I was a little disappointed to see that the Raider was air-cooled and pushrods at first, I didn't realize that the most of their other V-Twins were also. I just figured they left the obsolete technology with HD, and used what they were good at, OHC and liquid cooling, as a competitive advantage.
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King Cranky checking in! 
You're misleading the populace, a bit. The RK was also lighter, more compact, had a more comfortable seat, and better fuel economy(surprised me on that one). And most importantly, which you either get or don't, nothing wrong with either position, it had the best personality, which is really what you buy a HD for other than image.
It all goes back to what's important. You buy a metric with your head, you buy an HD with your soul. Or your butt if you're into that whole vibrating thing. I'm the same way with cars, I've driven a few Camrys, and the ride was so bland that it annoyed me. My vehicles have always been a little more raucous, which I enjoy. Heck even the Volvo has a 5 cylinder which is anything but smooth, and sure sounds wild when you kick in the turbo.
You're misleading the populace, a bit. The RK was also lighter, more compact, had a more comfortable seat, and better fuel economy(surprised me on that one). And most importantly, which you either get or don't, nothing wrong with either position, it had the best personality, which is really what you buy a HD for other than image. It all goes back to what's important. You buy a metric with your head, you buy an HD with your soul. Or your butt if you're into that whole vibrating thing. I'm the same way with cars, I've driven a few Camrys, and the ride was so bland that it annoyed me. My vehicles have always been a little more raucous, which I enjoy. Heck even the Volvo has a 5 cylinder which is anything but smooth, and sure sounds wild when you kick in the turbo.
Uesque, you have to get into foreign bikes to get modern things like overhead cams! I hope you all know I'm joking. That article was so long that I finally gave up reading it as not worth my time. From my own experience in looking for a bike to buy last spring, techojunk didn't mean anything to me at all. (I know it should have!) I was more interested in how the bike looked, how big the engine was, and how comfortable it was to ride. Well, I guess it did, because I wanted fuel injection rather than carbs, and something that would take a beating and keep going. So, I stuck with the only brand I knew, Suzuki. And, I never had one thought in my head that one brand was better or worse than the other. It just didn't enter in. These folks can compare all they wish, but they're wasting their time for an old guy like me who just likes to get on and ride. I'm just happy to have a new motorcycle!
I hope you all know I'm joking. That article was so long that I finally gave up reading it as not worth my time. From my own experience in looking for a bike to buy last spring, techojunk didn't mean anything to me at all. (I know it should have!) I was more interested in how the bike looked, how big the engine was, and how comfortable it was to ride. Well, I guess it did, because I wanted fuel injection rather than carbs, and something that would take a beating and keep going. So, I stuck with the only brand I knew, Suzuki. And, I never had one thought in my head that one brand was better or worse than the other. It just didn't enter in. These folks can compare all they wish, but they're wasting their time for an old guy like me who just likes to get on and ride. I'm just happy to have a new motorcycle!G
Au contraire, mon TFee! The V-Rod and the 1125R are both OHC!Uesque, you have to get into foreign bikes to get modern things like overhead cams!
If anything, my brand loyalty goes to Yamaha. I can't see sticking HD emblems all over everything, but I did have a Yamaha sticker on my old Explorer. I still like the FJR1300 and both of the FZ's. That's not to say that I don't like my HD, but I'm not an HD guy. Chaps chafe.
I'm kinda in a limbo spot here...I can't sit long on anything that splays my feet way out front, since that puts me back on my broken tailbone. Not a good scene.
That being said, I've always had a soft spot for Honda. Mostly, I can say that Honda brought out the concept of 'every time you hit the starting stud, the engine starts.' Not including wear and age-oriented repairs that had to be made (c'mon! The bikes were over 15 years old when I got 'em), I've had precious little that had to be done to keep the jokers on the road.
Nowadays, though, most marques have about the same reliability...which is NOT to say that the others have become MORE reliable. That kinda tweaks me a bit.
That being said, I've always had a soft spot for Honda. Mostly, I can say that Honda brought out the concept of 'every time you hit the starting stud, the engine starts.' Not including wear and age-oriented repairs that had to be made (c'mon! The bikes were over 15 years old when I got 'em), I've had precious little that had to be done to keep the jokers on the road.
Nowadays, though, most marques have about the same reliability...which is NOT to say that the others have become MORE reliable. That kinda tweaks me a bit.
Chevy Astro Vans??? I wouldn't drive one of those if you paid me.
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There's no mystique, you just get on it, ride, and it makes you feel good. If it doesn't, then you buy something else. My wife's Shadow is a great bike. I'd never own it myself, I just don't enjoy riding it. What wouldn't make sense would be to buy something you don't like just because it's more fiscally responsible. That would be penny wise and fun foolish.
You'll notice I avoided the stereotyping accountant jokes there.
Aw heck, Uesque, whip it on me - I don't mind!
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