why get a Harley when you can have a Ducati

[1.21GW]

[zooom]

This poll is flawed.


 

yup....missing that 1 magical option which seems to almost always exceed the other options...

[Skybarney]

All of you guys are missing something quite important.  He should have posted the following question:  If you can only have one bike which is better a Harley or a Ducati?

Personally I will never own a HD product again but that's just me.  Have to admit I have a 1968 Aermacchi that is almost restored but only because it's my uncles old world record salt flat racer.

[kopfjäger]

C'mon.....'Right' over your head.

[red baron]

Its not biased this poll.  Its just...

flawed.

no boobies option.


should result in automatic ban.

[1.21GW]

C'mon.....'Right' over your head.

Sorry, 'twus too smart for me after a night of wine and old fashions.

[Fatal]

Would it not be better to ask
Why have a Harley when you can walk 

Alan H

[handensco]

I have 2 Shovel head HD's a FXWG that has a 40* rake and modded engine and a 80 FL that is heavily modded power wise. For the 2000 mile trips HD every time. I have 2 Duc 900ss. The i.e. is great for short fun trips with the wife or 1 up and the 93 SL is just oh yea for me. I also have an r90/6 cafe daily drive and a dirt bike xr400r. Do I want more yea. Each bike is different and each one does different things. Do any of them do everything perfect no. Neither is better or worst. Love them all
david

[Skybarney]

Would it not be better to ask
Why have a Harley when you can walk 

Alan H

If you have owned a Harley you have walked.   

[Kev M]

If you have owned a Harley you have walked.  

Not to ruin a good joke, but riders of Italian bikes don't have a lot of room to cast aspersions of unreliability in Harley's direction. Performance maybe, but "making mechanics out of riders..." not so much.

That said, in the past 20+ years of riding, I've got more than double the miles on Harleys than I have on BMWs and Guzzis. That's of interest because a Harley has NEVER left me on the a side of the road/caused me to make a roadside repair and I can't say the same about those other brands.

[Bill in OKC]

Ducati gave me the bug to mod and upgrade.  Once you have that bug - well I think there is no other bike that can be modded and upgraded as much as a Harley.  So now I have a Harley too, I just like f'n around with bikes.  The Harley cannot deliver the thrills that the Ducati can but the Harley is a low maintenance bike.

[lpgoldtop]

I've test ridden the 796 and own a 1100evo. My wife has a HIGHLY upgraded 07 xl883(Zippers Performance used it as a test bike for engine and tranny kits)and I've ridded a few other evo XLs. The Xls all handle like crap in my opinion. I'd rather carve corners in the mountains with my shovelhead FLH touring bike than any post 1998 XL. The sportster CAN be a comfy touring bike(after new bars, seat, luggage and upgrade suspension), but the FXR was even better. XL 883 about 550-620 LBS, FXR 1450 620-650 lbs and a frame as rigid as a modern sport bike.Harley had some great engineers in the late 70's-90's***cough-Erik Buell-cough***. It's a shame the sales department wouldn't let them do anthing...http://www.bikerenews.com/AntiqueBikes/CodeNameNova.htm If you like the XLs, try an FXR some day(if you can find one that hasn't been chopped, bobbed, or lowered) In order to get any modern XL, FX, or FL to meet the standards of any other manufacture in handling and braking you'll spend at least $2K. I ride all day on my monster with some basic luggage. Wouldn't mind trying a different seat out. The Ducs don't seem to have nearly the amount of "bolt-on" aftermarket as Harley(and a lot of that is NOT made by the MOCO and will technically void the warranty if installed even by a certified HD tech), at least not in the US. Not that many things(aside from engine/tranny parts) can't be moded to fit other bikes. In short, I find the Monster series fun and easy to ride at a reasonable cost for the value. I can't think of anything the  XL series does well that I couldn't do a bike $2K less and 200lbs lighter.

...yes, I kinda have a chip on my shoulder with the MOCO...I loved the FXR.

[Kev M]

My wife has a HIGHLY upgraded 07 xl883(Zippers Performance used it as a test bike for engine and tranny kits) and I've ridded a few other evo XLs. The Xls all handle like crap in my opinion. I'd rather carve corners in the mountains with my shovelhead FLH touring bike than any post 1998 XL. The sportster CAN be a comfy touring bike(after new bars, seat, luggage and upgrade suspension), but the FXR was even better. XL 883 about 550-620 LBS, FXR 1450 620-650 lbs and a frame as rigid as a modern sport bike.

<snip>

In order to get any modern XL, FX, or FL to meet the standards of any other manufacture in handling and braking you'll spend at least $2K.

<snip>

 I can't think of anything the  XL series does well that I couldn't do a bike $2K less and 200lbs lighter.

...yes, I kinda have a chip on my shoulder with the MOCO...I loved the FXR.

Yeah, you do have a chip on your shoulder and it's coloring your judgment.

Yes the FX/FXR was a great handling bike, but the stock 1200cc FX or 1340 FXR weren't exactly powerhouses, and as you point out they didn't weigh any less. Not to mention the suspension and brakes Harley used two plus decades ago weren't exactly state of the art either.

The current XLs are generally a tad portly and low, though perhaps you should try and XL1200R or XR1200/XR1200X and you may see a bit of a difference.

The late-model 1200 XLs are using heads derived from the Buell Thunderstorms, and hotter cams than your wife's 883 (when stock).

Hell, I'd argue that our current XL is the practical heir to the FX/FXR throne, at almost the same weight, slightly shorter wheelbase, more power, and better brakes.

If yours is so heavily modified it should now be pushing 100 hp. Why you wouldn't upgrade the suspension and brakes at that point I don't know, but it's easily done, and for much less than $2k.

A set of Progressive shocks in the rear (13.5" or so) for $200-300, a set of longer fork dampers ($80) and perhaps Ricors ($200) and a better caliper (perhaps a 4-pot off a BT or a PM, maybe $200-400) and you're there for less than a grand.

No, it's still no Ducati, but that's not the point of it is it?

Though my wife loves her Duc, there's no WAY I'm doing 400+ mile days on it. In contrast that's EASY to do on our XL, or Buell, or Guzzi.

[Speedbag]

If you want a Harley that handles, get a '06-'07 VRSCR. Here's mine:



The R had a bespoke de-raked frame with mid controls and inverted fork. Sure, they're heavy like any Harley, but with a little effort you can chuck one around like a sportbike (somewhere I've got many shots of them used on the track in Europe). With very minor mods mine has put down 120.3 HP at the wheel. My favorite bike to date.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/11/20/harley-davidson-vrscr-street-rod-best-used-bikes/

[the_Journeyman]

I can confirm what 'Bag said.  I've ridden one of those, they don't have the huge rear tire the VRod usually has.  They are a run to ride and pretty quick despite being heavy.  You don't really notice the weight when your riding it.

JM