Ducati Monster Forum

I notice that alot of you also own Harley's and most Harley owners will give Duc's respect...Just wanted to see what others think of Harley Davidson in general?

NO I would never sell my beloved S2R1000 for any bike, but was at the HD dealership with my brother in law picking up his Dyna Wide and decided to sit on a few an really fell for the CrossBones.

This thing looks bad ass, I love the old school Bobber look.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/cross-bones.html (http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/cross-bones.html)

Anyway, it's completely impractical for me as I am a weekend warrior, short blast thru the twisties
type of guy, but man this is the first stock Harley I drooled over.... [drool]

mike

I'm not going to go into the reasons why I dislike HD, Im just going to leave it at…it's not my cup of tea.





Ok maybe one
1. They screwed Erik Buell over (fixed the spelling of Mr Buell's name - thanks derby)  ;)

hmmm..

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm47/GuruSY/ibtl_2.gif)


....

I have no comment on the matter.   8)

I never in a million years thought of owning a Harley, my 10 year old Roadstar would shame everything on the street when it came to instant torque - includes all Ducs to date  :P  Well, I've had one over a year and can't say it's the same but it sure is plush and is very smooth.  It may not have Ohlins but it does have Brembos and the pig can stop on a dime.  Once it's out of warranty I will get back my torque I lost along with a few dollars I will spend. [laugh]
What I've found is that 90% of people here don't like cruisers but they hate HD much more.....only thing that matters if you like it so go ride it.  I kept my Duc and will never just get down to a cruiser unless money situation warrants that.  My wife and I enjoy riding slow and lazy all the while gazing at the scenery when mounted on the Electra Glide.  BUT when I'm in need for something more there's always my Duc.

 [roll] they screw everyone over they suck. And that's why they're called
Hardley Ablesons [thumbsdown]

I respect harley riders more than sport bike riders around here.   
 
Does it mean i'd ride one? No.

I like them.  [thumbsup]

I think dicking people over is a fine reason to dislike certain corporate officers of a company, but it doesn't really say anything about the product they make.

Or, by this line of reasoning would it be unpatriotic to buy BMWs on the basis that they made aircraft motors for the German Empire in WW1?

In my dream garage I'd have one... Although that hypothesis would also include a personal mechanic to re-tighten everything on the bike after a ride. lol

Eric is doing fine.  [evil]


http://www.erikbuellracing.com/motorcycles/1190RR/ (http://www.erikbuellracing.com/motorcycles/1190RR/)

Hey man, Get the hell outta here with your logic and shit! We don't take kindly to thinkin' folk round these parts when we wanna blindly hate on something.

That said, All the ones I've ridden have been soft, uncomfortable, and overpriced. I see the appeal, though. The springer front end on that crossbones is really hot, too bad the bike gets progressively uglier as you look back.

Eric's work is so awesome.

http://www.erikbuellracing.com/motorcycles/1190RR/ (http://www.erikbuellracing.com/motorcycles/1190RR/)

$45,000 !!!!!!!!!
He must be doing well at those prices.

Well they are track only bikes..

Too bad it's uglier than chasing your own mom around with a hard on.

Never said I'd ride one  :P

I've been drooling for a night train for years and now they don't make them anymore.  Eventually I'll find a used one at the right price.

I've had Night Train. It's sugary-sweet and makes you feel like a hobo. Also, the hangovers are terrible.

Wait, what are we talking about?

You can, go the less expensive route.  ;)


http://www.erikbuellracing.com/motorcycles/1125R/ (http://www.erikbuellracing.com/motorcycles/1125R/)

"sober to stupid with no roundtrip tickets available"  lol

I think the 2010 Wide Glide is sweet too - the solid black one.

Bah... Who cares...

Ride what you like and as long as your not a Arse about it which I have seen both Cruisers and Sports bikers be A holes on the road you will have my respect  [thumbsup]  [moto]

What's everyone's opinion on Harley's what??

I'd own one before I would ever own a ......................... :D

I'd own one.  I like all bikes in general.  Brand doesn't matter.  If I were to own a HD: I liked the Night Rod.  I like the Cross Bones, Iron 883, and the Forty-Eight.

I've had various incarnations of Ducatis throughout my life, but I've also had a couple of HDs.  My first HD was a '61 XLCH, which I bought as a basketcase and restored - no battery, had about 5 wires total.  Magneto kicker.  It was fun putting it back together except for the engine was a pregnant dog to get right.  I enjoyed riding it, but then again, I love bikes in general.

