Follow the crowd, buy a Harley

[slowpoke]

Hmmm, far from rebelling to buy a Harley it seems you are simply following the crowd. Taken from www.mcnews.com, if you take out the 100's of Honda postie bikes bought by Aussie Post then Harley were the top selling road bike manufacturer in Oz for the first half of 2008.

"-- Harley going from strength to strength

Harley-Davidson sales figures in recent years have been almost beyond belief.

Try this on for size. Harley sold 3983 road bikes in the first six months of 2008. Yamaha sold just 2650 in the same period. If it were not for Australia Post buying hundreds of Honda CT110 machines Harley would have knocked Honda off the top of the road bike charts.

The Fat Boy continues to be the biggest seller for Harley ahead of the Softail, XL1200 and 883 Sportsters, Super Glide and Softail Custom. Those models give Harley clear domination of the cruiser category.

Another category in which Harley is perhaps seen as the quiet achiever is the touring segment of the market. The top three touring motorcycles in the country all wear the Harley-Davidson badge. The Heritage Softail Classic leads the segment ahead of the Road King Classic and Ultra Classic Electra Glide. All three models individually sold better than Yamaha’s FJR1300, Kawasaki’s GTR1400, Honda’s ST1300, BMW’s R1200RT and more than doubled the numbers achieved by the Gold Wing or Triumph Rocket Tourer."

[Big Dave]

Largely because of (in spite of what I often read on here) them being very enjoyable motorcycles to ride and own.

[AlBundy]

Sorry, I'm not a crowd follower...

They'd have to go a long way to beat the mighty MT5...

It's not just Harley mind you... I'm not ready for any cruiser yet...

Well, except maybe for that weird BMW one...

[awayatc]

If I would live in the States, or in Australia....I would most likely want/have a Harley to......
:scooter:

[Forest]

There's a lovely expression I heard recently that describes this phenomenon. Australia is full of CUBs.

Cashed Up Bogans.

[boman]

Yup, my father in law, who has owned many harleys, calls them belly button bikes. Every body has one. He was replacing his fatboy earlier this year, and has had to go to some trouble to find a bike that is a little bit different.

[Griffin]

Largely because of (in spite of what I often read on here) them being very enjoyable motorcycles to ride and own.

Absolutely spot on

[Badjelly]

Hmmm, far from rebelling to buy a Harley it seems you are simply following the crowd.

Well, duh!

[Papa Bear]

Largely because of (in spite of what I often read on here) them being very enjoyable motorcycles to ride and own.

Not a more correct word spoken.... mines for sale if anyone wants to buy it

[slimjim]

a nd their prices a re becoming easly affordable, plus been jap lumes they stay pretty trouble free and yup keep going .... lol

[jrandom]

Yup, my father in law, who has owned many harleys, calls them belly button bikes. Every body has one.

Why is that a problem?

If you're the only man in the country with a particular motorcycle, you gotta ask why that might be...

[Kiwi Graham]

Harley make a great bike, I have a Springer Softail...not as popular a some of the range but I like it. Its all about choice, I choose to ride the Harley when it's sunny and the GSX when it's not. Dont know about the H.O.G thing though Mmmmm

[Swoop]

Better remain a rebel by not buying one then...

Or a Honda CT110.

[jrandom]

GSX when it's not

Is yours blue and white, or black?

[oldrider]

When ever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect! (Mark Twain) :shifty:

Well, I guess all those HD owners have "reflected". :confused:

Hey slowpoke, you were such a nice wee boy, who gave you the sharp stick? :lol: Cheers John.

[avgas]

Its like auto cars really, most people do not want speed or complication.

[Kiwi Graham]

Is yours blue and white, or black?

Black Big and beautiful:woohoo:

[sunhuntin]

the real riders in the states are sick of the way harley is going. the major difference with harleys riders is this; did they ride to the rally 3000miles away, or did they trailer their harley with their motorhome from 3miles away?

its the way harley are marketing themselves. i get emails containing quotes like "let your inner badness out" and other bullshit. makes me less keen to buy new. id rather buy an old school decker. shovelhead at the newest.

[jrandom]

Black Big and beautiful:woohoo:

Woohoo! That was the right answer.

:D

Have you done any mods to it since purchase, or is it still fully stock?

Seen the pic of mine on my profile page?

[pritch]

Largely because of (in spite of what I often read on here) them being very enjoyable motorcycles to ride and own.

I think there is a topographical aspect to this. Both the USA and Oz have lots of long straight roads. The natural habitat of the Harley.

The roads out here in the rural rump are too much fun to waste at the sort of speeds most Harleys could do them at. (I know, there are exceptions...)

Maybe when I get a bit older :whistle:

[Kiwi Graham]

Woohoo! That was the right answer.

:D

Have you done any mods to it since purchase, or is it still fully stock?

Seen the pic of mine on my profile page?

Nice!! Like the reg!

I'm currently changing the 4:1 system for the early model 4:2 (just acquiring the parts at the moment). I think it looks more balanced and I like polishing chrome! I think the neighbours will be pleased with the look too:Oi: at the moment it has a stainless scorpion muffler and cooler guard and a Givi screen and heated grips for those winter mornings!!
Its my 3rd 14 there bloody awsome tools.

[jrandom]

The roads out here in the rural rump are too much fun to waste at the sort of speeds most Harleys could do them at.

Oh, I dunno, I love scraping bits of FXwhatevers in silly places.

I'll 'ave one someday.

[jrandom]

cooler guard

Where'd you get yours? I need to sort one for my bike.


Its my 3rd 14 there bloody awsome tools.

Too right.

I'm gutted that Suzuki have stopped making them now. Dunno what I'll do when I wear this one out. It's my perfect "can only have one bike" bike.

Edit: Only changes on mine are Pro Taper MX handlebars and a Two Brothers can, plus I run Pilot Powers on it instead of touring tyres - does wonders for the handling.

[Kiwi Graham]

Where'd you get yours? I need to sort one for my bike.

It was on it when I got it, Get yourself onto www.gsx1400.org and you will find heaps of stuff available, mostly in the UK though:crybaby:



Too right.

I'm gutted that Suzuki have stopped making them now. Dunno what I'll do when I wear this one out. It's my perfect "can only have one bike" bike.

I think the last of the last is available in Aussie in retro blue and white:violin: duno how many they will have though so put your order in if your keen.

Edit: Only changes on mine are Pro Taper MX handlebars and a Two Brothers can, plus I run Pilot Powers on it instead of touring tyres - does wonders for the handling.

I run Pilot 2's they grip wet or dry, again they improved the handling, heat up fast and give heaps of feed back..they are supposed to last too.....which is a good thing with the amount of torque the back tyre has to deal with!!:scooter:

[avgas]

trailer their harley with their motorhome
sounds great - but how do i get the motorhome on the trailer?


its the way harley are marketing themselves. i get emails containing quotes like "let your inner badness out" and other bullshit.
I let inner badness out on a daily basis

[jrandom]

I run Pilot 2's they grip wet or dry, again they improved the handling, heat up fast and give heaps of feed back...

