YAY! Harleys Home

[jimbar]

Got my Harley from the shop today. My mechanic has been working on a starting problem for a few weeks. Rode it home today. Maybe someday soon spring will arrive here in western Wa. With the outrageous gas prices today, I will be riding to the range, just not for rifle practice,..;)

Added that last part to make it gun related,....I'm just excited to have the bike back.

[jocko]

I know ur feelings, u know that ol saying to: If I have to explain u wouldn't understand...

[Fedor]

Got my Harley from the shop today. My mechanic has been working on a starting problem for a few weeks. Rode it home today. Maybe someday soon spring will arrive here in western Wa. With the outrageous gas prices today, I will be riding to the range, just not for rifle practice,..;)

Added that last part to make it gun related,....I'm just excited to have the bike back.

Harley, Shop, Mechanic. Those 3 words are always seen together. :eek:
I had a new 2002 Wide Glide that I traded after 6 months because of 5 shop visits with problems
My 2005 VTX 1800 has never had to go to the shop for anything.
I change my own oil and tires and ride it like I stole it.
Ride Safe

90% of all Harleys ever built are still on the road... the other 10% made it home !! ;)

[jocko]

have fun with the slogans. today Harley owns 54% of the maket in the U.S. Junk doesnt survive 108 years. Honder 16% no wonder we never see a honder broke down, THEIR AIN'T ANY.

[jocko]

I change my own oil and tires and ride it like I stole it


maybe u did??? Only way I would ride one is if I STOLE IT.
Now u ride safe now , sonny!!
damn, I just love these bars!!

[jeepster09]

Speaking of Harley's.....here is a great TRUE STORY book to read. I enjoyed it.

http://rossputin.com/blog/index.php/book-review-the-old-man-and-the-harley

[TheTman]

I have a 92 Heritage Softail that runs like a champ. Take a little wrenching now and then, but i enjoy it for the most part. Here's a pic with my ole Massey.
http://graphics.pccomps.com/Tomstoy1.jpg

[jocko]

was that called teal and white back then or acqua. My wife had a 97 Hereitage springer in that color. That was one fine bike, never had an ounc eof trouble wioth it. Kept it for 36,000 miles and sold it for a agrandlessthan I paid for it, and I see it in Terre Haute, all the time with some striiking blonde riding it. She sets the bike and and the bike sets her..,

[gunmut]

these brand barbs always make me laugh. I have owned more brands of bikes then I can count, most of them one time or another had a problem or two, some maybe two or three. But they all gave me the same great feeling of freedom and a good kick in the pants for last 40 years. They are all just a bunch of nuts and bolts; it's the nut in the saddle that makes them special.

One last thing: Remember every bike is going to go down; its not a question of if just when so lets all ride safe and enjoy our saddle time.

[TheTman]

Hey Jocko, you ever get around to doing the 1000 mile Iron Butt ride? I never have.

Harley horror story: Was riding the turnpike one night about midnight. It was pitch black, no moon or nothing, and my lights short out. I was going about 75-80 and couldn't see a damn thing. Might as well of had my eyes shut. I was lucky that I was on a straight part of the road and as I was able to ease off the throttle and put slight pressure on the handle bar and ease off the right side of the road until I felt the rumble strips on the shoulder. Thank god they were there or I'd had no idea when I was off the road, until I hit grass or something worse. I had a buddy riding about a half mile behind me, not sure why he fell so far back, but anyway, he said it looked like I just disappeared. When he got up there, we started back down the highway using his head lights until we got to an exit. We were pretty close to home by then so he just headed on down the road and brought back his pickup and trailer. And pulled it home. We had a little discussion on the way home about riding at night and keeping up.
What happened, was the previous owner had put that stainless steel mesh stuff over all the exposed wires and cables, and it wore a hole in a wire and shorted out my lights. Needless to say I stripped all that crap off my bike in hurry.

[jeepster09]

My un-Harley::2eek:

[OldLincoln]

I have a 92 Heritage Softail that runs like a champ. Take a little wrenching now and then, but i enjoy it for the most part. Here's a pic with my ole Massey.
http://graphics.pccomps.com/Tomstoy1.jpg

Which one is the Harley?

