Any Harley's here?

[Scout]

Just as bad.

No, very good customers...to a fault. THey spend money willingly and carelessly and their checks always cleared. My ultimate demise & firing was caused by there mentality of always getting their maintenance done, even when it didn't need to be done and my silliness for thinking we should actually be doing the work and installing the parts we were being paid for. That's why its been about 7 years since I left that profession and have had little to do with bikes since, except for an occasional sunday cruise.

 

[Guest]

Just as bad.

PFFT.. Way worse!!

 

[ron bayless]

I owned a 1200 sportster and an o4 ultra classic.The ultra had 80,000 miles on it when I traded it for a 96 aspencade.The harley had a cam plate replaced, cam chain tensioners replaced at about 70,000 miles.It was beautiful, and very slow. harleys are the inspiration for all modern jap cruisers.They are an icon in the industry.They made over a billion dollars last quarter.How many harley owners try to make their bikes look or sound like a yamaha? personally i appreciate them for their contribution to the entire motorcycle industry.I personally would never own another one.I fear of breaking down on a long ride somewhere.As antique as their design is, they sell more than anyone else.

 

[1_v8_merc]

It's not the bike, but the company itself. A track record of terrible and sleazy business tactics, trying to sell an outdated underpowered image to a modern crowd non interested. They're only customers are of an older generation, they rely almost completely on Trade-ins to newer models. They have almost Zero sale rate from younger riders today. It's a serious problem, and Harley knows it. You cannot have a profit margin without a newer generation of customers. They've already been bailed out in the 80's, shut down a plant in PA, and currently in heavy debt.
Just like GM though, they keep relying on "under the table" bail-outs, so as Not to tarnish their Bad-boy image.
Half the bike is made globally at the moment. Plastics in China, wheels in Japan, etc.

Yet....you can buy a Honda, made 100% in Japan, or Ducati in Italy.

 

[Guest]

It's not the bike, but the company itself. A track record of terrible and sleazy business tactics, trying to sell an outdated underpowered image to a modern crowd non interested. They're only customers are of an older generation, they rely almost completely on Trade-ins to newer models. They have almost Zero sale rate from younger riders today. It's a serious problem, and Harley knows it. You cannot have a profit margin without a newer generation of customers. They've already been bailed out in the 80's, shut down a plant in PA, and currently in heavy debt.
Just like GM though, they keep relying on "under the table" bail-outs, so as Not to tarnish their Bad-boy image.
Half the bike is made globally at the moment. Plastics in China, wheels in Japan, etc.

Yet....you can buy a Honda, made 100% in Japan, or Ducati in Italy.

Interesting. I'd love to know where you get your info?

 

[850 Combat]

Define "will GO". Do you mean faster?
Most stripped(non baggers) HD's run in the mid to high 13's. With little mods like intake and exhaust might get em another second or so. Granted, that's not "fast" by many's standards but it's not too shabby for 1950's technology and only two pistons doing all the work. They do what they're supposed to do, cruise. They do it with much better style, quality and unsurpassed fit and finish for a factory production bike.

Me thinks you have never encountered a Harley rider who really knows how to ride a bike.
90% rider, 10% bike...

Thumbing through a 1983 Cycle World, the GS550 they tested in 1983 ran 12.39 at 105. The same magazine tested a Honda XL600 dual sport. It ran high 13s. Just to put the mid to high 13s into historical perspective. Stock Harleys are getting faster though. They have very nice paint. Pushrod Norton 750 and 828cc pushrod twins ran mid to high 12s in road tests from 1968 to 1974.

 

[Scout]

It's not the bike, but the company itself. A track record of terrible and sleazy business tactics, trying to sell an outdated underpowered image to a modern crowd non interested. They're only customers are of an older generation, they rely almost completely on Trade-ins to newer models. They have almost Zero sale rate from younger riders today. It's a serious problem, and Harley knows it. You cannot have a profit margin without a newer generation of customers. They've already been bailed out in the 80's, shut down a plant in PA, and currently in heavy debt.
Just like GM though, they keep relying on "under the table" bail-outs, so as Not to tarnish their Bad-boy image.
Half the bike is made globally at the moment. Plastics in China, wheels in Japan, etc.

Yet....you can buy a Honda, made 100% in Japan, or Ducati in Italy.

I actually wrenched Harley Davidson almost exclusively for 3 years. To your point, we did quite a bit of service for older clients (60+) but also surprisingly saw a fair bit of under 30 and under folks as well.

Who's buying them brand new off the showroom I can't say, I'll leave that for you guys to debate

 

[Guest]

Who's buying them brand new off the showroom I can't say, I'll leave that for you guys to debate

Rich wannabes with more money than sense.

