When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Somehting else to think about. Buying dress up items , such as chrome bling and other stuff is way more expensive for the Yamahammer than it is a Harley. There is a lot more Harley aftermarket suppliers than Yamahammer parts available.
Bottom Line: Just don't be a troll on here especially your first post. Please, Keep an open mind as we're all happy to help you out.
Not trying to be a troller - just thought "who better to ask than those that know..." My first question because "it's my first question"
Excellent !. Just that I do not like trollers posting BS on here. This forum here is to help out brothers and sisters whatever they need to know via Q & A's.
Had a '06 Road King for 3 years cuz I loved it's nostaglic looks. Came to a point where I found out the hard way when it comes to packing when out on vacation. Needed more luggage. So I ended up purchasing '09 Ultra where it got me and my Linda sporting smiles on our faces. 11,480 miles on the clock today.
Wouldn't be a bad idea if you go out and demo a few bikes. Don't know if you'd want to go bigger, but doesn't hurt to try 'em out. Folks do change at spur of the moment.
Here's a pix of me with my new Ultra when I traded in my ol' silver Road King.
Yamaha and most of the other metrics are good bikes. If you are happy riding them that is great. Once you throw your leg over a Harley and fire it up,You will know that you are on something that is more than a motorcycle. A Harley has a heart beat and a soul. Take the plunge and see for yourself.I don't think you will regret it.
The maintencance cost more for my Harley cost more because I ride it a lot more. I have put 25k miles on my Harley over the last year, and only about 20k on my vulcan I had for 4 years.
Somehting else to think about. Buying dress up items , such as chrome bling and other stuff is way more expensive for the Yamahammer than it is a Harley. There is a lot more Harley aftermarket suppliers than Yamahammer parts available.
See, so many misconceptions about harley - I would've thought the opposite as far as cost to dress up - but, if I think about it - as someone else said, the metrics seem to be made to be disposable and not much is invested by the suppliers as far as aftermarket products - limited roducts = higher price.
It's like justifying the decision to buy a cadillac instead of a chevy. Both may be good, but they're not for everyone. You have to justify to yourself.
I'll chime in. I have also owned tons of bikes through the years from old Ironhead sportys to Honda Magna's and my recent ride of 5 yrs a Honda Valkyrie Tourer. I shied away from Harleys due to some of my Old experiences with them.
The Valkyrie Tourer was the best bike I ever owned. No Maintenance required, handled like a dream, could ride 2 up at 120mph all day, and could outrun 600 sportbikes.
Well, I just made the Jump to a Road King and I wont be going back. Performance is performance, my King cant hold a candle to the Valk. But the King has way more "Soul" than the Valk ever did. I was tired of riding Vanilla so to speak. And I am piling on way more miles now than I ever did before because my Joy of riding is back. Of course my Dad is a Goldwing rider so I have to listen to his constant yapping, but I just twist the throttle and drown him out!
Very bad advice, do not look at it as an investment.
What are the guys who paid new MSRP for 10 year old used Harleys a few years back or those who paid over MSRP for new ones saying about holding their value? Earlier this year there were 3 or 4 posts a week on this forum where guys were whining about how little their bikes were worth.
Actually, resale on Metrics isn't that bad (I've actually made a little money on a couple). All vehicles take a big hit if you buy them New. After about 5 years the price flattens out.
IMO maintenance cost is about the same Harley vs. metrics. There are more accessories for Harleys so you may spend more there (and probably won't get it back on resale).
I never said to look at it as an investment, maybe you should re-read my post. What I did refer to was how much better a Harley holds its trade in/resale value compared to metrics. Say all you want about how you "made money" on your old metric, I'll stick with my opinion that a Harley holds value better. Also given the current economy and the economy for the past 18 or so months, it should be a suprise to no one that everything including houses, cars, motorcycles and anything else that can be purchased with cash has a diminished value.
Before you buy a Harley, take a look in the mirror and ask yourself, can I look tuff when need be, can I be judgmental, can I kick some little guys *** if he looks at my bike, can I think I'm better then everybody else, can I drive down the highway at 80 MPH with no wind shield and pretend my eyes are not ready to exploder. If you answered yes to all these question, then you meet all the qualifications to be the proud owner of a Harley.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.