So what is the best answer to "When you moving up to a Harley?" ???

[KEN.]

Its funny you say the beemer guys are on their own planet,,,,some don't like the k/bikes and to them the only real bmw is a opposed twin.....snob attitude......KEN.

[chief]

I'm also a GOLDWING guy... I haven't seen any difference in "waves"... GW's have damn big mirrors... sometimes you have make a special effort to be seen when you wave.

I honestly think its more about locale than brand. I have now ridden in every state except North Dakota and Oregon. Most places I have ridden are the same as TN., but get close to Chicago and some other big cities, the Northeast and West coast... you get a higher JPM ratio... (jerks per mile). In fact, it pretty much mimics the election map... blue areas = higher jpm.    There are good friendly people EVERYWHERE... so I don't want anyone to think I am referring to everyone in these areas... which is why the JPM index is a good measure.

[David Baker]

My reply has always been... "Do you know what German Shepherds and Harley's have in common?"... Then wait for the head tilt... "They both like riding in the back of Pick-ups!"  LQTM

[jmbo]

This will be my first experience with a Drifter. I rode Triumphs for years and I live in Harley country. Most real bikers are decent about it but yes, I've received some smack from some hardened HOG snobs.   I remember the 100th.  I road in to check it out.  Bikes lined every street in down town Milwaukee.  I found an open spot and parked. As crowed as it was, darned if when I came out of the bar there was no less than two open bike spaces between mine and the nearest hog.  It was as if they wouldn't park next to a Brit bike.

I have to admit none are as snobby as the (No offense to anyone here) Goldwing guys. Hard pressed to get so much as a high sign going down the road.  Second to them are the Beemer boys. They seem to be on their own planet.

[49Reo]

I've owned several Harleys; rarely did I buy parts from HD. I did a total rebuild on my 1976 FLH, rebuilt the engine, sand-blasted the frame, painted entire bike, rewired, lots of new chrome, you name it it got done. The ONLY part I bought from Harley was the oil pump; it was only available from HD; a year later it was also available aftermarket. If I had used Harley parts, it would have cost a LOT more than it did. Buying form Harley means paying big bucks for packaging; most of their parts are made by the same people who sell aftermarket goodies. I like my Harley, but it is costly to accessorize.

Regards and such;
49Reo

[ChilliDrift]

After owning an 05 Sportster1200c I can say "I got tired of buying those 100.00 a piece.. Hencho en Mexico  original H/D accys"  HDs are Assembled in USA from 4 or 5 made in America parts, ie. Frame, engine, trans, paint and body parts.. with the rest imported from across the planet.  Harley did like to say Made in America.. should be made in America'S with all that is made down south.

I really drank the HD kool Aid for a few years. Buying all those original HD equipment accys.. Damn I wish I could of recouped some of that. I just recently paid it all off and bought my Drifter. Im not sure what will be the next bike I pick up.  I like my buddies Triumph, shifts like a sports car. Engine runs like a top.  There are so many types of bikes I like, I just wish I could afford to start building a small collection. I want a sportbike, an 800 Drifter, a Goldwing.   This has been the best summer of riding I ever had.  Im not quitting till the snow hits and sticks.  Ride on Biker Buds.

[jmbo]

I always tell them " I can't afford the shine off one of those fenders."

[ChilliDrift]

I often get the cold sholder pulling into the local bike stop..as Im sure we all have at times. But I stopped in for a beer at an old place I know. Mostly Harleys... they have a fenced in beer garden/smoking area that many bikes park outside of. While i sat out having a cold one, one of the locals left with his ol' Lady. They walked up to their bike and I heard her say "you know whos bike that is?" he said no, nice bike though.  Thats one out of many non responses or typical when ya gonna get a Harley? questions... It was just nice to hear.     Real bikers just love to ride. Might be a minibike, metric or Harley. If I had the cash I would have all sorts. But I have to admit that out of the 5 or so bikes Ive had over the years. The Drifter is hands down my favorite. I can't stop looking at it. Young love I guess.  Definately a keeper.

[jammster65]

with the amount of Chinese parts on them they are nearly metric anyway

me i ride what i like my other rides a triumph sprint and tother when its finished will run a gsxr 1200 engine

[vagabondjay]

God I love this topic...lol my wife is a HD tech..well she was..lol she graduated from MMI in Fl. worked for HD in ATL ga. I herd that over and over and I said as soon as they make a liquid cooled bike(besides the V-ROD) and my other response was " at least I ride a 100% metric bike.. unlike the half breed HD with all its metric parts like the brakes,shocks et...lol" they get pissed... dont get me wrong I like HD I have rode a bunch of them. just not what I want right now

[greenbarn]

"Nice Bike you have... must be really popular. I've seen six just like it while I've been sitting here...";

Wow, that's good...

[49Reo]

You could try - "You're probably right there, mate - they say 90% of Harleys made, -are still on the road'. When they puff up with pride, just mention that the other 10% made it home.

Now THAT is well put!!!

Regards and such,
49Reo

[BigUgly]

"I'll make you a wager. Park your bike over there and I'll park mine here. We will sit here an hour and see which bike gets the most attention."

