All I ever had was Harley's since the late 60'd and I liked them and still do. This is my first venture into the Asian market with this Roadstar and...I like it. Not for nothing but I can buy any bike I please. I just like making my bike's look like what I want it to look like. If it is a Harley ...good. If its a BSA...good....a Triumph Bonneville..good. Norton Commando..well REAL good. The point is that you can not accept anything without your own consent. If you believe it takes a Harley to be a accepted "biker'...good for you. It is all about a feeling and if you don't feel it you are missing it. Riding any one particular bike does not change the simple most important ingredient...who it is riding the bike. When you find out who you are you will ride ANYTHING that pleases you regardless of the price or popularity.
Then life becomes fun because you are "Joe the boss of your own body'.


Frank

I knew religion would enter this thread sooner or later

[/quote]Kryinggame, true being known every member here would probably have a HD, if they could afford one including me. [/quote]

The only way I would have bought a Harley is if there was no Road Star. It's funny how the HD or Nothing riders preach about freedom yet they are confined by a name and corporation and they don't want others to have the freedom to choose what they ride. Doesn't sound free at all to me

Amen to Frank49 (and Jona)

ks_scot wrote:
Amen to Frank49......

I second that

ironman wrote:
When I decided to get back into riding, I wanted a HD roadking classic. IMHO, one of the beautiful bikes ever made, until I sat on it. It felt small & I felt cramped. ( I'm 6'3", 285lbs) My roadie fits me better Same here, I'm 6'5" and my buddy's Ultra Classic cramps me all to be damned! Give me my Roadie back!

I've owned both. I believe the metrics are still better overall mechanically (ie-no cam chain tensioners on a R*). and most of my HD friends agree. HD up to 09' had a 3" smaller frame length which made them feel more cramped after riding my R*. There was a large price difference in 05' but that seems to be tightening up unless your looking at used. The R* feels more refined, as several of my HD buddies will say after we trade rides for a while. R* has more power. I like riding something different, as someone stated earlier HD's are a dime a dozen now. When I bought my R* the HD I wanted was $11,000 dollars more. I had the money and the approval from the boss to get what I wanted. I did not get off the HD and say to myself "Wow, that is $11,000 more of a ride!".
HD's are beautiful bikes and built MUCH better than they used to be. I don't want one. I REALLY like what I have. But I agree to each his own. Ride what you want and enjoy what you ride.

The difference is how much $$$ you have to spend. HD is no better mechanicaly than the roady. They do an really good job on paint and chrome and i like the fact that they use the same basic motor which makes rebuilts and parts readily available. I still think the roady gives you more bang for the buck though.

Great discussion. Like another junior border said, it only makes me feel better about what I have.

My Dad road HD (with me on the tank between his arms at 2 yrs old and no helmet) and I have other relatives and several buddies that ride them. They love their bikes like I love mine. I've not ridden a HD but sat on a few and yes, they are pretty bikes. I also like features like quick releases for hard bags, windshields, etc. I know the R* can be equipped with this stuff aftermarket but, I'm just saying, you do get some things for the extra cost.

I'm fortunate that cost is not the driving factory in my decisions but, part of the reason is that I buy value, not glitz. I would rather pay $800 for a simple 3 burner gas grill (just did last weekend) than $300 for one that has blue LEDs over the knobs, extra "sear" burners, etc., etc. WTF is a sear burner anyway? I'll tell ya what, I'll crank up my simple 3 burner on high and you lay your hand on the grill and we'll see what searing is all about. Honestly, WTF? The point is, the Roadie is a great bike for the price and setting aside acceptance insecurities, I don't find myself searching for something better at this point and maybe I never will.

Rock on Frank49!!

hrdbrgn wrote:
They ALL want to ride my bike and my bike gets the most compliments. Going to get worse probably since I just installed my new Freedom Dualies today. Bottom line is I like all bikes. My * just happens to be the best one. : )I know that's true about the compliments. When ever the wife and I go riding and we stop to take photos people always come and start the conversation with, "That's a beautiful HD!" I gently correct them and say, "Yamaha." Then they think I'm just messing with them, till they take a closer look.