Top 5 Harley-Davidson Misconceptions
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.พ. 2017
- Matt Laidlaw goes over some of the most common Harley-Davidson Misconceptions when it comes to comparing them to other makes of Motorcycles.
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Matt, I am a Harleyholic and an educator. I subscribed to your channel because of the total quality that you provide. You are a cool dude with amazing artistry in videography. You have outstanding knowledge of Harley subject matter. You are an excellent communicator and teacher. Your analogies are very effective for understanding and you are entertaining and fun. In my opinion you are the best source for learning about Harley Davidson's on the Internet. You have addressed prejudice and ignorance with this video in a very professional, reasonable, and kinder gentler manner. Truth is haters are going to hate. I recommend your channel to every motorcycle enthusiast. I live in Arizona and ride my Sportster year around. I have 40 years of riding on my own and a few life shaping years of riding on the roomy old seat with my daddy on his 1951 Harley. I visited Laidlaws this past December but didn't see you. Thank you for the dedication that goes into your videos and representing Harley in your empowering way. Ride on, brother!
Keith Rennier thank you for the comment. I think that's probably the best comment I have ever received. Thank you. Ride on my friend. I'm surprised you didn't see me when you dropped by. I practically live there.
The fact that you know what you are talking about, have good video skills, knocking out great videos, thanks man. If I lived in southern CA, your dealership would be my go to. When I make a trip from Northern CA to your way, I will make sure your shop is the one I spend my money at. Keep up the great work, I love the videos
Justin Lash thanks man. Thanks for the compliment.
Keith, You just said everything i intended to say and more and certainly much better! Thank you, Brother!
Thanks tryarunm! It's an amazing vibe when we resonate with with those like us on the quality things in life. Expressing appreciation is lost in our society when we are all on this ride together. I appreciate you for appreciating Matt and myself. Thank you, Brother!
I was a die-hard sport bike enthusiast and one day I went looking to trade my 06gsxr 600 for a litre bike and couldn't find one in my price range. As I was looking around I started looking at the Harleys and sat down on one. First of all I like how comfortable the seat was (not all are comfortable to me) so the sales guy asked me if I wanted to test ride it. I wasn't looking to do any test rides but I said what the hell. I took off down the highway and let me tell ya it was like hanging on for dear life. I got back to the dealer and asked how much and he said 6000$ they give me 3000 for my gsxr ( which is how much I paid for it) and I paid the rest in cash. What was that Harley ya ask? It was an 07 Sportster 1200 custom with 18" ape hangers and a screaming eagle stage 2 kit. That bike turned more heads than my bright orange 600 crotch rocket ever did just by the sound and look of the bike. I was hooked! sorry for such a long post but just had to tell about my conversion.
I ride the same model and year. Bought mine brand new off the show room floor. The biggest thing I hate is when guys say that a sportster is strictly a chick bike. I later shut them up when I point out that historically sportsters were used as a starting point for bobbers and choppers. Good on you for not listening to the hype against Harley and as we say keep the chrome end up. Also welcome to the HD family.
That's because of the freaking handlebars.. the bike itself isnt powerful..
@@nomansson4628 oh yeah! I have realized that since then but that bike was still fun as hell to ride.
Same here rode sport bikes for 15 years all GSXR’s the last one was a liter bike I traded in for a brand new Harley two months ago and tell you what I never look back and I get more compliments on my Harley than all my sport bikes combined.
@@joetroutt7425
So, you’re a narcissist? Why would anyone want to have constant attention? Oh, look at me... I’m riding an outdated bike with dumb ass ape hangers.
I work hard for the money that I earn.... if I want to spend my money on an “overpriced Harley-Davidson”, that’s what I’m going to do. Matt said it right when he said people try and compare sport bikes to H-D. It is a COMPLETELY different class of motorcycle.
Shit I came from the sportbike world "overpriced harley" LMFAO have you ever checked out DUCATI? Makes most harley's affordable. I never get why people say they are so overpriced. Now I can't speak on the gear thought Dianese and Alpine star race jackets with armor made of kangaroo leather for some reason costs the same as a Harley jacket that doesn't come with shit. I'll say harley bikes aren't really overpriced.....The merch/gear might be.
