Is riding a Harley Davidson at least half about image (chrome/loud pipes/”attitude”) and nostalgia?
Ken-I have tried it and understand its not about handling, power, lightweight, or superior engineering...hence my question, what else could be the reason?
To best answer your question, you should go to your local biker watering hole. Find some guy who has a 13 on the left front of his cut, and a diamond with a little 1% emblem on the right side. He can really answer this question well for you.
nice bikes–been riding many years and i like the big twin cruise//i havent always ridden harleys but they dont make beezers any more//aaah the english iron great stuff all the old ones//bsa/triumph/royal enfield–plus amber dont knock it if you havent tried it
half?
NO…it’s 100% image/nostalgia…
Ride a real bike and there is nothing comparable. Harleys are real slow, real heavy, and really poor handling.
Every question you asks leads me to believe your really Bart S in disguise.Either that or your just another dumb twit.I guess it doesn’t really matter one way or the other.
It is about riding and that is all. The sport bike guys are the one always going around talking about how manly they are. Like Tim in Home Improvement. They have all the bling look at UTube they have all the crap on a busa like it is something special instead of yesterdays
ghetto ride.
I’ve tried them
I could buy one but I WON’T I’d rather buy a DUCATI
same reason you wouldn’t see a HD rider on a DUCATI, even though HD have tried to buy DUCATI on more than one occasion.
But everything you’ve said about the HD I could apply to the DUCATI and there are so many people out there that would NEVER in a million years own a DUCATI.
BUT I’m happy with my TDM 850 AND I’M STICKING WITH IT!!!
it is for the posers. But there are plenty of ol school riders like around.and by the my 120 cubic inch panhead chopper can hold its own out on the highway! I cruise at 100 all day long no problem. 76 sportster on the other hand will blow up if I tried that!
It really just depends on the rider. They are all different. For some, it’s all about posing. For others, it’s just what they like to ride. I have met plenty of serious motorcyclists who just prefer Harleys. I have also met a lot of poseur douche-bags. The same thing goes for sport bike riders too though.
You can’t stereotype without being wrong at least half of the time.
HD is a brilliant marketing firm that also happens to produce motorcycles. At least half of the Harley people are wanna-be bad boys. The rest are actual bikers. You can discern the difference by waving at them as they go by in the other direction. A real biker doesn’t particularly care what you ride. A wanna-be wallows in a false sense of superiority.
The guys I used to ride with years ago in NH had old panheads and were up to their elbows inside the things every chance they got. Their favorite motto was "Hear no Evo, see no Evo, speak no Evo." We got along great, because I was up to MY elbows in my Jap or British bike every chance I got.
yea, its fat-bald old men over 50 that were failures all their life now have the money to buy a HD, they live in a dream world thinking they are a teenager again and all the women lust after them just because they own a Harley
People with more money than sense. I can’t see why you would spend that kind of money to have the dealer sh!t on you after the purchase when it is time for a customer service on a Harley. I get pretty tired of hearing about all the drama in my motorcycle club. That is why I ride alone.
Well Amber, it is kinda like the jeep thing, if ya gotta ask you’ll never understand. H.D. riders (of which I am blessed enough to be), do have a reason. It might be one or all three of the things you mentioned. I am an Ultra Driver and I love the solid feel of my "old man mobile", it ain’t obnoxiously loud but it sure rumbles down the highway. I think you have almost as many reasons to own a Harley as not. [Yes Bart dude, there are the 50's guys who are in their second , but be careful scrub, I happen to be one!] But my main reason, is the fact I can customize my ride anyway I want, Most of the Rocket Riders, seem to only want to go fast, but that sudden stop really sucks, if ya catch my drift! But the main thing is, ride what YOU like because the wind is where it is at. God gave us some awesome stuff to see, smell and hear, something you can not do in a car! Ride on and God Bless!
Well Bart….er…..Amber, I ride one because it fits me. Mine has just the right power and handling to fit my style of riding.
Sometimes all that advanced engineering can be a royal pain in the balls. Just ask anyone who has 100,000 miles on their German luxury car.
It is for some, but not all.
Image means nothing to me. I am what I am.
That does not change as the brand of bike I ride does.
I have my own attitude. It fits with some, not with others, and has absolutely nothing to do with what I ride.
Nostalgia? Personally, I would say that might fit me, but I don’t get that with all the electronics, sensors, and fuel injection.
Reason? We each have or own, wether it be to pose, to ride, or something else.
Try this one on for size:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkhlX400wxErDD1FUNCQNCXty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090603093310AAv5YHM&show=7#profile-info-QNAI0jeYaa
Huh? What?
The other half is they can always shake up a can of paint just by strapping the bucket to an idling harley..
Do you go to the same clinic as Bart S ?
To be frank, nobody buys any bike just based on function, form plays its part, riders (as separate from fan-boys/girls who don’t understand the details) are seduced by the appearance (it could be any appearance), different riders find different looks that appeal to them.
I know you’re just trying to stir the pot Bart. And I am answering this as a courtesy to those who may not know that you are actually just playing games.
Harley Davidson is the embodiment of American muscle and tradition. It represents patriotism, power, and luxury. Nostalgia is a big part of why we love our bikes, the same as a person who loves classic American muscle cars. I also happen to have a 69 Camaro that I love to drive. No, it’s no longer the quickest thing on the road. It was built when no one cared about the environment and gas was .35 a gallon. But that is what makes it cool. I don’t race. I don’t pop wheelies or go off road. I just ride and drive. Many of the same people I see at biker rallies are also the ones I see at classic car shows.
We have a different taste in cars, bikes, music, drinks and atmosphere than most of you younger riders. We run in different circles. We are old enough to slow down and enjoy the scenery while we are out riding. It’s not about how fast we can get from point A to point B. We do no tricks on our $20,000 or more bikes. It hurts our feelings to see one downed. We are traditionalists who respect what our fathers and grandfathers did before us. We stop when another “biker” is stranded and we do whatever it takes to get them rolling again. We respect and enjoy a slower pace in life. We work hard and want to relax in our off time. To us, going down the road at excessively high speed isn’t relaxing or enjoyable. Jumping our bikes off of huge dirt piles doesn’t thrill most of us anymore.
Now, if you choose to ride a plastic, toy of a motorcycle. Be my guest. If you want to travel at 100MPH also be my guest, just please don’t do it around me or my children and grandchild. They don’t need to see your splattered remains on the side of the freeway.
Feel free to drive you Honda euro-racer, and I will cruise along in my gas hog. Enjoy your ride the way you enjoy it and I will enjoy mine.
Have a nice day.
I have had my Harley FXR for 20 years now and I still love it. I can still get parts for itanywhere in the USA. It suits my style of riding perfectly. I also own a Honda cb750 which has the classic look so I am not predudiced strictly towards Harleys. I like a motorcycle to look like a motorcycle, not a space ship. I also like to see what the engine looks like.