Chain of events:
Wife gives (actually encourages me) to buy a NEW bike.
We try VTX, Boulevard, Vulcan Nomad, Roadstar, Road Liner, Road King, Deluxe, Heritage Softail.
Beside the wifes blessing, also had the money for any one of them.
Tried the HD's last cause I really thought I would end up with that.
Bit under powered, bit small(compared to the others) and roughly $10,000 more than my other favorite, the R*.
Still the wife said if it's what I wanted I could buy it.
When I got off the HD I did not think "Wow, now that's 10k more of a bike". I thought more of the increase power, size and handling I felt on the Star.
I thought of the extra money I would have to personalize the Star to me.
However, if the HD was only a grand or so more I probably would have done it. I still think HD is aesthetically the nicest.
That is the ONLY part I like better(and the Star is 1b ).
The Star is the best bang for the buck, hands down. HD has mechanically improved from what they were, but the Japs still make a better, more reliable machine.
Although, I have also noticed they are starting to price themselves with the HD(More so with the tourers). Someone like myself might just get the HD next time around if it's only a grand or so more.
2c waiting on change......<br><br>Post edited by: thebru, at: 2007/06/24 17:11

Back in there day, the HD held on to their value..... take a good look through the cycle trader magazines................. There's a $+it load of them on the market. And the ones trying to get there money back .... ARE NOT .... And I was wondering????? does the Harley Jacket make the rider, seems like a lot of unnecessary money to be able to wear a Harley Leather. Grab a few bucks and add a little chrome on your ride and you'll feel better................ NOW if you want to really feel something, go with the hypercharger! And with your paint scheme being the sexiest and fastest ......... you can't go wrong! <br><br>Post edited by: NJADATD, at: 2007/06/24 18:05

I see the harleys as a &quot;status&quot; symbol now. After a while they all look the same also. I just have a hard time spending 19-20K for a motorcycle when I got my Road Star for less than half that. Why follow the croud and pay through the nose for a HD when you can be an individual, and have more $$ to play with?? and add CHROME and blow the dust of the HD's.

I knew this subject would stir the pot, but I figured what the heck right. Truth is I love my Roadie, and I'm not much of a trend follower. Matter of fact back in 99 I bought a Suzuki LC 1500, I loved it. Had ape hangers, Vance and Hines longshots, solo seat, loads of chrome. It was a really cool bike, I road with a crew of guys from my work, there were about 15 of us, 3 of us on metrics the rest on HD's. They had everything from Ultra's to tricked out stretch jobs. I hung right in with them and my bike was as cool as any of theirs. I used to trade back and forth with one of my pals, he had a 1996 Fatboy, awesome bike, but it always felt way smaller than the LC and had a rough ride. I also used to ride my other buddies Road King Classic....Awesome bike ! Almost bought a Softtail Custom from one of my buddies, it was terrible, felt small, (I'm 6'3&quot;, 290 pounds) had a rough ride. Still I wanted a HD back then, but never bought one. This time around I bought the Roadie because a pal of mine has a 2000 and loves it ! My 01 is a great bike, I love it, but the fever is burning me up. There is a Heritage Classic calling my name. But the money is just insane ! No way are they worth the difference in money, but like Doc said....sometimes you gotta scratch that itch. And like my buddies say...&quot;Frankie...you never see Yamaha tattooed on anybody&quot;

I think I need to keep my Roadie, take 3 asprin and go to bed.


<br><br>Post edited by: Frankie_G, at: 2007/06/24 20:16

I agree with Doc rent one first thecome back and buy you a new 1700. Mine kicks butt and I love it. I went to get gas while ago and started in to pay and the lady getting in her car next to me said two words. No it wasn't Harley Davison it BEAUTIFUL BIKE and grinned.

Hey, I'd love a Road King, if someone GAVE me one...but I wouldn't get rid of the Road Star. I like being able to tinker when I wanna. Again, I think of HD as more of an investment than something I could truly enjoy (mess with ). To each his own. My own is a used R*, and I'm damn happy with that.

RK

Had a couple HD's and this is my 2nd Yam. Got more compliments on the Yam's than the HD's. Go figure. Besides, if I remember correctly HD borrowed some of the competition's technical expertise with the Evo's and the competition borrowed the HD style. It all works out. As long as you're on 2 wheels all's right with the world.

I rode to Lake Weiss this Saturday. There is an old country store I always stop in for a drink and a snack. The owner is a true HD man. Gives me a hard time about metric bikes, all in fun though. There was 4 bikes parked outside., Honda shadow, 650 vstar, my roadie, and a HD sportster. While I was enjoy my cold Dr Pepper sitting on the bench shooting the bull with the other riders the owner comes out looked at my Road*, which I just spit shined earlier in the day, said I had her looking good then ask when I was going to invest in a HD. I had already check out the other bikes and noticed a small puddle of oil under the sportster. Needless to say I said when HD can make as good a bike as good as mine for the same price that doesn't leak oil I will get one....

He went back in the store shaking his head laughing at me...

bompa wrote:
if I remember correctly HD borrowed some of the competition's technical expertise with the Evo's

Yes, you are correct about that. The &quot;jap&quot; bike makers mostly suzuki saved HD from serious troubles by helping with the evo engine. I just wished that our bikes were at least assembled here. I try to buy products from companies that keep my neighbors working and putting food on their tables. I was raised by american made but have changed that philosopy to north american made because my brothers north of the border also feel the impact from cheap labor from Mexico and China and elsewhere. Okay, I will get off the soap box now.