I still feel like the misconception that says that Harley is overpriced is not a misconception at all. Yes, the comparison between sportbikes and cruisers sounds really weird. But comparison between Harley and Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki cruisers can bring this "misconception" to the table. This doesn't mean I don't want to have a Harley rather then those Japanese cruisers. They are good and they are cheaper... but I want Harley... To be honest I would have all of them :) I like motorcycles in general.. but my practical part always win. That's why I own Kawasaki Versys instead of Harley. But one day I'll buy a Harley too. :)
I've been riding since I was 8. I'm now 52. I have a 2017 Road King and a 2006 GSXR750(no car)....I love 'em both.
People seem to completely forget that Harley makes neo-classic motorcycles; very specific "legacy" type motorcycles. Why do you want a Harley? Because it is classic. Imagine if Chevy started making 1971 Camaros, or Ford 1969 Mustangs with updated but not over the top technology to keep the vintage style. Would we give them so much shit? Harley's are neo-classic bikes and should be treated as such.
Very Doge well said
Excellent analogy.
Actually an even better analogy would be how brands like Moto Guzzi, Norton, Triumph and Royal Enfield's main sales come from neo-classic bikes and Yamaha and Honda still manufacture some neo-classic models. The only difference is that HD makes American neo-classic bikes (big, powerful, heavy bikes; like you said more raw materials) not 300 lbs Euro city bikes.
Yeah, neo-classic. 1960s technology at 2017 prices. I'll pass. I'd like to think I have more brains than money.
Raw performance is not everything. Motorcycles are more than the sum of their parts. If you ride for any reason that is not the way it makes you feel, you're not doing it right. By that token, in the very same way that an aerodynamically styled sportbike with a liquid cooled technologically advanced in-line 4 and racing suspension may appeal to person A, a classically styled bike with a simpler classic engine and comfortable suspension may appeal to person B.
I just bought a 2017 Road King, and I didn't buy it to see how fast I could get to 60 mph. I wanted a sweet looking ride that I could ride for distance without feeling like I was in a car crash. Seriously, it makes me giggle when I hit the open road. It has plenty of power, and it's the only frame they make that really fits me. Maybe one day I'll upgrade the engine and components, but it won't be because I need it. (If my wife is reading this, it's because I "need it") I love this new engine.
Congrats. That is a gorgeous bike my man.
You should upgrade the front fork right away. HD knew about the death wobble and chose not to fix it. So you may find yourself on the ground rolling out of nowhere.
Just did 1350 miles around California on a 2017 Road King. Riding 2 up with a 70 litre duffel bag on the parcel rack & the bags full. Nice bike. The only major complaints I have are that it's too hard to get to the rear preload adjuster, and the fact the side stand drags the floor much too early on left turns.
SadaEKE harley fixed the death wobble with the frame change in 09 and yes im certain of that i have a 2017 flhr myself and i grew up on sportbikes
Hey Matt, I'm one of your MVPs and I came from riding sportbikes all my life. I even raced at the club level and had some success. But I had a friend who rode Harley exclusively. One day he convinced me to try it just for kicks and one ride, and I instantly got it. The next day, I went and bought a Sportster. 3 Harleys later, now I am on an Electra Glide and can't imagine riding anything else. He was right... Nobody who rides a Harley says they wish they will one day own a Honda or Yamaha or Triumph, but those riders will invariably say they wish someday to own a Harley.
Great video! I think most of the negative things you hear about HD comes from people who have never experienced one.
Or are envious
Hey Matt, thanks for the great discussion on Harley misconceptions, they are spot on. Like I have said for years most Harley haters have never owned or ridden a Harley. I have the 2 of the most hated bikes on the Internet, a Harley Roadglide and a BMW GSA, both put a giant smile on my face when I ride them, they are totally different bikes, so haters can be jealous all day long as they secretly wish they had one!
My first Harley is a 1980 (SuperGlide). Still have it and still love to ride it. Recently bought an '09 Ultra. They both have a unique ride but both are definitely Harley. There's nothing like them.
