What's to Like about Motorcycles

That's what Buell attempted, isn't it?

 

You are not lucid.Not even a little bit.By comparing Harley { HD } to
BMW you are way out of any league.The germans are The mechanics.
Their Tanks in WWII far surpassed the best the Americans could field.
The outcome in many battles would have been different if the german
tiger tanks hadn't run out of fuel.The Tiger B was very heavy.It was near
impenetrable due to use of well placed turrets.
Like I posted earlier.What Bike did Ewan McGregor chose to go halfway
around the globe.A BMW ADVENTURE.
BMW also has the latest technology on some models where shifting
becomes almost automatic.
Harley Davidson is ALL Old school and Looks,sounds.
They a Fuddy-duddy operation.Ask yerslef how many HD { Harley } motorcycles
Jay Leno owns.He's a Purist and motorcycle lover/collector.

 

In the San Fernando Valley, where I really grew up during the mid-60's, virtually all of the Harley's I knew about were used panheads or used Sportsters. Flatheads were already rare and I didn't know anyone that purchased a new Harley. They were virtually all "bobbed" stock Harley (with a lot of Bondo for custom paint) and many replaced the swingarm with a rigid rear to match the much earlier rigid bobber style that had cleaner lines. Personally I didn't really see the early emergence of extended fork choppers but often heard stories about them. Typically the stories were not good because they often related to modified rake for the steering head on the stock frame when the welds failed and killed the rider. That didn't last very long, perhaps a year, because the "custom" frames soon hit the market and by the late 1960's the full blown custom built bobbers and choppers began to appear. They were still typically using either the panhead or the Sportster engines until perhaps the early 1970's when the first of the used knuckleheads became affordable.

My fondness for the Sportster really originated from the "bobbed" stock Sportsters over the "bobbed" stock panheads from around 1965. There was just something about the engine/transmission package I liked (and perhaps some of the owners as well). Not really sure because I wasn't really into analysing myself at the time. LOL

 

Oh Fer cryin' out loud already.Try telling Santa this December that ya gotta
have a Harley Bobblehead little plastic thingy toy for Christmas.Or else.
Or else you'll sneak all the money Mommy keeps in the cookie jar and
head right on over to the nearest Harley dealership and buy one yerself.
Even if they do cost about as much as a well built little red wagon.
Them Harley Bobblehead do.

 

Interesting because Harley-Davidson won the World Road Racing Championship for 250cc and 350cc during the mid-1970's. Did the Germans fail to show up or did they get that ass handed to them on a platter?

The Tiger tank was an over-designed piece of junk, impossible to manufacture in quantity, and more likely to breakdown than run out of gas.

Of course this has nothing to do with BMW sponsoring the ride and furnishing the motorcycle. LOL

Apparently some motorcycle riders have a problem with a manual shift. I've never had a that problem and for me a standard shift tranmission is virtually automatic. I would suggest those that can't use a manual shift buy a scooter that you don't have to shift because they're really not capable of riding a real motorcycle. LOL

That's obviously why so many other manufacturers try to copy Harley-Davidsons.

Don't know how many Jay Leno owns but he loves riding the ones he has. Leno is a huge Harley-Davidson fan and, personally, I've never seen video footage of him riding any other brand. It might be out there but everytime I've seen footage of him at one of the many motorcycle charity events he goes to he's always been on a Harley.

 

I actually have a small eclectic bobblehead collection and last Christmas my wife got me my first Harley "Biker" bobblehead. It's way cool and fits well with my Richard Petty, Michelin Man, and perhaps 40 other bobbleheads.

 

Jay's clearly not happy to be riding his HD.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/s/motorcycle-brand-highest-owner-satisfaction-150000516.html

 

Yes, Great point.If only Harley Davidson WAS " eclectic ". I know the word sounds
kool and all but it means ... Broad and diverse range ". The only thing diverse about
most all Harley models is the paint scheme and whether it's a " Softtail ".
Bee 4 Real.
If it wasn't for the introduction of the V-Rod Harley Davidson would be the
Least diverse motorcycle manufacturer since Ural.
One of my gripes about Harleys has been their basically all the same bike
only with different paint or handlebars or fenders.Basically cosmetic.
Willie G demanded a certain degree rake for all new TC 88 models back
in '99 and 2000. Done specifically to generate a certain look.I have the 16 year old
article somewhere.Which begs the question.
Can Harley folk have their Harley's and eat it too.?
NO ! It takes a guy on a Rune to show Harley folk how to properly eat the dust.

