I can't see me switching from HD.

I do get a bit pissed when I pay £15,500 for a quality bike and they stick a seat on it that is painful after 40 mins in the saddle.

It's not like its either a fortune or difficult to get right.

We wouldn't stand for it with just about anything else.

 

Harley its my drug of choice!

 

Here's my take in it, and yes I am employed by MoCo. I think, even though some guys in here say they hate dealerships and their employees, generally speaking purchasing a HD is not just a transaction, it's an experience. In our dealership we have a big "to do" when someone purchases a bike. It doesn't matter if its a CVO ultra or a used 883. The customer gets the royal treatment. The experience of ownership continues after purchase. One of the pillars that HD has built it's business around is customization. This is evident with programs like custom coverage and HD1. Even the new concept of Project Rushmore is completely customer driven. Many of the enhancements made to the touring line were driven by customer feedback. Some of it did carry over to the other families.

I can also tell you that there is a distinct difference between HD and the metrics. We will have an occasional used metric or victory on the used lot. Every single one of them feels like crap. None of them handle good and most seem put together poorly. I have ridden a few new metrics and they were OK but something about them deteriorates with any age it seems. How many guys you know on a metric sat around and daydreamed about that shiny new Yamaha? Most of the guys I have talked to that were trading in bought the metric due to price. Are there brand loyalists? Yes, but far fewer than HD has. I know there are way more current metric owners that long to be on a Harley than there are Harley owners wanting a new metric. I think it can be even more the case with Polaris bikes. I mean Victory. We have had several guys come in and take a bath on trading in a victory. Nothing holds value like a Harley. Why is that? I think it's because they remain desirable.

 

I ride HDs because I love them. I also rode a cafinated 81 Yamaha 650, and am purchasing a 2014 Indian chief vintage because I love to ride different motorcycles. Every Harley I've owned (9 models in 11 years) have always been great and without issue. Probably spent well over 30k on accessories. Is not what you ride but how you look when you get there...

 

I think the MoCo makes a lot better bike now than back Pre-Evo's.
The Evo's have a Bullet Proof nickname for them, but the TC's I think have proven themselves and are a lot better than a lot of people thought they would be when they first came out. The cam tennsioners in the 88's has been their biggest issue, but they are still a good motor.

The 96''ers pretty well fixed that issue.

Back when I started ridding in the mid 60's, Harley's was the only way to go if U wanted a road bike as few others offered a shield and bags and no other bike sounded like one.

Got my first Harley (XLCH) when I was 21 and it was my 3rd bike. But in the 3yrs I had it, it always needed a lot of love and work just to keep her running. Still nothing was like owning a Harley.

After 3yrs of endless downtime and Repairs in 74 I went back to a 750 Honda, then another 750, followed by 3 GW's. Never had any problems with any of the Honda's. BUT, for me, they just don't connect with a rider like a Harley does. May sound weird to some but U have experience it to feel it.

After retiring in 06 I bought a new Heritage in 07 and now with more time to ride I have the bike I always wanted and loved the looks of.

In the 43k I've put on her only twice have I had a issue, 1st was a battery bolt came loose and caused a miss at 15k and at 33k I had the pin hole in the gas line and she'd start missing out about 90 miles or so into a full tank of gas. Both where easy fixes and I was never stranded road side.

Other than those 2 things she's been perfect and has been the BEST over-all bike of the 9 that I've owned.

Even after 6yrs, She still puts a smile on my face and warms my soul every time I fire her up just as much as the first day I got her.

As far as why the MoCo don't come with more options to the stock motor. I think the EPA is the biggest reason they come as they do and then theirs MoCo's profit line made by selling all the add on parts after we buy them.


.

 

American made, easily customized to the individual's wants and needs (I didn't say cheap). By far more dealerships around the country and usually a mentality that the customer should be served with kindness and courtesy. I have 3 distinct bikes in my stable and have made each one a reflection of my desires. For the most part, the MoCo stands behind their product. What other company would repair your ride when your 2000 miles from home and have custom parts on the shelf?

 