[kpm9]

have fun with the slogans. today Harley owns 54% of the maket in the U.S. Junk doesnt survive 108 years. Honder 16% no wonder we never see a honder broke down, THEIR AIN'T ANY.

Need to check your numbers there.
Everything I've seen has honda with about 27% to harley 24% of US Motorcycle sales.

No if you're only talking about 1 small segment (cruisers), then yes your numbers may be close.

Cruisers - that's all Harley does and if you want one, they are better than they used to be.

[jocko]

Need to check your numbers there.
Everything I've seen has honda with about 27% to harley 24% of US Motorcycle sales.

No if you're only talking about 1 small segment (cruisers), then yes your numbers may be close.

Cruisers - that's all Harley does and if you want one, they are better than they used to be.

want to bust u your bubble here but in the U.S 651 cc motorcycle registrations and that is how motorcycle percentages are rated by the way, and also for the european nations also. If it ain't abovcew 651 cc's it ain't counted by the motorcycle industry council. not the 125 or 250cc models are even included. or no doubt Honda would rule, as Harley makes nothing under 883 cc as u well know.

Of the 651 cc and above harley davidson owns 54.9% of the market Honder has dropped market share for the last 4 years in the U. S. That is a fact published annualy inh Harley Davidson stockholders annual report. 259 thousand motorcycle above 651 cc's were sold in the U. S. last year . Their market cominance was in 09 53.2%. I berlieve you can research allof this through the motorcycle industry council who publishs this material

Harley Davidson's international motorcycle sales is now 35% of their total sales of all their motorcycles.. Believe it or not they have outpaced Honda in Japan in sales abouve 651 cc's for the past 3 years.

again taken from the 2010 annual report. Harley Davidson is the leader amoung young adults ages 18-24, #1 with women, #1 with hispanic riders #1 among african american. again 651 cc's and above. Dispute it if you want,

Polaris (Victory) sold less than 7000 units for all of 2010 In 2007 HD ranked #6 in the european market fo r651 cc and above bikes. in 2010 they are now #2

[kpm9]

% of market share for a segment is different than total market share, which is what I already pointed out.

651cc is strictly a classification of a type of motorcycle "heavy weight" to be exact and has nothing to do with market share.

If I wanted an 883cc motorcycle that struggled to make 50bhp, I might buy a HD.

I like my bikes, like my women. Slim, sleek and fast.

You like the "heavy weights". Nuff said

[OldLincoln]

Wow, this is like the caliber wars. I suspect it will get even nastier so I'll grab some popcorn and pull up a chair! :popcorn:

[jocko]

not going to argue with u, I guess if you want to count 250 's and 125's then your right. I am just giving you the motorcycle industry council report, not something I made up or what ever. considering HD doesn't make anything under 883 cc. kinda hard to include them in 125 ro 250 cc bikes. I am just citing industry publications and totals, u and I can read um anyway you and I want I guess.

good for you on the fast bikes and women, no doubt if your after FAST bikes, you won't be on a harley,

651cc is strictly a classification of a type of motorcycle "heavy weight" to be exact and has nothing to do with market share.( Most of the crotch rockets are in the 650 class and certainly not considered heavy weights)

[jocko]

nope not going to get nasty from this ol timer. one can ride what ever he wants.I just was the messenger here. Next time your driving anywhere, count the Harleys and then count all the others!~!!Proof is normally in the puddin.

[kpm9]

HDs failure to identify and deliver to a huge portion of the motorcycling market (250cc and above) which are often the bikes of 1st time buyers is not a real good market strategy, but hey if HD want to claim market superiority based on 651+cc, who am I to deny them of their fantasy.

It doesn't mean those nice people on scooters are out to get you.
It's ok to wave.

