What is the Harley Mystique?

[Sherman]

I do not understand the draw in the HDs.

My brother and brother-in-law both love only harleys and they think I am nuts.

I bought an '03 FJR recently and joined the forums, and I am now obsessed with farking it up (the FJR.)

Anyway, I thought someone might be able to explain what they see in these overpriced reproductions.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[twowheelnut]

Hot dogs, apple pie, Chevrolet and Harley Davidson. It's American (mostly) and they do a hell of a marketing job.

 

[Fallen Jim Rides again]

I've said it for years.

Harley Davidson - A great tradition, not much of a motorcycle.

Just one of many things that I don't understand.

 

[lawinter]

You bought a motorcycle not a lifestyle.

Image is everything for some.

 

[galxy5]

please do not confuse market share and style with tradition !!

the Harley in all it's past leaky history was after all the second American motorcycle ,, it has a lot to do with identity ,, but I am very tired of the newbie chopper scene ,, over priced bikes being ridden by guys who may never had a bike before posing as "BIKERES" brokers and investment bankers posing like they are hard ,, getting tatts saying "live to ride ride to live" the outlaw bikers from the '70s are rolling in there graves ,, I just can't stand trailer queens ,, bar hoppers and the like !! they just look and act like idiots ,, and that is why I will never go to Myrtle Beach or Daytona bike week ever again ,, I go for the racing ,, and now you got to put up with the squids on sportbikes ,, p***y posers ,, and so much commercial crap like rooms for 300 bucks a night ,, the hotel motel guys have had there d**ks up each others ASSHATS for so long they just don't know when to quit ,, of course when the guy riding up ahead of you on his 40K chopper that he got last weekend flops it over and almost takes several other bikes with him is paying 400 bucks a night there will be no stopping them ,, although it looks like Myrtle Beach may be running into some problems ,,

BTW in past years I have ridden from Roanoke Va to Daytona on my vintage Harley or Indian ,, several years ago it took me 3 days to get there ,, the stator went out on my Indian in NC ,,

ok ,, rant over :rant: :rant:

 

[zorkler]

they have to have the top p.r people working for them . lets see 30 years ago the product sucked , today they cant produce them fast enough . the dealers are making money hand over fist i was going to purchase there product a road glide or the electra glide and the sales guy said there was a time when the could sell the bikes 2to 3 grand over retail . think about it when was the last time anyone paid retail for anything . lifestyle for the old timers yes. but the new players no way just check your local want ads or check the net 03,04,05 . with very few miles example 03 like new 600 miles , my buddy a couple doors down 03 anniversary edition 1600 miles . its status and a giant egos . as for the product it looks great ,sounds great . the ride is not that great and the price is out of this world 18 k give me a break .

 

[nusman68]

I do not understand the draw in the HDs.

Me either....in another thread I spoke of a friend who recently traded in a low mileage 05 Wing for a new HD, telling me the Wing was 'too refined'. I don't know what model HD it is; has the 1200 motor, soft saddle bags & windshield; no fairing; had to pay $4K after trading in the Wing and pays 400/mo to the bank.. no thanks. He was all excited that after spending more $ on some upgrade intake setup he was up to 79 HP! WOW! Just for kicks, about a yr. ago, had my wife sit on a bone-stock 883 at a local dealership; wasn't considering it, but she was curious about the seat height--they wanted $1500 over list price! :rolf: Gotta hand it to HD though, they could stop making bikes tomorrow and just run off of apparel/accessories..its all about the marketing..

It's funny, there is a biker hang-out outside of Houston (Carlos, Tx) in the middle of nowhere off of some FM roads. About 95% HD; all of them park together. Other groups with jap bikes park nearby; then there are the Beemer guys that park waaaayy off from anybody else. You can always pick them out inside the place, because they have the matching 'optic yellow' BMW riding suits & Schuberth helmets, painful/terse look on the face! :lol:

 

[C&C]

Live and let live I say. Why are you guys freaking out. I don't go for the Harley lifestyle either, but so what, most of those guys are okay. Why snob another motorcyclist, hell, most of the Harley riders I pass will even wave here in the Charleston SC area. Someone earlier mentioned overpriced reproductions; slight correction, they are overpriced originals (at least give them there due), and still one day I might own one, if conditions are right. Right now, I'm living large with my FJR, wouldn't change a thing.

 

[GAPS]

I like HD motorcycles. Rented a Road King for a couple days, wife and I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere that bike creates. It would not do for an everyday bike, as a third bike it would be welcome in my garage.

The O.C.C. stereo type meathead can go on without me though, that wannabe tough guy type is ******* boring.

 

[ECDriver]

What other make of bike can you dress like the "village People" and its considered cool. :eh:

 

[PapaUtah]

Former HD CEO Jeff Bluenstein once remarked, "At Harley-Davidson we sell an image and a lifestyle. The motorcycle is secondary in the purchase decision."

Just the type of thinking I want in place at the top of my MOTORCYCLE manufacturer...not.

"If you have a Big Johnson, I see no need to own a Harley."

