And do not forget that Harley did lobby successfully for the high import tariff on bikes above 700cc's in the early 80's in order to keep competitive and afloat while they modernized and updated their product line. All I am saying is that its not the holy grail brand. I LOVE triumphs but man I can admit they made some really lackluster bikes in the durability and quality department. Don't see why Harley fanboys cannot admit that their brand has made mistakes along the way and that during those times there were better priced and sometimes engineered bikes out there from other companies.
Calling all Harley experts..Advice on used Harley
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Can't see why all the haters can't except the fact Harley IS the holy grail.All company's have issues at some point, and alot don't make it 110 years with a strong following . It must really bother owners of other brands to the point they have to keep talking up their lesser desired brands. They will never have the following, brand support or owner loyalty. Where are all those the "better" priced,better engineered, super bikes today? laying around some shed or out in a field rusting away, cause they're not worth the effort or trouble to rebuild. Put a '39 Harley in a field and there'd be a black Friday footrace to get to it. Why is that? Low performance, low tech, low speed, yet everybody knows a Harley when they see or hear one. Bah, they won't be around long.,,
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Marketing, Marketing,Marketing...image, image, image. That is what Harley has realized. Make a bike that projects an image and market it as "The American Brand" and people will buy it even if other bikes handle and perform better for less money down at the dealer just as long as the Harley stays together which is why the Evo really saved the company.
I myself would love to own a newer one, just not at the price they demand new. I had an old 1969 Shovelhead and I sold it after about a week.
And I see an awful lot of 30 year old Japanese bikes still running around here so I don't know how it is in Jersey, but in Iowa I am always seeing UJM bikes kicking around.
I myself would love to own a newer one, just not at the price they demand new. I had an old 1969 Shovelhead and I sold it after about a week.
And I see an awful lot of 30 year old Japanese bikes still running around here so I don't know how it is in Jersey, but in Iowa I am always seeing UJM bikes kicking around.
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Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Marketing, Marketing,Marketing...image, image, image.
Precisely!
Marketing, Marketing,Marketing...image, image, image.
Precisely!
Harley would make money even if they never built another bike. Shirts,jackets,dew rags. All branded.
I bought my Harley because I liked the bike. No other reason. I had an 1100 v-star before that. It was a great bike. A bit small for me but it ran like a champ.
I bought the v-star because I liked the bike. Simple.
Harley gets a bad rap as far as longevity however how many of those Harleys had an owner who "tinkered" with it. Maybe Harley built a great long lasting piece of equipment but an owner decided to make it "better".
Anyways it's not like it matters. People love Harleys,or they hate em but in the end you will see far more vintage Harleys on the road than any other brand. Why. Parts availability. Out there somewhere someone is still casting or machining parts for vintage Harleys.
Try finding parts for an 86 750 Honda shadow. Good luck
I bought my Harley because I liked the bike. No other reason. I had an 1100 v-star before that. It was a great bike. A bit small for me but it ran like a champ.
I bought the v-star because I liked the bike. Simple.
Harley gets a bad rap as far as longevity however how many of those Harleys had an owner who "tinkered" with it. Maybe Harley built a great long lasting piece of equipment but an owner decided to make it "better".
Anyways it's not like it matters. People love Harleys,or they hate em but in the end you will see far more vintage Harleys on the road than any other brand. Why. Parts availability. Out there somewhere someone is still casting or machining parts for vintage Harleys.
Try finding parts for an 86 750 Honda shadow. Good luck
My family has owned several 70's and early 80's bikes of Japanese origin and I never had an issue finding parts. Lots of places making parts for them and in the age of craigslist and ebay....you can find just about anything. Sure it takes some legwork but not that much honestly.
And yes, Harley kept things simple in regards to parts from various years interchanging. About the only other bike company that did that was Triumph. Which is why Triumphs used to get the chopper/bobber treatment often in the old days before they got too valuable to hack up.
And yes, Harley kept things simple in regards to parts from various years interchanging. About the only other bike company that did that was Triumph. Which is why Triumphs used to get the chopper/bobber treatment often in the old days before they got too valuable to hack up.
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Originally Posted By: Clevy
.... in the end you will see far more vintage Harleys on the road than any other brand. Why. Parts availability. Out there somewhere someone is still casting or machining parts for vintage Harleys.
Try finding parts for an 86 750 Honda shadow. Good luck
You won't find many pre-WWII Japanese bikes. Suzuki was a loom and car manufacturer, Yamaha made pianos, and Honda made engine parts for Toyota. Only Kawasaki made motorcycles (Meguro)and it was just a side project. Their primary investment was in shipbuilding. (to be fair, Kawasaki invested in Harley Davidson and copied some of their manufacturing techniques. Kawasaki outright copied BSA...heavily improved BSAs but copies nonetheless) Most if not all would have been melted for scrap for the Imperial war effort.
If you fast forward to the '70s, you are probably more likely to see a SOHC CB750 (which you can still get most parts for) or a KZ650 today than an Iron Head Sportster. Few if any want an AMF. But '50s and prior? Yeah, you got a point.
.... in the end you will see far more vintage Harleys on the road than any other brand. Why. Parts availability. Out there somewhere someone is still casting or machining parts for vintage Harleys.
Try finding parts for an 86 750 Honda shadow. Good luck
You won't find many pre-WWII Japanese bikes. Suzuki was a loom and car manufacturer, Yamaha made pianos, and Honda made engine parts for Toyota. Only Kawasaki made motorcycles (Meguro)and it was just a side project. Their primary investment was in shipbuilding. (to be fair, Kawasaki invested in Harley Davidson and copied some of their manufacturing techniques. Kawasaki outright copied BSA...heavily improved BSAs but copies nonetheless) Most if not all would have been melted for scrap for the Imperial war effort.
If you fast forward to the '70s, you are probably more likely to see a SOHC CB750 (which you can still get most parts for) or a KZ650 today than an Iron Head Sportster. Few if any want an AMF. But '50s and prior? Yeah, you got a point.
Hmmmm I restored this 1978 Suzuki GS1000 in 2007/2008 and got nearly all the parts directly from Suzuki, with the exception of the big bore pistons and the Mikuni Flatslide carbs. I could own any bike I like, but I have yet to drink the kool aid from the "Holy Grail" and don't expect to any time soon. Ride whatever floats your boat and don't look down on me because of what I choose to ride, and I promise to do the same. After all we are individuals and should act accordingly.
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