I'm currently between bikes and doing the usual research. As much as I want to buy AMERICAN I'm having a very hard time justifying another Harley.

I'm not trashing Harleys or Harley owners. I'm just trying to approach the purchse of a new bike by being the devils advocate with a little logic and reason.

I'm in my 60's, have my own business and can well afford the bike but Harley can't match the metrics in many areas. I'm old enouhg to know better than to throw money way on the the Harley image which seems to be a good portion of their marketing plan rather than providing a quality product. Granted Harley has come a long way but still has a long way to go.

I would really like to see Harley come up with something and expand their model line to go against the Goldwing, water cooled and drive shaft metrics. Don't say it wouldn't be a Harley. They no longer produce the same bike they did 75 years ago and the models produced 75 years later are still Harleys.

Way can't Harley provide a decent stock seat on most models. I would guess that 70% of the seats are changed out either immediately or within the first year. What a racket. They're making a small forture in the aftermarket.

Why is it Harley can't be more competitive in their pricing. Harley dosen't make the best, fastest or most reliable bike. Harley spouts ,"The best bike on the road", and that is not reflected in their warranty. They don't offer nearly as many standard features as the metrics. They do however offer the most expensive bikes.

When you compare the Harley to the metrics dollar for dollar they are way over priced. Now someone will say ".. well people buy them no matter the price", and that's true. But that's a high price to pay for something as intangible as an image and dosen't say much for their comsumer loyality. I'm of the generation that took Harley through the hard times when they were producing real junk bikes. So I ask myself what has Harley done for the consumer? Harley should have a much greater market share and there are very good reasons why they don't.

Harley has always been slow to change and only when their backs are against the wall.

Harley is an American icon and falls short of what an American bike can and what we know it should be -THE BEST. I'm very sorry to say that Harley seems to have gone the way of the American Auto Industry.

Any constructive thoughts or comments on the topic?

You posted this already in another section here on TMW and didn't get any responses: http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?p=182490&highlight=#182490

The content of your post hardly seems like genuine "research" anyway, so why cut and paste it in here? You've obviously used all the misinformation to make up your mind about Harleys already, so if you feel the need to "buy American" still - and if that is your ONLY criteria in a bike purchase - then go buy a Victory.

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Mike

'07 Road Glide/Texas Sidecars "Ranger"
The Blackbird Stealth Bomber

sounds like you've made your mind up against harley... and that's fine... i'm not going to waste my time trying to change your mind. i guess the decision now comes down to whether you want to buy american or honda... victory makes some nice bikes. having the past experience with goldwings, and the input of your wife, you may want to stick with the goldwing.

If H-D did those things, they would alienate and "pee" off their core market and they *still* wouldn't pick up the Goldwing-type market.

They walk a fine balance to cater to their core market and image

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Flickr.

yeah harleys suck....beat it A-hat

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Dyin'? Boy, he can have this little life any time he wants to. Do ya hear that? Are ya hearin' it? Come on. You're welcome to it, ol' timer. Let me know you're up there. Come on. Love me, hate me, kill me, anything. Just let me know it.

-Cool Hand Luke

If you dont like Harleys. thats great. dont freaking buy one then. Other than they are cheaper, what is better about the meteric cruiser bikes? I can think of much myself. Everyone will judge for themselves what is right for them. Here are some of the things that i think make Harleys good.
Styling. I think harleys look better. other than a Yamaha warrior i havent seen i good looking meteric cruser. my opinion. they have ugly seem welded tanks, ugly powertrains, plastic body work, and i think shaft drive is ugly. my opinion. Fit and finsh. Yes harleys are better i this area. The paint quality(other that Vivid Black which for some reason isnt clear coated) on a HD bike will blow away any meteric bike and all cars but maybe Mercedes. Look closely at it, its flawless. HD chroming quality is a lot better than meterics too. my opinion. Customization potentail. Aftermarket or Hd products, the breath of availibility for Hds is without equal. Performance. even though the japanese companys make light weight racebikes their crusiers are even fatter the Harleys. Kawa vn2000 weighs as much as an Hd ultra classic. thats awful. read the specs they usually weigh about 100lbs. more. this negates any power advantage they may have. Saying that Harleys still weigh too much. My opinion. Harleys also have j1850 bus onboard dignostics, just like a car. no meteric im aware of has that. I belive just BMW also does, but not sure. I like belt drive. Quite and no maintenance. I have no problem with any of the seats on Harleys. There is alot to like. But they're not perfect ,as no bike made is. Things i dont like. Suspension(made in Japan by Showa) is low tech and way too soft. Brakes. other than the brembos on the vrods the 4pots(Kelsey-Hayes?) on Hds are disapointing to say the least. there, that was just my opinion, take it or leave it. I dont own a Harley. I want to go faster. Own a Buell.
Heres a list of japanese parts on your Harley:
suspension ft & Rr Showa
starter Nippon denso
charging system Nippon Denso (pretty sure)
Brake discs Sunstar
Sportster Brake calipers/Masters cylinders Nissin
Clutch Fuji heavy Industries
Plus various bearings, seals, some spoked rims,and electical parts through out.

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2007 Buell XB12Ss

Just to add to that list... Most of the mag wheels are made in Australia, some of the electrics are Bosch and the older fuel injection systems were Magneti-Marelli. And since '04 all of the engine parts chroming is done by a Canadian plating company in Kitchener, Ontario.

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Mike

'07 Road Glide/Texas Sidecars "Ranger"
The Blackbird Stealth Bomber

How about this one.....Stop complaining & go buy that Japanese Scooter you've always wanted.

Hey BTW....you wouldn't be an Accountant or a Lawyer would you?

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GASP!!

That's not nice!

Lets see...............I bought my Harley in '97......................paid 12 grand for it new (yes even back then, I got a deal).................. Put 80,000 miles on it (trouble free, only routine maintanence) ...............added about 2 grand in chrome and other accessories..................I can still sell this bike for 10 grand today.............. Who says no bang for the buck?

Can you do that with a metric bike?