howsit2003
J'ville,Florida
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Joined: 09/13/2005
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I don't think that anyone would argue about H-D vs the rest of the world bikes..... a Beemer is a good bike....as are a myriad of others...but you should know by now...that people that ride Harley's ride Harleys 'cuz they love Harleys......faults and all....it's like luvin' a mixed breed mutt.......vs. loving a high breed poodle....
as for the sped thing....I'm not a speed demon.....back in my youth I rode almost every kind of crotch rocket made....so I had my dose of speedy bikes......but a Harley travelling at 100 mph is a sight to see and hear imo....
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flhrsi
Shawangunk, NY
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Joined: 01/24/2004
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howsit,
Don't me wrong, I love HDs; I wouldn't have spent the money, time and miles I have on them for the last 26 years if I didn't! I'm sure I'll have one again if finances allow. It's just that this BMW has opened my eyes to an entirely new world of performance and quality. I agree wholeheartedly that you should ride what you love and love what you ride. Some people have said it's like dating the hometown girl vs. dating a supermodel, and there's good arguments on both sides. But for me, right now at least, this BMW (it's a K1200S, btw) is like dating a supermodel with the heart of the hometown girl! I've loved my HDs, but this bike is better by miles than anything I've ever owned, borrowed or sampled. You should try one (I'd suggest a K1300GT) someday! 
Greenman.
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kzgb
Lake Effect, Indiana
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Joined: 03/30/2003
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VICTORY BABY, VICTORY.
2004 Victory Vegas
Only a Motorcyclist knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window
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howsit2003
J'ville,Florida
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...I have ridden one....one of my buddies here has one....no doubt about it....it's a completely different ride from a H-D.......very smooth.....it's everything you say it is.....but for me personally....I would rather date the home town girl than the supermodel.....home grown....corn fed.....tractor butt......freckles.....and heart of gold....
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howsit2003
J'ville,Florida
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...I have ridden one....one of my buddies here has one....no doubt about it....it's a completely different ride from a H-D.......very smooth.....it's everything you say it is.....but for me personally....I would rather date the home town girl than the supermodel.....home grown....corn fed.....tractor butt......freckles.....and heart of gold....
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10ecjazzman
Nashville, Tennessee
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Joined: 01/24/2007
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I love my Electra Glide for what it is..Having said that , I want a Honda st1300, Victory Crossroads, Suzuki M109, BMW K1300 GT, and Triumph Rocket III, ...oh yeah..a Cam Am Spyder..for when I want that extra wheel!....Now...If I could just figure out how to pay for all them bikes!!
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Hawg Man
Lakeland, FL
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Joined: 10/26/2006
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flhrsi wrote:howsit2003, you're right! If it's it speed you want, as your post seemed to suggest, the 'Busa would be great choice. But it wouldn't be cross-country comfortable, would have worse brakes and way worse build quality.
There's no trouble in it not being an H-D, Hawg Man. I choose my ride by standards other than the name slapped on the tank. By every measurable parameter (except maybe paint job quality), H-Ds are inferior motorcycles. I've had four of them over the years, none of them were even remotely close in overall experience to my current BMW. Power, handling, brakes, build quality, comfort, control, you name it, the BMW is superior. Aesthetics aside, for which there is no better or worse, if you like H-Ds that's fine, but anyone on an H-D thinking they're riding the best bike is just plain kidding themselves.
Greenman.
I merely stated my opinion - just as you did.
The difference is, I never went so far as to label someone else's choice of ride as "inferior" as you did.
Nor did I say I was "kidding" myself into thinking I'm riding the "best" bike.
I would never personally slam or belittle anyone for their choice of what they ride.
But then - that's just me.
I wouldn't care if the name on the tank was EDSEL or STUDEBAKER - I love the look, I love the feel, and I love the fellowship that exists between Harley owners - a bond that NO other brand of motorcycle owners can claim.
And I also love the resale value a Harley holds - something NO other bike can come close to.
There's a reason why they make chocolate and vanilla.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go kid myself into believing I'm enjoying myself as I take a nice long ride on my inferior motorcycle.
"$15,000, a new leather jacket, and 15 miles under your butt does NOT make you a biker."
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King of the Road
Union County, NJ
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Joined: 03/10/2005
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I was looking at the R1200RT with the lower frame for the vertically challenged. I took it for a ride and I really liked the way it ran and handled. Can't say its new technology because its the tried and true boxer engine. Maybe it felt a bit more refined. The controls were well layed out and the bike just felt well put together. It is a different riding experience than the Road King but one that I still think about. I wouldn't want to get rid of the RK but I would really like to put a lot of miles on the R1200RT. Torn between two lovers I guess.
I like the Harley's, I've ridden them for over 30 years. I also liked the Triumph and the Honda 400 F and the Honda 350 - 4. My first bike was a Honda 450 CB, Honda's thoroughbred at the time. What I don't like is Harley's attitude in dealing with me as a long time customer. Your bike doesn't run correctly and we couldn't fix it? Too bad, they all run like that. Buy another one. Not likely. In case Harley hasn't noticed, a lot of young folks AREN'T buying Harleys. Their loyal customer base is leaving like overtaxed New Jerseyans fleeing the Garden State because Harley has forgotten who got them where they were. Just my 2¢.
* This post was
edited 09/29/09 07:30am by King of the Road *
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howsit2003
J'ville,Florida
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....a friend of mine just recently bought a 1968 Triumph Bonneville....just for the fun of it....I used to ride that bike when I was a youngster...and at the time I thought it was the baddest ass machine around....ha ha...he rode it twice and it's already broke down....I can remember that too...British engineering at it's best.....let's face it....we've come a long way since then.....modern engine technology is amazing....even my beloved H-D is pretty darn reliable....ok...it takes a bit of a ritual to start it....y'know....push in the compression releases....pull out the enricher....two twists on the throttle ( three in winter )....switch on the primary ignition....switch on the handlebar ignition...hit the starter....repeat as required......but once it lights off.....it's like the enrgizer rabbit...it 'jes keeps chugging...
...it's like jazzman sez....the ideal garage would have a half dozen bikes in there.... a 'busa for when I feel a need for speed....a scrambler for I need to hit the woods.....a 'lil early model sportster for when I wanna feel tooth shaking vibration...my Heritage for bike week.....and maybe a Beemer for me to show that I'm a multi-national bike afficiado.....he he he...
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THEBurninator
Washburn, MO
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Joined: 08/11/2003
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I have my Harley for laid-back rides, and I have my Triumph Speed Triple for more spirited rides. The Harley usually sits at home neglected while I'm enjoying the Triple.
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