As many of you know, I currently ride a Honda Aero. I've been flirting with either buying a Harley Softail or a Road Star. My quandary is trying to figure out if I really do want a Harley, or if it's just a 'status' thing. I don't know that I truly would like one better than a Star or not. Having sat on a Star, I really, REALLY, did like it. Yamaha definitely went out of it's way to make an awesome looking bike. The paint is as beautiful as any Harley ever made, and the Star sounds identical to that Harley "potato" thump. I've heard other V-twins and, if you want that Harley sound (and I do), the Road Star has got it down to a "T". I'm sure it has a little something to do with the pushrod engine. Victory's and other Japanese bikes are just too smooth.

So, here's what I've been thinking. What if I did an 'imposter' bike? Get myself a new Road Star, debadge it completely, and dress it up in Heritage attire. This would include actual Heritage bags and such. Although I wouldn't have that 'status symbol', I'd have the look and the sound, and would even have Harley guys doing a double take! That might just be pretty fun! Even with my Honda, I get some neck cranking from people who are trying to see what I'm riding. But my Honda's just a little too 'small' for riding two up. I need some low end power, and I know that the Star's got that covered! Even though I'll need to wait until next summer to afford a new bike, I'm kind of excited about my idea. Think I can pull it off??

You can pull it off most folks often mistake our bikes for HD, but here's the thing: Those that ride HD could feel insulted, even though imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

I think you deep down want the HD and even if you go through all the trouble to change out the badges and all, you'll know (and so will other bikers) that it's not the genuine article.

Speaking personally, when I went looking to get back into riding I wanted a HD 'cause that's what my father had. Then I figured out it wasn't the brand, but the style of bike that I really wanted. Once I came to that realization I had no trouble plunking down the cash for my Roadie.

You've already got a cruiser style bike, so I'm not sure the styling is what you're after. I really think you just need to save up the nickles and get yourself a Harley and be happy. Buy a used HD rather than a new R*, spend just a little more for it and live that Harley life-style with the real thing.

Not trying to be harsh or anything that's just what it sounds like to me. No offense intended in any way.

M7

Brother Rock......

I don't think most people would recognise a Roadstar without the badges. My `06 Roadstar gets mistaken for a Harley quite often. I and still have the badges on it!

I've even had Harley owners tell me that if they didn't see the YAMAHA badge on the bike, they'd think it was Harley. What does that tell you.....?

Ride safe. Ride often......!

IMHO DONT BE A SQUID WANTA BE IMPOSTER! dont embarass youself. both bikes are quality machines & their owners are fiercely loyal. mixing the two ,you probably wont be excepted by either. which ever you buy, ride it proudly

if you did that, you might insult a 1%r's and they don't take to being insulted and will know the diff. The R* tranny is much different on the * than that massive HD tranny. Also the pushrods on the R* are very diff from the HD pushrods. I wouldn't switch badging. If the name is that big a deal, get a HD. If all you're looking for is enough umph to ride 2 up, the R* will do ya, as will many other bikes, such as a VTX. If you want a HD, get one. A fellow I know sold his R* and got a Street Glide. He doesn't regret it. I rented an Ultra and admit it handles better than the R*. The R*s front end is heavy compared to the HD. The HDs are good bikes. If you get the R*, you'll have the feeling you're settling. Either love the R* for what it is, but don't turn it into a HD, it never will be and you may piss some people off in the process.

Mark7 wrote:
You can pull it off most folks often mistake our bikes for HD, but here's the thing: Those that ride HD could feel insulted, even though imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

I think you deep down want the HD and even if you go through all the trouble to change out the badges and all, you'll know (and so will other bikers) that it's not the genuine article.

Speaking personally, when I went looking to get back into riding I wanted a HD 'cause that's what my father had. Then I figured out it wasn't the brand, but the style of bike that I really wanted. Once I came to that realization I had no trouble plunking down the cash for my Roadie.

You've already got a cruiser style bike, so I'm not sure the styling is what you're after. I really think you just need to save up the nickles and get yourself a Harley and be happy. Buy a used HD rather than a new R*, spend just a little more for it and live that Harley life-style with the real thing.

Not trying to be harsh or anything that's just what it sounds like to me. No offense intended in any way.

M7

No offense taken, by any means!! I'm thankful for the input. You might just be right. I've ridden my friend's Harley and absolutely loved it. Made my Honda feel like crap afterwords. I like to think that I don't really care about what other people think, or what's popular, but I COULD be fooling myself regarding this issue. I'd like to think that I don't want a Harley to 'fit in', but the fact is, I do like them. But, then again, any bike with a V-twin is sort of a copycat of a Harley in one form or another. So I don't know. My Honda's a really good bike, especially for what I paid for it. It's just grown a little 'small' for me. I've been looking at used Harleys on eBay, and there are some decent deals there. I guess when the money is right, I'll make that decision then.

As I've said before, you guys are great, and this forum makes me feel at home. Everyone's respectful of others, but also enjoy some goofing off as well. You all really do make a good case for buying a Road Star just because of that!!

I would say if you want a bike that looks and sounds just like an HD you should get an HD. They're good bikes. Buying a bike and spending money to make it look and sound like an HD is the same "Status thing" as owning a Harley IMO. The Roadies are great bikes in their own right. If you get a Roadie you should get one for what they are. Enjoy agonizing over the decision and I'm sure you'll be happy with either bike.

after many years (1974 first hd)many hawgs 8-9 dressers,sporty's,softails,when i went to sturgis i felt a tug on my heart also,just could'nt afford the hawg this time will i buy a hawg again got the harley tats probably, but for now im gonna enjoy a great motorcycle if ya wanna debadge,fake up,immitate take it from a slezy ole man ...Dont do it.......

Rev, I ride a '05 Honda Aero on a regular basis. It's the wife's bike.

There is NO comparison between my Roadie and her Aero. The Aero doesn't "feel like crap". I mean I've got 1000cc more with the Roadie. But the ride is absolutely different from my R* and honestly speaking it's not to my liking. But the bike is perfect for the wife. I don't know how my bike compares to a HD since the last time I was on a HD I was like 5 years old.

Maybe you should find someone who will let you take their Roadie out for a spin. You may find the feeling you have associated exclusively with the HD your friend let you ride is just how a real big twin feels regardless of the brand. I dunno.

Get what your heart tells you to get.

M7

I think you should get both....problem solved!