I got 13,500km out of a set of PR2s before I switched to PPs.

PR2s are a huge improvement over the stock BT020s, which I threw away a week after I got the bike, but the PPs were another huge improvement on top of that - the turn-in rate and general grip is amazing. They have a pointier profile than the PR2s - even my pillion noticed it straight away.

Whacking the throttle open in 3rd or 4th as I stood the bike up out of a fast corner on SH16, with the PR2s I'd get the rear wheel drifting out a few inches, but on the PPs the bike just hooks up and shoots straight, no mucking about.

The PP front feels better while turning, too. Never feels like it's pushing out and wanting to understeer.

The wear rate seems good so far, although I'll report back on that in due course...

[Kiwi Graham]

Mine had diablo's on, thought they were crap, rock hard and no feed back. same as you got rid of them soon as! dont think I'll be testing them as hard as you (those days are over, balls have shrunk!) but pleased with them so far. dont forget to check out the GSX owners Org.:yes:

[jrandom]

dont think I'll be testing them as hard as you (those days are over, balls have shrunk!)

Pfft, ask anyone around here, I ride like a nana.

I just like to whack the throttle open now and then for giggles.


dont forget to check out the GSX owners Org.

Yup, I lurk there regularly.

[oldrider]

the real riders in the states are sick of the way harley is going. the major difference with harleys riders is this; did they ride to the rally 3000miles away, or did they trailer their harley with their motorhome from 3miles away?

its the way harley are marketing themselves. i get emails containing quotes like "let your inner badness out" and other bullshit. makes me less keen to buy new. id rather buy an old school decker. shovelhead at the newest.

Freedom of the individual means freedom of choice, if that's how they choose it, you can't blame Harley Davidson for that!

They just make bikes to sell and those people are just the "customers".

No use making bikes of any sort if you can't sell them! :oi-grr: Cheers John.

[bully]

i sold my harley to buy a supersport, like oranges and apples really, or a hq holden and a hsv.

[carver]

harley's are shit..
but their marketing is brilliant

[madandy]

Plenty of baby boomers spending up now the kids are well & truly out of their hair and 'mature' 40 something, professionals buying some coolness and excitement back after 20 years climbing corporate ladders...oh the rewards of 'success'.

[more_fasterer]

You mean the sheep aren't buying Suzuki's any more??? :gob:

[madandy]

Them's a different breed of sheep ;)
Romneys v's Merino...

[Big Dave]

the real riders

Real riders don't say 'The real riders'.

[Big Dave]

harley's are shit..


How would you know?

[carver]

How would you know?

are you stupid?

by riding them, how else?

[SPman]

Them's a different breed of sheep ;)
Romneys v's Merino...

We're Wiltshire Horn aficionado's..........

If I was into long distance Aussie touring... (I think I'd rather watch paint dry..)..., I'd get a Triumph Rocket 3 Tourer........

[carver]

if i wanted a shit bike that was slow, rough to ride, and handled like shit, i would get a old japanese cruiser.
not spend mega bucks on some american tank

[avgas]

Real riders don't say 'The real riders'.
the chosen few........:laugh::confused:

[carver]

the chosen few........:laugh::confused:

thats a boy racer crew...
our sworn rivals

[Big Dave]

are you stupid?

by riding them, how else?

Then how can you be so stupidly wrong?

[carver]

Then how can you be so stupidly wrong?

wrong according to whom?


new V lemon, cause we all have different tastes!

[Big Dave]

wrong according to whom?
new V lemon, cause we all have different tastes!

Thus they are not 'shit' then - agreed?
They are a well made product that doesn't suit your taste.

[Deano]

I know of some guys who are right into their Harleys. I was expecting a bit of shit from them about riding Jappa's.

Turned out that they reckon Harley's in general are pretty shit out of the box, and promptly set about replacing the OEM Harley bits with aftermarket parts.

Don't shoot the messenger !

[carver]

Thus they are not 'shit' then - agreed?
They are a well made product that doesn't suit your taste.

they are a well finished product that is underpowered, rough, heavy, slow, a pig in the corners, and very overpriced

[Deano]

A story relayed to me by a bike salesman.

An American guy walks in to the shop dressed in all Harley gear - salesman asks if he likes Harleys.

Guy replies that he thinks they are crap but they are American and he wouldn't buy anything else.

Hangover from the war ? (Hate anything Japanese ?)

[avgas]

i wouldn't mind either and 883 sporty (with flattracker seat) or a VROD, but the rest i seem to look at and think "What the fuck - its like a fridge mated with boat!".
To be honest i think that if harley didnt have the VROD designed by porsche and a few inspirations from the likes of Buell and the other fellas - it would be as inbred as the Dodge Ram - which ironically lost 50% of sales for the last quarter.
In comparison look at Mr Bloor who is laughing his way into the bank.
I still don't know why Harley doesn't go and outright buy that concept company who tried redo'ing Vincent - surely that would be a money maker for them. It could go head to head with the Thruxton. And win

[Big Dave]

they are a well finished product that is underpowered, rough, heavy, slow, a pig in the corners, and very overpriced

Been a while since you rode one then?

Poor ground clearance is a legitimate criticism. Pig in the corners isn't.

Slow depends on the rider. That they have 'mid' power is legit.

Overpriced? That's relative too.
To someone (not me obviously) on 200K they are a trinket.

[avgas]

A story relayed to me by a bike salesman.

An American guy walks in to the shop dressed in all Harley gear - salesman asks if he likes Harleys.

Guy replies that he thinks they are crap but they are American and he wouldn't buy anything else.

Hangover from the war ? (Hate anything Japanese ?)
When i was in the states it was funny - if you bought american - you were poor.
If you had money you bought Euro.
Average money - you bought Jap.
Ford just announced that it was switching all its "Truck factories" to small car (that are designed in europe/asia). So not all that is star spangled in the US is gold anymore.
They dont even like Bud anymore......

[carver]

Been a while since you rode one then?

Poor ground clearance is a legitimate criticism. Pig in the corners isn't.

Slow depends on the rider. That they have 'mid' power is legit.

Overpriced? That's relative too.
To someone (not me obviously) on 200K they are a trinket.

been 6 months..
they amount of power they get out the 1200 is just so shit!

but to be honest, its the marketing, snob appeal, and they way such a shit brand is made to seem so much better than everything else.

dragged 2 wideglides on my ER6n once, i was 2 up with this sexy size 8 asain girl on the back.

smoked them by heaps.
(yes they were racing)

[slofox]

Harley were the top selling road bike manufacturer in Oz for the first half of 2008.