 

Serious question: have you ever been constrained in any way by anything resembling FACTS?

 

Try explaining why Honda has a lower customer satisfaction rate than Harley...

http://www.politicalforum.com/showthread.php?t=359933&p=1064931079#post1064931079

 

Harley's and their Hog owners are Literally a dime a dozen.
They are like watching to see if someone at a McDonalds orders fries
with their meal.I mean,it is SO manifestly redundant to see and hear and watch
Hog owners talk and ride.It is not just ridiculously commonplace and boring,
but can get on one's nerves quite quickly.
Harley's are still overpriced.At least the Harley con has ended.It was overbearing
throughout the 90's.Due to not producing enough hogs,there was a distinct
shortage of Harleys,thus making for huge Resale value as a selling point.
Many a Harley dude,waited and bought a new Hog,knowing they could ride it
for a few years and then sell it for what they paid for it.In fact,most Harley dudes
did just that.That ended by around 2005 when Harley finally caught up with
demand and they actually had a surplus of unsold bikes.A couple years later
around 2009 the V-Rod { previous year models } were being seen on showroom
floors with reduced sales tickets.Around $ 1,500 off the brand new year models.
Harley has been in that mode ever since.Now it's gotten extreme as have many a
car dealer.Most people who needed or wanted new vehicles have bought them.
With an Economy in very slow turnaround { some say a Depression } and
Inflation creeping,les and less new vehicles are being sold.The populace just
can't afford the added cost and may already have a newish vehicle.
Our Middle Class is evaporating as average middle class pay is Down on average
$5,ooo per annum,the last 6 years.
If you think that's all a crock,then go back a few posts and read about how I
called the nearest Kawasaki dealer { used to be my Old Honda dealer } and
inquired about the New Kawasaki H2.The sales guy said he doesn't have any in
stock and probably never will.The market is not there.
That wasn't the case 12 years ago when Honda introduced the Rune.
I was the 3rd guy who put down a deposit on the $ 25- 27,500 Honda model.
I was bumped and took delievery with the first Rune due to I wasn't picky about having
the more expensive double-chromed wheels option.

 

Yes and they produced a good product. However The HD brass tied Eric Buells Hands and forced him to use the stock Sportster engine, which is a good motorcycle. Its quick handles great but its not competitive in pure performance compared to Japanese or European offerings. Buell tried to get HD brass to approve a 185 hp turbocharged version of the Sportster powered Buell it was an no go even after he slapped a supercharger on a proof of concept prototype! Even with a turbo in its current design ie pushrods limited if large displacement the old beautiful sporty is not competitive. Give it four valve heads better stroke vs bore ratio, at least 1400cc and an inter-cooled turbo or positive displacement supercharger, and that engine would produce over 200 rwhp. Use the old buell type or modern frame etc good tires, electronic engine and traction management and Harleys excellent development and it would blow the socks off any current sportbike. It could be priced at or below its competitor priced due to amortized tooling of the 70 years of the sporster engine. HD factory has always been way too careful in bringing out new models. Why they tied buells hands I dont know. Oh well its not too difficult to slap a supercharger on a new good handling sporster like the now race bike inspired 1200R, drop an 100cubic inch S&S flywheel and cyl in, any supecharged motor should produce at least 2hp per inch. So it should produce around 200 to 220 rear wheel hp. Now we are talking and that is why dear members I love custom bikes over the factory offerings!

Even with my ancient, but in the last build highly modified 57 sportster it was worth every dollar I spent on that engine it to hear a ricegrinder rider say Harleys dont supposed to run like that!

Here is what can be done with a harley Vrod powerplant, over 180hp! good lookin too if you like fully faired bikes ;



reva

 

Late for an appt to look at a bike that would outrun your idea of a fast bike its a servi car with a about 20 hp flathead motor lol .....just kidding I will address your comment when I return...
reva

reva

 

Up until about the middle of last decade,Honda sold more bikes { units }
than Harley.Honda had a slight dominance in the Cruiser market also
for decades.Honda led cruiser sales with around 24% market dominance.
Harley was just below at around 22% market share.
The one downside to Honda is recalls.Honda is very reluctant to answer
questions about a new model having issues.And even when a new model
does have an issue,Honda prefers to cover-it up until the very last moment.
But overall that can be dismissed in lieu of the overall built quality of
Honda motorcycles and the way they hold up,year after year.Plus they
are reasonably priced.Harley''s are just overpriced.