[jocko]

What ever

Porsche doesn't make trucks either, guess they probalby are missing that boat there to?? Harely can't compete with those metric crotch rockets. They can't compete with the japanese labor market, another reason why Honda pulled out of Merryville, Ohio and now makes no cruisers or any bikes in The U. S. They can make um cheaper with their labor in Japan and mexico. they tried.

Lots of nice people on scooters and when they grow up,more than likely they will be on a Harley. Just seems to work out that way...

[jeepster09]

Caliber wars :cheer2:.....my bike will kick your bikes butt:80:
It is the biggest engine [boss hoss's aren't bikes :7:] nanabooboo:D

[jocko]

Have u ever ridden the hoss??/ factory crate engines in them up to 500 cubes even. Made rightdown the road here i tennessee, well maybe a few hundred miles..

[kpm9]

Whatever?? You know what they say about excuses.
Your comment about metric crotch rockets displays ignorance of the subject altogether.
HD, outsources to the same Japanese manufacturers, brakes, suspension components and may other parts.

I like performance, if I wanted a tractor, I'd by a tractor.

Ducati, who has higher labor costs than both Japan and US has 68% increase in North America sales, Q1 2011.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/577/9641/Motorcycle-Article/Ducati-Touts-68--Sales-Increase-for-Q1-2011.aspx

And they make a 1200 v-twin cruiser that weighs a svelt 470lbs and makes 160+Hp.
Does that qualify enough for a motorcycle for ya?

Hey but I like to take a fatty for a ride every now and then.

[TheTman]

They offered the Buell Blast 500 for a number of years, but I guess they weren't that big of a seller. People looking to buy a Harley, usually want something bigger. My friends small wife rode a 883 Hugger for a few years, before she decided she wanted a big twin, and ended up on a lowered Big Dog Harley clone. That hugger was just as easy to handle as the 650cc Yamaha I had at the time. Sporsters are a fun bike in the twisties, but not all that great as a touring bike. The V-Rods are a lot of fun too. I have nothing against people that want to ride a pretend Harley, I just prefer the real thing. I think Harley would do a lot better if they'd kick about half their shop owners to the curb and get some decent owners to run those shops. The dealer here was a real mess, then he sold out to a yuppie couple, that are just as bad if not worse. They pulled some crap on a friend of mine, and lost out on a $40,000 sale on a real sweet trike conversion. They had signed papers and everything, then when my friend came in to give them the check they tried to raise the price $1000.00. Not very ethical if you ask me. The salesman upped and quit over it.
Many of us ride 150 miles up to a dealer we all like and trust, for any major work that has to be done, or to buy a new bike. I know that that first local owner here drove off a long time Harley rider because the shop owner was such a jerk, and he ended up on one of those 1800 CC Honda cruisers. I myself could care less what you ride, as long as you ride it well. Most of my group rides HD, but we have a couple Yamahas and Hondas that ride with us. No problem. I have a 750 Yamaha Virago that I picked up dirt cheap and ride it once in awhile, just because it's lighter and more nimble around town. It's not the touring machine my Harley is, but it's great for running down to get a jug of milk or something.

[kpm9]

Lots of nice people on scooters and when they grow up,more than likely they will be on a Harley. Just seems to work out that way...

Maybe not so much...looks like your marketing strategy isn't working so well for HD.

Motorcycle sales, however, continue to decline. Retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 7.7% overall, the average of a 9.4% decline in the United States and a 3.6% drop in international markets. Through three quarters, worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidsons are down 13.4%.


http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/568/8224/Motorcycle-Article/Harley-Davidson-3Q-Report-Profit-Up--Sales-Down.aspx

[jocko]

the blast was a real peace of crapola.It didn't sell and later it wasonly sold to dealers who weregiving motorcycle instructors courses and that was the bike all Harley dealers used. It served that purpose but was a junk bike. Ur right though thetmanski. there are some real loser Harley dealers out there. Most of all the old time dealers are gone, changed hands etc and now the dollar dealers are there with big mega dealerships that they can't afford to pay for even. The market has slowed alot in the U.S. Harley is selling about 1/3 less than they were 5 years ago, so that should tell you what the restof the market is doing. the rest of the market is sucking wind. Most non harley dealers will say, that "so goes Harley davidson, so goes the market.Harley is going to elimninate over 50 dealers this year, My dealer 50 miles from me been there 75 years is being for closed by the bank and Harley is not going to offer that area to another dealer even if they were interested and had the capital to start even.