Well, what do you expect, Oz is full of Australians after all.....:crazy:

[carver]

When i was in the states it was funny - if you bought american - you were poor.
If you had money you bought Euro.
Average money - you bought Jap.
Ford just announced that it was switching all its "Truck factories" to small car (that are designed in europe/asia). So not all that is star spangled in the US is gold anymore.
They dont even like Bud anymore......

yeah?
i guess things like that cant go on forever eh....
got to roll with the times

[madandy]

if i wanted a shit bike that was slow, rough to ride, and handled like shit...

You mean as well as the one you ride now?

[White trash]

they are a well finished product that is underpowered, rough, heavy, slow, a pig in the corners, and very overpriced
Really? You wanna put some money where that big gob of yours is?

Crasherfromwayback lapped Manfeld in 1.19 on an 883 Skirtster. Only mods are exhaust and airfilter. That's on the baby Harley of the bunch. That you can buy for 12K or there abouts.

I'm sure a HD dealer would happy for the publicity of lending me an XR1200 for the weekend to thrash you at any race track in New Zealand on your ER6. Just let me know what weekend you wanna be humiliated by an overweight, underpowered, shit handling Harley.

[White trash]

I know of some guys who are right into their Harleys. I was expecting a bit of shit from them about riding Jappa's.

Turned out that they reckon Harley's in general are pretty shit out of the box, and promptly set about replacing the OEM Harley bits with aftermarket parts.

Don't shoot the messenger !
I also remember a dude on an SP1 getting a hiding from a Harley mounted pilot from Castle Point to Masterton one Sunday too :D

Don't shoot the messenger........

[Twosup]

A good read, But im not suprised on the Sales of them HDs. A top sports bike is just wasted on flat roads with no corners in Aus.
Not yet ready for that soffa riding style, Im keen to keep my spine in place & how do they kept those non water cooled big twins runing it that heat!

Well everybody has choice that great!:2thumbsup

[Deano]

I also remember a dude on an SP1 getting a hiding from a Harley mounted pilot from Castle Point to Masterton one Sunday too :D

Don't shoot the messenger........

Hey I kept up ya c*nt !!

I was just a couple hundred metres back after getting showered with stones through some roadworks.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :confused:

Oh - I didn't do $1500 worth of damage scraping bits of my SP-1 either !!

[carver]

You mean as well as the one you ride now?

you ridden the DRZ SM?
its more comparable to my "other bike"


Really? You wanna put some money where that big gob of yours is?

Crasherfromwayback lapped Manfeld in 1.19 on an 883 Skirtster. Only mods are exhaust and airfilter. That's on the baby Harley of the bunch. That you can buy for 12K or there abouts.

I'm sure a HD dealer would happy for the publicity of lending me an XR1200 for the weekend to thrash you at any race track in New Zealand on your ER6. Just let me know what weekend you wanna be humiliated by an overweight, underpowered, shit handling Harley.

race track?
the road, il take the road!

are you blind?i dont have a ER6n!

but yeah, race me on a 883, on the road, i hear your fast, so il put ten bucks on it and a free big ben pie!
the XR looks nice

[madandy]

you ridden the DRZ SM?
its more comparable to my "other bike"



race track?
the road, il take the road!

are you blind?i dont have a ER6n!

but yeah, race me on a 883, on the road, i hear your fast, so il put ten bucks on it and a free big ben pie!
the XR looks nice

Have you ridden a tricked up Sportster? I know of one that'll go beyond 200 clicks soon as tear its rear tyre to shreads mate and it corners too :shock:
I'm sure one day someone's gonna have to turn around and go back to find you wiping the gravel outta your palms trying to prove how fast you are on the road...

Grow a pair and hit the track for some real speed. <_<

[carver]

Have you ridden a tricked up Sportster? I know of one that'll go beyond 200 clicks soon as tear its rear tyre to shreads mate and it corners too :shock:
I'm sure one day someone's gonna have to turn around and go back to find you wiping the gravel outta your palms trying to prove how fast you are on the road...

Grow a pair and hit the track for some real speed. <_<

been on the track, its not as much fun as the road, all the different elements of the road make it fun

white trash knows this

never ridden a done up harley

[martybabe]

Harley make a great bike, I have a Springer Softail...not as popular a some of the range but I like it. Its all about choice, I choose to ride the Harley when it's sunny and the GSX when it's not. Dont know about the H.O.G thing though Mmmm


A gsx1400 and a Harley, you are clearly a genius when it comes to choosing motor bicycles. Just about got it made I recon. :scooter:

[jrandom]

never ridden a done up harley

There was a one-armed fulla with an S&S'd up Softail at the last winter dragwars doing 13.5s.

Nice bloke, nice bike.

[jrandom]

been on the track, its not as much fun as the road...

Well, hmm, depends whether you consider risk fun.

I don't.

You probably won't ten years from now, either.

But, agreed, there's nothing quite like blasting along the right bit of open road.

However. You don't actually ride like the sort of maniac you portray yourself as, do you, carver? I've seen you ride, man, got behind you for a while on that last big Coro loop. You're safe as, ride a good pace, decent lines, take less risks than I've seen many taking.

You just go on about this racing-on-the-road shit on the forum to wind people up. Your self-preservation instincts take over once you're actually on the bike.

[carver]

There was a one-armed fulla with an S&S'd up Softail at the last winter dragwars doing 13.5s.

Nice bloke, nice bike.

big money on S&S stuff eh

[jrandom]

big money on S&S stuff eh

For sure. Could probably buy three GSX1400s for what he's spent on that bike, I'm guessing.

[Swoop]

Harley make a great bike, I have a Springer Softail...not as popular a some of the range but I like it. Its all about choice, I choose to ride the Harley when it's sunny and the GSX when it's not. Dont know about the H.O.G thing though Mmmmm
I warned you that the 1400 club would be along soon...

:niceone:

[Headbanger]

harley's are shit..
but their marketing is brilliant

Fool, The bikes are great, the marketing is sickening.

[carver]

so why did you buy ya fxd?

[Headbanger]

so why did you buy ya fxd?


uh....Because I like the bike...great bike, Perfect for NZ roads.

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[madandy]

been on the track, its not as much fun as the road, all the different elements of the road make it fun

white trash knows this

never ridden a done up harley

I have to agree that elements of road riding are very rewarding - at less than suicidal pace ;)


Well, hmm, depends whether you consider risk fun.

I don't.

You probably won't ten years from now, either.

But, agreed, there's nothing quite like blasting along the right bit of open road.

However. You don't actually ride like the sort of maniac you portray yourself as, do you, carver? I've seen you ride, man, got behind you for a while on that last big Coro loop. You're safe as, ride a good pace, decent lines, take less risks than I've seen many taking.

You just go on about this racing-on-the-road shit on the forum to wind people up. Your self-preservation instincts take over once you're actually on the bike.

