Who Hates Harley Davidson?

My old boss at the bike shop was a Harley mechanic for years and years. We were a BMW shop and we had a customer that purchased a brand new R100RS. He had taken the bike, off the show room floor and gone riding with his buddies in Colorado. After ignoring the break in recommendations and running it very hard, the motor spun a big end bearing. Leroy called BMW and they ask "what do you think?" He told them that he could rebuild it but since it circulated a lot of slag that he probably couldn't guarantee it. Two days later, we got an express freight box that contained a complete R100 engine including carbs. Leroy was speechless. He said "do you know how long I would have to haggle with Harley over providing a simple part under warranty? They would NEVER send a whole engine. NEVER!"

I think to some extent Harley believes their own press, that they make the best bikes in the world. The truth is they make a certain type of bike and they do that very well but I think they will have a big problem when the John Wayne generation dies off. I think their drop in market share reflects this.

I am not a Harley guy but I was a died in the wool BMW rider. My VFR is the best bike I have ever owned hands down.

 

I own a Harley and a Honda. I think there are a-holes who ride every brand of bikes. I have seen my share of riders on sport bikes doing 90 weaving in and out of traffic thinking they are racers. I have seen my share of HD riders who think they are outlaw bikers. I have friends who ride of styles and brands. To each his own. Whatever gets you out riding and enjoying the road is all that should matter.
As for the loud pipes on Harleys. Some noise is fine. Many are over the top. I have personally had people almost pull right out in front of me. Feel the only reason they stopped and looked a second time was they heard my pipes.

 

Well, I must say riding my vfr versus riding a Harley Davison completely different, to me I love to ride both, I just recently sold my Harley but Im sure that Eventually I will buy another one because I miss the feel. The only part I personally don't like is the Image that they have acquired through the years, I don't let all that bother me I generally ride solo so i try not to let any of that affect me. I look at the rider out riding because he/she loves the feel or excitement. I wont let myself get caught up in the whole hate thing because someone likes a Harley, Volkswagen, ford or chevy, Im not perfect but I want to believe that I'm not that shallow. And in no way am I cutting any one down because we all have our own right to believe how we feel.

 

I believe in peoples right to choose, both men and women, I don't hate Harley's, just the assholes that rip through my neighborhood with straight pipes, late at night, blipping their throttles every 10 feet. Only bike I have seen that sets off car alarms!

 

LMAO!! right in front of the WE FINANCE EVERYONE!! sign. Yes purchase a car at once! ya too stupid to own a bike.

 

If Jesus was a biker would he ride a Harley?

Yes, that's why there ain't gonna be a second coming. Lack of transportation due to mechanical breakdowns.

 

If Jesus was a biker would he ride a Harley?

Yes, that's why there ain't gonna be a second coming. Lack of transportation due to mechanical breakdowns.

 

Thats funny. But if jesus wanted to ride I'm quite sure it wouldn't be on a bike much less a harley. LOL

 

jesus left on his harley 2016 years ago and still hasnt made it back... shoulda bought a honda.

 

Just found out how Harley riders can get their bikes to ride destinations.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/frem...dson-motorcycle-transport-in-perth/1076413551

 

I could tolerate Harley Davidson better if they didn't market junk (in both design and manufacture) as superior quality and if they didn't promote a thug and rebellious lifestyle.

Other than that, they're a great company.....for something, I don't know what. I guess they take the attention away from rogue sport bike hooligans.

 

I'm sure it's been said in the 60 other pages of this thread but: there are good and bad owners of each brand, but I dislike the company because they've had 113 years to develop a nice bike and that is the best they can do?? I really think it's a disservice to their riders to make bikes that rattle themselves to pieces after 40k miles. keeps them coming back for rebuilds i suppose...

 

113 years...... And they still have a ton of problems from the early days. Its not like they don't know about them, they just refuse to make the bike better. If you want a Harley the 1200 is way less expensive to fix.

The 3 big problems that kill me are the archaic cam chain system they still use. And their "fix" was to operate the whole old system hydraulically. lol They are the only big V twin to have a pressed crank. Really an engine that big not having a welded crank? And the shift drum is controlled by a spring loaded awl. In this article there are 60 some odd other problems. lol But it has 2 wheels and that is good.

http://www.jamesrussellpublishing.biz/beforeyoubuyharley.html

 

What I don't understand about Harley Davidson is there aversion to performance bikes for the street. Sure they sponsor drag racers and flat track riders but the only crossover on the street is pure brand. Every sporting effort has failed. Harley tries a bit, like with Buell or the XR1200 but they run from the efforts like they were burned.

 

I would like to get drunk with Eric Buell and hear a nice long tirade......... lol Or better a drunk angry Italian at MV.

 

They may have been burned by Buell......

 

Or vice versa.

 

Wouldn't ride a Harley if it was free.

 

I think HATE is a very strong word. And no I don't like the Image that harley has from most of there riders, and yes I don't think a harley can compete with a sport bike in the corners, the excitement just is not there. However My hands go numb riding my vfr, and I love the feel of a full dressed harley on the open road and my woman right behind me. While my vfr is exciting to ride, I still like feeling comfortable cursing.
I don't stereotype people unless they come off with a attitude. so I just do my own thing my way.
I do not want to argue with anyone at all, we all have freedom to decide what we like or dislike, and this is a plublic forum where we all can express our own feelings and beliefs. I respect everyone else opinions whether they match mine or not.
But I do not like it when I'm on my vfr and run into the harley rides and they talk trash or thumb there noise at me I just ignore them.


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Isn't it fun to get behind a gaggle of Hardleys going slow then have to pass them or go to sleep sitting behind them? They block traffic but get pissed when you pass part of the line then make a hole for yourself as you work your way past them. They start tail gating then. Brake checking stops that but isn't really enjoyable or safe. I hate it when people put me in that position. I was almost shocked ONCE when a line of them made a hole for me then motioned for me to pass them. Those kind of riders I can truly appreciate. Key word was ONCE. Gotta remember, they're bad asses in their own minds. Gotta be when you pay as much money as they do for an image. Slaves to an image. No, I don't like them and avoid them. I don't like stereotyping either but they seem to like to play the role of "something" I just don't understand. Meanwhile, I'll just keep VFRing as a rogue independent fun loving crotch rocket hooligan.