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Posted by DC
- July 30, 2016, 22:55:15 PMPosted by DC
- July 30, 2016, 22:48:37 PMPosted by Zoar
- July 27, 2016, 14:45:20 PMQuote from: RockinRonny on July 27, 2016, 08:34:12 AMI posted Harley vers Metric as a joke. I like Harley motorcycles (and most of their riders). That being said my Boss rides a $47,000.00 Harley (Canadian). Too rich for my blood. But they certainly sound better than metric bikes.
Last night when I drove my Ducati up in front of a local restaurant, the first thing people said was--- "Man, that things sounds beautiful."
Posted by JagLite
- July 27, 2016, 10:45:08 AMFunny vid! 
I understand the stereotype, and the "life style" that HD sells so well.
Some of the HD riders locally are great people who appreciate all bikes, and some are HarDcore who look down on anyone not riding a big twin.
Even the poor Sportster riders are barely tolerated.
They are viewed as biker wannabies.
HD marketing understands how to sell life style and that is what keeps them in business, not quality or performance.
When the bikes are running good they are enjoyable to ride. 
And, they sure do hold their value for resale! Go figure 
Posted by RockinRollin
- July 27, 2016, 08:34:12 AMI posted Harley vers Metric as a joke. I like Harley motorcycles (and most of their riders). That being said my Boss rides a $47,000.00 Harley (Canadian). Too rich for my blood. But they certainly sound better than metric bikes.
Posted by Ironworking
- July 26, 2016, 22:36:28 PMYou are so right Zoar! However, i am in that 3% and have been my entire life no matter what brand. My uncle told me when i was only ten. If you can not fix it; you should not own it!
BTW. I said the first 70 or so years. That era came to an end in the late 70's.Yes! Now they are Brand, Glamour & Prestige. We the american people took our first REAL screwing on transportation products when THEY forced us to switch to electronic ignition. Yes, it is great in many ways, no doubt about it. However, when it goes awry; we can not pull over and file the points clean to get back to the house where we have that extra set sitting on the shelf in the garage.
An again. FUEL PUMPS do not belong inside of the gas tank! Up the chimney hole of the Dufus' who thought that was a good idea!!!
Posted by Zoar
- July 26, 2016, 11:21:23 AMQuote from: Ironworking on July 24, 2016, 01:30:10 AMI know a lot of Harley owners. About 3% of them work on their bikes. So 97% take their bikes in for everything so the simplicity angle argument is not in alignment with what I observe.I agree. That was funny. All BS aside though, the reason Indians & Harley-Davidsons lasted with John Q public for the first 70+ years was simplicity. Anyone who had the skills to work on a Chevy could work on every part of these bikes. Including the engine an tranny. Also, just about every part that could need replacing could also be found on most farms or local parts stores. It is the modern corporate confluctuation ( my word ) that has been the tragedy of both brands. Albeit the Indian suffered earlier due to poor decisions made during the WW wars.
Another thing. The 80 ci Evo engine is absolutely the most reliable engine HD ever produced. They sold so few parts and repairs were so rarely needed, HD regretted making them. So the solution was build the 88 Twin Cam that is not extremely reliable. And the fuel pump in the gas tank is one of the most consumer unfriendly advances ever made. And it has long been proven, the fuel pump does not have to be in the tank for FI to work.
However, i too think they have almost priced themselves out of existence. Every company that does; doesn't figure it out until it is too late. That is why "they" are no longer in existence. If they had of saw the writing on the wall, they would have adjusted their policies to prevent that outcome.
Okay. I'm done! Rant over.
What I see is the success of Harley---not unlike NASCAR---is 97% marketing and branding and advertising.
I think Harleys are extremely overpriced and under performing and the primary reason they are in business is successful marketing/branding to a percentage of the population that is receptive to having their values shaped 97% by branding.