If this is true does it mean Carver is really a good bloke who just like to wind people up?
Or a dickhead who talks big?
Some of your [Carver] poists in this thread would suggest to me the former :msn-wink:

[doc]

[QUOTE=carver;1668643]they are a well finished product that is underpowered, rough, heavy, slow, a pig in the corners, and very overpriced/QUOTE]

So you really want one aye ? . Till you accept the fact you won't be as cool as you think you are. Until you join the HOG club cos they take all the attention away from you when they thunder past. No one see's you "givin everyone the learn on the Loop". No one notices you like they do Harley's cruising in the main street and that counts to people like you . You are what GE finance are designed for. Bite the bullet and just do it. I can see you on an 883 hugger. Maybe sometime :soon:
The rest of us just enjoy what we have got. We are all different. Some of us don't need as much attention as you. Enjoy it at the Coldkiwi cos you provide the entertainment until its dark

Oops rant over.

[Flip]

You guys should be nice to Harley Riders they might be your boss!

[carver]

Well, hmm, depends whether you consider risk fun.

I don't.

You probably won't ten years from now, either.

But, agreed, there's nothing quite like blasting along the right bit of open road.

However. You don't actually ride like the sort of maniac you portray yourself as, do you, carver? I've seen you ride, man, got behind you for a while on that last big Coro loop. You're safe as, ride a good pace, decent lines, take less risks than I've seen many taking.

You just go on about this racing-on-the-road shit on the forum to wind people up. Your self-preservation instincts take over once you're actually on the bike.

that is half true, i do try keep others safe as i ride, be aware of those around me etc...
i can and do ride stupidly though, like lanesplitting moving cars on the rear wheel at 2x their speeds


I have to agree that elements of road riding are very rewarding - at less than suicidal pace ;)



If this is true does it mean Carver is really a good bloke who just like to wind people up?
Or a dickhead who talks big?
Some of your [Carver] poists in this thread would suggest to me the former :msn-wink:

meet me and the rest of the few and decide for yourself


[QUOTE=carver;1668643]they are a well finished product that is underpowered, rough, heavy, slow, a pig in the corners, and very overpriced/QUOTE]

So you really want one aye ? . Till you accept the fact you won't be as cool as you think you are. Until you join the HOG club cos they take all the attention away from you when they thunder past. No one see's you "givin everyone the learn on the Loop". No one notices you like they do Harley's cruising in the main street and that counts to people like you . You are what GE finance are designed for. Bite the bullet and just do it. I can see you on an 883 hugger. Maybe sometime :soon:
The rest of us just enjoy what we have got. We are all different. Some of us don't need as much attention as you. Enjoy it at the Coldkiwi cos you provide the entertainment until its dark

Oops rant over.

see ya at the kiwi dude, i could not really care what others choose to ride, its all good by me.
i just wouldn't buy a harley after my memories of what they are like to ride

[Kiwi Graham]

I warned you that the 1400 club would be along soon...

:niceone:

I hear ya :laugh:

[Kiwi Graham]

A gsx1400 and a Harley, you are clearly a genius when it comes to choosing motor bicycles. Just about got it made I recon. :scooter:

Yesiree, just got to get the motorhome and trailer:chase:

[scumdog]

Hmm, slightly less anti H-D ranting than is the norm on KB.

Has KB gone soft??

Or are we now allowed to own/ride bikes that others would not chose??

[Big Dave]

Hmm, slightly less anti H-D ranting than is the norm on KB.



I'm winning.

[Pwalo]

I don't mind Harleys, as long as I don't have to ride one. I don't mind everyone noticing them and ignoring me. Stealth is good.

They still remind me, just a little bit anyway, of SUVs, Hummers, etc.

[Badjelly]

Hmm, slightly less anti H-D ranting than is the norm on KB.

Bagging Harleys, like shooting fish in a barrel and stealing candy from babies, loses its appeal after a while.


I'm winning.

Like the Black Knight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Knight_(Monty_Python))?

[peasea]

Bagging Harleys, like shooting fish in a barrel and stealing candy from babies, loses its appeal after a while.



Like the Black Knight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Knight_(Monty_Python))?


Shooting fish in a barrel is a myth, as exposed on Mythbusters. It's more likely the shockwave will kill them than your bullet. Another myth is "you can't make a Harley handle". I know a guy in Wellington who made a handle for his Harley and it works fine.

[Flip]

Well mine goes just fine. I don't mind jap bikes I just dont want to own another one, it would be fair to say "been there done that".

[martybabe]

Shooting fish in a barrel is a myth, as exposed on Mythbusters. It's more likely the shockwave will kill them than your bullet. Another myth is "you can't make a Harley handle". I know a guy in Wellington who made a handle for his Harley and it works fine.

:killingme Dude your wasted on here, you should do stand up. :rofl:


The fact is, Harleys are good bikes, not to everyone's taste maybe but then neither are fejoas :sick: but they are addictive. Harleys are bikes and the people that ride em are bikers and that's good enough for me. :yes: what was the subject again, my plot has been mislaid. :rolleyes:

Got room for a street bob or cross bones in me shed :yes:

[Divot]

Suzuki 2,665
Honda 1,678
Harley Davidson 1,562
Kawasaki 780
Ducati 497
Hyosung 437
BMW 358
Buell 129

If you add Harley and Buell together = 1691.

[martybabe]

Suzuki 2,665
Honda 1,678
Harley Davidson 1,562
Kawasaki 780
Ducati 497
Hyosung 437
BMW 358
Buell 129

If you add Harley and Buell together = 1691.

Interesting, thanks. Who stole Yamahas?

[Divot]

Sorry an oversite.

Yamaha 976
Triumph 788

Here is the link for others

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/statistics/motor-vehicle-registration/2007/table-22.html

[peasea]

Suzuki 2,665
Honda 1,678
Harley Davidson 1,562
Kawasaki 780
Ducati 497
Hyosung 437
BMW 358
Buell 129

If you add Harley and Buell together = 1691.

Thanks for that.

I keep hearing that NZ has one of the highest ratios of HD ownership per capita on the planet. Is this true and where could I find information to confirm or deny it? I've done a quick search but I'm no geek and haven't found what I'm looking for.

[martybabe]

Sorry an oversite.

Yamaha 976
Triumph 788

Here is the link for others

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/statistics/motor-vehicle-registration/2007/table-22.html

That is an eye opener. thanx again. :niceone:

[peasea]

Just out of interest.........

2003 - 2007 US Heavyweight Market Share US Market Share

2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

Harley-Davidson 49.4% 50% 49.6% 50.2% 50.3%
Honda 14.2 15.1 16.6 18.7 18.4
Suzuki 12.5 12.9 12.4 10.2 9.8
Yamaha 9.2 8.6 8.9 8.7 8.5
Kawasaki 7.2 6.8 6.5 6.4 6.7

[s8306]

if i wanted a shit bike that was slow, rough to ride, and handled like shit, i would get a old japanese cruiser.
not spend mega bucks on some american tank

Spoken like a true fuckwit.

