OzSTOC
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Shillas on October 16, 2019, 10:17:26 PM
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I've got a good mate who has unfortunately fallen into the dangerous cult called Harley Davidson.
He's had a few now, and is president of his local Harley Owners Group. There is an interesting back story as well concerning his police career and interactions with outlaw motorcycle gangs, which I can't go in to here. Suffice to say, being a HD owner not the best way to keep a low profile with that mob.
This relates to his last two bikes, bought new from HD.
In 2017, on his $50k tourer, after a number of issues he had to have the entire wiring loom replaced on a bike less than 12 months old. It was under warranty at least, but you'd have to wonder how that could happen. I'd be worried about staying with the brand. That was the most major of the many problems with that bike.
Fast forward 2 years, a new tourer from HD, this one about 12 months old. He's now waiting for 6 weeks for a new engine to be sent out because the original failed. Again, it will be replaced under warranty.
Why he continues with HD is beyond me with that build quality. Might be cause he's bought that much merchandise he can't afford to change now? :grin
My suggestion of a grabbing a barely run in 100k ST for next to nothing was laughed at!
Not sure how he'll get to his planned rides, with the HOG groups it's Harley or don't come.
I'll keep my ever reliable Honda STs for as long as I can. :thumbsup
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I refer to them as a norpos (noisy over rated piece of ...).
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My friend "Fish" had a couple of Harleys and we did ride around Australia together in two legs. He did however have a major engine issue at 40,000km after one trip that required a rebuild. Other than that, he enjoyed the experience of owning and touring some loooog distances on his Harleys. Earlier this year he sold the HD and bought a Beemer and now loves having a comfortable tourer, that has a decent range, all the fruit and that can go around corners.
HD have been highly successful in selling an image, rather than a bike. Although I'm not that keen on HD, I'm reluctant to knock them, as many owners love their bikes, and after all, are part of the two wheels brotherhood.
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My brother in law is a HD rider, but after riding my 1100 told me not to sell it without offering it to him first.
Loved the comfort, protection and responsiveness. Only thing he didn't like was that he could here himself think. :rofl
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Only thing he didn't like was that he could here himself think. :rofl
My thoughts when I get a quiet bus.
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..... Although I'm not that keen on HD, I'm reluctant to knock them, as many owners love their bikes, and after all, are part of the two wheels brotherhood.
:thumbs
I have a number of mates who love their Harleys, most have had a good run (as far as I know), a brother-in-law had a lemon though, traded it for a Honda Valkrie.
Yeah, many of us (me included) at times, often like to take the p155 out of Harleys and their riders. But I wonder how many of us have actually riden a Harley? I have a number of times and enjoyed it immensely. There was / is a certain amount of charisma and magnetism about it, and whilst those have their place, they would loose their appeal pretty quickly on a 500km plus day ride, most I did was a 300km day ride and ended up with a sore bum. That not only happens with Harelys, I've heard ST owners raise similar concerns.
In the end, there's no way that I would swap my ST13 for a Harely, as all of the charisma is no substitute for arriving fresh at a destination after a long ride.
Would I have a Harley? Certainly, if the bank balance permitted. Perhaps not be the next motorcycle I would buy, but in the top ten. On mate, many of you have met him on an RTE or two, has three Harleys in his stable, two Triumphs, three Suzukis, two Yamahas, one Matchless, one Ducati, but no Hondas. He's talking of down-sizing, the Triumphs, two Suzukis, the Yamahas and the Matchless are going.
"What about one of the Harleys?", I asked. "Never", was the response. Either way, I can't convince him to get an ST.
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You never convinced me either. :whistle
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Ridden the BILs. Just a short ride left me sore. But I can
feel see the appeal that they have for many females, either as rider or pillion.
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You never convinced me either. :whistle
Criticism only credible if provided by someone that has ridden a Harley.
.... feel see the appeal that they have for many females, either as rider or pillion.
You were right the first time. And both of us off to the norty corner until ................. somebody posts on the Forum.
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You never convinced me either. :whistle
Criticism only credible if provided by someone that has ridden a Harley.
What's a norpos got to do with you convincing me to invest in an ST?
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Worth a READ... (https://www.thethings.com/glaring-problems-with-harley-davidson-that-everyone-chooses-to-ignore/) :wink1
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I rode a big HD from Las Vegas to the original and last ends of R66 in LA and back. I was running late on the way back and sat on 90 mph for a few hours and it didn't miss a beat. Unlike my my GL1800 which would have been well over $30,000 new the HD had a 12V outlet standard.They also have the best designed side stand I have ever seen. When I win lotto I plan on buying one of these for around town:-
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/iron-883.html?source_cd=SEM_Retention_PPC&_cr=ppc (https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/iron-883.html?source_cd=SEM_Retention_PPC&_cr=ppc)
What disappoints me the most is how ONE EYED some Harley owners are.
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Picture this scenario from Australia Weekendend 2010.
A small group of riders on a mix of makes & model of road, sport, dual sport motorcycles (no Harleys) decended on Tallangatta for lunch at the same time as a group (don't think they were a gang) of gnarly, tatttoed, assorted patches, etc.. Harley riders, sort of guys you really didn't want to upset.
Mikey, a very loud, fairly obnoxiuos, extremely opinionated, know all member of our group (only met him the night before at Bruthen, and took an instant dislike), dismounted his VStrom 1000, walked over to the gnarly riders and started to tell all that was wrong with their Harleys. One of the gnarly riders approached a couple of us, asked if his was our mate, we advised that he was with us, but not a mate. Gnarly rider approached Mikey, advised hime shut the eff-up (or similar), Mikey took the advice.
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Maybe Mikey left his brains (and manners) in his helmet when he took it off.
What was the old saying " If you can't say something nice than don't say anything"
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I see why people like them but they are not for me.
And yes I have ridden a Road king, Fat boy and a Dyna Switchback. All 103s.
The auto equivalent would be a 66 impala with a big block. Looks cool, lots of power but not much sophistication. But each to his own i say.
I just bought a CB1100 and take a lot of vicarious pleasure when people admire it so i see why people like their hogs.