Hate to do this but a good friend of mine was just over to my house he has a H.D we ride all over together, today he was helping on a house project any way the last things he did before he drove off in his Tundra Toyota Pickup was get a jab in on the Roadie about going for a ride later he said get your Jap crap ready for a ride later Had to laugh as he drove off with that Harley sticker on the back window of his truck He was just ripping me as I do to him Just in fun

I ordered some parts for my 42 flat side at the HD dealer the other day. I have to say HD has some beautiful bikes. The fit and finish on them and the quality of the chrome is awesome. I would love to have a couple if I could afford them. BUT I do love my R*'s!

I went to an HD event at a dealership a couple of weeks ago and saw a HD that was absolutly beautiful...love at first sight...a Harley that I would perfer to my R*...then I saw the sticker...$35,0000...I about choked and then appologized to my bike.

chromepony wrote:
The more I work on H/D's, the more I love my R/S.
That ain't bashin'. That's the truth.

I'm agreeing with Mr_Shamrock on the topic. But would generally have to agree on the ease of working on the R*.

I have worked on a few Harley's, it almost always takes more steps and more time. That said I still don't think we have any room to brag. Like Curt said they are beautifully chromed up and they don't leave anything behind. Even Sportsters have beautiful parts that are really well done.

Just my $.02, but if a guy wanted to get his bike in stock form essentially finished at the detail/chrome level I don't think he could go wrong with a Harley. They are simply gorgeous. And you don't spend time chasing down aftermarket parts to finish it all off. I think if you figured out the cost of adding all those nice chromed parts to a R* it would be close to the same as purchasing an HD. And HDs chrome is not cheep chrome, its good stuff that holds up and lasts a long time.

I guess the difference is that by the time we make a R* ours, and detail it out the way we want it, we have a truly unique bike (although not a lot less expensive) that is everything we want it to be. Or, we don't value that level of detail and we save the money.

I don't meet many HD owners that tear into their rides the way we tend to around here. So I think supports this speculation.

I think we are really fortunate to have this R* platform to work with.

Another nearly useless $.02.

Gram

Gram wrote:
chromepony wrote:
The more I work on H/D's, the more I love my R/S.
That ain't bashin'. That's the truth.

I'm agreeing with Mr_Shamrock on the topic. But would generally have to agree on the ease of working on the R*.

I have worked on a few Harley's, it almost always takes more steps and more time. That said I still don't think we have any room to brag. Like Curt said they are beautifully chromed up and they don't leave anything behind. Even Sportsters have beautiful parts that are really well done.

Just my $.02, but if a guy wanted to get his bike in stock form essentially finished at the detail/chrome level I don't think he could go wrong with a Harley. They are simply gorgeous. And you don't spend time chasing down aftermarket parts to finish it all off. I think if you figured out the cost of adding all those nice chromed parts to a R* it would be close to the same as purchasing an HD. And HDs chrome is not cheep chrome, its good stuff that holds up and lasts a long time.

I guess the difference is that by the time we make a R* ours, and detail it out the way we want it, we have a truly unique bike (although not a lot less expensive) that is everything we want it to be. Or, we don't value that level of detail and we save the money.

I don't meet many HD owners that tear into their rides the way we tend to around here. So I think supports this speculation.

I think we are really fortunate to have this R* platform to work with.

Another nearly useless $.02.

Gram
Whole bunch of good points there Gram.
A couple of HD riders I know are having a chrome battle, but most of the others I know don't do any more then change tires and ride.
I always joke that I don't own a Harley because I'm an x Indian rider and I'm afraid my Indian tat will melt off if I do. But whenever I go to the HD shop I end up drooling all over the place.
I've already started checking out the Want Ad Digest though because I'm thinking of getting a pre AMF Harley next year to restore.
I love my star because it's an old style motorcycle and has taken me everywhere I wanted to go and back.
But I also expect whatever Harley I end up with to do the same. I also plan on giving the Harley to my grandson when he turns 16, 15 1/2 years from now and to still be riding my star then.
That's only because I believe both motorcycles are built to last if taken care of properly.

By the way I'm one of those anti-chrome guys. Anything chrome looks better black to me, and is easier to clean

I agree, HDs are absolutely beautiful motorcycles. I'd almost own an XR1200; I love that flat-tracker look! I kinda got turned off of HDs when a few years ago I visited a friend in Conneticut & we rented a couple of Sportster 1200s to tour New England (Sportsters were all they had left to rent, we really wanted Buells). I had the 1200C & he had the 1200R. These bikes were brand new, only 110 miles on the odometers. First impression: this is the absolutely most uncomfortable bike I've ever ridden. My body was folded in half trying to reach the handlebars & footpegs & I'm 6'2". The seat was horrible. The 1200R was better, as the footpegs are mounted under you in a reasonable position, but the air filter jutted out too far & transmitted every vibration from the engine directly into my right knee. Nighttime came when I noticed I couldn't see. Whoever assembled the bike had the headlamp shining up into the trees. With no tools allowed on the flight up, I could only try to follow my buddy's taillamp back to his house. Next day, in beautiful Catskill Mtns, my finely crafted piece of art on wheels wouldn't crank. Called dealer who said to take seat off to check batt. I asked where tol kit was & he said under seat. To remove the seat on a Sportster, and therefore get to the tool kit, you have to take a bolt out. Ironic, huh? His reply was, "You didn't bring any tools?" (Priceless!) I told him that I owned a Kawasaki (whick I did at the time) & didn't need tools to ride!
Another thorn about HDs, my cousin bought a new Road King & then ordered a whole bunch of chrome accessories from the dealer, all Genuine Motor Company stuff. Also got a bunch of riding apparel. I came over to help him install his chrome goodies & couldn't help but notice that every bit of it, including his riding gear, was all made in China! So much for American made!
NOT A BASH, just honest experience!