[Dooly]

Or are we now allowed to own/ride bikes that others would not chose??

Never!!!!!:clap::lol:

[Divot]

Spoken like a true fuckwit.

I wasn't going to stoop that low but agree 100%

[bully]

harleys are cool, like a hot rod but a bike. i think nothing cooler, sure sport bikes are mean, but not cool. the real issue is money, if i had plenty id have one of every type of bike possable, for every different ride, a cool harley/chopper for a cruz or burn down the shops, a dirt bike for dirt and sports bike for bank robberys, haha.

[flame]

harleys are COOL. One day, when i cant cope with watching my ass for cops ALL the time, my bikes are gonna exchange for a Night Rod Special. They are dam fine in my eyes :)

[Her_C4]

harleys are COOL. One day, when i cant cope with watching my ass for cops ALL the time, my bikes are gonna exchange for a Night Rod Special. They are dam fine in my eyes :)

Way to go - am thinking of trading up (well, down heightwise anyway!!) .....:gob::sunny::shutup:

[flame]

Way to go - am thinking of trading up (well, down heightwise anyway!!) .....:gob::sunny::shutup:

Awwwww CHICKIE! you would look SOOOoooo cool on a Night Rod! :niceone:

[Her_C4]

Awwwww CHICKIE! you would look SOOOoooo cool on a Night Rod! :niceone:


The shame is that I still have my tasselled jacket from the 80's... :gob: :dodge::laugh:

[hgmiers]

mighty fine idea

[martybabe]

The shame is that I still have my tasselled jacket from the 80's... :gob: :dodge::laugh:


Whats so wrong with Tassles, I don't mind em. :msn-wink:

[MadDuck]

The shame is that I still have my tasselled jacket from the 80's...


I am still trying to work out how to add tassles to my QuasiMoto jacket :innocent:

I kind of like my Harley as it suits my massively tall stature. :shifty:

[Her_C4]

I am still trying to work out how to add tassles to my QuasiMoto jacket :innocent:

I kind of like my Harley as it suits my massively tall stature. :shifty:

no good for a short ass then?:(

[Her_C4]

Whats so wrong with Tassles, I don't mind em. :msn-wink:

Pretty sure I DON'T have my nipple tassels from the 80's. Probaly wouldn't be such a good look these days....:no::jerry::eek::doh: ha ha ha

[Rob Taylor]

harleys are COOL. One day, when i cant cope with watching my ass for cops ALL the time, my bikes are gonna exchange for a Night Rod Special. They are dam fine in my eyes :)

Dont worry Vicki ,i will keep an eye on ya ass for you:lol:,buy one now:2thumbsup.Where do all these "Fuck wit" Harley knockers come from..:argh: Shit we dont rubbish there bikes !!!! And they wonder why we dont wave to them ,Hmmmm:calm:

[sinned]

harleys are COOL. One day, when i cant cope with watching my ass for cops ALL the time, my bikes are gonna exchange for a Night Rod Special. They are dam fine in my eyes :)
They are very cool. At the moment I am very happy with the Triumph but in a year or two I might get the HD, and keep the trumpet unless I am too old :rolleyes: for it?

[Her_C4]

....... unless I am too old :rolleyes: for it?

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!! Don't say that - are you ever truely 'too old' to be doing something that you enjoy??

I read of a chap that had ridden for 35 years - gave it up for a while, had knee replacement and at 71 is now looking for his new bike.....:sunny:

[flame]

Dont worry Vicki ,i will keep an eye on ya ass for you:lol:,buy one now:2thumbsup.Where do all these "Fuck wit" Harley knockers come from..:argh: Shit we dont rubbish there bikes !!!! And they wonder why we dont wave to them ,Hmmmm:calm:

lol....you always welcome to keep an eye on my ass Rob lol!

People that bash harleys need a good dealing too! Seems like lots of riders bash Duc's too. Funny how it always comes from those that have never even owned one eh, and yet they know EVERYTHING about them hehehe.

[AllanB]

My main issue with HD and frankly all cruisers from any maker is the lack of brakes on the front end. (yes there are a exception or two 109R & mean streak)

That's something that should not be dictated by fashion (ie single sided to show of the wheel).

Personally I find the cruiser style offset by sport bits (brakes etc) very appealing.

[flame]

They are very cool. At the moment I am very happy with the Triumph but in a year or two I might get the HD, and keep the trumpet unless I am too old :rolleyes: for it?


Never EVER too old matie;) keep em both:woohoo:

[sinned]

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!! Don't say that - are you ever truely 'too old' to be doing something that you enjoy??

I read of a chap that had ridden for 35 years - gave it up for a while, had knee replacement and at 71 is now looking for his new bike.....:sunny:

LOL I was referring to the Speed Triple and I need to get the HD soon or I may be knocking on 71 too.

[s8306]

I wasn't going to stoop that low but agree 100%

Low is the only way to go with idiots like him.

[bully]

Where do all these "Fuck wit" Harley knockers come from..:argh: Shit we dont rubbish there bikes !!!! And they wonder why we dont wave to them ,Hmmmm:calm:

iv owned both, how come we cant ride our jap bikes with ya harleys, isnt that kinda rubbishing us?
ill ride with whatever, but some harley riders say no way no jap bikes, whats up with that?

[MadDuck]

ill ride with whatever, but some harley riders say no way no jap bikes, whats up with that?

hmmmmm...just like you never hear sprotbike riders say they dont want to ride with harleys. Noice troll :clap:

[carver]

Low is the only way to go with idiots like him.

what do you think of sports bikes

[scumdog]

The shame is that I still have my tasselled jacket from the 80's... :gob: :dodge::laugh:

So have I dahling..so have I..:cool:

[scumdog]

My main issue with HD and frankly all cruisers from any maker is the lack of brakes on the front end. (yes there are a exception or two 109R & mean streak)

That's something that should not be dictated by fashion (ie single sided to show of the wheel).

Personally I find the cruiser style offset by sport bits (brakes etc) very appealing.


So you haven't tried an FXDX then?

Twin disc front and I've had smoke pouring from the front tyre when braking at least once.

[Divot]

So you haven't tried an FXDX then?

Twin disc front and I've had smoke pouring from the front tyre when braking at least once.

Try a 105th Ann. Ultra Classic, Twin Brembo Discs up front and ABS.

[Headbanger]

FXRS and FXDS plus the convertible models all came standard with front dual discs.

[martybabe]

I did find a way round this single disc problem on my heritage softail. Fitted a pm? caliper. Transformed the bike from, is this fooker ever gonna stop to, well pretty damn awesome for a four piston caliper on a bike weighing 3 metric tonnes.