Second HD was a '73 shovelhead.  I bought it at the end of a summer, rode it a bit, spent the winter cleaning it up and fixing electrical problems, then rode it all the next summer all over Florida.  Some guy walked up to me in Pensacola and offered me 5 grand for it, which was double what I put into it.  I sold it.   I wasn't in love with it anyhow and he got a great deal (as far as the engine and electrics were concerned).  He just needed to finish the paint and clean up the wheels.  And maybe put a few thousand in shit chrome on it. 

I have no problem with the bike, I just roll my eyes at the huge percentage of old guys riding them wearing loafers, no gloves and a golf shirt.  I don't care what your "other" lifestyle is, but when you're on a bike, at least wear some make the beast with two backsing gloves and proper shoes.

I would ride an XR...750... Not the new one unless someone fixes the exhaust and cleans up the look (i.e. lightens it).  It's nice, but the new one is a pig.  The old XR750 is a great balance imho. 

XR750 is a race bike.  How are you going to get it on the street? 

same way i ride my other race bikes on the street. 

Though I've only take them on demo rides, I've not been impressed. I think there's much better value out there in the Metric cruiser market if you want a cruiser.

And the cross bones... sweet jubus that thing scared the crap out of me. It's got useless front brakes on a heavy bike.

In all seriousness, before I was really hell bent on a Duc I was seriously considering a Harley...

An XL883n specifically. But I'd decided that to get the suspension performance I REALLY wanted I'd have to drop about $3k into it (new forks and custom built rear suspension), then I'd want an Axtell 90" big bore kit, then I'd want to test the performance of  velocity ported heads vs flow ported heads, a nice midrange torque cam, TTS Mastertune, then of course I'd get annoyed that it still weighs 500+ lbs and cant lean more than 30* without scraping the SHIT outta the expensive V&H Competition Series exhaust I'd want.

At that point I started looking for a bike that I could get a mostly or partly upright riding position out of that I wouldn't have to drop drop $5k-$6k into to have a little fun on a freeway onramp or a twisty road. So I started looking at sporty, bikes with torqy twins that can lean a bit, that wasn't like everything else on the road.

Edit: Amusingly I still haven't totally ruled out a Sportster... awaiting final judgement for when I test ride them in the spring.

your argument might hold a little more weight if you'd spelled erik's name correctly.  ;D

I have ridden several HD's over the years and found some to be OK, some horrible, and some in between. HD riders seem to be able to make alot of concessions. I think they offer a starting platform that the rider then can customize into a decent bike. Unfortunately that add$ up in a hurry. In addition to my M1100 I also have a custom Victory 8 Ball. It will run circles around any comparable Harley. It out accelerates, out handles, and out brakes most cruisers out there and has a nice clean custom look right from the factory. Their new baggers are making HD pay attention as well. I think it is similar to Ducati in that we are buying into a lifestyle, so to speak. We might put up with a couple of annoyances for the moments on the road where all is good and the corners are many.

If you were to buy a motorcycle based only on what makes sense on paper many of us would be on something different. But we buy Ducati's, and even Harleys, because they draw us to them. I remember the first time I saw the 1100 at the dealer. Was there looking at something totally different but had to have the Duc. It just about loaded itself into my truck!!

Speaking of XRs.....

(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/Speedbag/HarleyXR1000.jpg)

I'd love to have an XR1000 as above, but they bring too much due to their rarity.

As for the original post, well, my two running bikes of the moment are both H-Ds. I've said it before, my VRSCR is the best of all worlds bike I've owned to date.

Hmm, I wouldn't be paid to own that bike.

HD's just do not appeal to me in any way at all.

Is that a 6-pot caliper?!?

OK....the only bike made by a company that Harley ever owned that I'd want:




(http://www.utahmotorcycleriders.com/Pictures/MvAgusta.jpg)

I'm not a big fan of Harley's but, If someone was giving them away, I'd probably wander in and ride out a Vrod.
It's about the only bike in there current range I like the look of.
But I would never buy one brand new, Harley stuff is way over priced, Hell! I wouldn't even buy one 2nd hand.

all this talk of price and I got my Electra Glide for 15k OTD with everything but ABS and CB.   :P
Ducati is high priced as well, some of them.  :-*

I think its stupid that anyone would pay a premium for an under powered, air cooled twin just because the brand has a certain panache.

