Why riders hate Hd ?

[Nova359]

Why others riders hate HD?
I dont understand it. For me MADE IN THE USA matters .Why we have to advise others subscriber to not to post in here? We dont use the same statement in Honda forumm, Kawasaki forum, etc. Why is people love HD or hate it?: nothing in between. Victory has the same engine in theirs bikes. Not for me for now. My next bike wil be HD no mater what.
Why I have to defend myself every time I said , my next bike will be a Harley Davidson? The oldest motorcycle manufactorer in the world.

Anybody has an anwser for this?

[CharlesW]

No answers here.
I wasn't aware that HDs were hated by other riders.
One of my best friends and regular riding partner rides Harleys.
He has a 2008 Sportster XL1200R and a 2009 Sportster XR1200.
They are just motorcycles. No hate on my part.
FWIW, I have a couple of Hondas.

[CaptCrashIdaho]

This is an age old motorcycle problem that appears to have no workable solutions. The HD v. Other Brands is an unsolvable problem. It's about personal taste and personal values. The best you can hope for is a quiet truce.

For sports see:

Red Sox v. Yankees
Cowboys v. Redskins
Dodgers v. Giants
Michigan v. Ohio State
Cal v. Stanford

For food see:

Salsa v. ketchup (on eggs)
Mustard v. ketchup (on hot dogs)
Frozen Custard v. Ice Cream (and really? They're the same thing)

Automobiles:

Ford v. Chevy
Porsche v. Ferrari
BMW v. Mercedes

People like what they like--your time is better spend enjoying the things you like rather than worrying about what other people want or like.

[MikeK77]

I don't think it's a "hate on HD"...

I think it's more on the "hate on the HD rider"

I can't speak for everywhere, but where I am, most HD riders have that "It's either HD, or nothing" attitude. Too many times I get looked down on because I have a Suzuki. I once got told "you don't have the right to park next to my HD"...REALLY???

If Im at a light, and a HD comes next to me, I'll greet him, be friendly...I won't get a peep, or even a look from him. It's amazing.

[Dodsfall]

Originally Posted by MikeK77

I don't think it's a "hate on HD"...

I think it's more on the "hate on the HD rider"

I can't speak for everywhere, but where I am, most HD riders have that "It's either HD, or nothing" attitude. Too many times I get looked down on because I have a Suzuki. I once got told "you don't have the right to park next to my HD"...REALLY???

If Im at a light, and a HD comes next to me, I'll greet him, be friendly...I won't get a peep, or even a look from him. It's amazing.

There are a lot of idiots in the world. There are a few who buy into the hype (and advertising) that the motorcycle defines the rider. Believing that most HD owners can be lumped into a single group of "HD or nothing" is pretty silly. Although the jerks might stand out more, there are many more who are just regular people who like to ride.

[markk53]

Originally Posted by Nova359

Why others riders hate HD?
I dont understand it. For me MADE IN THE USA matters .Why we have to advise others subscriber to not to post in here? We dont use the same statement in Honda forumm, Kawasaki forum, etc. Why is people love HD or hate it?: nothing in between. Victory has the same engine in theirs bikes. Not for me for now. My next bike wil be HD no mater what.
Why I have to defend myself every time I said , my next bike will be a Harley Davidson? The oldest motorcycle manufactorer in the world.

Anybody has an anwser for this?

It isn't the bikes, it's the attitude some have.

If made in the USA mattered, you'd have considered Honda a brother in arms for years. You see, much of the equipment on them was manufactured in the U.S. until recently when they made the decision to turn all of their facilities that did motorcycles to automobile manufacturing. They quit building the bikes here, but they didn't cut the jobs and close the plants. Plus Honda and others doing some of their work here brought in the parts that are used on Harleys now. Showa in Sunbury Ohio makes the forks and shocks for Harleys, Showa is a Honda subsidiary. Nissin may also have manufacturing here in the U.S. too, making the brakes for Hondas and Harleys along with cars too. The Japanese manufacturers have helped the U.S. manufacturers indirectly as well as directly by demonstrating manufacturing processes.

