Update on buying a Harley-Davidson...

[Odin]

20 years on Harleys and I can back up the good and the bad of H-D. To make a statement like "but if you're looking for a good bike for a good price, look elsewhere" shows total ignorance of H-D. You sound like a typical jealous type who wishes he had a H-D so you criticize what you don't understand.

A H-D is as "good" as any bike made today.


As far as price goes...the last 2 H-D's that I bought new I also sold for a profit. Both were purchased from a dealer, 1 traded to a dealer at over MSRP when it was almost 2 years old and 1 sold to a guy who paid over MSRP for it over 2 years later. Don't tell me about H-D being overpriced because you can't turn a profit buying new and selling a jap bike.

Key point, I said a good bike for a good price. I did not say HD was a poor bike for a bad price.

I got a Honda, it cost me around 8K. The HD competing model would be, what, $13-20K?

HD makes a good bike for a bad price.

If you can buy a motorcycle that will not depreciate hardly at all then you are getting the bike almost for free. And if you can sell for a profit then you not only got the bike for free, you were paid to own it. Please explain to me how that is a bad price?

Even my die-hard Buy American Unionized uncle couldn't see what HD offers over the other makers to justify the price gap, so he bought a yamaha. He's got plenty of money to get whatever too. Hell the gap is big enough Victory can fit that nitche...

Lots of small time makers and a few bigger players are trying to fill that niche...and H-D still outsells them all combined and can't keep up with demand.

Sold it for a profit? After how much money spent in accessories that went with the bike? Maybe it sits in the garage and you don't ride it? I don't know about you, but I bought my bike to ride it. I don't care about resale value, or think of it as an investment - funny how only HD owners think of their bike as an investment...lol...

My net profit was after all accessories. I averaged 7K miles per year on those bikes. Not a lot of miles, but not a garage queen either.

I like HD - and if the price was right or money wasn't an object, maybe I'd own one. Maybe. I still can't think of a real reason why I would get one over another bike (or two), even if...I just don't see what HD offers over the competition to justify their increased price.

If you don't see the difference then you shouldn't spend the extra money on a H-D.

Sure, the same could be said of Gibson and Epiphone when it comes to LP's - and maybe that's true. But, last I checked, Honda is making parts for HD, where Epiphone is not making parts for Gibson.

Which Honda parts is H-D buying?

Also, if you can't tell the difference between a Epiphone and a Gibson then you should buy the Epiphone.

 

[Odin]

duplicate deleted

 

[kannibul]

Also, if you can't tell the difference between a Epiphone and a Gibson then you should buy the Epiphone.

True, however, I can tell the difference, both with Epiphone and Gibson, but also with HD and Honda, but in the end, is it really worth the difference in price?

Arguements aside, at least Chris isn't buying a scooter.

I wave at everyone on two wheels when I think to - and the GHEYEST waves have come from the scooter riders.

I don't think Richard Simmons could have done it "better" - lol...

 

[Odin]

If the difference is worth the price then buy it, if not don't. But don't criticize someone else's choice of bike because you don't think a H-D is worth the price difference. Some people don't see a difference between a Mercedes and a Honda, some do.

 

[HMJ]

Where is this info about HD buying parts from Honda? I'd be interested in reading more about it (and I'm too lazy to search around.)

Also Kannibul, I buy everything used for a reason. I can't (and wouldn't) buy an $18,000 bike. I'll buy used in excellent condition and save $10,000 or so.

From what I've read/heard....

Carbs, forks, springs and shocks, maybe other stuff too...

Anyhow, understandable on the used thing - I on the other hand, won't buy used unless I have to - who knows what's been fucked with.

kann o bullshit

 

[philb]

Bought it this evening. They ordered nice turn signals and will keep the bike until they come in and are installed. Hopefully, it will be in my garage in a week or so. I'm pumped! They all kept commenting on how nice the bike is. They said you just don't see many bikes that age in that great of condition. The service guy told me that the guys that work there ride my new bike around alot, because they all like how it's a '92 and in great condition.

I'm telling ya, it's in a 9/10 condition with only 18k miles over 15 years. There is one small dent in the top of the gas tank, but that's about it. The paint isn't cracked there or anything, so it doesn't look that bad and really isn't that noticeable. The chrome is killer and it's a great freaking looking ride!

Congrats Chris. Enjoy it and be careful!

 

[kannibul]

Bought it this evening. They ordered nice turn signals and will keep the bike until they come in and are installed. Hopefully, it will be in my garage in a week or so. I'm pumped! They all kept commenting on how nice the bike is. They said you just don't see many bikes that age in that great of condition. The service guy told me that the guys that work there ride my new bike around alot, because they all like how it's a '92 and in great condition.

I'm telling ya, it's in a 9/10 condition with only 18k miles over 15 years. There is one small dent in the top of the gas tank, but that's about it. The paint isn't cracked there or anything, so it doesn't look that bad and really isn't that noticeable. The chrome is killer and it's a great freaking looking ride!

Congrats!

 

[kannibul]

Where is this info about HD buying parts from Honda? I'd be interested in reading more about it (and I'm too lazy to search around.)

