Its been a long time since i owned anything but an HD, but in my opinion and with the view of someone who has a few miles under him, you should ride what makes you happy.
Owning an HD is not all fun, they can really challenge the will on occaison and can be pretty miserable machines when they want to act up - not to say that a Honda wont do the same, but in my experience HD owners (and BMW owners also fall into this bucket) endure some crap for being loyal to the marque.
with that said, i think that the only people feeling inadequate are the owners who arent riding the bike they want to be riding (please - get happy and go buy the bike you want)....or numbnutts who think anything that aint HD aint a mans bike...arrgh arrgh..most people i know dont care, we are over that **** some years ago, please - grow up
as long as your riding and your happy - thats what counts in the wanker playbook of life
Bike looks nice. If I wanted to ride one of them I would and f- what the rest think.
However I have no problem going to the line with you. I would feel bad when my Sporty Exhaust knocked some of that plastic off, course I would not have to worry about running into fallen off parts for they would be behind me.
I really dont know what qualifies as American made anymore. Seems if your bike was built mostly here by Americans it Qualifies. Are Americans included in the engineering of the bike also?
Also seems if you are an American company and have Folks overseas doing most of the work using non Amarican parts you are Anti -American. Shame on you for being greedy and cheap! Just like the American Toy company that found its cheaper to asseble and build in China. But now are recalling parts because the lead in the cheap paint is a hazard to the kids.
Yes!!! My levis are crap! It use to take 2 years to break em in so they would be comfy for the next six. Now they are so thin they wear out in a year and the price is higher for them. Cheap bastards.
Maybe its time to just purchase on Quality and go in with a blind eye on what the made in sticker says
I currently own a VTX1300C. My previous rides include a Harley FXR, 2 Sportsters, a Kawasaki Concourse, KZ1000, Yamaha 650 Special, and a Honda CL360. (and various Honda and Yamaha dirtbikes)
I appreciate the fact that my VTX was built in America and I like the fact that much of my purchase price goes to American workers - good to see a foreign company building products here rather than vice versa. However...I've still never thought of it as an "American" bike. No more than I think of my Toyota (also built in the states) as an "American" car. That may not be fair, of course, but in my mind it is a Honda (not that there is anything wrong with that) - a Japanese bike that, in this case, is built in the U.S.
BUT...I really like the bike. "American" bike, "American-built Japanese bike", "Japanese/American bike" - whatever. It's a great bike. It's got a great "vibe" to it and has performed flawlessly. The engine has got a "rowdiness" to it that is as close to feeling "American" as any metric I've ridden. It's got some plastic parts on it, but I bought the bike to ride (currently 36,000 miles on it) and when riding I'm not giving any thought to what is metal and what is plastic. And it is a handsome bike, IMO.
Harleys? Oh, I love them. Most people that slam them have never ridden one. They convey a "solid" feel that is rarely duplicated. The pulse of the engine is absolutely addictive. (though I can't comment on the new counterbalanced engines). The Harley 'brand' has become very popular in recent years and some may view that as more negative than positive, but the motorcycles themselves are a joy to ride - somewhat of a "nostalgic" feel...but that is part of the charm. Though I haven't owned any of the newer models, I believe the quality/reliability is as good as anything out there these days.
I may very well own another Harley someday, but these days my rides are getting longer and my interests are changing, so I'm currently looking at Sport/Touring bikes (Honda ST1300 and the Kawasaki Concourse 14).
Enjoy the bike you've got. Don't worry about how it is labeled. See you on the road.
Here we go with the bike bash'n again. Man, these people think if the brand you ride doesn't start with an H and end with an A you're rid'n a piece of sh*t. Get a life, Troll.
I have been reading a couple of long term tests in "Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine" (I enjoy the diverse opinions.... not just HD talk). The VTX 1300C tested was enjoyed by the tester but only after he had changed the pipes, changed the shocks, improving both power and handling. Quote - "The change was dramatic - te VTX's slop has been tightened up, and the bike now handles in a much more controlled fashion." - end quote. Sound familiar to Harley riders?
The other test was on a RKC tested by a woman who changed the brake pads, added a centerstand, (she is too short for the kickstand apparently) and an MP3 player.Other than that she loved it.
I, personally would not buy a Honda. I just don't like the feel of the build quality. Not the engineering I hasten to add. Just the way they are put together. But for almost half the price of a comparable sized HD you can't blame people for choosing to go that route. Poor misguided souls that they are.
Here we go with the bike bash'n again. Man, these people think if the brand you ride doesn't start with an H and end with an A you're rid'n a piece of sh*t. Get a life, Troll.
Bike bashing?? Who's bike bashing? Certainly not me! I asked an honest question, and I get answers like I'm riding a toy and a piece of sh@t. I like my bike yes, but I also like some Harley models and I don't go around bashing them! Care to answer my question instead of hurling insults?
We have other problems on this forum, floodgates... like a$$holes who jump in, cause trouble, and generally ruin our fun, then move on. They're called "Trolls". I think 20fxst06 felt you may have been one.
Just because Toyota now runs in nascar (which I no longer watch, for several reasons) doesn't make it an accceptable, to me, as an american automobile.
Ride what ya want. Ya know, those kawasaki drifters were a damn good lookin bike, and for the price... but it'll never have the heritage of an Indian.
Yer bike looks good. One word of advice... not all harleys are slugs... becareful what you line up next too... we might see you on an episode of pinks!
Each rider was to decide for his or her self what to ride. Just keep in mind what Ben Franklin said back in 1776, "We have to hang together or we will all hang separately." We are not close to hanging, but if I couldn't ride I would die of boredom. Whatever you ride we are in this together, let's present a united front.
We have other problems on this forum, floodgates... like a$$holes who jump in, cause trouble, and generally ruin our fun, then move on. They're called "Trolls". I think 20fxst06 felt you may have been one.
Just because Toyota now runs in nascar (which I no longer watch, for several reasons) doesn't make it an accceptable, to me, as an american automobile.
Ride what ya want. Ya know, those kawasaki drifters were a damn good lookin bike, and for the price... but it'll never have the heritage of an Indian.
Yer bike looks good. One word of advice... not all harleys are slugs... becareful what you line up next too... we might see you on an episode of pinks!
I agree that not all harleys are slugs... my statement probably doesn't hold true for anything not stock with the exception of the Vrod & 1200 Sporty (but I've already mentionned that). Stock 1340cc & 1450cc are definetly not a problem, but I can't say the same about the 96 though... haven't tried one yet!
I know full well what a troll is... that's why I was offended!
So back to my question-- the fact that my bike has more American manufactured parts in it than yours, doesn't make it an American made bike?? That's the debate right? My VTX (which is almost all built and assembled in Ohio and has more American parts than your HD) is not an American bike because the owners resides in another country??? What if the owners of HD decides to go live elsewhere, will HD suddently become an non-American bike?
perspective 
Linear Mode