Thoroughly recommend it for all you single discers. The down side is it cost £400 er about $1200 but worth every penny for piece of mind. :niceone:

[outlawtorn]

I did find a way round this single disc problem on my heritage softail. Fitted a pm? caliper. Transformed the bike from, is this fooker ever gonna stop to, well pretty damn awesome for a four piston caliper on a bike weighing 3 metric tonnes.

Thoroughly recommend it for all you single discers. The down side is it cost £400 er about $1200 but worth every penny for piece of mind. :niceone:

Sounds like it's worth every penny.....thanks for letting us know. :niceone:

[gunrunner]

I would of loved a harley but was put off by what some means owners go to - chaining them in their garages , having them inside, not leaving them unseen on the street for more than 10 minutes - is this the case ?
So i got a bike i had dreamed off all those years ago (at auction in japan) it looks goes and does what it should and am happy with and also know its 1 of the bikes harley riders would love to ride (keep getting told bout that 1)
Also there was heaps of harleys on that website that got my bike off

92 fatboy 22 miles grade 4 - $5200NZD sold at auction , would be $7000 in NZ road legal ,

Now thats a deal - on the down side you end up alot of time in front of computer , was looking 6 months until i got the Vmax but i did save 30 % but more importantly i got what i wanted:rockon:

[bully]

hmmmmm...just like you never hear sprotbike riders say they dont want to ride with harleys. Noice troll :clap:

not the guys i ride with, who cares what you have, least you have a bike, its just the boys on there bikes(and girls). as long as you can do 100ks, even if one bike is faster or slower, just wait up ahead a bit, because if you didnt wait who would ride with you, youd just be a clown.

and if one of the boys said i dont wana ride with a harley, id be like why not? go home then!

[carver]

Dont worry Vicki ,i will keep an eye on ya ass for you:lol:,buy one now:2thumbsup.Where do all these "Fuck wit" Harley knockers come from..:argh: Shit we dont rubbish there bikes !!!! And they wonder why we dont wave to them ,Hmmmm:calm:

do you mean waving back, or just waving?

[peasea]

I did find a way round this single disc problem on my heritage softail. Fitted a pm? caliper. Transformed the bike from, is this fooker ever gonna stop to, well pretty damn awesome for a four piston caliper on a bike weighing 3 metric tonnes.

Thoroughly recommend it for all you single discers. The down side is it cost £400 er about $1200 but worth every penny for piece of mind. :niceone:

Ditto. When I bought my FXR Lowrider I immediately binnned the front brake and added an Annihalator 6-pot with braided s/s line. What a difference! It didn't take long to warp the disc though, would suggest a fully-floating package, they dissipate the heat better. Feel through the lever was greatly improved also.

Curiously, that caliper was a bitch to bleed and I ended up making a plate with a tube on top that would replace the master cylinder lid. I could then pressurise the master cylinder, open the bleed nipple and whammo! Cured.

[popelli]

I did find a way round this single disc problem on my heritage softail. Fitted a pm? caliper. Transformed the bike from, is this fooker ever gonna stop to, well pretty damn awesome for a four piston caliper on a bike weighing 3 metric tonnes.

Thoroughly recommend it for all you single discers. The down side is it cost £400 er about $1200 but worth every penny for piece of mind. :niceone:

you obviously have more money than me

going rate on fleabay / autojumbles is around £100

pic of the £100 caliper on my shovel and pic of the el cheapo twin brembos (about £20 each off fleabay) on my pan

[martybabe]

you obviously have more money than me

going rate on fleabay / autojumbles is around £100

pic of the £100 caliper on my shovel and pic of the el cheapo twin brembos (about £20 each off fleabay) on my pan


Second hand is even more worth every penny :yes: Yep that's a good deal alright. :apint:

[dwnundabkr]

best of both worlds to some of us any ways bull ridin is fun, motor may not rev but the torque is a hole different matter :rockon:

[WarlockNZ]

there is nothing wrong with Cruisers, of any make or model... as long as you're riding, who give a rat's what the make is ??

Come on, who of any of us would say no to a big arse Harley parked in the garage?? i know i wouldn't, as long as I could have the Sports as well :) ... and maybe a Duke and a race bike and a classic BSA or an Indian ... drool .... LOL

[cowpoos]

Really? You wanna put some money where that big gob of yours is?

Crasherfromwayback lapped Manfeld in 1.19 on an 883 Skirtster. Only mods are exhaust and airfilter. That's on the baby Harley of the bunch. That you can buy for 12K or there abouts.

I'm sure a HD dealer would happy for the publicity of lending me an XR1200 for the weekend to thrash you at any race track in New Zealand on your ER6. Just let me know what weekend you wanna be humiliated by an overweight, underpowered, shit handling Harley.
thats not a challenge Jimmie...a one legged old lady would whip carver in a race on a uni cycle!!

[carver]

thats not a challenge Jimmie...a one legged old lady would whip carver in a race on a uni cycle!!

oh yeah...im actually keen on this challenge now...
il be waiting to hear from you's....

if i win, i get to pound you in the ass all night long though eh?

[JimO]

if i win, i get to pound you in the ass all night long though eh?

.................

[Griffin]

if i win, i get to pound you in the ass all night long though eh?

I knew there was a special requirement to becoming a member of the Mormon Few... thanks for the confirmation. :buggerd:

[carver]

I knew there was a special requirement to becoming a member of the Mormon Few... thanks for the confirmation. :buggerd:

thanks for the application to join.

[carver]

Really? You wanna put some money where that big gob of yours is?

Crasherfromwayback lapped Manfeld in 1.19 on an 883 Skirtster. Only mods are exhaust and airfilter. That's on the baby Harley of the bunch. That you can buy for 12K or there abouts.

I'm sure a HD dealer would happy for the publicity of lending me an XR1200 for the weekend to thrash you at any race track in New Zealand on your ER6. Just let me know what weekend you wanna be humiliated by an overweight, underpowered, shit handling Harley.

so when will this be happening....

[KX500]

Sound the maketh of the Harley, without the HOG would be just like those Japanese bikes that try and copy the look.
I like torque as aposed to lamposts being a blurrrRrrrr.

Onle thing that makes me smile is some of the second hand buyers of Harley's on Trade me, wonder if they know the new prices ? Some buy 10 year old bikes for $5000 less than a brand spanker.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-187976142.htm

Be going for a new Superglide at $22000 when I can figure out how I can make the weekly repayments for the credit the bank keeps offering :rolleyes:.

[DELLORTO]

id much rather a victory than a harley

[Cross Rider]

so when will this be happening....

Put me down for $100. Don't think the Harley will do it. Also if it does can I have the rights to selling the bottom pounding video. 50% of the proceeds will go to charity or Aids foundation.:doctor::doctor:

[AD345]

id much rather a victory than a harley

Well done that man!

[Jerry74]

Well done that man!