 

Hmmm another foot in mouth remark eh my friend, I do like your youthful persistence but you should know when to admit you are wrong! I did not have time to crop the links below but I would bet and know Leno has many harleys and prefers them for his daily riders!

Hey l like this saying; 'Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and vigor! Lol true true true'!



Jay Leno - Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/.../heroesofharley/biopage1.asp?id...
‎

* Cached

As the host of the popular NBC Tonight Show, Jay Leno is one of the highest ...
Like many kids of his time, Leno became a fan of motorcycles through the ... Leno
often did his own restoration work, but left the complicated parts to ... Leno also
has a number of modern-day Harley-Davidsons he calls his "everyday bikes.

1.
Jay Leno - Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/.../heroesofharley/biopage1.asp?id...
‎
* Cached
As the host of the popular NBC Tonight Show, Jay Leno is one of the highest ...
Like many kids of his time, Leno became a fan of motorcycles through the ... Leno
often did his own restoration work, but left the complicated parts to ... Leno also
has a number of modern-day Harley-Davidsons he calls his "everyday bikes.
2.
Jay Leno And An Impressive Collection Of Motorcycles ...
https://eatsleepride.com/.../jay_leno_and_an_impressive_collection_of_motorcycles
‎
* Cached
* Similar
Dec 3, 2012 ... Funny man Jay Leno is known to most as the square-jawed comedian from the
late ... This man can, and does, ride every single one of the machines he owns;
and although he may ... mechanics of his rarer, older machines is a reaffirmation
of how much he loves motorcycles. ... 1946 WR Harley-Davidson.
3.
Passion and love drive Jay Leno to fill a 130-car garage - LA Times
www.latimes.com/.../la-fi-c1-jay-lenos-garage-20140714-story.html
‎
* Cached
Jul 14, 2014 ... Jay Leno owns 130 cars and 93 motorcycles. ... "I just can't stop driving it," Leno
says at a stop sign, before roaring off again. .... Leno has picked up many cars
long before the collecting world discovered them and started .... Harley-Davidson
is looking to bring flat track bike racing to a national TV audience.
4.
Jay Leno, Leno, Leno, Leno, Cars, Harleys, Motorcycles, Classic ...
www.dochemp.com/leno.html
‎
* Cached
* Similar
But ...... what I (doc hemp) admire about Jay Leno is that his fame & money has ...
He still mingles, loves Harleys & all types of cars like a lot of us do! ... Becky
looked in one of the many boxes of Kathy's stuff we put up there when she got ...
5.
My Garage, With Jay Leno - Forbes
www.forbes.com/2000/12/18/1218lenols.html
‎
* Cached
* Similar
Dec 18, 2000 ... Everything here does a hundred with a few exceptions. There are no ... While
Leno isn't averse to modern cars, he doesn't own many. There's a ...
6.
Jay Leno leads the 29th annual Harley-Davidson Love Ride for ...
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Jay-Leno-leads-29th-annual-Harley-Davidson-Love-Ride-charity.html
‎
* Similar
Oct 21, 2012 ... Just one of many: Leno owns a fleet more more than 100 cars, many of them
vintage models .... I do laugh at some of the anti Harley comments.Jay Leno leads the 29th annual Harley-Davidson Love Ride for ...
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Jay-Leno-leads-29th-annual-Harley-Davidson-Love-Ride-charity.html
‎

* Similar

Oct 21, 2012 ... Just one of many: Leno owns a fleet more more than 100 cars, many of them
vintage models .... I do laugh at some of the anti Harley comments....


reva

 

One has to actually test ride a Rune to know what I'm talking about.
The Bike literally can fly out of ones hand.Of course they can burn the back
rubber fairly easy as YouTube videos show.
It wasn't until a few years after the head sales guy at my Honda dealer
admitted what he thought of the Rune.He had never taken one for a test ride.
It was around 3 years later after he sold the First Rune { My *Illusion blue }
that he got to ride one.He was very impressed.Actually was almost flabbergasted
how quick it was.And he should know ... selling many a Honda Sportbike like the
CBR 1000.
The Rune is tuned with hotter cams than the standard Goldwing GL 1800.
It is tuned more for Off the Line zip.There is no tach { needs one } and no
Rev limiter.Well at least No rev Limiter { all Electronic Ignition have some limiter }
that kicks-in early.So the Rune with it's massive GL 1800 torque and
high revving off the line tuning is awesome in 1st and 2nd gear.


