry about it.
I started out with a Honda 100 in 1970, then a 350, 450 and a 750. Back then I never took a second look at a Harley. There are a lot of really great bikes on the market and if money was no object I would own EVERY Harley, a BMW, Victory, Indian, Triumph and even a crotch rocket. I know a lot of folks that really love their non-Harley bikes as much as I love my Harley. It's my money and it's their money to spend. To each his own. Just remember what I stated first and don't worry about it.
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Joe Kucinski
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
I've ran into this more times then I can count. What I usually ask them is. Show me a 20 year old + Honda, Yamaha or some other rice burnner thats still on the road and running hard, as I'm sitting on or standing next to my 49 Panhead. That usually shut's them up. As far as the price, I tell them what my son is paying for his new Fatboy and they get this look on thier face like, damm, I'm paying more a month then that. I don't really care about what you ride but don't put down Harley's because you know nothing about them or have never ridden or owned one.
I owned a 1951 model , leaked oil, couldnt keep the pushrods from coming loose, that about the time Levi thought bikeriders liked black jeans,,truth was , the HD's ( and others) of that day turned pefectly good bluejeans to "black :..
that being said , I have a 978 Honda CX 500 that has ran for 33 years , still does..only have to keep the cam chain adjusted .
speedo reads way over 30 grand ..zero problems ..
BTW I also have a 03 fatboy , and a 91 sportie ..like em all..
All is good ..you have a bike ? I like you ....
