Author Topic: 2nd & Likely Final Attempt at Buyin a Harley (Read 8696 times)

Dee · « **on:** February 26, 2013, 01:23:37 PM »

Over the last year my son and friends have tried to persuade me into switchin to ridin a Harley. I get the "Harley mystic" and the "made in America" thing thrown at me.
Well, last week I tried to deal with two Harley dealerships, and got nowhere. Oh, I can get the bike bought, that's not the problem. It's the price!
I can get a brand new kawasaki Vaquero loaded for about $15,000.00, and some changed. A comparable bike in Harley, like say a Road Glide is over $22,000.00. If I thought I was gettin a better bike for the money no problem but, I don't think I would be.
What gives with Harley?
My understanding is they buy their carburators, and fuel injection systems from Japan. Another friend says all their electronic come from Japan. How do they sell so high? I would like to have a Heritage Softail, but can't really justify the price on even a used one. I give up.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2013, 03:43:25 PM »

get you a nice made in ohio pre-2003 valkyrie.
after the first hour on the highway, you see
why i say that.

nice lookin' 2001 model on cycle trader
in frisco for 7295.00 private seller

Swampman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2013, 03:46:23 PM »

You never have to explain or make excuses when you own a Harley. The resell on Jap bikes is nothing.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2013, 04:25:06 PM »

Dee I just realized that the avatar isnt a Harley...... I had three of them in my garage at one time and I loved to ride them. I have to tell you that the softails dont ride as well as the Dressers and Road kings. Now the best looking are the softails like the fatboy and the Heritage. Harleys do retain value but I dunno if they are worth the extra money.

Kinda thinking if I get another it may well be a Honda (Senior moment) The big one darn it. and a trike to boot. Ahh! Gold wing thats it

Mostly Dreaming I guess cause my CFO aint keen on the bike thing.

You can get a good deal on a used one, maybe even a police bike, they have the best engines harley makes, (I'm told) and they dress up pretty good as well. You may have an inside track if the pd in your neck of the woods sells some.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2013, 05:00:26 PM »

you might want to put some miles on a
trike before you jump. my buddy had
one a few years back before he passed.
he couldn't do without a walker, and
couldn't hold up a bike anymore.
he had a spell when we were out several
hundred miles away, and i had to ride
it a good ways. they handle very different
to put it nice. it was a really nice goldwing
conversion.

Casull · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2013, 05:26:57 PM »

Quote

You never have to explain or make excuses when you own a Harley.

LOL. Of course you do . . . every time it breaks down (or gets dusted by a rice burner).

Ranger99 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2013, 05:41:48 PM »

are yall meaning a real harley, like a shovelhead,
or pan or knuckle?

all the real bikers ( the common man dirtbag type
like me) i knew as a kid rode limey bikes and pans and
old indians until the kz900 came out. look at
the original mad max movie to see some.

i'll still stop for somebody broke down regardless
of what they're on- even the wannabe yuppie bikers.

FPH · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2013, 05:47:01 PM »

We have the largest Harley dealer in the nation out here. Tell me what you are looking at and I can check later this week.

FPH · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2013, 05:51:30 PM »

Tax will be a couple % cheaper here too.

Swampman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2013, 11:52:12 PM »

Quote from: Casull on February 26, 2013, 05:26:57 PM

Quote
You never have to explain or make excuses when you own a Harley.

LOL. Of course you do . . . every time it breaks down (or gets dusted by a rice burner).

They don't break down and it's about class not speed.

Dee · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2013, 01:18:06 AM »

I tried to deal with the local Harley dealer about 4 months ago and got the same thing. I guess I'm just too practical, or maybe too cheap.

Oldshooter it's a kawasaki 1600 Classic in the avatar. It just turned over 16000 miles last weekend. Think I'm gonna stay with that. It's a great bike and almost paid for.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2013, 04:13:23 AM »

Quote

It's a great bike and almost paid for.

Those are the best kind on the road in my opinion!

Old Syko · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2013, 04:38:34 AM »

Quote from: Oldshooter on February 27, 2013, 04:13:23 AM

Quote
It's a great bike and almost paid for.

Those are the best kind on the road in my opinion!

Those are the ONLY kind in my opinion. Can't imagine borrowing money to buy toys but that is neither here nor there. Money aside, I wouldn't consider trading off a perfectly good Vulcan for a HD of any kind. I was away from bikes for 25 years (big mistake) until I picked up a 900 Vulcan late last year. Recently picked up a 2000 cc Vulcan monster that will do things most other bikes can't, and that includes HD. Save the money you would spend and put it into gas and ride more on what you already have. Vanity doesn't convert to quality or comfort.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2013, 04:47:01 AM »

Quote

Vanity doesn't convert to quality or comfort.

That should be put on a Tshirt or sumpn!

Cheesehead · « **Reply #14 on:** February 27, 2013, 05:15:58 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on February 26, 2013, 03:46:23 PM

You never have to explain or make excuses when you own a Harley. The resell on Jap bikes is nothing.