But you'd never know that by some HD owners' attitudes. I remember one guy looking at my old hotrodded Yamaha SR500 single, with his comment about Jap crap. The thing that was really disgusting was that I also knew him and knew he started out on Japanese bikes and one of his streetbikes was an H1 Kaw triple. Nice attitude.

Then there are the guys I really like. One owns three HDs and a few metrics, the other is exclusive HD, but both acknowledge an appreciation for Japanese bikes. Both rode and raced them, they just prefer the Harleys now for their riding. No problem, you can carry on a conversation with them about bikes in general. No insults no "when ya gettin' a real bike" from them. They KNOW.

By the way, Harley is the oldest continous manufacturer, but Triumph is actually the oldest, starting a few years before HD. There was a few years down time before the new Triumph started up again. It wasn't bantered about like Indian or Norton. They went out and a few years later sold out and started up again. Even Harley got sold out twice. Which could make BMW the oldest sole survivor in the motorcycle manufacturing business, having not been sold out before. So you can make your statement with confidence by saying "the oldest continuous maker of motorcycles" and be prepared for any questioning of that statement. One other side note, the HD wasn't the first V-twin built, there were a few others. But again the longest continuous maker of V-twins.

Keep a good attitude toward all and push back at any beraters of any brand. That's my way. Even when selling Hondas in the 80s, after the Evos came out and were on the road for a few years, we knew they had a good bike. We weren't afraid to tell those who propagated the myths about them, that the myths weren't true, but we also weren't afraid to compare our bikes to them either. A rational sale went our way, an emotion based sale went theirs. A number of times I had people looking at bikes who said they really wanted a Harley, I kind of said "why are you here?" letting them know that they should buy what they want. Still do.

If you can admire a metric you may find the metric rider can admire your HD. It's all about mutual respect. Heck you even see the rift within the Motor Company product, riders of the big twins who feel the Sportster isn't "a real bike". And don't even ask those guys about Buells. Attitude...

[als2052]

And BTW, about 60% of HD bikes are american made...remaining 40% is asian and europian parts...

[Dodsfall]

Originally Posted by als2052

And BTW, about 60% of HD bikes are american made...remaining 40% is asian and europian parts...

Statistics like these are complete fabrications 98.765% of the time.

[MikeK77]

Originally Posted by Dodsfall

Statistics like these are complete fabrications 98.765% of the time.

But they are fun 115% of the time

[4Raven]

It isn't a hatred of the HD....like other's said, it is their attitude that some have that they are better than someone else because they ride a HD....to me....who the hell cares??? You ride what you ride and you enjoy it and should love to see others enjoy the same sport!

I have HD boots and I buy Brian HD stuff at HD stores when I am out riding around the countryside....even their clothes are overpriced though!

[Badlands-4-2]

If you really want to confuse people do like I did today. Put on your leather HD jacket with a big logo on the back and ride your Kawasaki.

You can find people that hate, anything. I pay them no mind. My mind is to busy enjoying things.

[curtis41]

Both my sons have or had Harley Davidsons. The older son sold his HD Fat Boy 2004 for a 2012 BMW R1200RT. He said the main reason is the bike was not comfortable on longer trips and the solid wheels made him drift quite a bit in strong crosswinds where he rides most of the time. The other son has (still has) his 883 Sportster and found it not suitable for longer trips and for two up riding. He bought a mint Triumph Tiger triple 955i for $6300 with under 10k on the odometer and plans to sell his Sportster. He also bought his wife a new bike and my younger son still takes the Triumph Tiger when they ride together. Other riders ride Harleys and never any other brand of bike. Truth be told, there are some really good, fairly reliable bikes to choose from and they are getting better and better every year for the most part. Whatever bike you choose, enjoy the ride and ride safely. I am not much on criticising other riders' choice of bikes. There is already enough of that going around, and criticism just adds to the heat, and not the light, for the many reasons riders pick a particular bike.

[markk53]

That makes me think of what my brother did. He went from his 1990 VFR750 Interceptor, considered the best sport touring bike every year of its existence and went to a Buell Ulysses. His wife finds that seat and the integral backrest/rack to be far more comfortable than the Interceptor seat - and that's saying a lot.

