Are Harley Davidsons crap or is it all just hearsay?

[ninja_butler]

Disregarding some of the bikes HD were making in the 1970's which really were awful, are modern Harleys really bad bikes or is that just what people with more opinion than knowledge have to say? A lot of people on the internet seem to take great pleasure in ridiculing the tassle-wearing riders of American cruisers.

My dad test rode a Harley around the year 2000 (I forget which model, but it was one of the more expensive ones) and he was appalled by the brakes and handling which he described as something like "utter f**king shit, absolute sh*t, Harley Davidsons are f**king sh*t, they can shove their bikes up their fat American asses, fat ass stupid Americans.. wooo hooo! Look at me on my piece of sh*t Harley Davidson.. only stupid w*nker fat assed stupid Americans ride sh*t like that, f**king pieces of sh*t" ... and so on. The one semi-coherent point he did make was that he rode the bike quite carefully and despite braking very early the bike didn't stop until it was over the white line at the first junction. Apparently "Well they're all like that" is what the salesman said.


BUT, I have also read comments on the internet from people who have owned and ridden both Japanese sports bikes and Harley cruisers and have praise for both. And when I look at the official stats for Harley Davidsons, their braking performance doesn't seem bad at all:

https://www.lasdhq.org/sites/motorcycle-test/2011.pdf
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/VehicleTestBook2009-Motorcycles_260479_7.pdf

[mic]

one mans junk is another mans treasure an all that
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zzr600

[nowhere.elysium]

They're ridable, but lumpen, drastically overpriced, and slow. The brakes were OK on the one that I tried, although I really didn't get on with the engine at all - 45 degree twins feel weird to me. Torque response was good, but if you're looking to rev it, you'll be disappointed. IL4 fans need not apply.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[Vincent]

Post Evo ones aren't badly made....and the finish is a lot better than it used to be....but still...............,.
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Space Is Deep

[27cows]

Had a ride on one of the small ones, matt black 883 Sportster. Looked OK and was surprisingly enjoyable to ride. I didn't fall off and was able to stop, and didn't feel the overwhelming urge to visit a gay bar after the spin either But I suspect the big ones are probably as vile, wobbly and hideous as reputation suggests.
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The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[stigg]

I had a 1200 and it's only the second bike I've ever come off of, the other one was a Yamaha SX650! The Harley just did not stop because the brakes are not strong enough to stop all that mass. The other downside is that our weather really dulls all the bright bits very quickly if you don't dry it every time it gets wet! Basically to slow, bad materials, don't stop, heavy and too expensive.

[stinkwheel]

As standard, they are shite.

They can be made pretty good by judicious use of tuning componants to improve the handling, brakes and power output.

They are undoubtedly overpriced for what they are.

I have a couple of mates who have Harleys and do big miles on them but they are most definately not standard and both say they wouldn't touch a totally standard one with a bargepole.

I rode a totally Heritage Softail classic in Florida in ?2003? and I found it to be heavy, underpowered, ill handling and underbraked.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[P.addy]

They wouldn't let me take one out, so I can't give an opinion. But I went in there with an open mind/rectum and was willing to at least see how shit they are first hand.

[pits]

[BTTD]

As far as I'm aware "standard" upgrades used to be front brake, open pipes.
My father had an Evo Softail and went for a Harris Billet front brake which he reckoned transformed it.
After that there's the stage one with high lift cam, gas rear shock, progressive front springs...... the list can be as endless as you want it to be.
Whatever you do it'll never be a sportsbike, but then that's kind of the point.

[P.addy]

No, I wasn't old enough apparently, but you made me smile sir

[headlamp]

It is the only bike I have never seen a motorcycle courier in London on so I assume they must be rubbish.
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Using a mobile phone while driving a car should be made a capital offence!

[chris-red]

You don't buy a harley for performance. I could see myself having one as a toy if I had loads of cash, however it would need a buell top end

They look cool, and you buy the brand not the bike.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Suntan Sid]

The last time I rode with someone with a Harley, their petrol cap vibrated loose and fell off!
True story, what more do you need to know?
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[mudcow007]

if they are so poop, why have they got a mahoosive cult following?

is it just god damn American's an their straight roads?

[stinkwheel]

[dolly3900]

[mudcow007]

i would like to point out im neither a fan or hater of the "davidson" i just wondered what all the fuss was about

[Joncrete Cungle]

I had a ride on a HD once it was appalling. Heavy, poor handling, slow, noisy, the finish was nothing to get excited about and I have better brakes on my pushbike. Not my cup of tea at all, if someone else is happy with theirs fair play.

[brains_t]

I test rode several HDs recently all were rideable but lack real buzz.

I did enjoy the Sidewinder which made light work of motorway miles. Could see myself one for a lazy cruise across Europe with pillion and luggage but if I did I would probably hire rather than buy

[Vincent]

While some go for the loud and "vibraty" type of bike, I found personally that the novelty soon wears off and the noise just get's on your tits. They're a bit like narrowboats - everyone says how great they are with their steel hulls and lovely big, reliable Petter or Lister diesel engines......but if your sitting at the tiller.................about 3 foot away from the motor...it's no more enjoyable than riding a dumper truck up the M6 all day The river is such a beautiful, quiet place.....you need to make the most of it by using a quiet boat. A bit diferent onb the road of course, but you get the idea.

I reckon a good percentage of Harley owners buy the bike for no other reason that to enjoy the attention. Not all though, I do have a couple of mates that genuinely love their Harleys. If i had one, I'd have to make it as light as possible, I don't particularly enjoy humping heavy bikes about.
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Space Is Deep

[keggyhander]

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

The majority of cruiser riders choose them for the riding position.

Image comes into play AFTER that.

The reason people choose HD over jap is primarily because (with very few exceptions) HD's do look better than Japan's idea of styling in that department.

[Ste]

[Nick 50]

[SofaBear]

i personally really like them. i dont like chrome, its too much for me but i appreciate why other people like them.

I am tempted by an 883 iron myself.