Swampy nailed it.

I feel very good riding my Harley, more so than any other motorcycle. That is what I bought one and ride one.

But, I think ALL motorcycle are interesting.

Cheese

Casull · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2013, 11:20:50 AM »

Quote

They don't break down

Now, that is funny.

Swampman · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2013, 11:21:14 AM »

Riding a jap bike is like dating a fat chick. It's a lot of fun, but you don't want your friends to see you.

hillbill · « **Reply #17 on:** February 27, 2013, 01:00:20 PM »

if you are not attracted by the mystique of harleys then you wont understand.that doesnt make you a bad person, just different from someone who likes them.each to his own.

harleys do break down. i know that cuz ive been riding them when they did.in 25 years of rideing ive had to call a truck twice.both times it was something electrical i could of fixed in 10 min if i had found it.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2013, 01:11:12 PM »

the Harleys today are a better quality than they were in the seventies. I had a 73 superglide and my friends made me ride in the back cause of stuff always falling off of it, and it used/leaked about as much oil as it did Gasoline.

hillbill · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2013, 01:24:00 PM »

harleys today dont really impress me.they dont have the personality of the older ones.if i wanted something i needed a computer to change the fuel mixture then id buy a airplane.again each to his own.

i purchased my first harley when i was 21, it was a 81 shovel 4 speed chopper.it was honestly like riding a rabid, powerfull. untamed beast!dry clutch, 3 inch belt drive primary. no front brake or fender.extended front end and a bicycle seat. i loved it and rode it a long time.it was challenging to ride and to keep running.that was part of it back in the day.it basically made me a better rider and a better mechanic.you look way ahead when you only have a rear brake and you keep your scooter pretty well wrenched up if your rideing a shovel. habits that have served me well all my life no matter what i ride now.

hillbill · « **Reply #20 on:** February 27, 2013, 01:30:56 PM »

Quote from: Oldshooter on February 27, 2013, 01:11:12 PM

the Harleys today are a better quality than they were in the seventies. I had a 73 superglide and my friends made me ride in the back cause of stuff always falling off of it, and it used/leaked about as much oil as it did Gasoline.

lol that reminds me of my old bonneville trumpet chopper!it blew so much oil out the tailpipes it would fog up my buddies sunglasses.odd tho it wud start first kik hot or cold.

Swampman · « **Reply #21 on:** February 27, 2013, 01:36:36 PM »

Rare for a Triumph.....I love Triumphs.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 27, 2013, 02:10:43 PM »

if it started right up, i'd bet it
didn't have the factory amals on it.
all the ones i helped out on got
dual mikunis and a big bore kit and
hot cams

Dee · « **Reply #23 on:** February 27, 2013, 04:49:47 PM »

Texoma Harley called me again today wantin me to reconsider, and that they would get down some more.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #24 on:** February 27, 2013, 05:27:13 PM »

call El paso,I have been told they will give you a good price. And what a road trip that would be. cant hurt to ask

FPH · « **Reply #25 on:** February 27, 2013, 06:05:07 PM »

Quote from: Oldshooter on February 27, 2013, 05:27:13 PM

call El paso,I have been told they will give you a good price. And what a road trip that would be. cant hurt to ask

That is the dealership I was refering to. Barnett has one in El Paso and one in Las Cruces.......he may give discounts to Military. Barnett Harley Davidson.

Doug B. · « **Reply #26 on:** February 28, 2013, 12:46:40 AM »

I own a GL1500 Goldwing and both my wife and I agree it is the most comfortable bike I've ever owned or driven. Have been a Honda guy since I was about 8 years old, and in those 47 years I have owned six Hondas and have not been let down once. That also includes a SL350 dirt bike that got some pretty "hard" use when I was in high school. I guess I can't say they haven't been reliable.

Something I've noticed.....it never fails when I give my buddies wives a ride on the "throne" as my wife calls it, many times, they ask their hubbies who drive HD's to buy a Goldwing! Wonder why?

Mine is a used 1995 model which I bought used pretty reasonably. I looked at many makes and models before I settled on this bike and there is no question, it was a wise purchase.

One other thing.....I like all motorized vehicles that ride on two wheels. Some just more than others!

Dee · « **Reply #27 on:** February 28, 2013, 01:25:48 AM »

That's me. I like'm all and have owned all the metric Japanese bikes butt, this kawasaki 1600 has been my favorite. I'm gonna pass on the Harley for now, I just don't see the value difference.

Swampman · « **Reply #28 on:** February 28, 2013, 11:05:36 AM »

Quote from: Doug B. on February 28, 2013, 12:46:40 AM

Something I've noticed.....it never fails when I give my buddies wives a ride on the "throne" as my wife calls it, inevitably, they are ask their hubbies who drive HD's to buy a Goldwing! Wonder why?

Because they are women.....

Casull · « **Reply #29 on:** February 28, 2013, 11:18:09 AM »

Quote

Because they are women.....

And don't give a damn about "mystique".