You know that is part of the problem with some of the Harleys, like the big twin customs, they aren't that great for the open road rider. The dressers certainly are though, because there is no sacrifice for "the look". We used to have a couple of guys stop in at the Honda shop. They had the big Harleys, but obviously the wrong ones. They also had older Gold Wings, and told us the Wings were for the long rides, the Harleys were for the cruises and looks. I'm thinking one was a Fat Boy, but I don't remember what the other was. Neither was one of the real touring versions.

I guess if you can afford it, why not play. One friend has his SR500, a Sportster tricked out with the Storz XR stuff including high pipes, one of the custom looking big inch twin Soft tails for cruising with his wife, and his late father's 1972 dresser Harley. The 72 has a bunch of miles on it, looks perfect, and is on it's second paint job - seems his father cleaned and polished through the original paint! All good, all nice.

[V8Thrasher]

Originally Posted by 4Raven

It isn't a hatred of the HD....like other's said, it is their attitude that some have that they are better than someone else because they ride a HD....to me....who the hell cares??? You ride what you ride and you enjoy it and should love to see others enjoy the same sport!

I have HD boots and I buy Brian HD stuff at HD stores when I am out riding around the countryside....even their clothes are overpriced though!

How much you pay for those boots Raven o.O the ones I want are $400 the damn plaid shirts are like $50 $60

[4Raven]

Oh I think they were $100-125, but they held up, over 22K miles, the last pair I bought were more expensive than that, but I think they look nicer...
Have to see how long they last...

[MikeK77]

I bet if you rip off that HD emblem, you can sell that on ebay...lol

[4Raven]

Originally Posted by MikeK77

I bet if you rip off that HD emblem, you can sell that on ebay...lol

Ouch!

[goalie]

I ride na sportster 48 and love it. My two regular riding buddies ride a Honda and a BMW. We tease one another's choice in bikes all the time, but the only "disdain" I've actually heard about another brand has come from only two sources -- and only infrequently: some rice rocket riders who hate anything else, particularly HD and ... some HD owners I've met who think nothing else is a real bike. I ignore both groups.

[OTD]

Originally Posted by 4Raven

It isn't a hatred of the HD....like other's said, it is their attitude that some have that they are better than someone else because they ride a HD....to me....who the hell cares??? You ride what you ride and you enjoy it and should love to see others enjoy the same sport!

I have HD boots and I buy Brian HD stuff at HD stores when I am out riding around the countryside....even their clothes are overpriced though!

See I never encountered any of these guys in person when I had my Honda. Now I did have people yell "Get a Harley." on a couple of occasions. But neither of them were on bikes.
I ride with the same folks now that I rode with when I had a Honda and they ride Harley's. It was riding their bikes that convinced me to get rid of my less than comfortable VTX.
Like my sig says I really don't care what you ride though.

[4Raven]

I have actually encountered people who will not even talk to you because you are not riding a HD! The group of riders that I met down south this year, while riding by myself, were absolutely the most friendly I had ever had the pleasure to meet...they were all on GWs...we had a great time at the restaurant ....they had invited me to eat dinner with them...and we sat there for hours laughing and having fun!

I am not saying that they are all like that...but I have never met anyone that rode something else other than a HD that wouldn't wave or say hello. I have friends that ride HD...but it always seems as though they are "threatened" and also trying to defend their bikes hmmm....maybe that is it...

[Eye_m_no_angel]

Originally Posted by als2052

And BTW, about 60% of HD bikes are american made...remaining 40% is asian and europian parts...

12 to 16% of the parts used in Harley Davidson's are made over seas, not 40%

[cbdallas]

I don't hate them...I just have no use for them. On more than a few occasions I've ended up beside a HD at a stoplight, and they were vibrating so badly it appeared as if the engine was trying to escape the frame. Clearly the owners enjoy this, but why that's enjoyable is a mystery to me. I've owned nothing but Japanese bikes, and when a friend asked me to ride her Sportster to the shop for her one day a few years ago, I encountered NOTHING about the bike that I found enjoyable. Loud, uncomfortable, not particularly powerful considering the size of the engine, and of questionable build quality. It just takes a certain type of person to appreciate a HD. I'm just not one of them. But Hate? That word doesn't apply.