Posted by jmbo
- July 24, 2016, 07:28:19 AMQuote from: Ironworking on July 24, 2016, 01:30:10 AMThere are other advantages to HD ownership. For those who finally get over all the "the dealer is the only one who can fix my Hardly" hype and B.S., you find there are tons of shops that work on the bikes. I admit there are some of these shops I wouldn't ask to fix my lawnmower but there are some good shops none the less. There are also tons of parts and accessories from tons of sources. Not something we Drifter folks enjoy. As far as the rest of the "brotherhood" crap. They can have it.I agree. That was funny. All BS aside though, the reason Indians & Harley-Davidsons lasted with John Q public for the first 70+ years was simplicity. Anyone who had the skills to work on a Chevy could work on every part of these bikes. Including the engine an tranny. Also, just about every part that could need replacing could also be found on most farms or local parts stores. It is the modern corporate confluctuation ( my word ) that has been the tragedy of both brands. Albeit the Indian suffered earlier due to poor decisions made during the WW wars.
Another thing. The 80 ci Evo engine is absolutely the most reliable engine HD ever produced. They sold so few parts and repairs were so rarely needed, HD regretted making them. So the solution was build the 88 Twin Cam that is not extremely reliable. And the fuel pump in the gas tank is one of the most consumer unfriendly advances ever made. And it has long been proven, the fuel pump does not have to be in the tank for FI to work.
Posted by Ironworking
- July 24, 2016, 01:30:10 AMI agree. That was funny. All BS aside though, the reason Indians & Harley-Davidsons lasted with John Q public for the first 70+ years was simplicity. Anyone who had the skills to work on a Chevy could work on every part of these bikes. Including the engine an tranny. Also, just about every part that could need replacing could also be found on most farms or local parts stores. It is the modern corporate confluctuation ( my word ) that has been the tragedy of both brands. Albeit the Indian suffered earlier due to poor decisions made during the WW wars.
Another thing. The 80 ci Evo engine is absolutely the most reliable engine HD ever produced. They sold so few parts and repairs were so rarely needed, HD regretted making them. So the solution was build the 88 Twin Cam that is not extremely reliable. And the fuel pump in the gas tank is one of the most consumer unfriendly advances ever made. And it has long been proven, the fuel pump does not have to be in the tank for FI to work.However, i too think they have almost priced themselves out of existence. Every company that does; doesn't figure it out until it is too late. That is why "they" are no longer in existence. If they had of saw the writing on the wall, they would have adjusted their policies to prevent that outcome.
Okay. I'm done! Rant over.
Posted by mittico68
- July 24, 2016, 01:00:02 AMQuote from: Indian_fan on July 23, 2016, 23:12:03 PMthe friend/coworker who gave me the nudge to get back in the saddle is a Harley rider. But he's not hung up on Harley's like some people are, so he's not holding my purchase of a drifter against me - he was actually admiring my bike.
That's what I assume to be regarding harley's bikes: I don't think I'll ever buy one, since they're not worth all the money of their costs; but I admire those Harley wich are customized enough to meet my taste...
Posted by Indian_fan
- July 23, 2016, 23:12:03 PMNow THAT was funny. However, the friend/coworker who gave me the nudge to get back in the saddle is a Harley rider. But he's not hung up on Harley's like some people are, so he's not holding my purchase of a drifter against me - he was actually admiring my bike.
Posted by DC
- July 23, 2016, 22:16:24 PMThey nailed it to a T. Hilarious!!!!!
Posted by Old Drifter
- July 23, 2016, 09:43:16 AMQuote from: RockinRonny on July 20, 2016, 10:18:01 AMThis sums it all up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ERfv15EsI
Heh, heh, heh!
Sad but true in many cases...too funny. 
Posted by tj
- July 23, 2016, 06:23:51 AMQuote from: RockinRonny on July 20, 2016, 10:18:01 AMLMAOThis sums it all up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ERfv15EsI
Heh, heh, heh!
Posted by Trall
- July 23, 2016, 01:51:19 AMQuote from: RockinRonny on July 20, 2016, 10:18:01 AMAbsolutely hilariousThis sums it all up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ERfv15EsI
Heh, heh, heh!