I can't believe I'm admitting to this, but I'm in the market for a cruiser. I been on sportbikes for past 23 years and finally want a second bike to go for a cruise with the wife. I kinda like that nightster, but it doesn't fit my purpose. I have always wanted a worked over v-max that would still look bad *** but work as a cruiser too.

Even if I could afford a harley, I still wouldn't buy one.

 

So you honestly don't think a Harley engine would last? Where are you getting your info?

 

I've got nothing against Harleys as such, I respect them as a bike, If they where made in Australia I'd probably have owned one or so by now. but being the price that they are here & the type of roads that we have (compared to you guys), I would never even consider one.You can dress em up anyway you like, their just not designed for handling, sure they will go through the twisties, but up the speed & your dragging everything on the ground doing it.
They don't suit my riding style, (funnelly enough, two of best "Cruisers" I've ever ridden where a Yamaha Virago XV750 & a Motto Guzzi Nevada 750, but they where basically a nod at the cruiser style). In saying that though, several things come to mind about Harleys., The bullcrap "Lifestyle" issues that supposedly go with owning one, I'm not a Dude, or heavy bastard & I don't want everyone thinking that I am, just because of what I ride. Sure I know people that own them & love em & spend $$$$$'s on the buggers to make them unique & go better & they have great resale, if they don't get stolen in mean time.

 

Fat girls are SOOOOOOO grateful to get some, that'e why..........

And Gunny, if you want a real cruiser with *****. try the Triumph Rocket 3.
I rode one and they had to pour water on the saddle so I could get my *** to unpucker itself from the seat.......hoooooooo boy !!

 

RedRider, to be honest, I'm not going to be the guinea pig! What I mean is, I don't know that I've ever seen a Harley with over 25K miles on it. Any Harley I do hear getting high miles on it is always getting rebuilt.

I put just under 20K miles the first year I owned my F3. That's a bone-stock bike, buddy. I personally don't believe that a Harley could do that without at least a couple of visits to the Harley shop. I spent $50 on a cam chain tensioner for the F3 an 20 minutes to install it that first year.

Now you can argue that Honda owns part of that company and provides them with some parts but apparently they're not the right ones, lol.

Now the Buells actually do get ridden, from what I can see. And time and time again I see Buells on CL and it never fails... the motor has been replaced within 2 or 3 years. Of course, it's always because, "I wanted to beef it up." Yeah right buddy, your rod isknocking, rings are shot and valves trashed.

I'm open to a debate about the quality of a Harley Davidson, but I'm telling you now - you've got your work cut out for you... Hell, I'd like to hear what you have to say, to be honest. Not to mention the fact that until recently, the HD powertrain has remain largely unchanged and definitely not kept with the times.

 

Like any bike it depends on how you ride and take care of them. Friend of mine just had his 1985 HD rebuilt for the FIRST time. 60,000 mi. That's not bad. Even Honda's can go bad before that. That's just one guy and one bike though. My dad's has been rebuilt at least 3-4 times and the drive belt snapped a few times too. It has65,000 mi. Depends on the abuse you like to give it.

I would buy one if I could afford keep my cbr and have both. I'd go with a 1200 Sporty or a Superglide. Or that new Night Rod Special they have. I guess I think they're all cool in some way.

 

+3 on the Triumph Rocket III...



Article with pics from motorcyclecruiser.com





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