[goalie]

Originally Posted by cbdallas

I don't hate them...I just have no use for them. ...and when a friend asked me to ride her Sportster to the shop for her one day a few years ago, I encountered NOTHING about the bike that I found enjoyable. Loud, uncomfortable, not particularly powerful considering the size of the engine, and of questionable build quality. It just takes a certain type of person to appreciate a HD. I'm just not one of them. But Hate? That word doesn't apply.

"Of questionable build quality???" I'm not sure what you base that statement on, but that is what I do notice on many forums -- statements thrown out just for the sake of it. My personal experience and based upon my own research (which could be seriously flawed, but I do not think so), HD has quite high build quality. Every review, ezine article, trusted mechanic I've come across has not dissed the build quality of HD.

When it comes to pulling up at traffic lights, my non-HD buddies will sometimes rev their engines (Honda and BMW). Even they admit the sound of my sportster is much more pleasing to the ear. Anecdotal, I know, but just as valid as your remark.

[cbdallas]

As far as cosmetic build quality, I will admit they are top notch. But when it comes to reliability, they're not exactly top of the heap. I have several family members who own a HD, as well as the aformentioned female friend and her husband, and there's ALWAYS something going wrong with their bikes. My friend's husband's bike is on a lift more than its on the road...He's replaced a gasket twice on the primary since I've known him. My brother's has been down for the count 3 times this year, including stranding him at the Destin, FL rally this summer. His have all been very expensive fixes, including a completely new throttle body last spring.

I've owned 8 Japanese bikes since 1991 and my issues have been comparatively minor. My biggest expense to date has been tires. The '81 Yamaha was a garage rescue that didn't even end up needing carb work after sitting for 3 years. Not even an oil leak.

Pleasing sounds are definitely a subjective matter.

[zmago]

Different strokes for different folks. Back in 1981 I had no use for two strokes until a friend let me take his RD350LC for a spin. I didn't have the money for one, so I bought an RD400 instead, and had great fun on it.

I never considered a Harley until I took the XR1200 for a test drive, and it was such fun, I bought it. I know there are faster, lighter, smaller, bigger, more comfortable, older, newer, etc. bikes around, but I like this one.

My cousin let me take his Kawasaki Z1000 for a spin. Great bike! I'd be happy to own one, but don't have room for another bike in my garage. I know he could beat me in a race, but that's not why I ride a bike. Now where can I get a doo rag?

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by cbdallas

I don't hate them...I just have no use for them. On more than a few occasions I've ended up beside a HD at a stoplight, and they were vibrating so badly it appeared as if the engine was trying to escape the frame. Clearly the owners enjoy this, but why that's enjoyable is a mystery to me. I've owned nothing but Japanese bikes, and when a friend asked me to ride her Sportster to the shop for her one day a few years ago, I encountered NOTHING about the bike that I found enjoyable. Loud, uncomfortable, not particularly powerful considering the size of the engine, and of questionable build quality. It just takes a certain type of person to appreciate a HD. I'm just not one of them. But Hate? That word doesn't apply.

If you came up behind me on open road, i would take the right lane and wave you by, If I met you on the road, I would wave, If I saw you at the gas pump we would talk, but if you pulled up beside me at a light, I would not speak to you because you just invaded my 'space' and I don't know you from Adam and it would not matter if you are on a Harley, a metric or a Moped. Maybe 'they' or their 'brand' of bike is not the problem.
Just say'in

Stay safe, maybe we will meet up sometime, we live in your area.
Black and Rootbeer HD Softails trying to stay less than 10 mph over speed limit, don't need a ticket.

[OTD]

Originally Posted by V8Thrasher

How much you pay for those boots Raven o.O the ones I want are $400 the damn plaid shirts are like $50 $60

Academy sports sells some Harley brand boots and most pairs are right at $100-$150. I got lucky, a friend of mine had a pair of Mega-Conductors that were too tight that He had only worn once. Since I let him use one of my lifts every once in a while he gave em' to me.

Amazon has them for 154.95.