 

[850 Combat]

I know lots of people who buy Harleys who are neither rich, nor are they Wannabees. They are mostly motorcyclists, none of them are "Bikers", nor do they pretend to be. They are not poor either. They like Harleys, and they buy them. I also know a few wannabees, but most of the buyers I know are not in that category. Most of the motorcyclists I work with are Harley people.

Go figure. Some people will drive trucks because they want to, even though cars which are more maneuverable and quicker can be had for less money.

 

[Scout]

Rich wannabes with more money than sense.

Not sure I'd would they are necessarily rich. I have heard Harley has (or had) a very liberal lending/ financing program.

 

[Bert Patterson]

Harleys today are fine for what they are. I don't want what they are, because that's not how I ride.

One thing Harley has going for it is the number of people who hit 40 or so and want a Harley. They've never had a motorcycle and they don't even want a motorcycle, they want a Harley. You never see that with any other brand. Granted, these are virtually all people who go for the occasional putt and never really learn to ride beyond that, but they will pay the money for a new Harley and walk past everything else.

 

[850 Combat]

Not sure I'd would they are necessarily rich. I have heard Harley has (or had) a very liberal lending/ financing program.

They did have a liberal lending policy, and they asked for a bank bailout over it like GMAC did, which they received. Then came out with a forget the financial crisis - Just Ride add campaign. It good advice from a company that has gone to the government for protection 3 times that I know of, and has received it twice. When I read the add, I thought You go ride, while we cry to mommy again.

I read that they went to uncle sam back when for protection against British manufacturers, but didn't receive any. I don't have documentation on that currently though.

 

[Guest]

Rich wannabes with more money than sense.

I'm far from rich.
It's a damned motorcycle for goodness sakes.

 

[Guest]

Harley Davidson Short Jokes

Q: What does HOG stand for?
A: Heavyset Old Geezers

Q: Why did they decide to call it the "Harley Owners Group?"
A: Because the term "Special Ed" was already taken.

Q: Why are Harley's some of the safest bikes on the road?
A: You can't go fast enough to hurt yourself....

Q: Did you hear about the harley rider that broke his arm while playing golf?
A: He fell off the ball washer!

Q: What do you call a Harley that doesn't leak oil?
A: Empty!

Q: What do you call ten Harley owners lined up ear to ear?
A: Wind tunnel.

Q: Why did the Harley owner cross the road?
A: He couldn't get his dick out of the chicken.

Q: Why did the Harley owner couple decide to have only 4 children?
A: They'd read in the newspaper that one out of every five babies born in the world today is Chinese.

Q: How do you tell which is the Groom at a Harley owner wedding?
A: He's the one with the CLEAN mechanic?s shirt.

Q: How do you stop a Harley owner on horseback?
A: Unplug the carousel.

Q: What do you do if a Hell's Angel throws a hand-grenade at you?
A: Take the pin out and throw it back.

Q: What do you do if a Hell's Angel throws a pin at you?
A: Run like hell - he's still got a hand-grenade between his teeth.

Q: How do you get a Harley owner out of the bath tub?
A: Throw in a bar of soap and get out of the way.

Q: How do you break a Harley owner?s finger?
A: Kick him in the butt.

Q: What's the smallest room in the world?
A: The Harley Davidson Hall of Fame.

Q: Why do Harley owner dogs have flat noses?
A: From chasing parked cars.

Q: How do you confuse a Harley owner?
A: Put him in a round room and tell him to **** in the corner.

Q: What do you get when you have 32 Harley owners in the same room?
A: A full set of teeth.

Q: How do you tell if a Harley rider has had sex?
A: His middle finger is clean.

Q: What's the difference between a Harley Davidson and a Hoover vacuum cleaner?
A: The Harley has room for two dirtbags on board.

Q: How is a Harley Davidson like a Porcupine?
A: Both have pricks on their back.

Q: How is a Harley Davidson like an old dog?
A: They both like to ride in the back of pickup trucks.

Q: What is the difference between a Harley Davidson and an old dog?
A: The dog can get in the back of the pickup by itself.

Q: A Harley owner and a NASCAR fan get in a fight, who wins?
A: Everyone else!

Q: What's the happiest day in a Harley rider's life?
A: When they discover that they can use Right Guard under their left arm.

Q: What do you have when you put 10,000 Harley Davidson motorcycles on the bottom of the ocean?
A: A good start.

Q: Where do you put money to hide it from a harley rider?
A: In the bathroom...under the soap.

Q: Why are there only two pallbearers at a Harley funeral.
A: Garbage cans only have two handles!

Q: What is the most common accessory for Harleys'?
A: A pick-up truck.

Q: Why do harley riders never ride faster than 50mph?
A: Any faster and they can't see where the parts fell off.

