Got a compliment , I think

[Gray Ghost]

I think you guys are making this stuff up.

Steve

 

I have been asked why I didn't ride on. Even had a HD rider take me by a Harley shop and make a point of telling the owner I was riding an import. I have ridden and rented Harley's when I am away from my own bike, but never found anything I liked as well as my Venture, even though the last rental dealer swore that I would get rid of my Yamaha after riding awhile on his Harley. After 400 miles on a weekend I proved him wrong.

 

There are bigots of all kinds out there, including "brand" bigots. I will joke with anyone, but it all comes down to riding what you like, not what somebody else thinks you ought to ride.

[Deltarat]

I have a friend that calls my bike a "Harley-want-to-be" no I tell him it's a "Harley-ought-to-be" It's all in fun.......I think.....

 

Jerry

 

I like to call them "hardly ablesons" as in it's hardly able to stay running, hardly able to keep oil on the inside, hardly able to (fill in the blank)

 

But as you say it's all in fun,,,,, ususally.

[Ferrantelli]

I have been asked why I didn't ride on. Even had a HD rider take me by a Harley shop and make a point of telling the owner I was riding an import. I have ridden and rented Harley's when I am away from my own bike, but never found anything I liked as well as my Venture, even though the last rental dealer swore that I would get rid of my Yamaha after riding awhile on his Harley. After 400 miles on a weekend I proved him wrong.

 

There are bigots of all kinds out there, including "brand" bigots. I will joke with anyone, but it all comes down to riding what you like, not what somebody else thinks you ought to ride.

 

I second that! :clap2:

[hog]

Ok,here is the real deal everyone.I too as many of you have; have run into those Die hard Harley riders and obnoxious dealers ,salesmen etc. that spout of all the crap about why we don't own or ride Harley's,and go on and on about them being American made.

I get asked many many times on poker runs and when meeting just common folks (not bikers),what do you ride or they say cool when they hear my name and say do you ride one.Because my first name is Harley.My reply varies depending on if the person rides one or not.If they are not riders I usually just say something along the lines of can't afford one or I like to ride my bike not tow it.I try to avoid the confrontation with Harley owners but every now and then you find the ones who are really down on jap bikes so to speak and then I got a whole slew of answers to them,such as I can sit and idle in traffic for hours in 100 degree heat and not worry about the bike getting too hot can you?I could use the extra 10 grand I would spend for a Harley and spend it in gas to ride.

To me it is not what you ride it is the fact that you ride.I have owned a Harley before and it was an 2001 model and it leaked oil out of the air cleaner and all down the side of the bike,(thought someone said they took care of all those oil leak problems)dealer told me Harley screwed up and put the crankcase breather tube too high in the air cleaner and said the easy fix was to put a kotex sanitary pad in the aircleaner bottom to soak up the oil and to change it everytime I change the oil.I bought a pad and sold the bike.

[Hummingbird]

When a Harley rider asks me why didn't I buy a Harley.

I just reply " I can't afford a Harley ".

This way they leave me alone, instead of getting into a heated discussion.

They think is the initial price of the Harley I am referring to, not realizing that I am referring to the cost of keeping it working!

 

I'm not sure the cost of parts is the REAL expense when you consider the mandatory jacket, shirts, tank tops, doorags and all the other logo imbedded paraphernalia that has to be worn as a harley owner.

[Cougar]

I never understood why there is thousands always in the classifieds if there so wonderful

[CaptainJoe]

Harley is a "nice" bike, But I feel the Yamaha Venture is a "Better" touring bike. Ditto on the Honda Goldwings, they are "better" touring bikes. A friend of mine has a kawasaki model that was sued a few years back for coping the harley sound. Almost every time we ride together he chooses the Kawasaki over his harley ultra classic.

 

For me the main issue is not the cost or repair issues, but all of this "brand HYPE" and snobbery. If I were to win the lottery tomorrow I would still not own a Harley. I am so sick and tired of some of the harley dealers "Daytona Harley" looking down their noses at the japanese bikes. Specially when you just know they own japanese cars...LOL. I know of no other motorcycle shop that has more clothing than bike parts on display... think about it...

 

Don't get me wrong, I own specific brands on some things but its related to proven dependability, durability and overall craftmanship. Milwakee, Dewalt... tools, Toyota Cars, Carrier or Trane air conditioners and yes a Yamaha Venture

 

If a Harley was truly better than the others, it would come with a standard wall to wall 7 or 10 year warrantey...