*looks in driveway*

Crap.   :-\


sac


/ ;)

Some of us buy because we like what we see and we ride the hell out of them, me included.  Your comments are the reason some in the "cruiser" crowd hate "crotch rockets" and the other way around too.  My bikes aren't show queens and the mileage is north of 10K a year on the cruiser alone (no commuting).

If the guy likes this bike who gives a shit?  We are all two wheel fanatics and I for one don't give a shit what anyone rides.

 :)

It's easy to see where this thread is going to end up. Although I would imagine that anyone who read the title must have had the same thought.

FWIW

(http://assets.head-fi.org/c/ce/ce56dd91_in_before_lock.gif)

 [puke]

i like all types of bikes and wouldn't mind having 2 or 3 harleys.  the cross bones is a very cool looking bike. 

According to South Park, I am a FAG.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Harley%20Wide%20Glide/20100306_27.jpg?t=1289263585)

nice dyna

just South Park? :P

Don't get all serious doood... :-*

If I had to have an HD, it would be this or maybe a Deus

(http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/images/Picture_628.jpg)

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

The pots would have to be the size of thimbles.

Just looking to see what my fellow Ducati enthusiasts think of Harley's in general.  I ride with a very mixed crowd.  2 HD's, 3 metric cruisers, and a Hyper.  Most, not all HD owners I meet will strike up conversation about my Duc.  They seem to give it props for its beauty and sound and I'm surprised at how many of them have or had one in the past.  I never gave much thought to HD's as I feel I have the perfect balance and more in my S2r1k, suits my riding style to the T.  I'm also not easily impressed, but the Crossbones is my style (with a dif rear fender and 21 inch front wheel) if I were to go the HD route.  That being said I have not ridden one and most likely would feel different afterwards.  The same way I always thought the Thruxton was sexy as hell, but after a recent 20 minute test drive I was left sorely disappointed.  In fact i couldn't wait to get back on my Duc.

Best

Mike

You missed the joke.

He was giving you crap for the apostrophe in the thread title, making Harley's possessive and not plural...

Insinuating that you left something off the end... "Harley's what?"

Hey it was a rough weekend....and an even rougher Monday !![beer]

Well, if I was only given the choice to choose between a Harley V-rod or a Ducati Diavel,  I'd take the V-rod.

I almost bought a V-rod a ways back until I saw the price. YIKES!!!!

I love the work some craftsmen do to them (not the bolt-on bits)

I will own an XLCR some day. I know it handles like it has a hinge in the middle, the brakes are spotty and weighs as much as my VW but the looks are sweet to me.

XLCRs are pricey also.....

FYI, the V-Rod line is H-D's best seller in Europe. IIRC, the line was the volume leader in terms of worldwide sales a year or two ago. They're pretty highly regarded in Italy, and I've seen some really sweet modded ones from there.

I don't know everyone's opinion, just mine's:  Two wheel's good, four wheel's bad.  (well, four wheel's just not as good)

In my stable of dream bike's, there'd be a Harley's or two. There'd be more Duc's though.  

AGREED!!!!

using that logic, you must have a dozen unicycles.

Vroom vroom

(http://jmuafvlab.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/electric-unicycle-1.jpg)

(http://citycomfortsblog.typepad.com/cities/unicycle.jpg)

(http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/international-automotive-scene/35966d1218086966-mounikaaa-oh-my-darling-monomoto_front.jpg)

(http://rookery4.aviary.com/storagev12/2042000/2042007_3761_1024x2000.jpg)

(http://www.opmeeractueel.nl/unicycle_09/slides/unicycle_09_13.JPG)

(http://l.yimg.com/i/ng/sh/carenthu/20091001/09/435789426-cute-honda-concept-car-features-unicycle.jpg?x=566&y=800&q=80&sig=KFNGyFNi_74tfMpBx3u3Tw--)

(http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/42500/Unicycle-Racer-42713.jpg)

(http://z.about.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/V/J/-/-/Motorcycle_Wheelie_1280.jpg)

My newest unicycle

(http://www.caption-this.com/no%20wheelie.bmp)

 ???

(http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr358/Dedstu/MrGarrison.gif)

^^^ beats dealing with the airlines  ;D

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Hvo5gIFKzIQ/SXolAEmWibI/AAAAAAAAAL8/qEgwbjA6Ruk/s1600/FXDX%2B01-2009.jpg)


Still kicking myself for selling her a few months back.