All l3 of halrey plants are union and they in the last two years have made some major concessions to keep the plants going where they are. The market will come back but for some of the small makers and certainly the custom bike makers and choppers, the lack of a market has closed most all of them in the Indy area to. Banks won't floor plan these type of bikes anymore. Lenders want 20% down to buy a bike where as a few years ago, if u could show a pay check they would loan 100%. Those days are gone...

Pretend bikes, now that is a good one!!!

[jocko]

Maybe not so much...looks like your marketing strategy isn't working so well for HD.

Motorcycle sales, however, continue to decline. Retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 7.7% overall, the average of a 9.4% decline in the United States and a 3.6% drop in international markets. Through three quarters, worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidsons are down 13.4%.


http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/568/8224/Motorcycle-Article/Harley-Davidson-3Q-Report-Profit-Up--Sales-Down.aspx

still are out selling every maker in the 651 cc arena on up , so what does that tell u about honder,ducati, and the others??? can u hear the sound of sucking wind???? The motorcycle market is suffering, Harley is not exempt, but the smaller dealers with the pretend bikes are suffering far far more. We just had a 5 year old Victory dealer in Terre Haute, shutter his doors and victory got a dealer abourt 4 miles downt he road who sells lawn mowers, tillers, atv,snowmobiles, small tractors to sell their line. Not sure most motorcycle riders want to buy a high dollar motorcycle in a lawn mower shop. The first dealer was a stand alone victory dealer and also a used car dealer to. again that combo didn't work very well for him. He went gang busters his first 2 years with the line and then it died and he told me he lost his ass the last 3 years..

.

[kpm9]

still are out selling every maker in the 651 cc arena on up , so what does that tell u about honder,ducati, and the others??? can u hear the sound of sucking wind????

.

Tells me there's a bunch of 40 something dudes, that got a bad idea from the movie Wild Hogs trying to be Tim Allen or John T and ending up like William Macy.

The only reason they are so successful was the resurgence of the brand from Yuppie purchases. That's why sales are so drastically down.
Harley makes more money on vests and t-shirts and has great brand image, and alot of the bikes they sell, sit in garages.
Wish I had a nickel for every 883 I see on craigslist with 400 miles on it.

"It sounded like a good idea at the time"

Ducati races first and sells bikes to support racing. Totally different animal.

[jimbar]

Wow, while some have been bickering about market shares and such,.....I, on the other hand, have been out riding , enjoying a little "spring" weather.
I have ridden pretty much all the major brands, I've owned Hondas, Yamahas, Kawasakis, and enjoyed them all. At this point in my life, I really like HD's. It's not super fast, I don't do wheelies down the street, but then I never did before.It's a comfortable ride, and the sound ?, Well,.......
I don't think you'll ever change over some people's choice of ride. Some are died in the wool metric lovers, some love Harleys. It's just a matter of personal choice. Me, I'll never own anything but a Harley, you ride what you want. Just ride......

[jocko]

jimbar, indeed, my wife and I road 100+ miles today, just feels good to be on the highway. Been a Harley rider for over 50+ ain't gonna leave um now. Doesn't matter to me what u ride and if u don't want to wave at me riding my harley while ur on ur metric bike, that is fine. I understand. I don't try to change um either, in time it seems they will own a Harley Davidson. seen to much of that also. a 20 year old on an ultra classic is not their forte, but on a crotch rocket they are home.. With over 1000+ stand alone dealerships, Harley is doing Ok. It will come back and they will be a bigger and better company for it to.

[kpm9]

I hardly call a spirited debate and the use of market share and strategies to support opposing opinions... bickering.

Its also demographically accurate that people in the North East, Midwest are more likely to buy Harleys and vote democrat.

