12-09-2019, 04:42 AM
Gentlemen,
I've got 5 Honda's and 2 Harley Davidson's in my garage. They are all fantastic motorcycles that are enjoyable in different ways. Here in AZ I see as many Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki/ Kawasaki sport bike riders high speed lane splitting while wearing no helmet, no gloves, and tennis shoes with a screaming loud aftermarket exaust as I see objectionable HD riders with loud pipes. At least Mick has considerable experience with HD and gives an informed decision. I think a few here who have never even ridden one are sounding off without the benefit of experiencing how cool they are to ride. HD has bikes that are way smoother than my CB1100 on the highway, and they have bikes that aren't. All heavyweight motorcycle sales are way down since 2007 and HD's customer demographic has gotten too old. Young kids are not nearly as interested in cars, motorcycles, airplanes, and guns/hunting as my generation was and there isn't anything HD can do about that. I don't think HD is going anywhere and they'll still be building and selling motorcycles long after we are all dead. In the late 70's HD was on it's death bed but they came back and smashed the Japanese makers in heavyweight motorcycle sales like a bug. I really liked the new Gold Wing when I took one for a ride, but the new Electra Glide was more fun to ride so when I sell my Road Kind I'll buy another new HD. It's all good gentlemen. You don't have to like the bikes but cheering on the demise of a century old American motorcycle maker is counterproductive IMO. At least, that's my take on it.
Chip
I've got 5 Honda's and 2 Harley Davidson's in my garage. They are all fantastic motorcycles that are enjoyable in different ways. Here in AZ I see as many Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki/ Kawasaki sport bike riders high speed lane splitting while wearing no helmet, no gloves, and tennis shoes with a screaming loud aftermarket exaust as I see objectionable HD riders with loud pipes. At least Mick has considerable experience with HD and gives an informed decision. I think a few here who have never even ridden one are sounding off without the benefit of experiencing how cool they are to ride. HD has bikes that are way smoother than my CB1100 on the highway, and they have bikes that aren't. All heavyweight motorcycle sales are way down since 2007 and HD's customer demographic has gotten too old. Young kids are not nearly as interested in cars, motorcycles, airplanes, and guns/hunting as my generation was and there isn't anything HD can do about that. I don't think HD is going anywhere and they'll still be building and selling motorcycles long after we are all dead. In the late 70's HD was on it's death bed but they came back and smashed the Japanese makers in heavyweight motorcycle sales like a bug. I really liked the new Gold Wing when I took one for a ride, but the new Electra Glide was more fun to ride so when I sell my Road Kind I'll buy another new HD. It's all good gentlemen. You don't have to like the bikes but cheering on the demise of a century old American motorcycle maker is counterproductive IMO. At least, that's my take on it.
Chip