Where did the prejudice begin?

[Beemer]

I am not a fan of Harleys, mainly because of the price and the culture that goes with them - all that fringing and nothing but black! I have never ridden a Harley but I have been a pillion a few times and I didn't enjoy the experience.

As for the rest of them, as long as the rider is pleasant and they enjoy what they are riding, I really don't care. I love most bikes - I even love the look of some Harleys! I love different models amongst most brands - Triumph, BMW, Aprillia, Buell, Suzuki, Honda, etc. I like the styling of Hyosung too - but I will reserve my judgement on them until they have been around a bit longer.

As for cars - look at the rise of all these brands that would have been rubbished years ago. To me, as long as they do the job and are reasonably priced, who gives a flying you-know-what?

[Winston001]

The prejudice started in the late 1960s/early 1970s when Japanese bikes became popular. They were more reliable, faster in a straight line, and cheaper than English/Italian/German bikes. What is more, there was heaps of choice from 50cc - 900cc. Every Jap manufacturer had a complete range of inexpensive bikes and almost overnight they were everywhere.

Harley Davidson barely existed in NZ. The English bikes handled well but leaked oil and often broke down. They were for enthuasists. Eventually Triumph and Norton were swamped by the competition and went into liquidation.

So if you were a biker, you had to have an English bike. It was only for enthusiasts, it was loud, sounded and looked like a real bike, and was unusual because everyone else was riding Japanese. The average blokes were riding zinging two strokes which you sneered at despite their speed (MACH1 Kawasaki - now there is a bike!) Or humming sewing machines with four cylinders which had a buzzing exhaust note. Bleeuugh.

It didn't matter that they were faster etc because you could kick the hell out of the bike (and rider if he was silly enough to stay around) at the next pub.

English bikes became rare and also cost more so they had a kind of snob value.

When the English bikes disappeared the bikers looked around in desperation. Some adopted Ducatis and BMWs but eventually, after selling enough drugs, they started buying Harleys as being the only other true motorbike.

But this attitude went way beyond the gangs. Thousands of guys loved the bad boy image which went with a throaty exhaust note and originals (unwashed denims for you young'uns). They wanted a Bonneville or Commando or Sportster but they were hard to get.

So that is another reason - exclusivity. HDs etc are expensive and have a cult status. It might be irrational but its strong enough to ensure HD keep selling bikes year after year. I'd guess that the ratio of Japanese to BEARS bikes on the road is 10:1 so the Jap bike despite its excellence is just too common to be respected. Silly but there it is.

[scumdog]

[QUOTE=Beemer]I am not a fan of Harleys, mainly because of the price and the culture that goes with them - all that fringing and nothing but black! [QUOTE]

Hey, wasup? you bagging my image with those comments on 'fringes and nothing but black'?
And we call 'em tassles BTW!

[Rashika]

I am not a fan of Harleys, mainly because of the price and the culture that goes with them - all that fringing and nothing but black!

Hey, wasup? you bagging my image with those comments on 'fringes and nothing but black'?
And we call 'em tassles BTW!

:spudwave: haaaaaaa you get 'em scumdog

[myvice]

Cruisers have never interested me, and I'm over the super fast sports bike look.
So if I go for a naked 4 or twin, maybe a v twin motard, what narrowly focused group will I fit into?
I'll all ways give people shit over what they ride caus that’s what I do!
And I expect it back too!
I gave my Father-in-law heaps when he got a Buell, now I'm looking at one!
If your on two wheels, regardless if its a dress queen Harley or the latest R1 with matching leathers, maybe a GN with the L plate bolted to the back, you have my respect.
I wave at scooters tho so I'm just a romantic at heart?

Chinese price
Japanese production
Italian handling
British heritage
American comfort
Kiwi ingenuity
The ultimate bike?