Kawasaki Vs. Harley

[schoeney]

One additional area that Kawasaki is doing better than Harley....the stock price.

While neither is doing well Harley's stock is down 66% and MaKaw is down 34%. Based on last 12 months.

Look for inventories of parts, bikes, and R + D (did Harley even have R + D?) to be slashed. Good thing we ride Kawasakis...we don't need as many parts

[glwilson]

An "investor" told me not too long ago that he owned an expensive HD.

He said he would have been better off to have used that money to purchase Harley stock instead when he bought the bike -- then later sell the stock at a substantial gain.

He then could have paid for the bike with his "gains" and also had his original principle from the investment.

As it is now; his principle has diminished substantially (all gains gone from his investment) and he owns an expensive bike that may not hold its value given how many are starting to be for sale.

I told him not to beat himself up too much -- at least he got to ride all those years while he otherwise would have been waiting for a gain -- and also, who knows if he would have sold the stock at a gain -- because let's face-it -- he hadn't sold it at its highs anyway!!!

My advice would have been as I did: Buy smart -- buy a Kawasaki Nomad and invest the savings in a highly diversified investment portfolio of which you hold for the long-term.

In following my advice, he would have had a great bike to ride all these years; and an investment account (if diversified) that would likely not be as negative as HD stock. A bit of "having plenty of cake and eating it too"!!! ;)

[taranis]

Kawasaki is a lot more diversified in the marketplace too. Harley is very specific in their branding and what they market - an image/lifestyle.

I remember going to my local HD and look for any bike that I would take home and keep for a long time, price irrelevant. I found a beautiful Heritage Springer with just about everything I wanted, minus the hard bags. I about sh*t when I saw the price tag - $23,000. Granted, it was a 1700 (ish), 6 speed, chromed to hell and back, and gorgeous.

Momma always said I had a wine-lover's taste on a beer drinker's budget.

[blowndodge]

I wish Harley made a decently priced very reliable full dresser because I would have probably bought one. For the money it doesn't compare to the Nomad.

A good friend of mine is on his second Ultra. He has had Gwings too. His current Ultra is a '99. Runs like a top. I think the difference is he hasn't torn into the engine to get more HP out of it. All he has are SE pipes. This last summer I did a charity ride with some folks on trikes. One of the woman riders had an Ultra trike with almost 200,000 miles on it. It looked and ran great. The motor was bone stock.

I think the difference is when it comes time to service the thing. Harley requires A LOT of service on their bikes, and it all seems to be expensive. Of course, I have just decuced that information from talking to my HD buddies.

In the end, the current economy will seprate the motorcyclists from the guys who just had to get a bike, and the bike had to be an HD!

[kjaxntn]

My brother has a 90 something low-rider with over 100,000 on it and its only been in the shop very few times, nothing major. but price and air cooled drives me away. The only one i ever considered buying was a v-rod because it was water cooled but have heard of a few problems. And to have to make an appointment for months down the road to get work done, no thanks. My 800a has served me well and im sure i will get the same service when i get my new nomad. Mama,s 08, 900 classic has had no prob in the first 1000 miles so im sold on Kawasaki.

[emu]

There is one area where Harley stock out shines Kawasaki stock by a country mile ... I have an 03 Nomad and was on a road trip from early May till mid Sept. The one nagging problem was oil changes. I do my own as I travel. Harley stock may be way down ... But the Kawasaki stock of oil filters was nonexistent a lot of the time. My Nomad was one of the ones that required the spin on oil canister modification kit and the paper filter element was very hard to come by. Many shops across the States did not have any in stock. However the solution was rather simple ... When I did find a shop with filters in stock ... I bought a bunch. LOL

[rlfaubion]

This old Harley below only cost me $750 in 1971. However, it didn't come with a windshield, shock absorbers, front brake, hand clutch, electric start, gas gage, speedometer, mufflers or much lighting, but it was a pretty good deal

Oh, and no ignition key either

[phenrichs]

Originally Posted by Valdez (lone Juan)

This old Harley below only cost me $750 in 1971. However, it didn't come with a windshield, shock absorbers, front brake, hand clutch, electric start, gas gage, speedometer, mufflers or much lighting, but it was a pretty good deal

Oh, and no ignition key either

But I'll bet that old chopper got way more bang for the buck as far as memories and good times.

[Kawhead]

Originally Posted by Valdez (lone Juan)

This old Harley below only cost me $750 in 1971. However, it didn't come with a windshield, shock absorbers, front brake, hand clutch, electric start, gas gage, speedometer, mufflers or much lighting, but it was a pretty good deal

Oh, and no ignition key either

If it had all that extra bells and whistles it would have been $7,500. I like the HD and I don't knock 'em. A year or so ago after I wrecked my 800VN. I was shopping for a "Heavy Cruiser". HD was my first choice but dang the prices were in the stratosphere. Price/feature and most of all reliability the Nomad won me over. Forgot to mention style.

[schoeney]

Originally Posted by Emu

There is one area where Harley stock out shines Kawasaki stock by a country mile ... I have an 03 Nomad and was on a road trip from early May till mid Sept. The one nagging problem was oil changes. I do my own as I travel. Harley stock may be way down ... But the Kawasaki stock of oil filters was nonexistent a lot of the time. My Nomad was one of the ones that required the spin on oil canister modification kit and the paper filter element was very hard to come by. Many shops across the States did not have any in stock. However the solution was rather simple ... When I did find a shop with filters in stock ... I bought a bunch. LOL

EMU...I have a 2003 Nomad as well. I am not aware of this "spin on" modification"...can you enlighten me? I buy the Wal Mart Super Tech ST7317 oil filters. Thanks

[dhomoney]

When I was looking for a two up cruiser I looked at the Road King and Softtail Classic, but when I loaded it out like the Nomad they were $20k+ and I got the Nomad for $11k. No comparison.

[emu]

Originally Posted by schoeney

EMU...I have a 2003 Nomad as well. I am not aware of this "spin on" modification"...can you enlighten me? I buy the Wal Mart Super Tech ST7317 oil filters. Thanks

Several production run lot numbers in 2003 and (I believe) early 2004 had a problem with the spin on filters popping the seal under certain conditions.

http://fiche.ronayers.com/Index.cfm/...ump/Oil_Filter

So Ma Kaw came up with a pain in the ass mod to correct the problem. You can check via your VIN No. at your dealer if your bike was one of the unlucky ones. ... The link is to a diagram showing the mod apparatus.

[schoeney]

I checked my VIN #...no recalls or issues. About the only thing that has gone right lately. Maybe 2009 won't be so bad afterall!

[jasperboy]

For me the Harley decision is as much an "anti establishment" statement as anything. I have friends that I ride with regularly who are Harley guys, and they don't give me any crap, and I in-turn pay them the same respect. When I was shopping this past fall I looked real hard at the Road king. It is a beautiful bike, and with the new frame, motor and 6 speed, has alot to offer. The other benefit is the limitless amount of accessories available to customize. The down side for me however is not just the cost, although make no mistake that is a HUGE factor, it is that my 6' 4" frame isn't as comfortable on the Harley. Of course they are quick to point out that with new bars and forward controls I can "stretch" it out to fit, but now I'm nearly twice the cost of a new Nomad, and almost three times what I paid for a nearly new 2006. The Nomad is comfortable right out of the crate! This along with the fact that I don't buy into the whole "join the club" Harley mentality. I made the choice not to join a fraternity in college because I didn't care to "buy" my friends, and I feel much the same way about my bike. That is not to say that any social organization is bad, just not my cup of tea. My $0.02