Wish I had been ready at the time [bang]
That would have been a fun addition

I like 'em...biased also as I grew up in Milwaukee. 

Love the V-Rod Muscle and would go nice with my Wide Glide. 

   The only difference between a Harley and a Model B John Deere is.....the tractor has better brakes.

you obviously missed the part about Brembos further up the chain.  [laugh]

I like most of them.  The first big bike I learned to ride on was ~1985 low rider dyna just about like this:

(http://www.chooseyouritem.com/motorcycles/photos/2523500/2523604.jpg)

It was amazingly easy with big torque, easy clutch, and low center of gravity. 



If I could pick a newer one for my garage today, I would go "all in" and get something like this street glide - total other end of the bike spectrum from a Monster:

(http://www.milehigh-harley.com/newbikes/2008_Harley_Davidson_Touring/images/FLHX_Street_Glide.jpg)

mitt

No matter how much money i have. Be it $11,000,000,000 i would never own a HD bike or any of their apparels. Like most of us on this board, HD just don't do it for us. This is how i see this whole HD thing.

From a statistical POV, I believe the masses(people) in general who have HDs are parroting from the HD culture. The largest of the motorcycle culture. Who in turn get their input from their friends/media/ads/etc. Same reason why Budweiser is the number one selling beer. People tend to do what others do. Go with the flow. Sheep!

When i first started drinking i used to drink Budweiser. I wanted to be cool. So i drunk it. I didn't know any better. That was what my friends drank and what the ads told me. [puke]  Today i have not touch a Budweiser or any mass produced yellow fizzy beers in over 20 years! I like the micro brewed stuff. Just better overall. Sure they cost a little more. But you get a better beer. Just like a Duc... you get a better product.

When i first got my motorcycle license. My friends were all riding HD and was told HD was the only way to go. "To be cool!"
I like to believe i'm a free thinker and thus why I never got into this whole HD thing in the first place. Just glad i didn't get brainwashed into the HD matrix.

I own the only Harley that I ever wanted, I'm a flat track fan and drooled over the Storz conversion for years. I also fell in love with Cruising, although my idea of cruising doesn't line up with most of those that like the breed, I still like  real performance. After trying a Vstar for a year I bought a Victory, the first model year, 99' and I haven't looked back or have any regrets, it was and still is the best product on the market in the cruiser category. That said I think HD makes a good product and they have it figured out in terms of gear and accessories. Anyone who has had a bad experience with HD, has probably had a bad experience because of the dealer IMHO. That BTW is not unique to HD. The Star bikes are gaining ground on both HD and Victory, but at least Victory keeps raising the bar. I've had my XR now for 2 months, did a 587 mile trip over a weekend in the Twistys, couple of weeks ago, the bike is a hoot, although the peg feelers are huge and drag pretty easy. Only complaint I have is the motor is hot temp wise and I've heard that compliant from others with different models. The new Ducati could be an interesting add, it would not be in competition with my KP, but maybe my Sport Cruiser - except it's rare, only 165 made in 2001, so have no plans to get rid of it. I would recommend you go rent a HD from eagle rider for a weekend and see what you think. - Gene

Ohmic, if you have friends who tell you what to ride find new friends.  :P HD makes way more of clothing and accessories, good for them, they found their cash cow.  I'm loyal to two wheels no matter the brand - ok I stop short of Hyosung being in the mix.

Budwiser Beer is cool, but micro brews aren't?

There's a Jeff Foxworthy joke in there somewhere.

I started on a sportster, but didn't like it. One of their touring models, like the Street Glide or Road Glide would be cool though.

this pic makes me happy.. i wish i understood squid, I would know how to say "what the F???!"

that helmet is awesome.. space age super-crash absorbent materials??

I like my Harley....but it was made in Italy.  8)

(http://www.hdsprint.com/forum/gallery/14_26_10_10_10_36_21.jpeg)

I will not get drawn into this discussion...

I will not get drawn into this discussion...

I will not get drawn into this discussion...

I will not get drawn into this discussion...

I will not get drawn into this discussion...

Of course, some of us own Harley products that were made long before they were a fashion lemming "statement".  ;)

I've had fun on many makes. Right now I happen to be down to two Harleys and one derelict Sears/Puch twingle. There are many Euro bikes I'd love to have too, as I'm no moto bigot.

Two wheels = it's all good.

