xs over HD

[jms]

I like hd, they really are works of art, they are great to look at. Which is fine if that is what you want. I had a sportster many years ago which I loved (other than the fact that everything kept rattling off) it handled well, fun to ride, and overall a good bike. But I bought it to ride, and I rode it hard.

I was familiar with the xj650 and saw the XJ1100 as a size upgrade but I found much to my surprise that it was more than that. I think the handling is better and the upgraded power makes it a much nicer ride. Again I bought it to ride.

But I think the argument is more about the type of rider. I ride because it is fun, I have to have fun whenever I go. when I am not on my bike, I'm in my convertible (which I also drive hard). I will try anything that is fun. And if it isn't fun I won't have it long. I suspect that most of you are the same way.

The average HD rider has spent a crap load of money on their bike and are way more concerned about the artistic styling and how non-riders react. They bought it as a status symbol and for their purposes it works. They feel better about themselves and they usually get the reaction they want from non-riders. This group includes the weekend riders, doctors, lawyers, etc...

At the end of the day, the badge isn't the most important part of the bike, if you think it is, then you are missing out on something big and I feel sorry for you.

[Hammerhead1st]

My ex-wife (married now to one of my best friends) is looking at a Sportster right now. My friend, who just wrecked his 650 Yami, used the insurance money from that to buy an 85 VMAX.

To be fair, I should mention that my friend's 2 accidents weren't his fault. In both cases, the other guy was ticketed and found to be at fault.

SOOO

The Sportster is apparently one NOT manufactured during the AMF period. I asked her, and she knows what to look for, so I wished her good luck. We'll see what happens in the future, as she'll be riding with us in our little "pack" LOL...

[79XS11F]

I really don't have any thing against HD. I just think it's too much money to pay for a bike ... any bike. What I really don't like about HD actually has nothing to do with the bike itself. It's the image that HD owners have attached so firmly to HD that I wouldn't own one even if it was given to me. It's not the image I want to be projecting to the people I interact with day in and day out. It's tough enough just owning a motorcycle never mind a motorcycle that happens to be a HARLEY ...
Rob

[BLUEJEEPLAB]

My problem with Harleys is that everyone around here has one and half of them think that because they have one, I should too. Motorcycles are a matter of individualism, if you listen to the HD guys, but when everyone rides the same brand, loads it down with the same chrome and is nearly identical down the t-shirt with the tasteless saying and ratty do rag, where is the individualism?

It's the same pyschological phenomonem as drives white teenage kids to wear their hats backwards, show us their boxers and drive around in Neons that rattle in time with the monotonous and absolutely attorcious dronings of rap music. Or dress in black and wear white makeup with ten penny nails jabbed in painful looking positions (although, I have to admit, when you go to that length to make a statement...) They are "rebeling". (incidently, I love the signature line that Hobby Man had for awhile "What are you rebeling against? Whatcha got?"). It's not revolution when everyone does it.

When you go against the grain, be it on a 30 year old two wheeler, or a Beemer set up for Supermoto or just wear your ball cap the right way around, that is the revolution. Be yourself and do what makes you happy (as long as you don't cut off the other guys nose...). That's revolution...

[Hammerhead1st]

I've thought the same thing Jeep...been noticing more and more that almost every Harley goin by my house looks just like the LAST one that went by. As you said...same chrome, same sound, same clothes, it's like the style never changes. Look at the bikes posted here in this forum.

None of them are the same. Not even close. Everybody's individualism shows through clean and clear. Hell, MY bike looks like THREE people own it!

What's funny is, everytime a Harley goes by the house here, for some reason they get the urge to pull the clutch and roll onto it pretty good. I just sit on the porch and laugh at them...is my little XS THAT intimidating? LOL, one of them did that at the store one day, I was waiting to pull out and drove by and revved it up while grinning in my direction. LMAO!!! When I rolled into it, he turned back and looked as if he couldn't believe that sound came from my bike! My friend and I laughed so hard we could barely ride away...

I prefer my ride to be as individual as I am. If I wanted to be like everybody else, I'd have gone to law school before getting a bike...

[GtrMn]

All I can say is HD has some amazing marketing people. I thought they were dead in the 70's when AMF took over. Then seemingly out of nowhere they recreated themselves...and a BUNCH of people bought it. I'll bet 8 out of 10 bikes I saw today where Harleys...again amazing marketing.