Honda Vs. Harley

[Hornswaggle]

I've never owned or ridden a H-D but that's not to say I won't someday. They've done a great job of building an extrememly loyal customer base which I think most would agree is based more on image than actual product. All the mid-life crisis people with cash to burn are willing to pay whatever it costs for an image of not what they actually are but of what they want to be perceived as. They want to be accepted as part of a group or culture for what it represents not for the actual enjoyment of it. The more it costs to buy-in the more exclusive they feel and anything other than what they have can never be as good. I know that is an extreme generalization and does not represent all H-D owners but I think it represents enough of them that it has become a stereotype. That said, a company can't last as long as H-D has on marketing alone and until I have personal experience riding one I'll have to assume the product is good. For now my Shadow is perfect for my needs and I'll enjoy it until that changes

[MikesACE]

Originally Posted by h13man

So have you rode a 1100 "twin pin" powered Shadow and if you have hows the Softail compare smoothness wise though quite obvious displacement difference?

My point wasn't to compare which bike runs smoother but to dispel the age old "Harley's Shake".

I have only ridden 2 bikes in my lifetime. My 98 ACE and my 06 Softail Deluxe.

It's been a long time since I was on the ACE so I can't compare the two other than the power difference.

As far as power I did some engine work. It's now a 1550, Andrews 37N Cams and I had the Heads Ported, Polished and cut to bring up the Compression. I don't need to lift the front tire, just some passing insurance is good enough.

I guess in the end I could have gotten all that in a metric, just decided to try something different this time around. I've had the bike since new in 06 so maybe when the time comes I'll give metrics/victory a look, who knows..


Mike
NY

[dwd1966]

Originally Posted by MikesACE

I'm not sure where you get "more" bike for your buck. Whay exactly are you comparing?

As far as financing, not everyone has to, really depends on your finances. I paid in full on delivery.

You also obviously have never ridden a Softail. The engines are solid mounted but are Counter Balanced. Not a single vibration. Road Kings are rubber mounted and shake like there's no tommorow at idle but smooth out when riding.

I rode my 1998 Shadow Ace from 2002-2006 and depending on how long I rode I had to shake my throttle hand once in a while. Not complaining but just the way it is I guess.


Mike
NY

Nope, never been on a soft tail at all. The Heritage Classic does look very nice though. Wasn't really making a comparrison. At the time when I bought my current bike, I had two specifc bikes I was looking at, and the shadow was the better buy for me at the time.

[spicoli512]

Harley's are beautiful machines. Now I love my Vegas but looking at that Softail above my post, its like looking at a Picasso and clip art. Just look at that engine.

I may get corrected on this...but my Honda 750 (which retailed for about the same as a 883 - again "RETAIL") had a lot of plastic in places that were metal on a Harley. Turn indicators, front fender, airbox cover, etc. You can say "they don't make them like they used to" about a lot of things but Harley build quality has only improved since the 80s and 90s.

Sure marketing drives a price premium, as does huge overhead at retail locations but there are elements of build cost and quality of materials that keeps the Harley price tag out of some peoples reach.

Now I chose a Victory over a Harley because I was sold on the power plant and perceived lower cost of ownership (i.e. dealer maintenance costs). I certainly wouldn't be ashamed to ride an HD especially the one pictured above.

[vzshadow]

CrazyDave,

Oh geez... Ok. Folks like it or not, your Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawis are Harley clones, counterfeits, wannabes.. face it, if not for Harley Davidson there would be no Honda Shadows or VTX's.. there would also be no Victorys and aftermarket customs like Big Dog etc.

I think you have it backwards. If not for the quality of the Japanese bikes in the 1970s, Harleys would all still be leaking oil and parts would still be falling off.

That said, Harley now makes great bikes, the do an outstanding job of marketing them, and many people love them. They have no allure for me, but many people love them.

[Goat Regime]

Originally Posted by spicoli512

Harley's are beautiful machines. Now I love my Vegas but looking at that Softail above my post, its like looking at a Picasso and clip art. Just look at that engine.

I may get corrected on this...but my Honda 750 (which retailed for about the same as a 883 - again "RETAIL") had a lot of plastic in places that were metal on a Harley. Turn indicators, front fender, airbox cover, etc. You can say "they don't make them like they used to" about a lot of things but Harley build quality has only improved since the 80s and 90s.

Sure marketing drives a price premium, as does huge overhead at retail locations but there are elements of build cost and quality of materials that keeps the Harley price tag out of some peoples reach.

Now I chose a Victory over a Harley because I was sold on the power plant and perceived lower cost of ownership (i.e. dealer maintenance costs). I certainly wouldn't be ashamed to ride an HD especially the one pictured above.

That is one nice Vegas man, I'd take a Victory over an HD any day, love the Victory line.

[CrazyDave]

Originally Posted by vzshadow

CrazyDave,



I think you have it backwards. If not for the quality of the Japanese bikes in the 1970s, Harleys would all still be leaking oil and parts would still be falling off.

That said, Harley now makes great bikes, the do an outstanding job of marketing them, and many people love them. They have no allure for me, but many people love them.

Nope.. The Jap bikes of the seventies where no better just way cheaper..little history lesson here, after they big for decimated the English motorcycle market by swamping it with their motorcycles they started the same thing here. They didn't just sell bikes, they sold them at or below cost for one purpose,, destroy Harley.. and it almost worked. The leaky falling apart stereotypical Harleys you speak of were of the seventies AFTER Harley was purchased by AMF

[C.W.]

OK, I'm guilty, guilty of bias times a billion. I like Hondas. Wait a minute,..............................is it because I have one?

Pretty darn good bike I would have to confess.

I've never owned or operated a Harley, but I've had to deal with Harley riders in my day. Yes, I said it, had to tolerate them. My goodness, where do they get such big egos?

-

[CrazyDave]

Originally Posted by C.W.

OK, I'm guilty, guilty of bias X a billion. I like Hondas. Wait a minute,..............................is it because I have one?

Pretty darn good bike I would have to confess.

I've never owned or operated a Harley, but I've had to deal with Harley riders in my day. Yes, I said it, had to tolerate them. My goodness, where do they get such big egos?

-

The same place everyone else does.

[dismaltrader]

I like several different bikes; My very own Shadow RS, Triumph Bonneville T120, Harley XR1200x, Goldwing..... Don't care what anybody else rides. If they are happy with it more power to them.