Be careful. Ducati dealers sell an awful lot of t-shirts and hats to people that don't own a Ducati, or even ride.  ;)

Ohmic, you mighta been too busy suckin' down microbrews and taking drags off handrolled smokes at the local free-thinkers' poetry slam to catch this thread: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44237.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44237.0)  There's a Harley or two in there.   ;)

Lol

never owned one and never will........... :P

This is true, there are many parallels between the brands

I started one of these threads on TOB and wished that I hadn't. That is all.

The same is very true about HD dealers that sells an awful lot of T-shirts and hats to people that don't own a HD, or even ride. On an even higher magnitude in terms of volume at that.
My opinion is that the public in general are polarized towards this particular brand of motorcycle. We are bombarded by the "Harley Davidson" logo/name. Hell i can't go anywhere in the city on any given day without seeing a truck with a "HD" sticker stuck on its back window. I'll give it to them. They have one hell of a marketing campaign.

Haha... Yes! That maybe so. It would have to be a load of smokes and a lot more microbrews to get me to own a HD. I just hope i over dose and pass out long before that happens. [cheeky]

I've been make the beast with two backsing outed.

 >:(

Ducati's own marketing plans show a great admiration for the capitalization of the Harley name in the form of t-shirts, clothing, cross-branding, etc.

Ducati Zegna cologne anyone?  Wife bought me a bottle.  it's ok.
Ducati SanDisk flashdrive anyone? 
Ducati time piece?  It's only a grand.
(http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/006/4652/0400646526924/0400646526924R_300x400.jpg)

if that watch isn't made by Termi I don't want it.  [popcorn]

if it were made by Termi it would take half an hour to get it to fit on your wrist each morning.... and then it would be crooked.   ;D



(there are several HD's that would be in my dream garage)

And it would cost five times more than it should.

Never seen a Harley watch cost that much.  [coffee]

Harley watches are made in Cambodia with a huge DESIGNED IN USA label

All of the Ducati watches are made by Breitling. 

I have had a Harley tri-fold wallet for several years, which I received as a gift.

It's very nice, and has proven virtually indestructible given the thickness and quality of the leather.

Deep inside the bill pocket, as if to hide it to some degree, there is a small white tag sewn into it that reads "Made In China".

I like this...


(http://www.blackstonetek.com/includes/products/exilecycles2.jpg)

(http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/2000455272489756911_rs.jpg)

 [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

Know a guy who was talking about getting a hog, but after watching this he decided on a honda. Now I can't help yelling "Fag" at anyone with open pipes and ape hangers-but they can't hear me :(
http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s13e12-the-f-word (http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s13e12-the-f-word)

Iron 883  [thumbsup]

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll176/nordog59/YoungNorDogwithHarley0.jpg)

Hardley sucks ass.

LA

Just because their engineering is lacking and they weigh as much as an elevator full of fat people doesn't mean they suck :) Personally I dig the comfort for cruising and the insane low end torque for city driving. Add to that that the torque makes for excellent highway fuel economy, even with their piggish weight.

I don't like the ergonomics of any cruiser I've ever sat on relative to the sport bike or standard motorcycles. It's a personal thing.

Now of all the "Harley people" I know, all but one are people I'd do just about anything to avoid in my personal life. I'm not fortunate enough to be around Harley enthusiasts that don't make me want to run away, holding my head while lamenting how the levels of stupid make my brain burn. That isn't to say Harley enthusiasts are dumb, but the few that populate my life certainly are.

Weeds did a decent send-up of neophyte HD enthusiasts in one storyline (in season 2 I think)

I just traded in my Yamaha Warrior for a 2011 H-D Wide Glide a month ago.  I freakin' love it so far.  The clutch has the lightest pull, by far, of any motorcycle I've ever tried.  I don't know what magic they used.  The paint is thick, it actually starts on the first try, it doesn't stall when cold, the shifts are buttery smooth, and the quality of the materials is excellent.

I'm just waiting for something to go wrong (besides the POS Dunlop stock tires, which are a known problem).

And....


Get rid of the Dunlops, install an aftermarket fuel tuner and map to get rid of the hideously lean factory tune, and ride it forever.

Avon is making them for 09 and later. I got stuck on a Sunday with a nail and had to buy another SHITLOP. [bang] [bang]

I have a PC V with two tunes.....love it.