Rather a Triumph than a Harley too

[Headbanger]

Guys, Your in luck, all those bikes are available in NZ, Go and buy them.

[naphazoline]

[QUOTE=slowpoke;1667806]Hmmm, far from rebelling to buy a Harley it seems you are simply following the crowd. [QUOTE]

yeah....the amount of people i know of,that have bought a harley,that are in it for the image :rolleyes:,and not the biking buzz,puts me right off them.
some of which,grow an instant tough guy attitude with it :tugger:
they're fast becoming a posser mobile.

no offence intended to the genuine harley biking population.in fact,i have to say that i feel sorry for you guys.

[scumdog]

[QUOTE=slowpoke;1667806]Hmmm, far from rebelling to buy a Harley it seems you are simply following the crowd. [QUOTE]

yeah....the amount of people i know of,that have bought a harley,that are in it for the image :rolleyes:,and not the biking buzz,puts me right off them.
some of which,grow an instant tough guy attitude with it :tugger:
they're fast becoming a posser mobile.

no offence intended to the genuine harley biking population.in fact,i have to say that i feel sorry for you guys.

Hmm, if the fact there's a few tuggers in a particular facet of recreation/interest tends to put you off you've a life full of 'put offs'.

Do it 'cos YOU want to, don't be looking over your shoulder all the time.


Having said that you have a point - some buy H-D to try for the 'bad-ass' look/image.

A bit like Gixxers getting bought by a few that want the 'racer' image.

Not sure what image the scooter buyers aim for.:shutup::dodge:

[AD345]

Nothing wrong with buying a bike for the "image". It doesn't apply only to H-D either. Everyone who gets a bike either imagines how they will look on it ('cept for us fat fucks) or how the bike will look tooling down the road.

I've wanted a harley for decades, when the time came to be able to get one though another image came along...


...easily distracted me mother reckoned.

[naphazoline]

Hmm, if the fact there's a few tuggers in a particular facet of recreation/interest tends to put you off you've a life full of 'put offs'.:

nah mate....it's not that,it's that they're not into the biking buzz,as much as the image.
TBO,harleys aren't my cup of tea,but in saying that,i'm happy for other people to be into them,and i'm not about to slag off anyone for their personal choices in bikes.i'm just happy to see people out there riding,and enjoying their own biking buzz :first:

good point on the gixxers too.(and the scooter thing :lol:)

[Headbanger]

nah mate....it's not that,it's that they're not into the biking buzz,as much as the image.


And how do you know that?

I'll be honest, I avoid those that wear Harley gear and talk about the Harley lifestyle as much as I can, But all cheese aside, Those few that I know in person rak up some huge miles and love everything about owning and riding their bikes.

They just talk way too much shit when they stop (and pose).

[naphazoline]

And how do you know that?

some of them i know personally.but i do know some more genuine guys into them aswell.

[/QUOTE]Those few that I know in person rak up some huge miles and love everything about owning and riding their bikes.[/QUOTE]

that's what i respect.

[Bonez]

And how do you know that?

I'll be honest, I avoid those that wear Harley gear and talk about the Harley lifestyle as much as I can, But all cheese aside, Those few that I know in person rak up some huge miles and love everything about owning and riding their bikes.

They just talk way too much shit when they stop (and pose).We all do mate ;)
Tis nice to own something that is'nt the so common though.:whistle:

[SilverGrin]

Nothing wrong with buying a bike for the "image". It doesn't apply only to H-D either. Everyone who gets a bike either imagines how they will look on it ('cept for us fat fucks) or how the bike will look tooling down the road.

I've wanted a harley for decades, when the time came to be able to get one though another image came along...


...easily distracted me mother reckoned.

That's enough trolling fella, back to PR with you.

[NighthawkNZ]

Having said that you have a point - some buy H-D to try for the 'bad-ass' look/image.

A bit like Gixxers getting bought by a few that want the 'racer' image.


I would agree there... many buy for the image, whether it is the bad ass or the racer, or what ever... but each to there own...

[Headbanger]

Image?

I find not matter what bike I'm riding I look cool as hell....feels good as well.

I just don't make a habit of telling everyone.











Apart from in this very post that is.:done:

[AD345]

That's enough trolling fella, back to PR with you.



But but but......


I promise to be good after Thursday.

[Kiwi Graham]

Well I've got a Harley and luv it to bits. It's the model I wanted as a kid (springer softail) but could never afford it as my only stead, There's so much chrome on her and I ride every day my first choice could never have been her. So she comes out when the sun does shine and my time is my own (she's on my profile)

I dont wear creaking Harley leather and I'm not a dentist or a lawyer either I just love my bikes and have been lucky enough to buy a bike I've wanted for fukin ages, had her for 3yrs and luv riding her and polishing her.........ah bikes dont you just love em.

[carver]

Put me down for $100. Don't think the Harley will do it. Also if it does can I have the rights to selling the bottom pounding video. 50% of the proceeds will go to charity or Aids foundation.:doctor::doctor:

ting ting......
the challengers nuts dropping

[modboy]

Who cares, I got nothin against Harley owners, I bought my Vespa for the image partly, interested in the mod thing and all that, but I've just bought a triumph thruxton, it was about a lot of things, the british bike cafe racer thing, the look and style of the bike and I wanted something a little bit different but still with a classic look and some performance.

It's totally about personal preference, I have a couple of mates with Harleys, they don't meet any of the stereotypes, and I have a mate with a Vespa PX200 who is a complete nutcase punk rocker who'd have a wheel brace through your window if you as much as looked at him sideways, he's dropped his booted foot into many a cars side panels... (lovely guy).

Tell the truth, I pick the Thruxton up late July, just ordered and depo down. Happy to ride alongside harley riders or whatever... it's supposed to be about fun (isn't it?)

[Molly]

If you have a problem with Harley owners, scooter riders, Ducati owners etc. etc. etc. then you're a sad fuck who needs to get some perspective. Life's too short to waste time and energy on such petty little prejudices.

Spend your money as you see fit. Ride safe and treat each other as you'd like to be treated.

[popelli]

If you have a problem with Harley owners, scooter riders, Ducati owners etc. etc. etc. then you're a sad fuck who needs to get some perspective. Life's too short to waste time and energy on such petty little prejudices.



add plus one to that comment

[carver]

If you have a problem with Harley owners, scooter riders, Ducati owners etc. etc. etc. then you're a sad fuck who needs to get some perspective. Life's too short to waste time and energy on such petty little prejudices.

Spend your money as you see fit. Ride safe and treat each other as you'd like to be treated.

exactly.....

[6ft5]

Absolutely spot on

I vote for that, give that man a beer or three

[Flip]

Well said, life is just too short to worry about it.

[rosie631]

However. You don't actually ride like the sort of maniac you portray yourself as, do you, carver? I've seen you ride, man, got behind you for a while on that last big Coro loop. You're safe as, ride a good pace, decent lines, take less risks than I've seen many taking.