[OTD]

Originally Posted by Eye_m_no_angel

12 to 16% of the parts used in Harley Davidson's are made over seas, not 40%

I think they get this kind of info from the kool-aid that you get at metric dealers when you're bike shopping.
And probably even the cofee.

[goalie]

Originally Posted by cbdallas

As far as cosmetic build quality, I will admit they are top notch. But when it comes to reliability, they're not exactly top of the heap. I have several family members who own a HD, as well as the aformentioned female friend and her husband, and there's ALWAYS something going wrong with their bikes. My friend's husband's bike is on a lift more than its on the road...He's replaced a gasket twice on the primary since I've known him. My brother's has been down for the count 3 times this year, including stranding him at the Destin, FL rally this summer. His have all been very expensive fixes, including a completely new throttle body last spring.

I've owned 8 Japanese bikes since 1991 and my issues have been comparatively minor. My biggest expense to date has been tires. The '81 Yamaha was a garage rescue that didn't even end up needing carb work after sitting for 3 years. Not even an oil leak.

Pleasing sounds are definitely a subjective matter.

Please do not take this the wrong way, but if all of these friends and family members are having so many problems with HD's, why are they still buying them?

I'm not about to say any bike is built "better" than everyone else's bike. ...But I have yet to see anything reputable comparison of major bike co's that show that HD or Honda or Yamaha, etc., are "lesser" build quality.

[markk53]

They might actually be motorcycle hypochondriacs! Always think something is wrong. I hear all the fables about the Harley reliability issues with the Evo and newer, but just haven't seen it in fact among anyone I know with Harleys. I will believe it if I was told things vibrate off and such, it happens with the big bore metric cruisers too.

[Mickey3696]

Iv never liked just one company over another rather it be cars, trucks, or bikes but I will say I LOVE riding my Harley. I have rode a few Hondas and never felt right on it but the first time I got on my Sportster It felt like it was made just for me. I catch heck all the time for my Tundra from all they Ford and Chevy people. I tell them they ALL have problems its just what works for you!

If we were all ment to ride Harleys then there wouldn't be a need for other dealers!! Enjoy your OWN ride!!

[cbdallas]

Originally Posted by Hopper

If you came up behind me on open road, i would take the right lane and wave you by, If I met you on the road, I would wave, If I saw you at the gas pump we would talk, but if you pulled up beside me at a light, I would not speak to you because you just invaded my 'space' and I don't know you from Adam and it would not matter if you are on a Harley, a metric or a Moped. Maybe 'they' or their 'brand' of bike is not the problem.
Just say'in

Stay safe, maybe we will meet up sometime, we live in your area.
Black and Rootbeer HD Softails trying to stay less than 10 mph over speed limit, don't need a ticket.

Just to clarify, I was the passenger in a car during these encounters, sitting one lane over. I'd never pull my bike up next to another bike in the same lane. Careful in Murphy...544 between Racetrac and Brand Rd. is a total speed trap.

[Eye_m_no_angel]

"My friend's husband's bike is on a lift more than its on the road...He's replaced a gasket twice on the primary since I've known him."

:Gasp:

No kidding, you replace the primary gasket each time you replace the primary oil, which is best done each time you replace the engine oil. I replace a primary gasket on my woman's bike every 5k miles, or 3-4 times a year.

[cbdallas]

Originally Posted by Eye_m_no_angel

"My friend's husband's bike is on a lift more than its on the road...He's replaced a gasket twice on the primary since I've known him."

:Gasp:

No kidding, you replace the primary gasket each time you replace the primary oil, which is best done each time you replace the engine oil. I replace a primary gasket on my woman's bike every 5k miles, or 3-4 times a year.

I must have misunderstood what was leaking oil on his garage floor...but I swear he said primary. But regardless, what company that takes any pride in theur product requires a gasket change at every OCI? Kinda proves my point

Oh...and :Gasp:

[Eye_m_no_angel]

Originally Posted by OTD

I think they get this kind of info from the kool-aid that you get at metric dealers when you're bike shopping.
And probably even the cofee.

Probably.

