The ‘Harley-Davidson Experience’

[LowRiderGhost]

I don’t know if this thread will be deemed appropriate for the at the time of this writing ‘empty’ Harley-Wicki, but here it goes for what it’s worth. We seem to have a great amount of new riders coming to this particular forum everyday, which in my opinion is absolutely fantastic (great!)! It says (at least to me) motorcycling in general is alive and well, and not in danger of just disappearing (such as CB Radios, Commercial Slot Car tracks, and wilderness areas SAFE to plunk at Tin Cans have?!) as so many ‘fun’ (and still affordable) things from the past have seemed to?!

I’ve always had (and always shall) have a great love for ALL friggin’ motorcycles, not caring what brand it is or where it was made. That much at least will never change. But I admittedly have always felt Harley-Davidson’s are in fact special – NOT for what social imaging makes them out to be, but for what the base machines themselves are (in reality). H-D’s are definitely NOT everyone’s particular cup of tea to be sure. IF they were in fact and everyone rode only Harleys, motorcycling in general would surely be diminished. But for those newer riders that do choose the path of H-D, I’d hope they’d perhaps at least keep in mind beforehand the following before laying they’re hard earned cash down (and being seriously disappointed later):

Despite what the factory (Harley-Davidson Motor Company) may say in your included subscription to the ‘Enthusiast’ magazine AND local dealership (at least ways here in the Black Hills and newsletter to Black Hills Harley-Davidson) that the “ONLY thing you need to bring along with you these days is a Credit Card and Cell Phone because Modern Harleys are too complex to work on” ( I swear I ain’t makin’ this schitt up!!!) don’t you believe it! Harleys are for sure better NOW (despite Corporate BS goings on…) then they’ve ever been, and are NO longer a ride that ‘excuses be made for’ (just MY opinion). Dang, they sure as heck cost ENOUGH…. They SHOULD be, ya’ know?!

But despite advances and Corporate Money Lusting, Harleys STILL remain a bike that desire and long for you’re Personal Participation into the machine’s well being! This includes daily maintenance checks as to the state of the machine (oil level, air pressure, etc.) and the like. And one that still requires (MY preference) you to participate in the machines health and well being over the Long Term. For those purchasing and sub-sequentially thinking “Oh It’s a Harley, it’s easily going to be 500% better then everybody else‘s out there” (because it sure friggin’ cost MORE…) it ain’t gonna’ happen….. SORRY!

However for those who are willing to approach a Harley with the idea of treating it with mucho Care and Respect (just as ANY bike out there deserves, REGARDLESS of Brand or Price…) and with the understanding that like any ‘Child’, the ride WILL need some very articulate TLC now and then…. You shall be surely rewarded with a scoot that will raise your spirits (and elevate you’re your very soul…) like NO other, IF it’s given the respect it deserves?! ‘Foolology’?! Perhaps…. But a belief I’ve found to be true after 36 outta’ 51 years of biking, and I see NO reason why it ain’t still true?! Nuff’ said?! ;-)

LRG http://www.iw.net/~praxsis/cruiser.gif

[webhustler]

I think you hit the nail on the head. I am not a Harley expert, but I wear a Harley t-shirt when I am not at work. Most people do not know a thing about the bikes they claim to love so much.

I like to learn about new things in forums, and motorcycles have always fascinated me since we used to ride dirtbikes in the empty lot next to my house. To this day, I still do not own a hog. I have had a nice Italian Vespa scooter, and a Honda dirtbike, that's it. I can't seem to find any Vespa t-shirts that make me look as cool as a Harley biker though.

Is there a mechanical difference between the Harley and other bikes that clearly seperate them? Or is it mainly size and style?