For many years I believed firmly in all these misconceptions. But when I visited Motorcycle meetings I just couldn't keep my eyes out of the Harleys. I always loved the chromes, the old style design, the fat tires, the beautiful paintings. When I talked to some friends that I would like to own a Harley, some of them always told me not to do it. It would be crazy and I would regret this decision, and than they repeated to me all these misconceptions. And so, finnaly I decided recently to purchase a beautiful Street Glide. I love it and I am proud of myself to have the courage to spend a lot of money to try and see with my own eyes. Now I regret not to have done this before. Thanks for your contribution to help many viewers to get rid of these prejudice.
Hey, I LOVE outdated bikes! Hehe. I have owned a Japanese Race bike, I have owned a BMW cruiser. I have riden dirt bikes and I will say that there is NOTHING like a HARLEY. NOTHING! The last 5 bikes I have owned have been Harleys. Anyone owes it to themselves to go take a test ride on a Harley before talking trash about them. I love how the Harleys feel when I am riding down the road. Riding the Harleys mak have to really hand it to you for all you do to promote Harleys. Not all dealership owners are as hands on as you are and work to really connect to your customers. When I see your reviews, I don't ever feel like you are just trying to sell something. You give really honest, objective evaluations on the videos of the bikes you ride and make videos on. I like that. You are good people, Matt.
Love your videos matt really informative. Now on my 7th harley ridden them over here in the uk for 40years nothing else like them.really hope harley survives these difficult days the world is facing. Thanks matt
Agree with Matt. I always dreamed of owning a HD, and when the time was right, I purchased my first HD. Have owned it for 6 years, and now just bought another new HD. Love them or hate them, it's your choice, but love them and would never change!
Hi Matt. I am a teacher living in Germany and I really enjoy your high quality videos.
Cheers
Thilo
This was a good video, Matt!
You explained everything, and without getting angry or bashing anyone! I got my first bike in 2005, 1200XLC. Pretty rare for a 23-year-old to get a Harley at the time, so i took a lot of flak from others my age on their supersport bikes. I always just told them "You might go faster, but I look cooler", and they always shrug and say "can't argue with that!". Hey, I just moved to L.A. a couple years ago, and I have passed Laidlaw's HD a handful of times! I saw your name once I started watching the video. I guess i *HAVE* to stop in, now!
Great video. You blew it on the leaky oil section, though. Early Harleys had an inner primary cover with a hole in the bottom to let oil out. The breather from the engine had a tube that went to the primary to puff out oil mist to lubricate the primary chain. This mist was adjustable at the oil pump. After a good ride the built up oil in the primary covers from the oil mist would then leak out of the hole in the bottom of the unpressurized cover. The earlier Harleys where actually designed to leak oil. Going back even farther, Some of the real early designs where a total loss system. In other words they had no oil return. Once the oil went through the engines it all came out on the ground. I believe that you had to add oil about every 750 miles or so. This is why Harleys got the bad rap about oil leaks. Cheers
Rode my first HD Street Glide, 2018, yesterday. Not a Vtwin fan, but was super impressed with the Milwaukee 8 engine. This bike is not slow! Super impressed with how quickly I got up to the speed limit and more. Torque and pulling power got you up to speed very quickly. I have changed my mindset with these modern HD bikes. More model options, color, and just a beautiful bike to behold. Quality. Not a hater or naysayer anymore. Thanks for getting me into a dealer to test ride these bikes. Your vids do make a difference!
Man there is a guy at work who has been trying to get me to buy a Harley and I followed most of the misconceptions and now that I have done so research and this video has changed my mind about them completely, thank you.
I love all kinds of bikes. Harley Davidson, Triumph, Honda and so on. What you get with a Harley Davidson is what you get with a 60's muscle car. No it's not the fastest car on the planet and yes it's old school technology but you take pride in them. It's a feeling that you cannot get with anything else.
I disagree, I take pride in my r1200RT. I demoed a 2015 Road Glide a couple years ago. And though I liked it's comfort, and generally liked the bike, I just didn't like riding it nearly as much as I love riding my 2005 R1200RT. The HD lacks the performance, agility and responsiveness that I love in a bike, which is what gives me the exact feeling that you're talking about. I don't care about engine or exhaust sound, I don't care about the look of the bike either(that's obvious riding an R1200rt).
A yuppy wine cork sniffing attitude? Pop up GPS? Which "rockets" have pop up GPS and how does that make them yuppy bikes?