"All Harley's leak oil, break down, vibrate, aren't reliable, are made in China..." etc., etc., etc. These comments are almost always from people that have never owned a Harley, probably never ridden one, and certainly have never worked on them. If it were 40 years ago I might have agreed with them, (other then the China part,) but that's a whole different matter.

30 years ago I had a 1972 Honda, that was a POS, mostly because it was worn out by people, including myself, who didn't have the money, or skill, to keep it running and maintained correctly. So now I'm supposed to get on a forum and post judgements about ALL Hondas made today? That would be idiotic and immature.

I don't post stuff about metrics because I don't know much about them, and taking a brief ride really doesn't give me enough to base an opinion on. Not enough to post detracting statements anyway. If I have a real, factual basis of knowledge, sure, I'll post an opinion, but you'll never see me denigrate another person's ride on here. I have no need to.

[Eye_m_no_angel]

"I must have misunderstood what was leaking oil on his garage floor...but I swear he said primary. But regardless, what company that takes any pride in theur product requires a gasket change at every OCI? Kinda proves my point"

Which kind of proves my point, above. You make statements about bikes that you clearly know very little about. For that matter, why did you even click on a thread entitled "Harley Davidson" if you don't have any use for them?

Harley's now are designed to NOT change the primary gasket with each primary oil change. What you change is the derby cover o-ring. They have made such improvements in quality and design that it is no longer needed to remove the primary cover and inspect the chain and chain tension until, I think, the 50,000 mile mark. On older Harley's, that was a pretty good idea.

As for your friend's leaking bike...<chuckle>...What year is it? That would make a difference. I'll assume his bike was made before 1984, or that his mechanical abilities aren't what he makes his living from, because if you replace the primary gasket with an updated one, it won't leak. (IF you replace the gasket correctly, which many people do not.)

[cbdallas]

Originally Posted by Eye_m_no_angel

Harley's now are designed to NOT change the primary gasket with each primary oil change.

You're going to have to make up your mind which it is before an appropriate response can be provided.

Previously posted:

"No kidding, you replace the primary gasket each time you replace the primary oil, which is best done each time you replace the engine oil."


I apologize if my opinions have inflamed you such that you're no longer paying attention to what you're posting, but instead are focusing singly on proving me wrong. The title of the thread is not "Harley Davidson", it's "Why Riders Hate HD". I came in because I wanted to 1) see why anyone would actually HATE them, and 2) explain that those of us who are not HD fans don't harbor any "hate". No, I don't know everything there is to know about how a HD is put together, simply because I don't agree with what seems an overly-complicated design philosophy. I've had no real reason to look into them because I have no desire to own one. The only information I have is derived from the experiences passed on to me by family and friends. I have owned bikes that require valve clearance checks / adjustments periodically, which is the price you pay to have OHC engines. But they don't leak, (or mine haven't anyway) and with minimal care, they don't break. Everything's a compromise...I just don't find the compromises within HD ownership to be acceptable because of what I've been told about them.

To address Goalie's question: My brother is a retired Ford Truck Plant union worker with 30 years put in. He'd sooner take a bullet than own anything Japanese. He worked in an environment where employees who own Fords were allowed to park in the parking lot right next to the factory, where those that drove Dodges, Chevys or anything imported were forced to park in a remote parking lot a good distance from the plant. He doesn't have any other reason than that...Japanese bikes & cars bad....domestic good. He always refers to my bikes and cars as "rice grinders", even when his HD is in pieces. Because of his deeply engrained, yet unfounded opinions, he contines to buy HDs and Fords. *eyeroll*

My uncle has the same opinion about imports, even though he's currently driving a Navigator that has stranded him 5 hours from home with transmission fluid spewed all over I-75 in Atlanta. He has some huge Harley that he won't even take on a 130 mile road trip to see his daughter because he's unwilling to be stranded somewhere. My friend and his wife are die-hard Harley fans, but have yet to give me a reason why they refuse to own anything else. She, however, drives a Mitsubishi Outlander.

All I have to go from is other people's experiences, which causes me to shy away from HD, as well as Volkswagen, and old Jaguars. VW has a horrible reputation for quality and customer service, and I have friends and one co-worker that have been through the minefield with them. Pre-Ford Jaguars are known the world over for having nightmarish electrical systems. So wouldn't I be a little crazy (or brave) to buy either, after the experiences I've heard and read about?