[LowRiderGhost]

Afternoon WebHustler,

Oh lordy, good questions! Seriously (THESE days!) there’s very little to separate more then a few of the Big-Four Metric Cruisers between a Harley’s specs, including use of (from the PAST) Pushrods and Hydraulic Lifters! MY guess is that back in 1984 when H-D Company (just after they bought the thing back from American Machine and Foundry) went whining to then President Regan that the “Japanese were dumping motorcycles on the U.S. market and we cannot compete because they’re copying our designs” (the friggin’ WIMPS!) the far Eastern manufacturers said: ‘Screw it… Let’s copy the basterds – hook, line and sinker!”. ;-) Man, I love friggin’ Harleys BUT I’d never ever care to live in a vacuum because of them, or have tunnel vision for them.

All I can tell you is this: for the first 10+ years of my biking path thru this universe, I said NO to Harleys. “They cost too much, they’re too unreliable, I hate the BS H-D image baloney” etc.. But it’s one of those crazy youngster things: AS a kid I hated Salads and Spinach – but now as a ‘oldster’ I LOVE this schitt – can’t get enough of it! No diff for Harleys far as I’m concerned. I’ve had at least 12 H-D’s (that I can remember?!) outta’ 35+/- bikes so far (which includes Hondas, Suzies, Yammies, Kawis, and a Victory, BMW and Norton Commando too!) so that surely HAS to say something?! I LIKE the damn bike, despite the image and posturing BS that goes with the thing, I really think a Harley IS the ‘Bees-Knees’ if you can somehow manage to appreciate the machine for what it really IS (still basic technology with modern updates) and not the just what the (?) Biking Upper Echelon and/or Old School try to make it into?! HOPE this was some help?! ;-)

LRG

[COFats]

You have had HDs, like them, know what they are. Don't believe the HD mystic or promoted image.

Even I can respect and appreciate that and your loyality to the brand.

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats

[LowRiderGhost]

I guess what continues to mystify me to date, is as to why there is (still?) so much anger and aggression directed at those who have a bit of money, and/or have just reached (what ever the hell age THIS is???) ‘Middle Age’, and go out an get a Harley-Davidson for chris sakes!? Again, this IS supposed to still be a ‘free country’ (or at least ways used to be??)?? Who’s business of anyone else what anyone else does, ya’ know?! Yeah, I got sour grapes – sure, it’s just human nature. I’ve worked my guts out all my life, and still ain’t even remotely a ‘RUB’ (Rich Urban Biker) nor am ever likely to be. I’ll be pretty much workin’ (just like my father) to the grave – no retirement for sure. Still, I can’t begrudge the people who sure as frack have/had a lot more brains then I’ll never know, and now are enjoying the fruits of they’re efforts. I honest to the Biker Gawds don’t even remember ever even running into any Biker Rubs – not as if they carry a sign on they’re backs with they’re Net Worth Statements?! ;-)

ONLY thing I can say for myself (such as it is?!) is someday, somehow, someway….. (legal of course!!!) I hope to have me a dog-gone Pan-Head Electra-Glide! It was the first motorcycle I was ever on in my entire life, when my older brother came to visit so many years ago. I can’t look back to Flatheads and Knuckleheads, cause’ quite frankly these were before my time. ;-) But the Pan was in existence since I’ve been around – and the one I’ve got in mind was the FIRST Electric Starter equipped H-D (1965/1966) before the (DC Generator) Shovelhead phased it out. I think that would be as cool as anything. And as I’ve gone along now (knowing NOW the later Blockhead & Fatheads) I’m not entirely convinced my past old Shovelheads (and what existed before?!) were all that BAD after all?! Sometimes ‘Progress’ ain’t all it’s cracked up to be…..?! Nuff’ said?! ;-)

LRG

Footnote: Never-The-Less, I’d still say again: For those who are starting out with H-D’s for the very first time, definitely steer clear of the older AMF Shovels, and before that H-D Pans and Knucks. I really think (now) these were pretty sweet rides… BUT still required your participation to keep em’ happy! Sadly, seems most people these days just don’t have the friggin’ time to care for these classics…. Sad, but true.