Edited April 6, 2012 by CaptainJoe

[twigg]

That old "import" argument is gonna look a bit thin when HD shifts production to Mexico.

 

I like to see people riding bikes. I don't much care what they are riding, it's all good. There is a tendency to talk smack about HDs, if you don't ride one ... but I think they bring that on themselves by some sneering and looking down on ... er .... imports.

 

Harley Davidson makes some very fine looking motorcycles, if you like cruisers, but they are also a triumph of marketing over engineering.

 

They have lived on their image for way too long, and are now running out of Baby- Boomers to buy their expensive products.

 

I also wonder what the average Harley Rider thinks of Government bailouts, without which their favoured manufacturer would have bit the dust long ago.

 

It's an argument that won't go away anytime soon. Meanwhile, if you ride a Harley, I will wave to you, and chat happily. I don't care what you ride right up to the point that you pretend at some form of superiority

[bilko1]

I have an alful lot of friends that ride HD's. Most bust me for having ONLY jap crap. So one of my standard answars is, check out your side cover, it was made in japon or Korea, your front forks that you love so much, say Shoei, thats a jap co. that makes hydrolic parts for big machines. The electronics are assambled in mexico. So they realy do not have a leg to stand on, HD (IMHA) is no longer an american made prodect, it is an American assambled prodect.

If The HD people push the issue with me about my jap crap, I can always fall back on,

9 mo's and 2 days combat duty in V. N. 1971.(USMC)

That gives me the RIGHT to ride any thing I want to.

Bilko

[Cougar]

[Yammer Dan]

Depends on the mood I'm in. Favorite answer is "I refuse to ride Junk!!" Yeah I like to hear the noise. If I know they don't have that Hardley attitude I will explain things to them. And tell them I still think the Hardley's are the best looking best sounding bike on the road. Just refuse to pay that much for something that can't keep up with me!!I will admit newer Hardleys have came a long way but my last was a 56 Pan. Couldn't keep it togather. But it was BEAUTIFUL!!!I had "ladies" fight for the chance at that back P-Pad....

[BoomerCPO]

Yesterday I attended a PGR Mission in Jennings,La. It was an Escort for a fallen Hero from the Lake Charles Airport to the Funeral Home in Jennings,La.

After completion I left the Funeral Home in Jennings and headed out to I-10 West to come home. There were 3 Sheriff's Department Motor Officer's on their Harley's just ahead of me on the secondary road to I-10. One of the Officer's dropped back and asked me if I'd care to ride with them to Lake Charles. He said " We are going to roll hard so if you think you can keep up your are welcomed to ride with us". Of course I accepted......

Once on I-10 we cruised at a speed of 90-95mph(and yes we passed a whole passel of Combat Vet riders:)) and I was riding side by side with the 3rd Officer and we were in a tight riding formation. I could hear the Harley's really working at the speed we were travelling.

As we approached Lake Charles I pulled abreast of the 2 lead Officer's and gave them the high sign....then I rolled on the throttle hard and took off. I saw jaws drop as the Venture took off.....I saw them all pull off for the LC Exit and that's when I dropped my speed down to the legal limit.

It was a sweet ride that lasted for nearly 40 miles.

Boomer....who sez he's gotta get Sheriff decals and some blue lights for the Venture....

[OB-1]

Yesterday I attended a PGR Mission in Jennings,La. It was an Escort for a fallen Hero from the Lake Charles Airport to the Funeral Home in Jennings,La.

After completion I left the Funeral Home in Jennings and headed out to I-10 West to come home. There were 3 Sheriff's Department Motor Officer's on their Harley's just ahead of me on the secondary road to I-10. One of the Officer's dropped back and asked me if I'd care to ride with them to Lake Charles. He said " We are going to roll hard so if you think you can keep up your are welcomed to ride with us". Of course I accepted......

Once on I-10 we cruised at a speed of 90-95mph(and yes we passed a whole passel of Combat Vet riders:)) and I was riding side by side with the 3rd Officer and we were in a tight riding formation. I could hear the Harley's really working at the speed we were travelling.

As we approached Lake Charles I pulled abreast of the 2 lead Officer's and gave them the high sign....then I rolled on the throttle hard and took off. I saw jaws drop as the Venture took off.....I saw them all pull off for the LC Exit and that's when I dropped my speed down to the legal limit.

It was a sweet ride that lasted for nearly 40 miles.

Boomer....who sez he's gotta get Sheriff decals and some blue lights for the Venture....