The question was about people who hate HD. I just don't think anyone hates them. Maybe the riders, but hating a bike would be silly, even if you don't agree with it's design.

[OTD]

First impressions mean a lot. I talked crap about Harley for the longest time because my first was a Sporster and it was a complete piece of crap. But I attempt to buy American whenever possible. Add that to the fact that 200 miles seemed like a long day of riding on my VTX and I quickly started to look elsewhere.
My riding buddies ride Harley and none of them were having problems so I test rode a couple of their bikes. The VTX felt like a plastic toy compared to the Road King and I couldn't/wouldn't even consider a Goldwing because of their Butt-A$$ ugly looks.
I love my Ultra and I'm glad I looked past my first impression. But I'm sure the Wing rider loves his bike it just ain't my cup-o-tea. And no way have I missed my VTX even a small bit.
And while you don't agree with the design of the Harley, I couldn't and don't see many Sportbike riders touring. I'm 47 and after 600 miles I can get off hit the sack and I'm not sore the next day at all.

I'm not attacking CB just stating my side as congenial as I can.

[markk53]

Originally Posted by OTD

First impressions mean a lot. I talked crap about Harley for the longest time because my first was a Sporster and it was a complete piece of crap. But I attempt to buy American whenever possible. Add that to the fact that 200 miles seemed like a long day of riding on my VTX and I quickly started to look elsewhere.
My riding buddies ride Harley and none of them were having problems so I test rode a couple of their bikes. The VTX felt like a plastic toy compared to the Road King and I couldn't/wouldn't even consider a Goldwing because of their Butt-A$$ ugly looks.
I love my Ultra and I'm glad I looked past my first impression. But I'm sure the Wing rider loves his bike it just ain't my cup-o-tea. And no way have I missed my VTX even a small bit.
And while you don't agree with the design of the Harley, I couldn't and don't see many Sportbike riders touring. I'm 47 and after 600 miles I can get off hit the sack and I'm not sore the next day at all.

I'm not attacking CB just stating my side as congenial as I can.

You actually have to look for them. They don't have a bill board up saying "I'm touring". And besides that, not all bikes with bags and fairings are "touring". I'd venture to bet 90% or more of the bikes with bags one sees on the road are NOT touring. They're likely on a day ride or less. That's simply how bikes are used for the most part.

The other thing is few sportbike riders will seek the kind of roads some dresser is running. We have done a number of day or two overnighters goofing around both on dual sports and sport/naked bike rides. We purposly stay off the slabs. Our time in the saddle will not be cruising at the posted limit on some open road, it will be on the nastiest road for the bike we have. Aka, the tightest windingest road with a decent surface on the sport/naked bikes and also when playing supermoto on the dualsport/supermotos, or virtually anything legal to be ridden on the dual sports, regardless of surface condition. We do that with softbags on the roadbikes and with backpacks or even trailering to an area to do the dual sport stuff. Our overnighters may only involve a back pack and a credit card for "credit card camping" at the local motel wherever we end up.

So one can not simply assume that every sport rider isn't "touring" if they have soft bags/boxes or even a back pack, nor can one assume that every rider of a bike with bags on it is touring. Unless one actually coverses with a rider they really don't know. Heck, I went on a 500 mile run with just a back pack strapped to the seat of my old 400 triple back in 75, going up to the Macinaw Straits area of Michigan to be with family. Shipped dirty clothes home before too, when on a trip to allow some room for other stuff in the box on the way home.

Regardless, the point is not everyone hates Harleys as well as every Harley rider not hating metrics. But there are the exceptions for sure. The rumor mongers and those who compare apples to oranges from both owner groups.

[OTD]

Yeah, I'm talking true sportbikes like CB rides. He!! Mike still rides a CB360 touring but that isn't the norm. The point I'm trying to make is pretty clear. I rode to yellowstone and back and saw 5 times more Harley's at motels (That's a rough estimate don't ask for data as I was there I didn't take pictures.) Than all other bikes combined.