LOL, That's the truth. was sitting at a Poker Run in Roswell, NM yesterday. About 100 or so bike. About 75 HD and 25 various other types.
As people would walk into the Motorcycle shop they would be looking at all the bikes and about 90% of them would stop and spend a few minutes walking around my bike.
And the motorcycle shop is the actual shop that sold my bike back in 2001, to it's first owner.
But, when I went up to the parts counter and asked about a new gas cap, which they couldn't get, I almost wished I had a HD. lol nope not at all.

Wouldn't trade my Drifter for any other bike out there.

[chief]

Depending upon my mood...

"my harley's in the shop again...";
"Actually, I moved up from a 98 Road king...";
"I have a 98 Road king, 77 Lowrider, this one and a new Goldwing. I ride what I like...";
"I was using that line when you were still riding big wheels"... ;
"If you bought that harley to be "cool"... its not working;
"Nice comment, they left that one out of my HD bullshit manual";
"unfortunately when I bought this one,  I had to sell my Road King. I made the mistake of thinking for myself and got booted outta the HOG trough";
"I've owned harleys for XX years... they forgot who brung em to the dance. I pay for the look and the tech, not the label";
"I'll make you a wager. Park your bike over there and I'll park mine here. We will sit here an hour and see which bike gets the most attention.";
"What! you mean this isn't a HARLEY!!";
"Nice Bike you have... must be really popular. I've seen six just like it while I've been sitting here...";
"Wow that question is about as unique and original as your bike";
"<laugh>... you don't have to be embarrassed. A lot of Harley guys like this bike. I won't tell your buddies on you.";
"That your Camry? ";

[jagered]

"I'm not into wasting money and haven't won the lottery ... yet!". But that still doesn't mean I would buy an over priced, looks like every other bike on the road bike just with an H-D emblem on it!?!

Very happy with my Custom, which I am still not done modding and the Drifter... words cannot explain the satisfaction I have for it!!!  I do believe it was the luckiest find I have ever came across!!!!  Would not sell this bike for any Harley or custom chopper out there, esp. since I never see one on the road down here in the Philly area?!?  Do all you guys keep them perdied up in the garage!!!     J/k

[drifter-paul]

You could try - "You're probably right there, mate - they say 90% of Harleys made, -are still on the road'. When they puff up with pride, just mention that the other 10% made it home.

[49Reo]

 To the comment "If its not a Harley it ain't $h!+" I respond; "So, then; if it IS a Harley, then it MUST be $h!+!" Don't get me wrong; I own and have owned Harleys for many years; grew up around Harleys and Indians, (my dad rode Indians until they went extinct, then switched to Harley) us kids started out on Cushman scooters; I have owned one count 'em one Kawasaki (my Drifter) and hands down, it is the BEST bike I have ever owned. I don't knock anybody's ride; it's their attitude that counts.

My dad's last bike is the only "off-shore" bike he has ever owned; a 1999 Yamaha V-Star Classic 650, bought in 2007 used, he sold it this spring; decided that at 86 years old it was time to "hang up his spurs"

Ride what you WANT not what you want others to see you on and you will never be sorry. Dad truly enjoyed his Yamaha once he got  used to it; and was reluctant to let go of it, but knew it was time; he was starting to have balance issues, and decided to sell before he piled up on it.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[CDNRatMan]

well I do like the  I am moving up attitude, I have owned 2 Harleys, a sporster and I think it was a 1960 something......it was an old one and always having to be wrenched on, then I had an 1980 FXS LowRider while station in Germany.
I told a few people at work I was buying a Kawasaki and they seemed to take a ddep breath and asked why. Because I personally have never owned one. (never did say what I was buying was going to let the bike talk for me there) But it seems when I had my Harley's nobody would admit to wanting one, the japanese bikes were the rage. Also back then you did most of your own work and knew what you were doing. Today it seems if you can come up with the money you can have a Harley and get someone to do the work for you.
I was up to "The Shop" last xmas to buy my brother-in-law a couple of gifts, this is the Harley shop in Sudbary ON, Canada. I walked in there and the guy in a three peice suit asked me if I was looking to buy a "HARLEY DAVIDSON" when I said no he looked down his nose at me and made a noise like I farted in church......I was treat like carp there. But if you buy a Harley Davidson form them they are all over you. Not for me I"ll drift off to the side and just drift through life with a few others who don't need to follow the pack.

[marshalldoll]

Just tell them you are into riding not repairing!!
Dan

[greenbarn]

I liked 49Reo's comment from another thread: "I already had one and I've been moving up ever since". or something like that.   Problem: (for me) I've not owned a harley.

Not that I won't ever, nothing against HD, just the snide attitude that some of the owners have: "if it ain't HD it's crap".

I've only had my Drifter since March and already I've gotten the "comment" variation - "Let me know when you want to move up to a Harley" from a used car salesman who happened to have a HD on his lot.  So I'd like to hear from the forum- what is the best answer to this DA question?

I don't really want to stoop to their level so far as I think I have to knock their choice of brands, but I'd like them to know that I made my choice because I wanted it, not as a stepping stone to a HD.  So far all I can come up with is

"Lots of people don't think it's moving up