So why is it more people buy Harleys.
Same reason the overwhelmingly voted for Obama?? lol

BTW, jimbar, congrats on getting your bike back. Enjoy the ride and be safe.

[jocko]

and you have a good day kpm, ride it like u stole it, not really worth arguing/bickering to me. Metric gbike people certainly need your loyalty and following to keep afloat like Harley does with people like me If it is speed u want and have to have, then ur riding the right stuff. All my bikes go faster than I ever wanted them to and at my age speed and fastchicks are dreams more than reality.

If u ever pass this ol timer on the highway, I will be listening to my satellite radio or playing my cd player with my PM9 in my front left pocket.

[jimbar]

I hardly call a spirited debate and the use of market share and strategies to support opposing opinions... bickering.

Its also demographically accurate that people in the North East, Midwest are more likely to buy Harleys and vote democrat.

So why is it more people buy Harleys.
Same reason the overwhelmingly voted for Obama?? lol

BTW, jimbar, congrats on getting your bike back. Enjoy the ride and be safe.


Now that's just a mean thing to say ! ;)

Thanks, I am glad to get it back, and am going out again in a few minutes ! :D

[CJB]

Glad you got it home!

Had mine down most of last summer (our rainy season) on a job that began as changing base gaskets. Ended up being a whole top end with rings and valves. Did it all m'self, as it didn't need re-boring, or valve seat work.

Ride safe!

[jeepster09]

I took my Harley out of storage today.....I think I need a battery, it seemed to not want to start? Any suggestions on what to check....I attached a picture.

[kpm9]

I will wave to all I pass and I always wish the best to all of us who ride on 2 wheel motor scooters. it's a joy only some of us know and whatever you ride, it's always better with the sunny side up.

I'll be excited as jimbar when my new ride arrives.

[OldLincoln]

I took my Harley out of storage today.....I think I need a battery, it seemed to not want to start? Any suggestions on what to check....I attached a picture.

Well, it for sure needs a new recoil spring!

[Bawanna]

I always wave to all the bikes I pass and about 98% of the time all I get back is the Hawaiian good luck sign.
Guess they don't like vans?
Two years ago over at a lake resort we go to every year two couples showed up on Gold Wings, nice folks. Poor people, about the only year I remember in 25 years going there that it rained almost every day. They still had fun, fished off the dock, BS'd with them for 3 or 4 days. I was up on the driveway out of the place when they left and I gave em the wave, they waved back. I was so proud.

[kahrseye]

Harley's have the "cool" factor. No other major bike maker has it. If you don't believe me try this. When you meet a new lady, let her know in the course of your conversation that you ride a Harley, and listen to her reaction. Typically, she'll say something like "Wow you own a Harley? That's cool." Now try it with say a Honda and see if you get the same reaction. Most times, you won't. I ride with anyone who rides, I don't care what they ride as long as their nice people. My friend rides a Yamaha sport cruiser and his wife is on her 2nd Yamaha bought last year. He doesn't like Harleys but he's got a real problem because his wife does! She's tired of the Harley wannabes and wants one of her own. Sport bikes = Speed Harleys = comfort. To each his own.

[Bawanna]

I chatted with some motorcycle cops from a neighboring town where they run alot of bikes. They used to have Kawasaki's I think but switched to Harleys. They said it was a night and day difference when they switched. Even pulling over bikers they weren't nearly as upset cause they cop was on a Harley.

I asked if they were numb from the waist down after a shift and I guess they've eliminated alot or most of that. I remember my old sportster back in the day, after a long ride I felt like, well like I feel now everyday. Numb.
How weird is that?

I rode a variety in an earlier life. Flat tracked starting out with a Hodaka Desert Rat? Then a Honda, Yamaha. Rode others Triumphs and Harleys on the big tracks. Was never very good on the big tracks, kind of sucked really. Rode sidehacks on the platform a few times, now thats a life changing experience right there. Never got hurt once in hundreds of races.
Rode rice bikes on the road, Yamaha, Suzuki's till I got my Sportster.