* The color changes as the sun reflects off.From blue to purple.
it's kinda neat.Plus the paint job is state-of-the-Art.

 

Yeah ... yeah ... yeah ... Yaddie ... yaddie ... yaddah.And a Yankee Doodle Dandy.
You'd be hard pressed to find a Jay Leno YouTube with him on a Harley.
The guy loves collecting bikes as did Steve McQueen who also had around
100 machines.A lot of Old antique Harley's.Plus his famous 1937 Crocker.
McQueen's first bike was an Indian Chief.
Leno's first bike was a 1000 CBX a Honda.A 1981 model and the first bike
be bought new.

 

It's more a symptom than anything else.Like Women falling prey to
Stockholm Syndrome.It's a form of brainwashing.
Hog owners live in denial.No matter what new bike arrives on the scene,
no matter how awesome,it if ain't a Harley then ta hell with it.
Virtually.That pretty mush sums up Harley guys.It's like growing up in
the 50's & 60's.If yer old man was a Ford guy or a Chevy guy there was
no amount of talking to convince them otherwise.It was baked into their
psyche.Like being right-handed.Where if a kid in 1st grade was left-handed
the Nuns tried their best to switch him to being right-handed.
Not possible with a Hog owner.They are unswitchable.Virtually.
I've seen it firsthand enough to write a book about.That's why Harley's
sell themselves.It's a mindset.That is why Harley types couldn't bring themselves
to criticizing their hogs even if warranted.Their psyche won't allow it.

 

Actually, Sonny Barber was very critical of H-D recently. But then, you never let facts get in your way!

- - - Updated - - -

Does this rambling word salad make sense to you?

 

are you blind, many of the links and vids I posted show Leno on an HD. I really dont know why you are so biased. Be sure all that posturing and attempting to weasel word your way out of every disputed post where evidence is presented that shows you were unequivocally wrong destroys your credibility. There is nothing wrong with being wrong, however being deceptive and such is far worse than simply being wrong. I think you are lashing out against Harleys and their riders is because some time in the past, present etc your choice of bikes and maybe you was ridiculed by HD riders. Btw there is no best bike different riders like different bikes! And think like Jay, he owns and likes an incredible variety of bikes. I too like all kinds of bikes. Varity is the spice of life.

reva

 

Pure load of Pap.I have proven my dislike of Harley's and especially those who
ride them.They are a clique and ignore with disdain most all bikes that aren't
Harley.What part of that can't you comprehend.Harley owners are THE worst
Biker bigots around.They exude their dislike of anything but Hogs.
I've explained it now 7 ways to sunday and back.
There is no other Motorcycle manufacturer I have a problem with but
Harley.I even like Urals as they make good rough it in the wilderness bikes
and good winter rides,even in the snow with their sidecars.

 

No, that's a lie.

No, that's a lie. (Seriously, ever dealt with a BMW snob?)

And it was just as idiotic the thirtieth time as the first!

I'm sorry...do you have anything to add that anyone cares about, boy?

 

Fool calling other people bike bigots is so funny. This guy probably doesnt even own a bike.

 

You guys took my fire! Thanks! I would like to see member F chill. Yes I would even agree that many hard core or want to be hard core HD riders are snobs. Of course 'many' doesn't mean all. There is worse than being a snob too. I have never even in my most elitist days liked elitist HD riders. I would always defend my choice of preference which are HD's when it comes to road bikes. A bagger? I like the too expensive CVOs. Exotics? The 320 hp Jet Turbine powered street bike, A Dual purpose? KTM. Pure sport bike? I am interested in the new kaw H1 factory supercharged bike if the supercharger makes it to the street. But if I had to choose now it would be the 2015 BMW S1000RR with a claimed (not supercharged) 192 Hp! Street fighter naked bike? A old but modified Buell Sportster powered model. So you see Foolardi I like all bikes, even the overweight, rather slow but interesting rune. What type bikes would you all choose?

reva