Also Kannibul, I buy everything used for a reason. I can't (and wouldn't) buy an $18,000 bike. I'll buy used in excellent condition and save $10,000 or so.

From what I've read/heard....

Carbs, forks, springs and shocks, maybe other stuff too...

Anyhow, understandable on the used thing - I on the other hand, won't buy used unless I have to - who knows what's been fucked with.

kann o bullshit

Really?

HD uses Keihin carbs - at least has until they switched to fuel injection.

Sounds likea pretty japenese name, doesn't it?


Maybe I missed something...


Regarding the honda making the parts, I remembered what someone posted on another forum incorrectly - I should have said they share (some of) the same parts.

EDIT: ()

 

[Bantam Menace]

Congrats man...I wish a HD would of been my first bike.

I know my Road King has MIJ forks and brakes...but it also has steel in areas that my Yamaha was plastic. A bunch of the aftermarket stuff clearly says made in China as well...

My favorite HD forums are:

http://groups.msn.com/HarleyTechTalk

http://forums.delphiforums.com/hawgryder/start

Especially for the older EVO that you bought...

 

[RV8guy]

Keihin makes great carbs. I'd rather have a carbed bike than a fuelie.

 

[shredhead666]

At 5'10" I would think a Sporty is physically too small for you...I'm 6' and have ridden a buddies Sportster, not only is it uncomfortable but I look ridiculous.

I own a Road King but if you want something cheaper look at a Honda VTX or Yamaha V-star. Sportsters are fast and all but...they are realllly small, especially with someone on the back.

Sportsters = women's bikes.

Yeah, I said it. What?

 

[kannibul]

Keihin makes great carbs. I'd rather have a carbed bike than a fuelie.

From what I've read, I agree. That said, I'm 50/50 on FI or carb. My bike is carb, and I've gotten a good 15% more HP out of the engine over stock with new pipes, airbox and jetkit, but, it's spongy in spots. I know with FI that wouldn't be an issue...

 

[kannibul]

Congrats man...I wish a HD would of been my first bike.

I know my Road King has MIJ forks and brakes...but it also has steel in areas that my Yamaha was plastic. A bunch of the aftermarket stuff clearly says made in China as well...

My favorite HD forums are:

http://groups.msn.com/HarleyTechTalk

http://forums.delphiforums.com/hawgryder/start

Especially for the older EVO that you bought...

And yet the Goldwing and VTX are built by Americans in Ohio.

Not sure where they do their engine castings and so on, but they are at least assembled here.

 

[kannibul]

At 5'10" I would think a Sporty is physically too small for you...I'm 6' and have ridden a buddies Sportster, not only is it uncomfortable but I look ridiculous.

I own a Road King but if you want something cheaper look at a Honda VTX or Yamaha V-star. Sportsters are fast and all but...they are realllly small, especially with someone on the back.

Sportsters = women's bikes.

Yeah, I said it. What?

The Sportster is a good classic design - look at the size of bikes in the 80s and earlier.

My Dad's KZ1000-LTD was a "big bike" in it's day - it's TINY compared to my VTX. Granted, I have 300CC on him, but he's got an inline DOHC 4.

 

[ericb]

I haven't posted here much in awhile, but I still read, and I have a lot to say on this subject so I 'll just say it... Here's my points/advice

1) I bought my 1st motorcyle at 17.. I'm 47 now.. I"ve never owned anything bigger than a 650... I'm 6 feet tall too

2) I totally agree with all the guys who are saying 'don't buy a BIG bike to start with " and Don't spend a lot to start with

3) Big Bikes , i.e. 1200 cc's ,etc are WAY TOO FAST to start with , and WAY TOO HEAVY

4) I've had a Honda Shadow since about 1989 and just last week bought a 2002 Yamaha Vstar 650 with only 3000 miles on it and lots of extras including a parital windshiled, leather saddle bags ,etc... It cost me $3000.00 ....It looks like a HArley , and SOUNDS exactly like a Harley with the pipes that are on it. . OK, it's a 'Fake Harley".... IT cost me $3000.00 and is in perfect shape and is a 650... It's Way fast enough for you , and a great learning bike

To expand on #4... The Honda Shadow , the Yamaha V-Star and the Kawasaki Vulcan are all wannabe Harleys... .Seems like the Suzuki Intruder/Boulevards are sort of too..... Don't know about the Suzukis , but the 1st 3 are rated great, reliable , look awesome, and WAY CHEAPER than the real deal...

To expand even more , I'd say buy a 650 TOPS to start with , but to be honest, a 500 is just about perfect... For my best advice , I'd say learn on 1 of those smaller bikes, that doesn't cost as much.. The guys here are totally right when they say it takes awhile to LEARN to ride a bike.. .It looks damn easy , and is pretty damn easy once you learn , but even at 6 feet and over 200 lbs now, I'd never ever buy a 1200 to learn on . Do what I suggested and then ONCE you figure out how to control the bike entirely , and that it's a hobby you love, then spend the bigger bucks and look at the bigger bike for 2 of you.. (Then it's Harley time) ALSO , it's really hard to maneuver or take quick turns having the rider on the back at first. It takes a while to learn that stuff.

Just some more advice... Whatever you do , be careful , and ENJOY it... I love riding

ERIC