 

 

The things one can get away with in Louisiana when the local law knows you're on their side...

[Yammer Dan]

The things one can get away with in Louisiana when the local law knows you're on their side...

 

 

 

:whistling::whistling:

[Wanderer]

I pulled up beside a guy riding a custom Harley yesterday, he looks over at the Venture and says "Good looking bike" , I replied thanks and before I could repay the compliment he says "Is that one of those Kawasaki-Yamahas?" Dumb founded I had to compose my self before I answered, figuring there would be this big fight right in the intersection if I said what I was thinking.

I nicely said "No this is a Yamaha Royal Star Venture". The light tuned green and I got a very nice hole shot jump on him and left him in my dust wondering what just happend.

 

He was just trying to be funny. He did give you a compliment. At least he didn't ask, "Is that one of those foreign jobs?"

[Rick Haywood]

I just tell them I don 't ride a Harley because I can't afford the clothes

[Eddie]

Its funny how we always feel we have to justify our decision on what we buy. I spent eight years with the RSV and three other with a 1st Gen . I think my new HD is the best bike I have ever owned. I can tell you no Venture will leave these new Hd's in the dust. I would hope that if you had a couple more cylinders that you would be a little faster. Just like a GW or a BMW will leave a RSV behind.

 

PS. It sure is nice to have all the stuff we have been *****in about now. ABS , CD , WB. EFI the list goes on.

 

Now let the flaming begin. I can take it and I wont even cry to much.

Edited April 7, 2012 by Eddie

[CaptainJoe]

ABS would certainly be nice to have , CDs are obsolete(MP3 players),perferr carberated over fuel injected... Whats WB? Wild B_____?

 

How long is your wall to wall warranty?

 

no ones flaming its all in good fun....

 

Besides I don't personally care what others think about my ride and nor should you!

[Eddie]

ABS would certainly be nice to have , CDs are obsolete(MP3 players),perferr carberated over fuel injected... Whats WB? Wild B_____?

 

How long is your wall to wall warranty?

 

no ones flaming its all in good fun....

 

Besides I don't personally care what others think about my ride and nor should you!

 

It came with a 2 year and I got 5 more added to the deal so 7 years altogether. WB is weather band .

[Eddie]

I just tell them I don 't ride a Harley because I can't afford the clothes

 

Hey Rick you are right there. Wow ! You go the dealer and say to yourself "shirt or a piece of chrome ":rotf:

[Rosie1965]

If I had more money than I knew what to do with, I'd definitely buy a V-Rod for the stable. But then I'd still be shunned by Harley riders.

[barend]

What is interesting is that every brand has it's own followers and each think theirs is THE brand to have. I've owned a Honda Shadow 1100, a MkI Venture and now a Valkyrie. Can't speak for Shadow riders but both Venture riders and Valk riders seem to think their ride is best (just like they claim their forum is best). From my perspective the truth is that they are different bikes and they fit/sit/ride different. I liken the MkI to a fighter and the Valk to a bomber, they both have plenty of power and can haul ass but the MkI seems more nimble. For me the Valk's seating and handlebar position is better and there's more room on the back for my wife. I also like the looks of the bike, whereas I don't really care for the looks of a second Gen.

Relating that to a Harley, my stepson rides one (bar hopper) and though the thing will definitely move, I wouldn't want to try riding on it for even an hour, but then, neither does he.

 

Now as far as who has the better forum??? Hands down, no contest, I'm posting here, aren't I!!!!!! :happy65:

[Yammer Dan]

It came with a 2 year and I got 5 more added to the deal so 7 years altogether. WB is weather band .

 

 

 

Weather Band??? So you don't have to ride in the rain and get it dirty????:whistling:

 

 

That was just too easy. We know you would still be on a Yammy if they made more shiney stuff!!:rotfl:

[djh3]

We complain about the RSV not being updated since 99. To me pick any of the HE touring bikes. FLTVHwhatcamacallit. tourglid, road glide, street glide road king. They pretty much look the same as in the 60"s. To me the road king would be your full out touring bike. For them its bagger with a windshiled not a fairing. Electra glide and ultra glide, whats the difference? I certainly cant tell. Elctra glide came from the 60's once again when they started to put elec start on big bikes. I got a friend that ridea a Harley, was allways a life long dream for him. Even he says that HD stand for hundred dollar everytime you want to add something.

I dont know if its any differnt then when we use to bench race and cut a guy for driving a Chevy or Ford or whatever.