[TheTman]

With Harley, you either have brand loyalty or you don't, you either ride em or hate em. Kind of seems to go beyond that sometimes, I know some folks that can't stand Harley's but seldom do I see a Harley owner that really hates a particular brand of bike. If you hate HD's then you usually have a pretty good story why you hate them, most folks do. My one riding buddy had the dealer piss him off so bad he swore he never buy another Harley right in front of the owner. This guy had bought a new Harley every other year for years, and he just got pissed and walked away from them.
That store, much like the new HD store just a couple miles down the road, always made me feel crappy for shopping there, knowing how bad the owner screwed his clients, and I only went there for parts I needed right away and couldnt wait for a mail order. I thought things might change when the yuppies bought the dealership, and built this way nice shop just off the interstate about maybe 5 miles away. The price of the bikes were much better, much more in line with the MSRP, but the parts and merchandise wasn't any cheaper. Plus it felt more like going into some damn boutique than a Harley shop. Guess they got to gussy em up for the ladies anymore. There is a much better selection of bikes now, with the bigger show room they have. That's pretty cool. Only thing is I'd never buy one from them as long as that owner runs the place.
It's really yuppied out now. I just hate going in there anymore, just don't feel right. I know the owner is shady, and I hate spending money there.
Some of the work they do seems ok for the most part, but I've had to redo lots of stuff after they've messed with it. Of course I don't have a new model to work on, and the little bit of custom work done on my bike probably throws these guys just out of mechanics school for a loop. I'm stuck with that bike for awhile, just put a factory rebuilt motor in it just over a year ago. It's runs real solid now. Did some mild performance upgrades to give it a little more pep, and got it about where I want it. Enough power to get around a truck real easy, but not enough to really put strain on the motor.
Yeah, with the Harleys, you either love em or you could care less about them. I know a few kids that won't ride em because that's what dad rides. I suppose if I were young and into speed and showing off, I'd proably have a crotch rocket too. But now I enjoy just putting around and taking my time getting there for the most part, unless I need to blow the cobwebs out of my head, then I open it up some.
And Kahrseye is right about the lady factor to having a Harley. Never had total strangers come up and ask me for a ride when I was on a *** bike. It does happen on the Harley, or friends of friends want a ride. Hell, thats worth the price of admission right there! LOL.
It's got a feel to it no other bike comes close too. It might not have the most ponies on the block, but it's sure got the torque to get you going in a hurry. So they can have their *** Harley wannabe's and I'll just keep on putting on the real thing. Notice how there are very few *** cruiser bikes that don't have the v-twin and come as close to being a Harley as they can get away with? I'd just as soon have a smooth running 3 or 4 cylinder if I'm going to ride a *** bike and have it look like a *** bike.
I'm sure that the Ducati that was mentioned is a lot of fun. They've always put out pretty hot bikes. Then again, they don't have the network of mechanics that Harley does. Almost any medium size town has some shop that can work on it if you need some help. That can save your ass right there.
Damn the weekend is over. Hope you all have a good week.
BTW *** = J a p

[Fedor]

[QUOTE=kahrseye;66642]Harley's have the "cool" factor. No other major bike maker has it. QUOTE]

That is a stupid reason to buy a motorcycle :rolleyes:

Harley-Davidson performance is measured in Decibels not Horsepower.

[kahrseye]

[QUOTE=kahrseye;66642]Harley's have the "cool" factor. No other major bike maker has it. QUOTE]

That is a stupid reason to buy a motorcycle :rolleyes:

Harley-Davidson performance is measured in Decibels not Horsepower.

Believe it or not, some people buy them for that reason alone. Some people buy them cause they're a status symbol. I just bought my 3rd in 11 years cause they ride like dream. Went to the Ultra, 2nd bike and now a Limited. Love the comfort and power. Best accessory I ever bought is a backrest. Some might think that's stupid.....oh well.:blah::blah::blah:

[CJB]

I took my Harley out of storage today.....I think I need a battery, it seemed to not want to start? Any suggestions on what to check....I attached a picture.

http://kahrtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3608&d=1303089778

You need a new kickstand.