Learn to TTS :)

Honestly I have ZERO personal experience. By all accounts I would totally dig the hands on tuning capability with a bit of hand-holding that the MasterTune product gives. Add in the fact that it's not a piggyback system that could potentially be ANOTHER troubleshooting step... to each his own. I can't imagine paying somebody to do something that is intrinsically a exercise in intelligence rather than mechanical aptitude. My ego won't allow it.

5 power commanders tuned over four different brands of bikes with NO issues.  Add to that my tuner is excellent and national Tech director for AMA dragracing and has built some killer bikes......I'll trust him implicitely and have done so for 12 years :-X

You must have your own Dyno

The mastertune has a logging function, you put the logs into an auto tune type program and it makes suggestions on timing and fuel map adjustments based on what your target AFR is at a given RPM. it does not tune for peak power but by all accounts it gives a REALLY smooth running bike with a very consistent torque curve. On a bike like a Harley, smooth is what I'd go for. Cause it sure won't be "fast". If you want peak HP/TQ then a dyno would be necessary. Among other things...

It also remaps the OE ECU instead of acting as a replacement ECU or an addon device. It's also cheaper than many of the alternatives for a H-D.

Adding the link to the product page.
http://www.mastertune.net/ (http://www.mastertune.net/)

The company that makes the TTS MasterTune and it's suite of programs designed a version or two of the Screaming Eagle Race Tuner. From the noise on Harley forums H-D only stopped using their product because it doesn't generate lean enough maps to satisfy the EPA. Tbh... the EPA can take a long walk off a short pier. They have far bigger problems than the minuscule pollution coming from a motorcycle.

I really wish there was a product like it available for Ducatis that was that affordable.

The SE race tuner is a great piece, but requires a lot of know-how to use from what I've read.

I've got a PC3 on my VRSCR and love it. Got a map that was the result of nearly a full day of dyno time and all is well with the world. It works in every rev band at any throttle setting, unlike the OEM "tune" (I use the term loosely).

The new ones are total garbage. Better off with a poorly jetted carb than the new SERT or whatever they call it now.

That stinks - I know the older SERTs were the shit. Good to know.....

Whoa whoa whoa!! This is an HD thread on a Ducati board. And you guys have tread jacked it into something positive and constructive. Just what in the hell do you think you are doing?!?! Now let's make with the name calling, ignorant assumptions and visceral reactions so we can get to the inevitable thread lock. I mean, how in the hell are we supposed to keep our image as elitist douchebags if don't bag on other elitist douchebags? Thank you for your cooperation.

 ;D


sac

My apologies  ;D

Oops, forgot where I was for a second....

Back to your normally scheduled program....

more like a Buell conversion
(http://thekneeslider.com/images/fusionbuell.jpg)

I live in Harley town, Have friends who only ride Harley's. I've kinda always wanted one, but---------Too expensive, old technology, poor stereotype, and now everyone has one (not really). For the most part the Japanese have beat them at their own game. Honda and Yamaha have some pretty awesome cruisers. With fuel economy, reliability, and performance much better. Yamaha's "Star", is even getting quite a bit of aftermarket support.

I had a Roadstar for 10 years. If you're considering one go take one out.  I miss that horse.

I could never ride a cruiser (Harley or otherwise).  I feel extremely awkward on any cruiser I just don't like having my feet out in front of me.  I can ride my monster for hours and never get uncomfortable.  I have a friends that have Harleys and they love them.  The only Harleys I have ridden have poor brakes and I didn't like the way they handled.  Also they are just not my thing.  That being said I think people should ride what speaks to them.  From the first time I saw my Ducati I knew I had to have it.  If someone feels the same about their HD then good for them.  Go out and ride the hell out of it.

Jim

fuuuuuuuck...  :o

I rode a 2002 Road King Classic and then got a 2003 Heritage Softail Classic.

I thought the Heritage w, a Screaming Eagle 1 Engine upgrade was a cool ride.

It was Pearl metallic white , an Anniversary Edition w, big black leather saddle bags , cost over $21,000.

It set very low and w, the Vance & Hines Long Shots sounded really loud.  ( set off car alarms loud ).

I rode by myself and wanted something faster ....so I bought several BMWs until the Ducati spell fell over me in '07

I guess the thing I don't like about H-Ds is that some really bad people ride them and you don't want to run into those people on a sport bike.

I generally downshift and fly by H-D riders before they know what passed them and get way ahead of them.

They tend to be like following a school bus.