Q: Why do harley riders chrome all their parts?
A: It makes them easier to spot on the side of the road.

Did you hear about the Harley owner who put Odor Eaters in his new riding boots?
Two days later, he disappeared.


Harley Davidson Bar Jokes

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein arrives at a dinner party. He introduces himself to the first person he sees and asks, "What's your IQ?"
The man answers, "189."
"That is wonderful!" says Albert. "We will talk about the Grand Unification Theory and the mysteries of the universe. We will have much to discuss!"
Next, Albert introduces himself to a woman and asks, "What's your IQ?"
The lady answers, "143."
"That is great!" responds Albert. "We can discuss politics and current affairs. We will have much to discuss!"
Albert goes to another person and asks, "What's your IQ?"
The man answers, "58."
Albert's face lights up as he exclaims, "So you're the one who rides the Harley parked out front!"

God & Arthur Davidson

The inventor Arthur Davidson, of the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Corporation, died and went to heaven.
At the gates, St. Peter told Arthur,"Since you've been such a good man and your Motorcycles have changed the world,your reward is, you can hang out with anyone you want in Heaven."
Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, "I want to hang out with God."
St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room, and introduced him to God.
Arthur then asked God, "Hey, aren't you the inventor of women?
"God said, "Ah, yes. "
"Well, " said Arthur, "professional to professional, you have some major design flaws in your invention."
God was somewhat taken back, and when He asked what the flaws might be, Arthur Davidson produced a list for Him to read.

1. There's too much inconsistency in the front-end protrusions
2. It chatters constantly at high speeds.
3. Most of the rear ends are too soft and wobble too much.
4. The intake is placed way to close to the exhaust and finally,
5. The maintenance costs are outrageous.

"Hmmmm, you may have some good points there and it may be true that My invention is flawed... " God said to Arthur.
"But the last time that I checked, more men are riding My invention than yours."

The Dishes


A young man has always dreamed of owning a Harley Davidson. One day he has finally saved up enough money so he goes down to the dealer. After picking out the perfect bike, the dealer asks if he would like some extra chrome protection added to the bill. The young man is upset because he does not have the extra money, and is now afraid that the chrome will rust as soon as it gets wet. The dealer tells him not to worry. There is an old biker trick that will keep the chrome like new. All he has to do is to keep a jar of Vaseline handy and put it on the chrome before it rains - and everything will be fine. The young man happily pays for the bike and leaves.
A few months later, the young man meets a woman and falls in love. She asks him to come home and meet her parents over dinner. He readily agrees and the date is set. At the appointment time, he picks her up on his new Harley and they ride to her parents house. Before they go in, she tells him that they have a family tradition that whoever speaks first after dinner must do the dishes.
After a delicious dinner everyone sits in silence waiting for the first person to break and get stuck doing the dishes. After a long fifteen minutes, the young man decides to speed things up, so he reaches over and kisses the woman in front of her family. And no one says a word.......
Next he decides to take a more direct approach, so he throws her on the table and makes love to her in front of everyone. And no one says a word.....
Now he is getting desperate, so he grabs her mother and throws her on the table. They have even wilder relations. Yet no one says a word.....
By now he is getting very worried and is thinking what to do next when he hears thunder in the distance. His first thought is to protect the chrome on his new Harley, so he reaches in his pocket and pulls out his jar of Vaseline.

And the father says "Never mind! I'll do the dishes!"

 

[Scout]

Not sure why people hate H-D so much. Funny jokes but old material. Try a Harley sometime Tornado, you just might like it

 

[tkent02]

I rode one a couple months ago. You can have them.

 

[koolaid_kid]

I like the way the naked bikes look, and I like the sound as long as they have stock pipes. AFA riding them, I have never even considered riding any cruiser. Not the American or Japanese twins, or the Japanese early 4 cylinder cruisers (known as L models for GS Suzukis).
Most of my dislike is for the posers. I can pass by certain areas of town and see dozens of cruisers parked at bars. Not riding, just saying "here I am, I have the uniform". And the parades. I was at the Dragon one year and had to follow a parade all the from Lookout Point way down to the Dragon's Tail. They were riding two abreast and talking as they went 5-10 miles an hour all the way down. Boring.

 

[trevor]

Not sure why people hate H-D so much. Funny jokes but old material. Try a Harley sometime Tornado, you just might like it

I took a new one from a dealer for a ride last year. Thought I was driving a Massey Ferguson

 

[Allie]

I don't care what anyone says, I still want an XR1200. Or an old XR750...

 

[Guest]

I don't care what anyone says, I still want an XR1200. Or an old XR750...

I don't care what anyone says either. I could sell my Harley and buy 10 old jap bikes with the money:dancing:. But why would I wanna do that?
If it's what ya want, it's what ya want, period.