 

[Toecutter]

And the number one reason to own a Harley: Chicks dig 'em. I've yet to have an extracurricular women ask me for a nice, terrifying hop on my Jap bike.

 

[Groo]

Toecutter...

I have... unfortunately I told them (there were 2) that they needed a helmet...

 

[fjr]

Something to do with leather. I can't understand being covered neck to toe in leather and leaving the head without a helmet??? That said,I own an 883R which I think is an awesome little bike, although I rarely ride it.

 

[PapaUtah]

ahh..."Chicks dig'em!" or "I get more ***** since I got my Harley!"

That is usually the third or fourth retort when expostulating the raison d'etre for possession of a product of The Motor Company. Analytical minds often process this admission through to it's logical conclusions.

If the custody of a product from the Milwaukee Motor Company increases the frequency of your coitus with the same or opposite sex you must be one hideous specimen to start with. uke:

Alternatively, one who seeks to engage in intercourse with you simply on the premise that you own a Harley-Davidson device should be a warning to you. :wub: If this is her/his modus operandi, then the "***** pillow" on said H-D my no longer function as a seat but rather a plug in that over used cavity of choice.

They say the rear jug on a Harley fails first. We now know why. :bigeyes:

:tease:

 

[panthercity]

Former HD CEO Jeff Bluenstein once remarked, "At Harley-Davidson we sell an image and a lifestyle. The motorcycle is secondary in the purchase decision."

I love the attitude! Over the decades, my modest investment in HD has allowed me the luxury of owning two BMWs, several roadrace bikes, two endurance racing bikes, an SV650 and, most recently, my `05 FJR.

All I can say is, [SIZE=14pt]Keep up the good work![/SIZE]

 

[TheAxeman]

About 95% HD; all of them park together. Other groups with jap bikes park nearby; then there are the Beemer guys that park waaaayy off from anybody else.

I went to the Art of the Motorcycle show at MOMA in NYC a couple of years back and there were hundreds of bikes parked outside the place on the sidewalk but what struck me most was that on one side you had the chromed out, customized Harleys with a couple of thousand miles on them and on the other side you had the crusty old 100,000 mile farkled out Beemers that looked like they hadn't been washed since purchased.....both sides shaking their heads at the others, LOL. That, in my mind, is what makes motorcycling great...

 

[radman]

 

[krashdragon]

Ok, I'm throwiing my .0002 worth in here..

Had nothing but Yamahas since i started riding...until I got my Harley.

350RD, 500 thumper, two 650 Specials, then did the get married, have kids get divorced, ok i'm buying another bike thing...

Was going to get another 650, thot about it, said , I want something bigger!

Got a new beautiful 2002 1100 Silverado, raspberry and black. I installed a Corbin seat, risers, Roadhouse pipes, looked beautiful, got lots of compliments (even from the Harley guys) But, I was not comfortable on it. Back hurt, felt like I was wrestliing... not riding... 6 mos, 2500 miles...

So I went and sat on every bike in every showroom here I could find. The dealers here sell more than one brand except the Suzuki dealer. Didnt' check out Harleys, just figured they were too heavy and too expensive. Did sit on a Heritage, but it felt just like the 1100...

The Beemers were too tall, the RoadStars too big, the Kaw 1500 was nice, but not much "pizzaz"...The Susuki's felt "old"... Most of the sportbikes were out, I can't lean on my wrists for too long (getting old sucks!) No Wings here at the time, just didnt' like the Hondas, except the 1800VTX Retro but it was just too heavy..

Finally one dealer (sells Yamahas, Harleys and dirt bikes) pointed to a Harley on the floor and said... sit on that..told him I didnt' want a Harley... but sat on it... it fit! ...although I later changed the handlebars and seat. Wasn't until after i bought the 03 Softail Deuce that the "Harley image" thing came up...

Ok, it is overpriced, and I spend money on chrome instead of farlees, but.. I get 45-50 mpg no matter how i ride it, it's comfortable, likes to cruise about 75-85 (ok, not much but keeps the ticket man away!) It rides like a truck because i have the front forks beefed up,the potholes here totally suck! It's moderatly loud, and it doesnt' leak oil. Change the oil in 3 places (ok, old technology) change the plugs, clean/oil the air filter, check the rear and front suspension once in a while, and it's good to go. Oh, did put on a digital voltmeter and gas gauge.

All the stuff you guys say needs done on the FJR is kinda scaring me... Oh yeah, I have an 02 Susuki Bandit 1200, and have ridden lots of my friends bikes, both sportbikes and cruisers ...Some of the Harleys I like, other I dont', same thing with sprotbikes. Different kinds of rides, different kinds of bikes... Oh, my 19 yr old kid was riding the Bandit, we got 12,000 + miles on the tires on both bikes...

Admittedy there arent' too many roads here on O'ahu where you can really wear out the sidewalls...the whole island is only 147 miles circumference...<G>

Dont' laugh, that's a full days ride here... traffic, tourists and potholes! oh, and stopping for lunch! <G>

I'm really anticipatiing gettiin the FJR...I hope it fits without any mods, cause there's a nice ride to Big Bend, Tx comin up at the end of April...Ok, back to hiding in my corner, now...

mary