What the hell are you on about? People defend Harleys despite having less performance for more money, telling others "you just wouldn't understand. It's a Harley thing." So explain to me how those who ride "high rev rockets" are the snobs?
and just like that outdated tech, a 69 Yenko Camero will get it's doors blown off by a 17 Hennesy Camero.... While I agree, the 69 looks better parked in the garage, or leaned on at the local drive, it's not practical. The Harley mirrors that. The 90th anniversary wide glide looks good shinny in the garage, but if I ride, I ride the Vic.
to each their own, glad you like your bike. what he is trying to say is if we can make a comparion with cars.. some like new honda civic ..with the smooth ride, quiet power, and advancements and some love a 69 camaro..with a rumble, shake, exhaust sound and a raw feel. to each their own..neither is better..just in the mind of the owner
That's the problem Jeff, it's not in the mind of the owner. Sure what one likes is indeed in the mind of the owner. My wife would love a 70 Chevelle, I'd prefer a 2016 BMW M3. Both performance cars, and both with their own character, and both, depending on condition, around the same price... however, her and I both know the BMW will spank the Heavy Chevy in any catagory. The problem with most HD owners isn't that the ride what they want, it's that they are constantly trying to tell me how much better there bike is... it honestly isn't and the numbers are plan as day on the stat sheets. It's not fast, it's not nimble, it runs hot, and it's over weight compared to the competition. The competition in this case being a Suzuki Boulevard, a Honda Goldwing, a Victory Hammer, an Indian Scout... when you realistically compare the cost of ownership and the performance of a Honda Fury to a Dyna, you quickly realize the HD is only more expensive and that's it. It's part of the reason HD owners like to compare them to sport bikes, because obviously, comparing apples to oranges gives you way more comfort, carrying capacity, fuel mileage range, etc etc etc. Or to BMWs which are expensive themselves. Truth is, a Kawasaki Concourse is probably about an ideal touring bike, but it's dismissed because Murica
I personally have pretty much NEVER heard a harley owner cutting down non harleys the way non harley owners do. That says a lot.
Then u have not been a motorcyclist for as long I have (53 years) PS I own a cruiser and a gen 4 BMW S1000 RR M pack right now, and love them both.
Damn you must be living under a rock because most Harley riders don’t respect other cruiser riders.I have seen it first hand in my 42 years of life and 15 of those years of riding.
Dude I don't know where you're coming from Harley Riders I know of they put down everything that isn't a Harley weather to BMW Ducati a brake bike what are the traffic like they always have a quick comment to say like rice burner Jack crap or something similar because they paid an overpriced piece of crap they have to make themselves feel better by putting down other people's motorcycles they think everything begins and ends with Harley-Davidson and Harley nothing in the scheme of things they are one step away from becoming a chinese-owned company your fights are made to pass federal regulations and not customers needs that's why you have to put 10 grand into a $20,000 motorcycle and it still is a piece of crap Harley build quality is an oxymoron if they made good bikes they wouldn't have the problems they are having and they wouldn't be shoving warranties down everybody's throats and they can keep their $60 t-shirts as well along with their hundred-dollar oil changes I could change the oil in my Sportster in my driveway in 20 minutes for about $30 the one time I let a dealer touch my bike they f*** it up never again thank God I never had the money to buy one of those I would not take one for free just like the British manufacturers Harley is Pennywise and pound-foolish did shave a few pennies putting cheap s*** their engines and then pay out the Wazoo for warranty claims they just never learn maybe chapter 11 will teach them a lesson but with 8 million twin cams on the used Market you're a Harley enough for the next 20 years without a factory and a boutique dealership and crafts that's made in China or Vietnam they don't want it to service they don't want to do repairs especially if you have a 10 year old bike bartender service pay is all full of brand new motorcycles with exploded engine Harley's last good motor was the Evo and that was designed by AMF best motor by far twin cams and mhr nothing but cheap disposable engines at ridiculous prices I mean really brand new motorcycle engine exploding at 15000 miles or less they have so many problems should we give me a sore throat listing them all here but they are all already wide known can't keep anything Secret in this day and age Executives at Harley got paid on their job performance they would get a zero paycheck at the end of the week except for the guy who figures out more ways to screw the Harley-Davidson customer out of money he got a raise and a bonus
Harley-Davidson whose motto is by the rich for the rich only the rich and and if you are not an old fart with more monies and God you're not welcome in our dealership go buy a Honda Sonny they are going to put themselves out of business the same way BS a Triumph did in the 70s a competent management expensive products crappy warranties horrible quality control no parts but we happy aftermarket which puts out better stuff at lower prices than anything you can get from a Harley dealership
Hey MATT....spot on, bud. Coming from a guy that owns 2 SportBikes, one SuperBike, and a 1997 Harley Fat Boy. 1997 and no oil leaks and very very reliable in 10 years of ownership and tons of miles. Bike is butter smooth. Tons of torgue/pulling power. And let's not forget Harleys history in Pre-WWII flat track and post WWII road racing. Dominating flat track for decades and ruling the drag strip to the day even over Suzuki. Plus going over 265 MPH at Bonneville salt flats. Don't get me wrong...I love SportBikes too, but both style bikes have their purpose. Neither being better than the other. Safe riding, fellow riders. MOTO PILOT
Thanks for the comment. I watch your channel. Good stuff man. I love all different kinds of bikes as well. There is a different type of bike for every application speed, cruise, dirt, dual sport, etc. Yea, no one wants to talk about Flat track though.
