It always starts the same way.....
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
It always starts the same way.....
Whenever I encounter someone with a motorcycle other than a Harley, they always exhibit a need to justify not getting a Harley. I refuse to waste my time explaining my decision to buy H-D to anyone (if I have to explain...). A couple of days ago it was a BMW owner that stated, with a straight face, that Harley's were too expensive. Compared to BMW? Also labeled as unreliable. The last bike I stopped to help was a metric. Fortunately my overpriced unreliable Harley has the capacity to carry tools.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
Whenever I encounter someone with a motorcycle other than a Harley, they always exhibit a need to justify not getting a Harley. I refuse to waste my time explaining my decision to buy H-D to anyone (if I have to explain...). A couple of days ago it was a BMW owner that stated, with a straight face, that Harley's were too expensive. Compared to BMW? Also labeled as unreliable. The last bike I stopped to help was a metric. Fortunately my overpriced unreliable Harley has the capacity to carry tools.
You get what you pay for...
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: East end of Canada
I get that, too, but in a different way. They don't justify having bought some other brand, but say they really like H-Ds and just wish they could afford one.
I don't understand it. It usually comes from the guy riding a brand new, fully decked out metric which probably cost at least what I paid for my used EGC or greater.
I think for some people, owning a Harley is beyond their mental grasp of what they could call their own - a bike meant only for the outlaw or the doctor, or something like that. I've never had anyone complain about H-D's reliability, though.
I don't understand it. It usually comes from the guy riding a brand new, fully decked out metric which probably cost at least what I paid for my used EGC or greater.
I think for some people, owning a Harley is beyond their mental grasp of what they could call their own - a bike meant only for the outlaw or the doctor, or something like that. I've never had anyone complain about H-D's reliability, though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,908
Likes: 29,889
From: PNW
That's hilarious. Ask him how much time he figures he has left on the final drive of his bike and the cost of the inevitable repair.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 48
From: Northern Illinois
I don't care what anyone else rides and what I ride is no business of anyone else.
I started out on a Kawi 175 when I was a kid, later went to a Vulcan 750.
Kawi makes a good bike, but IMO, nothing has the soul of a Harley and Harley riders are some of the finest people I've ever met.
I started out on a Kawi 175 when I was a kid, later went to a Vulcan 750.
Kawi makes a good bike, but IMO, nothing has the soul of a Harley and Harley riders are some of the finest people I've ever met.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
It does get old hearing it. Every single metric rider has a "why it's not a Harley" story, whether because of money or whatever. I went to MSF ERC with a stockbroker on a BMW in a full matching leather suit and helmet (it was about 95 degrees and we were going 20 MPH). All he wanted to talk about was harleys and his friend who was planning to get a Harley. I guess they wouldn't let him park a Harley at the country club.
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 1
From: Little Apple, Iowa, U.S.S.A.
I just walk away from them. Seriously. When I feel that the conversation is heading that way, I just walk away mid sentence.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 4
From: Fennario
I don't care what anyone else rides and what I ride is no business of anyone else.
I started out on a Kawi 175 when I was a kid, later went to a Vulcan 750.
Kawi makes a good bike, but IMO, nothing has the soul of a Harley and Harley riders are some of the finest people I've ever met.
I started out on a Kawi 175 when I was a kid, later went to a Vulcan 750.
Kawi makes a good bike, but IMO, nothing has the soul of a Harley and Harley riders are some of the finest people I've ever met.
I don't care what others ride and am happy to converse with them, until it turns to the rationalizations. Then I'm out.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 1
From: W. CENT. IL
I thought wealthy people thrived on over-priced posessions. Metrics trade well at the right dealer and sell outright too just like HD does. I dont care what people ride or what they think about what I ride. The choice is based on money , stlye and anti HD setiment too. The same reason many here would never ride metric, spend your money and do as you want . The main thing is keeping the shinny side up.