Quote:
Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive
The prevailing "wisdom" was always "if you want image, get a Harley. If you want dependability, get a metric bike". That was probably more true before Y2K than now, new bikes seem to have more quality across-the-board but then the issue of cost rears it's ugly head. All things considered you'll pay more for an HD than for just about any other equivalent bike. Often a lot more. Image is expensive.
I've gone both ways. To be honest riding a Harley is much more tiring than, say, a Suzuki C90T which is built from the ground up as a touring bike and fits the bill very well. The shaft drive and the way the motor is tuned makes it virtually vibration-free, and the soft suspension maybe gives you a bit less responsiveness but you'll be thanking it after, say, eight hours in the saddle.
I really have no dog in this particular fight either way. People ride what pleases them. As it should be.
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Oh, I forgot to say that some of my VERY BEST riding experiences came riding OFF-ROAD in Arizona up and hills on a 250 cc Honda on and off road bike. To me that was more exercise and skill enhancing and seeing wildlife than I ever got riding on a road, which is just A to B. Animals do NOT run from a QUIET dirt bike or a bicycle. I know this won't impress anyone, but I also owned a Honda 90 which got about 100 miles per gallon and had a top speed of only 40 MPH on the street. It could be used as a DECENT off road bike in a pinch as it had a lever that gave it a low range with lots of torque. I took it with me deer hunting out west a couple of times - great for scouting. That 90 cc 3 stroke was a MASSIVE seller throughout the Far EAST for a very long time until the middle classes there got more money to afford cars. I am surprised that Honda stopped making them - there were very rugged....... ACTUALLY unbreakable !