Harley Snobs: RANT - Page 4

**Blueberry** · 07-15-2010, 07:01 AM

Pug}{maN, Its unfair to pick on HD, after all its the dealerships, not the company. We have a huge Honda dealer here and when I asked about a new tank for my Rebel the parts person didn't know what year tank fit what year Rebel. When I told him I can't swing the $450.00 for a tank right now his response was "so I'm wasting my time with you" We also have a Suzuki dealer who told me I would have to put a deposit down before he would get a TU 250 in for me to look at. Our local Triumph dealer went out of business because his $7995.00 Bonne was $9800.00 out the door. So its unfair to blame the companies when you run into a bad dealership. I bought my Royal Enfield from Eddie Trotta's chopper shop and they took the time to teach me about my motorcycles fluids and break in procedure, and I bought by far the cheapest motorcycle they had. There are good ones out there, you just need to find them.

JunkyardDog · 07-15-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Adix

I haven't gotten any grief for my bike yet. Usually when I see Harleys, or any bike for that matter, going by the other way I wave, and they either wave back or they ride by with their heads turned like confused dogs trying to figure out what my bike is. In fact I've gotten a lot of nice comments from other riders and random people. I pretty much wave at everyone on two wheels, except those damn bicycle riders! Haha J/K. Seriously though, from Harleys to mopeds I'll wave and I usually get a wave, or head nod, back. I still want to get a Harley, but I'm with Jerry, even if I could afford a new one I'd still opt for a post AMF EVO Harley, or an old Nuckle-Head because I love how those engines look. Panheads are pretty sick too. I've been doing a lot of thinking about my next project and I'm trying to decide between these: Yamaha xs650, Honda CB750, Honda VT600 Shadow, Harley Sportster, Triumph Bonneville (if I can find one), oh... or a brand new space age BMW! haha. That's if I do another Bobber. They all have their pros and cons, but for my next bike I'd love to have more power and speed, a springer front end, a kick start, a rigid frame (or at least the look which I like about the VT600, although I don't like that most are drive shaft and only 4 speed), and made for two riders (my girlfriend wants a seat too). I'd be nice if I could get the bike for under $3000 as well. Don't get me wrong, I love my Rebel and can't see myself ever parting with it, but I can see that I'm almost completely done with that project and I gotta start planning for the next one.

A "real" Triumph Bonneville is a bike to die for, but the prices are insane, and I would hate to see one cut up. I would go for the Sportster, they are cheap and plentiful right now, they have the right look, the right sound, and any kind of parts you could possibly ever want are and always will be available for them. I'd get one, but they are a bit small for me, I'm saving my money for an EVO powered Electra Glide.

The Shadow VLX600 is chain drive, and always have been. There are 2 versions, the '88-'98, and the '99-'08. If I were going to get one, I would go for the '99 up, because they have just one carb. I actually like the style of the earlier models a bit better, but if you are going to customize it anyway, it shouldn't matter much. I currently own a v-twin with dual carbs, and while it is a great bike to ride, the carbs are an absolute nightmare to get to and work on. They also make the entire intake system twice as complicated as it needs to be. I personally will NEVER own a dual carb v-twin again.

If you are just looking for a project, and don't intend to keep it forever, a late model Japanese bike is fine. But as Japanese bikes get older, parts become harder and harder to find, until eventually there are none available anymore. That will never happen with a Harley. Also, most Japanese engines were never designed to be rebuilt, and even if the parts are available, the cost can easily exceed the bikes value. Harley engines can be rebuilt several times, and don't require a new crank, rods, cam, and heads everytime like Japanese engines do, with their pressed together cranks, non removable rods, no cam bearings, etc.

Basically, Japanese bikes=disposable, while a Harley can be kept going forever without it costing a fortune, at least the EVO and older engines.

I love old Triumphs, Nortons, BSAs, etc. and they too can be rebuilt, but the prices are just too high anymore. Jerry.

**Pug}{maN** · 07-15-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueberry

Pug}{maN, Its unfair to pick on HD, after all its the dealerships, not the company. We have a huge Honda dealer here and when I asked about a new tank for my Rebel the parts person didn't know what year tank fit what year Rebel. When I told him I can't swing the $450.00 for a tank right now his response was "so I'm wasting my time with you" We also have a Suzuki dealer who told me I would have to put a deposit down before he would get a TU 250 in for me to look at. Our local Triumph dealer went out of business because his $7995.00 Bonne was $9800.00 out the door. So its unfair to blame the companies when you run into a bad dealership. I bought my Royal Enfield from Eddie Trotta's chopper shop and they took the time to teach me about my motorcycles fluids and break in procedure, and I bought by far the cheapest motorcycle they had. There are good ones out there, you just need to find them.

i work at a dealership

im not seeing your point...

**flitecontrol** · 07-15-2010, 11:25 PM

I believe the point is there are good dealerships, and not so good dealerships. You can't blame HD, Honda, or any other manufacturer, for a dealer's poor customer relations or an arrogant attitude. It sounds like you work at a good dealership.

**cagie** · 07-16-2010, 12:12 AM

^ I second that, wish there were more like that around (in any business, not just MCs)

**Blueberry** · 07-16-2010, 09:01 AM

If you didn't get my point you must be working at a good dealership. Do you work by some chance at a dealership just outside of Joplin? When I bought my RE, Thunder Cycles took care of me. They could see this motorcycle was very important me. I was only spending $6,000.00 in a showroom full of $30,000.00-$50,000.00 bikes, yet they took the time to treat me right. Unlike some of the big 4 around here who won't even have a 125-250 in stock because they want to sell you a 1800cc crusier or a 1300cc sportbike.

**Pug}{maN** · 07-16-2010, 09:03 PM

no i work at gails h-d in grandview, i see what your geting at now, i have heard lots of storys about people get bad treatment at other shops, we are #1 here in KC for a reason ! lol...

**Fridgitator** · 07-16-2010, 11:36 PM

I had an interesting conversation with a Harley rider today. I went into a convenience store, and he was parked next to my bike when I came out. He wanted to know where I got my windshield, because he was looking for one, and the Harley dealership wanted 375.00 to put one on his bike. A 750, I think. When I told him what I had paid, he said he liked his bike, but he felt like he was getting ripped off every time he looked at the accessories at the Harley store. He had bought his bike from a private party and wanted to customize it, but everything he wanted was way more than he had expected. When we started talking about gas mileage, regular upkeep, and overall satisfaction, I felt bad for the guy. I found myself complimenting his bike to make him feel better about it. Nice guy. I hope National Cycle can give him a good price on a windshield.

**J-Adix** · 07-17-2010, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagie

Try this on for size: Make: Online : Steam powered motorcycle (photos)

That's freakin' sweet! The tea kettle from hell. I wonder how fast it could go and what kind of water mileage he got.

**Fridgitator** · 07-17-2010, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Adix

That's freakin' sweet! The tea kettle from hell. I wonder how fast it could go and what kind of water mileage he got.

Looking at the rig, There is no boiler on the bike. It had to be charged with steam from a remote source, and presumably would 'run out of steam' as soon as the tank lost pressure. Brilliant engineering, but I can understand why it didn't get too far.