Funny that I saw this video again today. I'm releasing a Harley Davidson Brand video I shot in Laughlin tomorrow morning, touching bases on some things you discussed (as a brand). Check it out and please Like/Comment. Thanks for watching. MP
MOTO PILOT I'll be sure to check it out.
Matt you do a great job in the presentation, details, and visually appealing format. I’m catching up on all the TH-cam’s. Thank you! 👊🏻
I still ride my old 1996 Fatboy and it just hit 125,000 miles with no major engine work whatsoever! It is becoming one cold-blooded SOB, but once she gets warmed up it runs like it always has. All my friends have long moved on to the twin cams, but I can't think of one good reason to give up on the old EVO (probably the most reliable engine ever made).
Pilgrim777 only Harley & BMW have owners pour on the mileage and hold onto the bike... and Beemers are your orientated over all, says much for these two old brands.
I've got over 100,000 miles on my 94 geezer glide. With a little xtra 135hp with 135fp
Judging a motorcycle by it's "specs" is like judging a woman's total value by her measurements.
Agreed. Great analogy.
I just bought my first Harley at 65 and having not ridden a bike in 30 years. I’m very pleased and excited to have this bike and love my dealership. I feel like a kid again.
Matt: This is my favorite out of all your videos. The reason is because this video explains why Harley does what Harley does. And the riding video, is 1st class and so commplements the story line!
I purchased my 2017 Road Glide Special last month. Loving it !! so different from my other Japanese bikes.
Some people watched this video determined not to learn anything.
Totally Righteous Bro !!!! Thankyou for clearing the air, like you, I've been around Bikes my whole life, owned and ridden almost everything, and out of all, I'm in love with my Harley Davidson motorcycles, I've got an old one, and a new one, and love every mile, on both
You DEFINITELY cleared up a lot of the misconceptions for me! I'm ready to sll my 2017 Ninja 300 already and get an 883 Superlow! At 54 years old,..I'm asking myself why in the hell I started with a sport bike! How many 54 year old men ride sport bikes?
Great vid, matt. Thank you. I have owned several street bikes, including a 2008 GXSR 1000 and now a 2016 Road Glide Special. Your comments about having any sort of real fun on a sport bike are spot on in my opinion. I don't think I ever rode my gixxer without breaking the law and never got much enjoyment out of just riding around town. I always had to push the fun meter in the twisties and throttling up to the rev limiter. That bike was purpose built for one thing...racing, and boy was it made for it. However, in switching to cruiser bikes, I have found a whole new love for riding. When I get asked about the biggest difference in going to a Harley, I always say..."They're fun at any speed."
riesatmsncom I appreciate you agreeing with me on this point. Haha. When I'm on a R1 all I can think about is finding a road with no one on that I can open it up.
You use your thighs, not your wrists on a sportbike. Im a Harley guy myself. But im loving the 2019 Chieftain DarkHorse. The Chieftain is between a StreetGlide and a Goldwing. I own a Harley and a Busa at the moment. And can ride all day on the Busa. The suspension doesnt pick up the bumps like my Harleys do. Plus it cuts through the wind. 👍 As long as your on 2 wheels, thats all that matters.
