Harley owners are humans, too!

[jamiep24]

Put over 1400 miles on her in less than 3 weeks and I'm getting more confident every mile. Been on 3 rides so far of around 100 miles each with other riders. One on an Electra Glide Classic, one on a Softail Classic and the other on an Ultra Classic. And let me tell you one thing, they couldn't seem to take their eyes off my Black and Chrome beauty. Every time we came to a stop or rest they would ask questions about my Nad. And all they can say is how they heard about how good a bike they are and how good-looking they are. And all three said that they bought a Harley because that's what they've always wanted. Seems to me they wanted one because everybody else had one. That's the main reason I didn't want one. I've always been told that Leaders don't follow. To me that means do what you think is right regardless of what others may think or say. It just makes me think they are saying to themselves "I waited my whole life for this while I could have had that all along."........................................And I wonder how many of those Jap bike haters drive Nissans or Toyotas?

Anyway, the '09 Ultra Classic I rode with today was awful quiet and most get the Harley for that sound. I'll tell you what I heard when I got behind that bike (I was in front of it most of the ride). I heard my newly baffled pipes growling much deeper and louder. Made me proud.

[reaper]

Unless their behind a counter
Read my adventers in harley land
http://kawanow.proboards77.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=10015
Plus my brother rides a Harley and I know he's not human http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[billz410]

An interesting observation, Jamie. I too looked long and hard at the HD's, and I suppose price was the main factor that prohibited me from buying. Plus my wife thought they were stupid. But the more I ride my Nomad, the more I am so very glad that I didn't spend the incredible amount of money to get something that everybody else has (HD).

[mercianbike]

I think Harley makes some fine looking machines. A few years back when I was planning to upgrade from my Yamaha 650, I printed a picture of a maroon Road King with WW tires that really impressed me. But there was one major flaw: the cost. This was also when the 07 models were introduced with the six speed gear box and on the Harley forums there were several complaints about excessive noise coming out of the transmission that the dealers & company would not acknowledge. Then, thankfully, I discovered the Nomad. I have two American made automobiles so I figure I've done my share of "Buy American" and I spent 25 years in the Air Force so nobody can accuse me of being unpatriotic. The Kawa Nomad is just one fine bike that will measure up to anything on the road.

[schoeney]

Most of the HD guys are good guys....just caught up in the buy an image thing. I try not to rib my HD buddies too much...they feel bad enough knowing they spent way more than I did to buy an inferior product at a higher price.

Looking at the way HD prices (new + used) are dropping they feel even worse without me rubbing it in.

OK...so I after a couple cold ones I may forget my good intentions. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[cactusjack]

Bikers are a proud bunch and nobody is going to admit they made a $12,000 or $15,000 mistake. So they surround themselves with others who are in the same boat and they commiserate and poke fun at people who made a smarter financial decision. ::)

[dkdixie]

[quote author=schoeney board=general thread=10013 post=165918 time=1237865832]Most of the HD guys are good guys....just caught up in the buy an image thing. I try not to rib my HD buddies too much...they feel bad enough knowing they spent way more than I did to buy an inferior product at a higher price.

You're right on about the image thing.......and throw in "ego" as well.
I know, been there, done that, for those reasons.
Had to have one because my riding buds were all on Harley's.

The Christmas after I bought my Harley, my whole family must have thought I wanted to be a Harley poster child.....almost every box had some clothes from HD.

I still wear the clothes, too many and too expensive to trash.

Harley riders sometimes ask me why do you wear HD clothes and ride a Kawasaki.
I just tell them Harley Davidson doesn't necessarily make better bikes......but they do make better clothes!!

[caper]

I too looked hard at the HD road king. For the price I could not think of why 10,000 more for the HD. ITS after all not that good a bike . Boy am I happy with my decision. Although I must say I have never driven a HD but at the cost difference I can't see how it can get any better than the Nomad. But I wish the Nomad had the cruse control like the HD. This summer at the bike shows I will test drive a Road King. I bet its NOT as nice of a ride as the nomad.:):)

[cactusjack]

I too looked hard at the HD road king. For the price I could not think of why 10,000 more for the HD. ITS after all not that good a bike . Boy am I happy with my decision. Although I must say I have never driven a HD but at the cost difference I can't see how it can get any better than the Nomad. But I wish the Nomad had the cruse control like the HD. This summer at the bike shows I will test drive a Road King. I bet its NOT as nice of a ride as the nomad.:):)

I rode my buddy's Road Glide a few months ago, it was a nice bike, but the Nomad has it beat hands down.

[bucfan11]

Let me add my .02 cents. My brother owns a 08 Electra Glide, I've put a lot of trouble free miles on it, He has ridden it hard and it has never gave one minutes of problem. It's ride is a little better (smoother) than my Nomad. I was never a HD fan but his HD has changed my mind. It's been an excellent machine. I would not pay the extra $6000 but it is a good bike.

[jamiep24]

Caper, the Nomad beat a Road King in one of those bike magazine's road test posted on one of these threads. Rode with my friend with the brand new Ultra Classic yesterday and today and all he does is compliment me on the looks of my bike. It's like he didn't know there were other cruisers out there other than the Harley, til now. I'm sure they're good bikes but I got what I wanted and I got my money's worth... The guy I rode with on Saturday to the motorcycle show in Jackson (the one with the '08 Softail Classic) had gas leaking out his gas cap and his oil temp was getting high. Glad I don't have those to deal with.