Does anyone at all here like Harleys?
Discussion
998420 said:
Harley have sold absolute rubbish for years, with chrome and 'heritage' bs tacked on... Indian turned up (re appeared) and totally kicked their arses...apart from the awful image problem, line dancers wanting one etc...if i wanted a cruiser, a good choice
for a holiday ride, I would get an Indian on principle
The Indian flat tracker I would actually consider as a road bike, it seems great, I want to try one.
The "heritage bs" is genuine, and it's also the major impediment to Harley's attempts to modernise.for a holiday ride, I would get an Indian on principle
The Indian flat tracker I would actually consider as a road bike, it seems great, I want to try one.
Like the current incarnations of Triumph and Royal Enfield, Indian has the advantage of having no connection to the original company, whereas H-D really does have 118 years of (continuous) history.
EDIT: 118 years, not 117
Edited by gareth_r on Tuesday 1st June 15:15
They sell more jackets and t-shirts than bikes.
I was on a tour in the US a couple of years ago, me on an FZ09, two buddies on a Triumph and a Moto Guzzi. Just finished dropping the bags in the hotel room and got in the lift to come back down. Three of us in the lift, along with two women who had arrived on the back of their husband's harleys. They were covered in Harley gear, diamanté encrusted tshirts, jackets, badges, jeans, helmets etc.
After 30 seconds of awkward lift silence, I asked, "So what do you ride?"
I was on a tour in the US a couple of years ago, me on an FZ09, two buddies on a Triumph and a Moto Guzzi. Just finished dropping the bags in the hotel room and got in the lift to come back down. Three of us in the lift, along with two women who had arrived on the back of their husband's harleys. They were covered in Harley gear, diamanté encrusted tshirts, jackets, badges, jeans, helmets etc.
After 30 seconds of awkward lift silence, I asked, "So what do you ride?"
Pothole said:
Davel said:
And BMW gear too.
I can't remember the last time I saw anyone wearing a BMW t-shirt, though.I actually would quite like one, but only for going for a ride with the mrs. She doesn't enjoy any sort of speed on a bike so would be nice to have something slow and comfortable to take her out with me. Couldn't have one as my only bike though
Pothole said:
I hadn't seen that. Thanks for the link.gareth_r said:
Have you seen the price of Triumph merchandise? I'm pretty sure they would be very happy if they were as successful at selling it as H-D is. 
https://triumphfactoryoutlet.com/Get yourself on here. We’ve kitted out my wife off here with really good quality high end gear at a fraction of the retail cost.
Bought her a Barbour leather jacket for 100 quid and she loves it, really nicely made
srob said:
gareth_r said:
Have you seen the price of Triumph merchandise? I'm pretty sure they would be very happy if they were as successful at selling it as H-D is.
https://triumphfactoryoutlet.comGet yourself on here. We’ve kitted out my wife off here with really good quality high end gear at a fraction of the retail cost.
Bought her a Barbour leather jacket for 100 quid and she loves it, really nicely made
I didn't need anything, but this year's selection was disappointingly expensive.
Edited by gareth_r on Wednesday 2nd June 22:47
Have an XR1200 and have had it for 8 years.
Its not fast compared to jap sports bikes but its got upside down forks, ride height for cornering, decent brakes and proper tyres.
Unfortunately its also pulling 4000rpm at 70, the seat is not very comfortable and the pillion seat is worse.
Part of me wants to change it, most of my riding is now 2 up to rallies so its not ideal but I have no idea what I'd change it for. I'll probably stick with it though as every ride is an experience and despite being an introvert I enjoy the social side of people asking me about the bike as most bikers dont know what it is.
Its not fast compared to jap sports bikes but its got upside down forks, ride height for cornering, decent brakes and proper tyres.
Unfortunately its also pulling 4000rpm at 70, the seat is not very comfortable and the pillion seat is worse.
Part of me wants to change it, most of my riding is now 2 up to rallies so its not ideal but I have no idea what I'd change it for. I'll probably stick with it though as every ride is an experience and despite being an introvert I enjoy the social side of people asking me about the bike as most bikers dont know what it is.
Biker 1 said:
Harley Ferguson? I would dearly love to do a US road trip, maybe Texas, Arizona, California. Would I have one in the UK?? Absolutely no way!!! Very expensive, appear to rot at the slightest sign of British autumn, let alone winter
My sentiments entirely. I have rented a HD Electraglide for an epic road trip down PCH from San Francisco to San Diego and back again, and also toured the Texas Hill Country on a Road King, both whilst on holiday in the US. On both occasions it was beautifully hot weather and no chance of rain whatsoever. I absolutely loved it. Cruising along PCH with the sun beating down and 'Hotel California' blasting from the on board CD player was a total stereotype but also absolutely brilliant.
However, my day to day riding in the UK is year round commuting on a beat up VFR800 which gets washed once every six months. I really couldn't be bothered with the constant cleaning to keep one in fine fettle on salty British roads, I would ruin it.
But yeah, if I lived where the climate suited one, I would have one in a heartbeat.
This thread has (slightly) reactivated the deeply buried desire for assless chaps, but I've decided after a few pleasant hours trawling ebay for Indians, Victorys, Hardlys, Speedmasters and Jap cruisers that I'd prefer a nicely done custom soft tail chop with a comedy width rear tyre, thanks.
This one's a Kawasaki VN1500 and would do me for the occasional sunny cruise / limited washing and polishing afterwards.
This one's a Kawasaki VN1500 and would do me for the occasional sunny cruise / limited washing and polishing afterwards.
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