Dolph      :)

My favorite Harleys are the XR and KR 750 range of race bikes.
I've owned an '75 1000 Sportster ('flat track custom'), '72 custom Shovel and a '93 custom "rubberglide".
I had the most fun on the Sporty. 

Galluzzi said that some of his inspiration for the Monster came from the Harley XR flat trackers.

I like this...

(http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/harley-XR1200_cafe_racer.jpg)

So do I, but Black/orange is faster [laugh] - Gene

I've been toying with trying to find a nice used one in matte silver and modding the bejeezus out of it.....

I've owned 3 Harley's over my motorcycle "career"....usually had something a little sportier at the same time.  In 2007 I got rid of my last Harley and bought a Victory....better technology, better everything and generally a little lower in price....for my tourer I now have an 09 Victory Vision....it beats the 2003 electraglide I owned hands down....more "sporty" with an aluminum frame,better handling, more power, more comfort.

Right now I have the Vision, a V-strom 650, and just bought a Monster 1100....I am blessed!

I have friends that will ride nothing but Harley's....I like most everything with two wheels and an engine....but I've owned Harleys and now I don't......that pretty much tells you what I think!

Rob Ray

A friend was teasing me about my Ducati and said "so eventually you'll move up to a Harley, right?"  I replied that it was easy enough to simulate....I just drip some oil under my bike when it's parked and remove a spark plug wire.

How's that for ignorant bashing?  ;D 

I may pick up one of those XR1200s next year.  The wife and I both love it.  Abomination!

Joel

LOL on your comments.  Some of us were into Harley's in the 70's...even if we were too young to ride.  Love the sound, sport bikes - hated the sewing machine sound.  Like some of the HD apparel also as I have been into skulls since I was a kid.  Like 'em on my HD t-shirts. 

You could have stopped drinking Bud...it sucked then, it sucks now.  Again, another benefit of growing up in Milwaukee - BEER!  And Harley.   :P

Do you really like the micro-brews or is it because of your "free thinkers" are drinking it and give you a hard time if you would drink a mass marketed brew?


i would never own a HD bike or any of their apparels. Like most of us on this board, HD just don't do it for us. This is how i see this whole HD thing.

From a statistical POV, I believe the masses(people) in general who have HDs are parroting from the HD culture. The largest of the motorcycle culture. Who in turn get their input from their friends/media/ads/etc. Same reason why Budweiser is the number one selling beer. People tend to do what others do. Go with the flow. Sheep!

When i first started drinking i used to drink Budweiser. I wanted to be cool. So i drunk it. I didn't know any better. That was what my friends drank and what the ads told me. [puke]  Today i have not touch a Budweiser or any mass produced yellow fizzy beers in over 20 years! I like the micro brewed stuff. Just better overall. Sure they cost a little more. But you get a better beer. Just like a Duc... you get a better product.

I like to believe i'm a free thinker and thus why I never got into this whole HD thing in the first place. Just glad i didn't get brainwashed into the HD matrix.
[/quote]

I'm not into any brand I just buy what works for me, I am a motorcyclist, what I ride does not define me. I just happen to think I have the best of the breed in the various classes. The XR is a compotent motorcycle, it's not a Monster, but it still puts a smile on my face, as do all the others I ride. IMHO that is what it is about. Go with what moves you and screw what anyone else thinks. The average American Motorcyclist is profiling anyway no matter what they ride, which isn't often or far. - Gene

If I were to list all the motorcycles I'd be interested to own and ordered them by pricepoint, HD would be near the bottom of the list. I'd ride the hell out of a free one, but am not inclined to shell out for anything I've seen from them. In fairness, I'd put them ahead of metric cruisers simply for resale value.

Someday my garage will be like my liquor cabinet. I have good scotch next to inexpensive rye next to scandinavian vodka next to top shelf gin. Various bikes do various things well. But just as there's no Jack Daniels' in my cabinet, I don't really have any desire for a big cruiser. If I'm touring, I'd rather do it on a BMW GS series.

haha.  That pic is funny as hell.  I love it. 

Harly rider's are just a different crowd of people, IMO.  A breed apart.  No better or worse, but personally I love ducati's, I hate sport bikes, and I dislike harleys.  I'm sure they're all wonderful people that ride them nonetheless.

Funny, but my M900 currently holds the all-time record for most oil leaked onto my shop floor.  ;)

my s2r gets pissy when i don't ride it and leaks after a week

funny that my older bikes do NOT leak at all, except for the GTL which leaks like a horny high school girl

Heehee.