[booger]

hey lrg my amf and the ones before were good machines after i rebuilt and updated electronics,these bikes are for those of us that understand these poorly maintained peaices of history,back in the day people were getting pissed at harley and or amf no help no parts ,then came aftermarket s@s to mention one ,they helped the disgruntled owner get his or her bike up and going better than new,amf did keep harley from going away forever and alot of people were wondering .martin guitar co. did the same ,they were building insturment out of half dried wood, lets say not aged correctly put them in a bind, both ways it all seems to go back to manigment
branch

[Hogrider]

I am on my 3rd Sporty and I have never been much for the Softail or Baggers. I do however like the Dyna and V-Rod. To me, when you buy a Harley you get a basic bike and that bike will need you to pay the "Harley Tax" before it really gets dialed in. Now, after you dial it in you will have a bike that is you, a real piece of Americana and something you will likely be able to give to your grandkids when they are old enough to enjoy it and you are too old to ride it. Yeah, the Harley will last that dang long if you treat it any kind of right.

As to the Sportster, it is the only bike in production today where the grandfather could have bought one new in 1957 while the father bought one new in 1987 and the grandson bought on new in 2007 so all three could still ride together because all three could very well be on the road at the same time.

[ShootinOK]

AND - all be worth the same or more as when the bought them, Hogrider.

I want one....
>>>But - we all have to walk before we can run. :cool:

[zigzagman]

I think ghostrider nailed it earlier, its mostly wealth envy.
My experience with the HD nay-sayers are they can't afford one, so they talk smack about them. When life treats them better and they come into a little money, BAM, a Harley in the driveway where everyone can see it.
I won't bash a metric bike, they are a good bang for the buck, I've owned and ridden many, and will probably own more in the future. But when life treats me good, I'm ridin' on a Harley!

[2lane]

Afternoon WebHustler,

Oh lordy, good questions! Seriously (THESE days!) there’s very little to separate more then a few of the Big-Four Metric Cruisers between a Harley’s specs, including use of (from the PAST) Pushrods and Hydraulic Lifters! MY guess is that back in 1984 when H-D Company (just after they bought the thing back from American Machine and Foundry) went whining to then President Regan that the “Japanese were dumping motorcycles on the U.S. market and we cannot compete because they’re copying our designs” (the friggin’ WIMPS!) the far Eastern manufacturers said: ‘Screw it… Let’s copy the basterds – hook, line and sinker!”. ;-) Man, I love friggin’ Harleys BUT I’d never ever care to live in a vacuum because of them, or have tunnel vision for them.

All I can tell you is this: for the first 10+ years of my biking path thru this universe, I said NO to Harleys. “They cost too much, they’re too unreliable, I hate the BS H-D image baloney” etc.. But it’s one of those crazy youngster things: AS a kid I hated Salads and Spinach – but now as a ‘oldster’ I LOVE this schitt – can’t get enough of it! No diff for Harleys far as I’m concerned. I’ve had at least 12 H-D’s (that I can remember?!) outta’ 35+/- bikes so far (which includes Hondas, Suzies, Yammies, Kawis, and a Victory, BMW and Norton Commando too!) so that surely HAS to say something?! I LIKE the **** bike, despite the image and posturing BS that goes with the thing, I really think a Harley IS the ‘Bees-Knees’ if you can somehow manage to appreciate the machine for what it really IS (still basic technology with modern updates) and not the just what the (?) Biking Upper Echelon and/or Old School try to make it into?! HOPE this was some help?! ;-)

LRG

You mentioned Victory as a bike you had. Was it a newer one? Let me know what you thought of it compared to the Harley. Love the Norton Commando. Just a cool bike.

[leatherslinger]

I believe that today the brand is as strong as ever due in part to the dealership experience. There is so much that goes into the location, layout and customer experience at a dealership. I know that the shop in Meridian Idaho is a high volume dealership, they are putting on rides and events almost every weekend.

Today people want and experience, 20 years ago Harleys were one of the only big twin American made options therefore that was the bike they rode. With Honda changing how we look at motorcycles the dealership really assumed an important role in affirming you are riding "the best"