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(07-07-2014, 05:30 AM)Todd_K_imp Wrote: It's been said already, but HD has done an incredible job of reinventing themselves. I went with a buddy to the local Harley palace to pick up some parts, and the selection of aftermarket parts and farkles is just astonishing. Not to mention the HD branded boots (made in China), jackets (combination of China and Pakistan mfg.), t-shirts, belts, buckles, gloves, do-rags, pre-ripped denim vests, yadda yadda yadda. Oh, and more skulls than a fleet of pirate ships. They are selling an image, and clearly it resonates with a good 75-80% of riders in NE IL.
Just for fun while waiting, i tried counting the number of "Harley Davidson", "HD", or shield logos I could find on my buddy's ride (2013 sportster 1200--yes, it does look like a nicely made bike, good attention to detail in most places). Stopped at 43 (tank, guages, analog clock, mirrors, windscreen, headlight, seat, foot pegs, engine cases, license plate bolts, shock absorber bolt covers, and little shield logos in the rubber of the tires, every 5" or so for the circumference of both front and back. No question about it marketing is Harley's strong suit. Like the bikes don't like the bikes they are exceptional at the selling part of it. I've had a couple and I am the only guy I know who rides'm with stock exhaust. I've found the dealers to be exceptionally friendly and easy to deal with. The bikes LOOK fantastic in the show rooms and they are decidedly not bad bikes (perhaps over priced). You guys who ride CB1100 bikes are not as deeply rooted in the image stuff as the Harley guys and I am not either. I ride my Honda wearing a Triumph jacket and a born again Harley guy surely wouldn't do that. This stuff about which is the best made or "worth it" is pretty much individual opinion. Harley sells tons so the proof of "worth it" is right there. Like it or not. Who cares really. The CB1100 is a real sweet machine but it's certainly NOT selling to the masses so our position is in the minority. We have to live with that reality. I always attempt to see things from the perspective of others and I've got no beef with Harley or Harley riders. They are not inferior or misinformed. They just see it differently the some of us and I for one am glad of that. I like my sportster fine. Not my favorite of all times but neither was the CB1100.
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Thank you for telling me that Harley riders are not inferior or misinformed, I must remember that ......
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Another Harley bashing thread? Really? I own both... plus a Kawasaki. I'm also a Ford stockholder who owns a Ford Expedition and a Lincoln MKS, but just bought a new Mercedes. I wonder what the MB forums would say if they found out they were being 'infiltrated' by someone of such inferior class? Come on guys... Harley's have a following and so do Honda's. As do Ford's and every other car maker. Who's to say which one is 'better'? And better for what? It's mainly personal...
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Harley Davidsons are very polarizing motorcycles both mechanically and socially. This thread has both positive and negative comments about the brand and it's riders. I don't see this as a Harley Bashing thread as much as a general discussion with opponents and proponents of the brand civilly discussing things. if it would get out of hand I would step in and close it, but so far it hasn't crossed any boundaries in my opinion.
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It'd be no different if we started talking about Apple and IPods/Pads/tunes/etc. No doubt a quality product (at times) - A cult following? Yep. Well founded cult following?... heh so it begins.. Harley falls into the same group. Personally, Id buy the exact polar opposite of a HD, just for the sake of not buying into the "hype".
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I buy what works for me, and to heck with the followers or non followers and the rest of the peanut gallery.
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(07-07-2014, 03:22 PM)Elipten_imp Wrote: I buy what works for me, and to heck with the followers or non followers and the rest of the peanut gallery.
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+1
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It's the life style and mystic of the brand baby.
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(07-07-2014, 10:31 AM)Houtman_imp Wrote: Thank you for telling me that Harley riders are not inferior or misinformed, I must remember that ......
It was meant as a joke !
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I thread going five pages says something about made in the USA. There's a certain feel Harley gives you that no other bike does. The clutch pull and torque from a traffic light, the inertia when shifting without giving it any throttle. The HD V twin has a special feel, you don't get that from metric V twins. Would i own one again, no, but i like renting them every summer in NC.
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