[MikeyKahr]

http://kahrtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3608&d=1303089778

You need a new kickstand.

Post of the night, right there!!! You rock CJB.

[jocko]

THEY have ALLL tried to copy Harley but again it would just be a copy. I liked one of Victory's adds.Our bike has 5# moretorque than a Harley. They just gave Harley a free advertisng plug and gained really nothing. You won't buy a victory over aHarley because of 5# more torque, might for other reason but that won't be one of them.

Been at many stop lights with a semi next to me and I can hear and see him creepng his rig closer and closer to get a better look and when eye contact is made you get that nod that tells you it's OK. Not sure maybe the metrics get the same nod, but I doubt it. Truck drivers/owners are also iconic to, tell them their peterbuilt is a POS. U might get the whole sentence out of ur mouth, but again I doubt it. Harley has not made crotch rockets style bikes fvor 108 years. I deon't see them doing it now. their venture with Buell was just that a venture. Even though they owned them you never seen the Harley logo on the bike. Kinda hard to compete with the metric honder, sucki, yama, ktm and aprilla, theose people know how to build fast bikes, some tried to venture into Harley's arket and soon found out that horsepower wasn't the sellihg factor. Harley has a brand loyalty that most any company would kill for. The outlaw riders back 30 years ago kept Harley in business, not the banker or doctor. That why IMO you won't see HD leaving those people behind either45. They know who kept them alive until real help arrived.Sure they have changed their image,dealerships are mega dealership, like it or not, today it is a realbig business. In 06 HD did over 6 billionin motorcycles and related products. Lasd year it was over 4 billion and they are still the leading bike in sales but equate that 2 billionin lost revenue to the thousands of jobs HD has lost to, dealerships out of business due to a down turn in the economy. and then u will know why the little bike companies that was there 5 years ago are no longer there. Their down turn was far far worse. Harley Davidson has the ability to finance many of their own bikes. The little bike companies has to rely on the banking and lending industry which dried up the last 3 years and will stay that way when it comes to lending recklessly for a motorcycle.

So ride what you want as u should, if u wanna wave, thatsOK, I mght wave back. I am not a waver but I see you. Most of you guys here stated it right to.

really a weak thing to say Harley has foreign parts on their bikes. They indeed do, you best not get in any AMERICAN made car if yo think it is all AMERICAN MADE then either. We are a global economy. Japan and other places make some excellent products. Why try to reinventthe wheel. Brembo brakes comes to mind. Bikers know what I mean, certainly hot bikes know. I think brembo could be Italian, but never the less foreign. I accept it that wayOR I WALK ALOT

Whether you ride a harley or not a trip to the Harley Museum is worth it IMO. You won't see anything like it and their archives is well simply outstanding. It's all about motorcycles.

enjoy the ride yo Harley guys..

[Fedor]

I'll let you in on a little secret...

My Honda VTX1800 was built in Marysville, Ohio and has more American Content than Harleys have.
The Dyna Wide Glide that I owned was a Total POS, H-D will never get another penny from me.

[jocko]

ur honders are no longer made in maryville, OHio. they pulled out of there a couple of years ago. all madenow in mexico and japan. keep that secret to you guys though if it make su feel better.

[desmo21]

Can't we all just get along....

Just Go RIde! Harley, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati, BMW........ :D

[jocko]

sure we can, no problem from this guy..

[Fedor]

Why do you Harley guys feel the need to dress up like its Halloween everytime you go for a ride ? :eek:

[jimbar]

I once had a Chevy truck that was a pos, but I don't condem all chevy trucks. I'd buy another one.
Why do riders of other brands need to "dis" anyone who isn't like them ?
I've seen hundreds of "crotch rocket" riders wearing red leather suits, and other bright colored suits. Who cares?What's the difference? That's what they want to wear, fine with me.
Anyway, I've seen this kind of discussion before, it's a no-win for anybody, and I'll not comment further. Carry on, sir.....

[Bawanna]

And it has nothing to do with guns either so lets kiss this one good bye.