You just go on about this racing-on-the-road shit on the forum to wind people up. Your self-preservation instincts take over once you're actually on the bike.

Now the truth comes out

[rosie631]

Fool, The bikes are great, the marketing is sickening.

Well said that man

[rosie631]

if i win, i get to pound you in the ass all night long though eh?

Carver, are you really a shirtlifter or are these comments part of your trolling persona. Just curious

[rosie631]

no offence intended to the genuine harley biking population.in fact,i have to say that i feel sorry for you guys.
I feel sorry for us too.

[peasea]

I feel sorry for us too.

Please extrapolate.

[rosie631]

yeah....the amount of people i know of,that have bought a harley,that are in it for the image :rolleyes:,and not the biking buzz,puts me right off them.
some of which,grow an instant tough guy attitude with it :tugger:
they're fast becoming a posser mobile.

no offence intended to the genuine harley biking population.in fact,i have to say that i feel sorry for you guys.

What he said. The whole sterotype thing. We all get tarred with the same brush etc etc

[carver]

Carver, are you really a shirtlifter or are these comments part of your trolling persona. Just curious

if you were a man i would tell you

[KX500]

A Vespa - last time I rode a Vespa I pulled a wheelie and watched it exit out of my hands - run 10 meters on the back wheel and funnily enough it meet the ground the side the motor was on - uncle did not seem to bothered.
Vespa 150 special - special bike alright :)

Only dickheads associate their identity with a material item.

"What the undeveloped man seeks is outside, what the advanced man seeks is within himself."

Confucius

[gunrunner]

Be in front of the crowd , buy the Vmax . :Punk:

[peasea]

Be in front of the crowd , buy the Vmax . :Punk:

Get along to a barbeque, and watch the HD crowd burn a V-max. :done:

[NOWOOL]

Hmmm, far from rebelling to buy a Harley it seems you are simply following the crowd. Taken from www.mcnews.com, if you take out the 100's of Honda postie bikes bought by Aussie Post then Harley were the top selling road bike manufacturer in Oz for the first half of 2008.

"-- Harley going from strength to strength

Harley-Davidson sales figures in recent years have been almost beyond belief.

Try this on for size. Harley sold 3983 road bikes in the first six months of 2008. Yamaha sold just 2650 in the same period. If it were not for Australia Post buying hundreds of Honda CT110 machines Harley would have knocked Honda off the top of the road bike charts.

The Fat Boy continues to be the biggest seller for Harley ahead of the Softail, XL1200 and 883 Sportsters, Super Glide and Softail Custom. Those models give Harley clear domination of the cruiser category.

Another category in which Harley is perhaps seen as the quiet achiever is the touring segment of the market. The top three touring motorcycles in the country all wear the Harley-Davidson badge. The Heritage Softail Classic leads the segment ahead of the Road King Classic and Ultra Classic Electra Glide. All three models individually sold better than Yamaha’s FJR1300, Kawasaki’s GTR1400, Honda’s ST1300, BMW’s R1200RT and more than doubled the numbers achieved by the Gold Wing or Triumph Rocket Tourer."

New Harleys' aren't 'rebel' bikes. The biker gangs (clubs) in the states look down at the new and unmodified Harleys. They prefer the older models.
If you want to be a 'rebel' then buy a sportbike, live at home and sponge off your parents. That's the modern class of 'rebel bikers'. They go fast, don't pay their fines and nature picks them off when they push boundaries.

I can't speak for all Harley owners, but I bought mine because I wanted a traditional looking motorcycle that will still look classic in 20 years and looks the same as it did 40 years ago. Its also reliable and extremely comfortable to ride. I've had other cruisers in the past that looked like Harleys but they were copies of classic bikes. The Harley is a classic bike.

[AD345]

New Harleys' aren't 'rebel' bikes. The biker gangs (clubs) in the states look down at the new and unmodified Harleys. They prefer the older models.
If you want to be a 'rebel' then buy a sportbike, live at home and sponge off your parents. That's the modern class of 'rebel bikers'. They go fast, don't pay their fines and nature picks them off when they push boundaries.

I can't speak for all Harley owners, but I bought mine because I wanted a traditional looking motorcycle that will still look classic in 20 years and looks the same as it did 40 years ago. Its also reliable and extremely comfortable to ride. I've had other cruisers in the past that looked like Harleys but they were copies of classic bikes. The Harley is a classic bike.

Must've been a bit more that that cos otherwise you'd have a Triumph based on that criteria

[Molly]

I can't speak for all Harley owners, but I bought mine because I wanted a traditional looking motorcycle that will still look classic in 20 years and looks the same as it did 40 years ago. Its also reliable and extremely comfortable to ride. I've had other cruisers in the past that looked like Harleys but they were copies of classic bikes. The Harley is a classic bike.

Couldn't agree more.

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[Paul in NZ]

At least it's a lot easier to follow the crowd if they are on harleys... Even if you loose sight of them cos say your shoe lace snapped you will still know where they are if you follow your ears and the smell of new leather..

[Molly]

At least it's a lot easier to follow the crowd if they are on harleys... Even if you loose sight of them cos say your shoe lace snapped you will still know where they are if you follow your ears and the smell of new leather..

C'mon Paul. You can do better than that. You missed out the mullets, the bling, the unreliability etc. etc. etc. Maybe you could've said you might follow the crowd by following the trail of oil or parts that've fallen off? There's a whole bin of tired cliches you could've rolled out and maybe even some scope for original thought!

What do <i>you</i> ride by the way?

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[Paul in NZ]

Hey - honestly I LIKE HD's.... (well some of em)

I really like the way the company sticks to it's knitting and as for the marketing, well, ya just got to admire a great idea... Call it professional envy.

As for the bikes - I reckon the new screaming eagle bare metal type paint job to be about the cleverist thing I've seen for a while - very rare I just sit (well stand actually, WMC don't seem to provide chairs) and stare at a bike... I was litterally blown away by it.... Spent 30 mins figuring out if I could replicate it and then just gave up - IMPRESSIVE!

If I had the loot, one of the new hot sporty bobber thingies with trick everything would grace my shed...

BEST thing about HD's is the HOG club and the nice folks who can enjoy a good laugh about it all... Christ you never met such a well organised, welcoming bunch... Guess what, fuck all people get hurt on their rides...

oh - but to answer your question, I ride a crappy old Triumph which is 1000 times cooler than any HD even made but thats just me looking through my own lens on life, and the Guzzi of course which is pure theatre of the soul, and then theres the fierce A50 Maverick but trust me, ya don't wanna mess with that.... Needs to know basis ONLY

[Molly]

S'OK Paul. I wasn't having a go. I like that paintjob too but am too lazy to consider replicating it.

Take it easy. BM.

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