Here's my take. I can't speak from experience because I've only owned a Harley for about a year now. But I've ridden rice rockets for the last 16+ years, all Kawasaki Ninjas. I always loved riding sportbikes, especially on track days or doing some serious canyon carving. I've witnessed the evolution of these bikes as they've become faster and handled better. They are awesome machines. But they are just that, machines. They are precision machines meant to go super fast, stop on a dime, and handle turns at breakneck speeds. And I did it all, and loved it. I always said I would never ride a Harley until my hair either turns gray or falls out. Neither has happened. I even used to ride with the shirt mocking the MoCo (Hardly Moving Mother F***ers). But last year, at age 38, a buddy from work showed me a pic of a Deluxe that his cousin was selling and told me that I was too old to be riding those "damn crotchety rockets". I secretly started to fall in love with that deluxe. So one day I decided to go take a look at that deluxe in person and it was all over from there. Even though it was bone stock, I fell hard for that bitch. After my first test ride on that thing, I was already working out the transaction. A few days later that bike you see in my sig was sitting in my garage. After that, I lost all desire to ride my ninja. Sad but true. A few weeks later that ninja was up for sale, and some of the proceeds from that sale turned that stock deluxe into the bad *** **** you see now in my sig pic.
So to the point, I loved sport bikes for what they were. They were precision MACHINES, but just that, machines. What I learned about Harleys, well maybe it's just mine, but what I learned is that Harley Davidson motorcycles have a soul. They have a personality. I NEVER felt that riding a machine. Granted, I never had to repeatedly tighten any bolts or screws on any of my sportbikes for fear of losing them. But that's a small price to pay for owning a Harley. Well worth it to have a motorcyle with a soul. And a big plus is that I now own more tools than I've owned in my whole life.

 

[Rant On] Sorry, I cry bullshit on this one. No offense Brett, but every person I've run across that works at a dealer thinks that their dealership is the poo. Yours might do all those wonderful things you say it does, but I have not had that experience. Most MoCo dealers treat their customers no different than the local Ford or Chevy dealer. Crappy coffee in a dumpy little waiting room, salesmen that don't remember your name regardless of how much you've bought, and parts monkeys that smile and push the MoCo brand but sell the right aftermarket stuff to their buds. Hell, half of them don't even own a bike. Oh sure, some dealers ring a cow bell for you to signal to everybody that there is a sucker born every minute, but by and large, the "experience" you speak of is the corporate ***-raping found at any car dealership. And, since I'm on my soapbox, explain to me why a leather jacket with the HD label is twice as much as one without even though it's made by the same manufacturer? Don't even get me started on the HD branded $35 t-shirts!! How is milking it's LOYAL customers for an extra $15 on a t-shirt an experience?

I very much enjoy my 2 Harleys, don't get me wrong. But, out of the three different branded dealerships by me, only one knows me by name and makes me feel like part of the "family" and it isn't HD. And, this dealer actually has 2 former HD mechanics and a former HD service manager. I guess there is no brand loyalty when you need a job, eh? Most of the HD mechanics and parts guys give the appearance that they hate their jobs, hate the MoCo, and are punching a time clock. And this isn't just at my local dealer as it seems like it is nation wide (at least all the dealers I've darken the doors of).

Bitching aside, (most) of the dealerships are ultra clean, (most) hire attractive motorclothes girls that are friendly, and (most) are worth a visit while traveling. But (and this is a biggie), most people who work there are just employees and do not share the passion that you or I have for the product. Period. I know more about the 2014's than the local sales staff because I devoured the info as soon as it came online. I know more about what products fit what bikes because I study the catalogs. I know more about the best local rides and places to eat/camp/stay because I'm out riding every chance I get. Most of the local dealer's employees HATE wearing MoCo labels when they are off and drive everywhere in their cars because they HATE even looking at motorcycles. Kind of like people at McDonalds HATE eating at McDonalds.

So, don't hand me this bullshit about how buying a Harley is buying an "experience" or being part of a "club". I get an experience every time I ride my bike. I get it going to rallies and events and hanging with others that are passionate about the brand. I get it going back and forth with members of this board (who are here because of a similar interest). Or reading through the latest magazine or catalog I got in the mail.

The only experience I've ever gotten from a dealer is a sore *** and an empty wallet by some MF'er that could give a crap about the "experience". [/Rant Off]

 

Now, THAT is the same "experience" I had when I test rode my Deluxe. My bike is 100% different now with all the changes I've made to it to better fit me, but that initial ride made me grin so hard it hurt. Been a long, long time since I had that kind of experience on a bike, which is why I bought it on the spot. So, I know exactly where you are coming from!! I "fell hard for that bitch" as well!! LOL!!

 

27 year old here. came from a family of motorcycle riders. i've had my share of hondas yamahas and harleys. i currently have an 07 deluxe and a 2012 cbr1000rr crotch rocket i like them both as both are totally different machines and should never be compared side by side.
NOW when it comes to HD's over metric cruisers there is no comparison, harleys have a soul they have a feel and character than with the exception of few metric models(ie. Valkrye rune, Vmax, ) no other bikes can match. but with that said harleys are not perfect they require maintenance, tighten a few bolts here and there, etc... the way i see it is that harleys are for people that not only like to ride but like to work on their stuff whether it be a car or motorcycle. i have found that most people that hate on harleys and go to metrics are people that don't even know how to change a bulb on their bike and have probably never done or know how to do an oil change on their bike or car. for people that just want to buy a bike and forget about it. metrics are best.