Someone Please tell me why...
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 1
From: Wa. state
I don't blame Harley Davidson for any thing.
They didn't mix the cool aid powder in the water , we consumers did.
Harley motorcycles looked cool in the 40s, and in the 50s and 60s and so on, and they look cool now. That is their biggest appeal.
What is happening with these bikes we as consumers did to ourselves.
We don't really want them to change in appearance. HD has been sucessfull in keeping the looks classic and still make changes.
Going back at least a half century, bikers worked on their bikes, because they could.
The older folks here probably remember when wearing blue jeans were frowned on.They were considered as work wear. The dirty biker was scourge.He was greasy, he maintained his own bike and his cloths got dirty.
Now days people spend mucho dollars for distressed leathers to have that look. They want to look like that biker of years past but don't have the time or inclination to do all their own maintenance.
Paying a $100 bucks for worn out blue jeans and denim jackets with holes in it.
Sure I could of had a Kawi Venture, but I wanted an HD.
When Harley Davidson reads the "Rant Letter " and sees the line about keeping your harley in an air conditioned garage, a big smile will form on their face..
They didn't mix the cool aid powder in the water , we consumers did.
Harley motorcycles looked cool in the 40s, and in the 50s and 60s and so on, and they look cool now. That is their biggest appeal.
What is happening with these bikes we as consumers did to ourselves.
We don't really want them to change in appearance. HD has been sucessfull in keeping the looks classic and still make changes.
Going back at least a half century, bikers worked on their bikes, because they could.
The older folks here probably remember when wearing blue jeans were frowned on.They were considered as work wear. The dirty biker was scourge.He was greasy, he maintained his own bike and his cloths got dirty.
Now days people spend mucho dollars for distressed leathers to have that look. They want to look like that biker of years past but don't have the time or inclination to do all their own maintenance.
Paying a $100 bucks for worn out blue jeans and denim jackets with holes in it.
Sure I could of had a Kawi Venture, but I wanted an HD.
When Harley Davidson reads the "Rant Letter " and sees the line about keeping your harley in an air conditioned garage, a big smile will form on their face..
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
Kool aid??? Well most of the bikes I have owned have had to be changed to fit me. Bars, seats etc.... I would imagine its hard to make a bike that fits everybody. BUT, you have a point, rear shocks that are awful (06 Street Glide) Heat issues for the passenger's right leg and foot, crappy bearing in the motor, no oil cooler stock are ALL issues the mo. co. should have solved before 2011...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 128
The first thing that popped into my head after reading your thoughts was, "I wonder if these folks ever rode an Electra Glide before buying this one?" In truth, most people just fall in love and get married on a whim. Excuse me, what I meant to say was that most people fall in love with the look and appeal of a certain bike and just buy it, before doing much due diligence. You have owned a significant variety of bikes, so I am puzzled, to say the least. How did you come to buy this Electra Glide? Was it love at first sight? I have been there, done that. Did you get a "steal" on it from the dealer? Not likely, I have never done that. So, what gives?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 1
From: Topeka, KS
I had several YamaKaSukis before getting my first HD also. I like them alright but would have changed different things on them if I could have. The problem was parts for them were scarce. Take my Vulcan 2000cc for example. I loved the power and it was a nice looking bike but the seat SUCKED as did the bars. There were damn few if any possibilities for replacement of these. I wanted a windshield bag and found exactly one option to choose from.
One of the greatest things about HD is EXACTLY what you were complaining about. The new bikes are a canvas on which we are able to paint the exact pictures of ourselves and our riding style. Sure I wish the stuff I want to add was cheaper but it's not. I've owned several new HDs in the last few years and have spent hundreds on each making them individual to me.
That being said, they do charge a LOT for the services.
One of the greatest things about HD is EXACTLY what you were complaining about. The new bikes are a canvas on which we are able to paint the exact pictures of ourselves and our riding style. Sure I wish the stuff I want to add was cheaper but it's not. I've owned several new HDs in the last few years and have spent hundreds on each making them individual to me.
That being said, they do charge a LOT for the services.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: N.E. Ohio
I know many guys with many different types of bikes and trust me, when I roll up on my Electra Glide Classic they all look in envy, at least the guys on the metrics do. I love my bike, does it or could it use a few tweeks, sure it could but I'd never have a another brand of bike again.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 252
Likes: 3
I am 58 years old and have been rideing sense I was 14. I have owned most all the brands and have decided that every degree above 85 or so increases the disconfort level. Maby due to my years, I have enough wisdom to not put myself or my wife in a position to be miserable on a motorcycle by trying to enjoy a ride when its even to hot to sit outside in the sun, let alone get on an air cool motorcycle. If anyone insist on rideing in these conditions they have no right to gripe.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
It is a Kawasaki Nomad with an HD tourpak. No, absolutely no heat came off the engine. But it is liquid cooled and is a bit more open (no fairing), no lowers. At stops or in bumper to bumper traffic the fan would come on, but it never got hot.
The wife liked the comfort level, especially after I installed the Tourpak. The wife actually fell asleep on it several times. If it had more power and a batwing or similar fairing (protection, not looks), I would have kept it. But it is underpowered for two up riding. Also, its low speed manuvering like in parking lots is not even in the ball park of the EGC. Harley really got the steering right on later model FLHs.
JackL
The wife liked the comfort level, especially after I installed the Tourpak. The wife actually fell asleep on it several times. If it had more power and a batwing or similar fairing (protection, not looks), I would have kept it. But it is underpowered for two up riding. Also, its low speed manuvering like in parking lots is not even in the ball park of the EGC. Harley really got the steering right on later model FLHs.
JackL
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
The first thing that popped into my head after reading your thoughts was, "I wonder if these folks ever rode an Electra Glide before buying this one?" In truth, most people just fall in love and get married on a whim. Excuse me, what I meant to say was that most people fall in love with the look and appeal of a certain bike and just buy it, before doing much due diligence. You have owned a significant variety of bikes, so I am puzzled, to say the least. How did you come to buy this Electra Glide? Was it love at first sight? I have been there, done that. Did you get a "steal" on it from the dealer? Not likely, I have never done that. So, what gives?
2. I discussed at nauseum the EGC via forums, PMs, emails, conversations. No one brought up the lousy shock, scorched passenger feet, nor saddle bag rail pushing into passenger's legs. The issues I read about (bad seat, buffeting, etc.) are not a problem for me. I like the seat, I have no buffeting, etc.
3. I have ridden them, we have ridden them, but not for long distance. None of my issues are issues parading around town, or riding without the wife. We had planned on renting a Gold Wing, an FLH, and another brand, but ended up with buyers itch in late November/December. In Chicago. Due to the inclimate weather and start to winter, I think we did great on the purchase price.
4. I think I got a steal. I negotiated $2,000 over their offer and blue book on the Nomad, and -$1,500 on the new bike. Plus, I was able to sell the Nomad's accessories (Tourpak, rack, etc.) on Craigslist for another $1,000. I ended up getting the EGC for less than a metric. Far less. But I was not interested in another metric, so that was a mute point.
Again, if I were riding solo, I would continue with all of my initial rave comments except perhaps for the shock and service costs. But if the wife ain't happy...
JL
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
I am 58 years old and have been rideing sense I was 14. I have owned most all the brands and have decided that every degree above 85 or so increases the disconfort level. Maby due to my years, I have enough wisdom to not put myself or my wife in a position to be miserable on a motorcycle by trying to enjoy a ride when its even to hot to sit outside in the sun, let alone get on an air cool motorcycle. If anyone insist on rideing in these conditions they have no right to gripe.
JackL