bad mouthing harley riders

[Flynt]

I am not a Ducati fan either...

Air cooled engines, USD forks, torque monsters, and noisy as hell at idle (if you have the dry clutch anyway)...  they're like an Italian FJ.  What's not to like about Ducati?

Final comment on HD from me is that I find it sad the US can't field a reasonably current technology motorcycle that stands on performance merit.  We've essentially given up on manufacturing anything remotely competitive in the current motorsport environment and instead focused on image and brand to sell our wares...  Coming from the high tech market where we still lead the world in most ways (at least for now), this is not the way to keep our country strong (didn't our auto industry just demonstrate this pretty clearly).

Compare HD to the clone HD's from Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and even Ducati with the new Diavel models...  the only differentiation is the HD name which for me is synonymous with 30 years unimpeded by technological progress and a product line made up of various versions of trim and seating position.  Clearly not a product I'm interested in, but many are and I'm completely happy to have them riding our roads. 

I do hope HD can keep the momentum and not lose share for America's sake, but I think they're walking a thin line in losing their competitiveness...

Frank

[The General]

I am not a Ducati fan either...

  they're like an Italian FJ.  What's not to like about Ducati?
Their too Hairy!


I do hope HD can keep the momentum and not lose share for America's sake, but I think they're walking a thin line in losing their competitiveness...

Frank

This weeks Australian financial revue shows Harley sales leading all rivals in increase sales for this year @ 25% increase... (Boat people must really want better anchors.)

[ribbert]

Final comment on HD from me is that I find it sad the US can't field a reasonably current technology motorcycle that stands on performance merit.  We've essentially given up on manufacturing anything remotely competitive in the current motorsport environment and instead focused on image and brand to sell our wares...  Coming from the high tech market where we still lead the world in most ways (at least for now), this is not the way to keep our country strong (didn't our auto industry just demonstrate this pretty clearly).

Compare HD to the clone HD's from Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and even Ducati with the new Diavel models...  the only differentiation is the HD name which for me is synonymous with 30 years unimpeded by technological progress and a product line made up of various versions of trim and seating position.  Clearly not a product I'm interested in, but many are and I'm completely happy to have them riding our roads. 

I do hope HD can keep the momentum and not lose share for America's sake, but I think they're walking a thin line in losing their competitiveness...

Frank

Harleys don't have to compete with other brands. They don't sell bikes, they sell an image and market if very successfully.

Here's proof, the Pope taking delivery of his Harley themed bullet proof vest.



If you want an American made V-twin thumper, I believe Victory are a far superior bike but that alone can't compete with the Harley image.
Noel

[FJSpringy]

hey you lot BACK OFF, as long as HD buyers are buying HD's they won't be giving other brands a bad name and for goodness sake think about all those bike trailer companies that would go out of business  

[ribbert]

Apparently the Harley's do pretty well at the 1/4 mile track.  Or so I've heard them say.

Dan

You're right, the guy on the inside is "really on fire tonight"

[ribbert]

Last one (for now) I promise.

[fj11.5]

not nice to pick on the harley guys, but you do know there all torque 

[craigo]

There are the EBRs from Eric Buell... American made, very technologically sophisticated and made podium in AMA Superbikes.



http://www.erikbuellracing.com/

CraigO

[Zwartie]

My buddy Bruce posted a link on Facebook along with the following commentary "Disgusting. This shows how Harley-Davidson trashed Buell motorcycles when they decided to drop the line, since it didn't fit their pirate head/leather tassel cruiser image. Eric Buell, you were (and are) a class act. Too bad we can't say the same about the Motor Corporation!"

Here's the link: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17257844&postcount=53

Here's the photo:


Kind of sad, really.

Zwartie

[crzyjarmans]

  "While you're busy feeling sorry for yourself and put upon by those who start with the position that Harley riders are a-holes and not worthy of being part of the motorcycling fraternity maybe you need to take a bit of a look at yourself and your actions that might turn folks off.....
I also understand your abbreviated riding gear, having lived in LV many years ago, but I think you're placing yourself at high risk without some gear that will give you some protection from the road while still not adding to the heat load."

Arnie

Arnie, I agree with you one hundred per cent.

Shawn's actually, problem is perhaps not the H-D jokes, but maybe he's hiding a bald head under that big old cowboy hat.

If his FJ has a pink stripe, no USD's and he's bald to boot, no doubt he's a poor forsaken fellow...

Mr. Conlon, let us pray...

Kind regards,

Midget

Actually, I'm not bald, Just people with the bad attitude tick me off, and have no potion in polite society, It's one thing when people get together and slam each other in fun, but to just be means and hateful! just wrong, Oh and by the way,for the ones that say Harley's are slow, mine was tested with 130hp to the tire, very fast

[ribbert]

There are the EBRs from Eric Buell... American made, very technologically sophisticated and made podium in AMA Superbikes.



http://www.erikbuellracing.com/

CraigO

Except for the Austrian motor, Swedish suspension and Japanese brakes

[mst3kguy]

crzyjarmans wrote:   "Oh and by the way,for the ones that say Harley's are slow, mine was tested with 130hp to the tire, very fast"

ain't about the bike, it's about the rider.  or at least my observations at the rallies.

[Flynt]

There are the EBRs from Eric Buell...

Touche, but not much American content since he stopped using HD powerplants...

My point stands.

Frank

[craigo]

It's designed in America by an American. It is built here in America by Americans. The money from the sale of this motorcycle stays here in America.

How many parts of a Harley are actually built here in America?

CraigO

[Mike Ramos]

Howdy y'all!
Well if the offended has hair & no pink striped FJ, maybe it he has a short man complex. I bet he even passes  other motorcyclists on the right hand side (gees, even the F-bomb gets hurled on that one)...! There's just gotta be a reason for his having taken offense at others poking fun at 'em.

Hell, he hasn't even been insulted up to proper FJ Forum standards until he's seen Hoffman's Birds fluttering over the Cherohola...! I know 'cause I rode a long way just to see them myself...!

The Buell is an over rated collection of parts assembled in a fashion such as that found in any competent shop. It lost H-D a lot of money and the only question is why H-D let it go so on so long before they had had enough of Eric Buell's salesmanship. Yes it won races but the rules were tailored to the motorcycle.

And as far as the 135hp goes I guess the our old FJ's must have 136hp 'cause on film (on the Dragon) one is easily reeled in and (uh oh) passed on the right. And let's just wait until the poor fellow runs across Brutis or Flynt (coast to coast coverage) - shoot he'll probably end up crying in his beard, I mean his beer. It has been suggested that we take up a collection so as to purchase a mug with a H-D logo. If I may be permitted to do so, I would like to second the motion.

In summary let me close with Dean & Frank (& Arnie too) win the discussion.

So let's return to a more kind & gentler Forum. And Mr. H-D Owner, may you some day see the Birds of the Cherohola fly your way... in fact quite soon...

Keep smiling & ride safe,

Midget.