Absolutely great video. I have been riding Harley Davidson and some other brands for over 50 years. I have to say Harley has always been there for me. I remember having to carry tools and such to ride one, years ago, and now you can just ride. Working on one is still somewhat simple but still requires maintenance. I have had several of my Harley Davidsons checked and with over 110k miles on my FLHTCU(1998) no rebuild was required. I now have a FLHTK 2015 and have to say the technology is beyond compare. They keep it simple. Put what you need to ride and enjoy the ride. Keep on riding man.....loved the video
Excellent video! Very well done. I've been doing research on buying my first bike and a lot of these misconceptions about Harley are so prevalent out there! Thanks for setting the record straight in an intelligent, non-biased manner! Job well done, sir!
i rode sport bikes all my life i needed comfort with speed so i bought a 2019 fat bob 114, i never look back ...most fun bike i ever rode even my friend is impressed who rides a busa and he thinks to buy one.
I am a Busa rider thinking of making the jump to a street glide.
thanks for the video Mr.Laidlaw. very informative, and easy to understand. I wish all metric riders would watch this video to erase a lottery of prejudices.
Well done, Matt! Thank you again for sharing your personal and professional insights. You are spot on once again.
Good analogy on the powerlifter vs sprinter Matt. Nice work. Great video.
On the price thing, I've been trying to tell people this for years.
You forgot depreciation - Japanese cruisers depreciate like Krazy and are rearlly really hard to sell used. Used HD Sportster is a good way to go on a budget.
Thise bikes nobody respects because its a Harley look a like, they should of made there own style of cruisers like the Goldwing, Goldwing is its own looking bike and people respect that.
@@nobodysreview6137 If you are buying a bike to gain respect, perhaps you are not buying a bike for the right reason.
@@i2ambler2002 Could of been wrong choice of words, but it is a Harley copy an looks stupid.
We’ll done sir. I traveled from the east coast to west coast in 1977 on a brand new Honda 750. The bike ran flawlessly. I recently decided to start riding again and this time I am hoping to buy a 2024 Hydra Glide. To me, this motorcycle is breathtaking! I decided I didn’t want to leave this world without owning a “Hog” and enjoying the iconic rumble that is legendary! You are a wonderful ambassador for Harley-Davidson and your videos have in large part fostered my desire to own one and be part of the family if you will. 😉
I rode sport bikes throughout my teens and into my 30s. You’re 100% correct - racing them was fun. Riding them was not.
It doesn't exactly fall into the "Big V-twin" category, but I bought an '06 Sportster 1200 in 2014. It had 28k and I hit 55k this summer. It's easily as reliable as my Honda CB750 was. I can jump on it and ride across country without mechanical concerns. And if it does break, I can usually fix it. (I tell my mother in-law that yes, I have rode-side assistance. It's a tool kit.)
As for cost, I feel like I did pay about a 2k premium for this Harley over other similar age/mileage used bikes, but walk into your local Honda dealer and ask them to finance your 3rd party purchase, and see the blank stare you get back. Harley Finance gave me a better rate than another finance company and I was on a bike with just 10% down.
HD's hold their resale at least as well as ANY Japanese Bike ,most of the time far better. the financing issue is also a factor as you noted. Honda isnt going to give you one thin dime Honda or not if you aren't buying a new or used bike from the nearest honda dealer, period. I even had a Honda Dealer tell me they wouldn't /couldn't finance a used Honda that was in their Shop for sale, by them. ,told me to go see some pirate assed hi rate loan company, i told them F you I aint crazy or stupid either one.
Matt I Live In South Georgia and I watch your Video's all the time. Keep up the Great work. But there is a guy that just traded in his Ultra with over 100,000 miles on it. I ride a 09 Heritage Love my Harley. I have had Honda's, Kawasaki's there all good bike's. But there is Nothing like an American made Motorcycle.
Man I have just recently discovered this channel and am going through all your videos. Good work! The videos are very well done, very informative. Thanks for the great work! Keep it up!
Fabio Vilela thank you
I'm new to the game and just doing my research and this video helps a lot. Thank you for spending time making it.
Great video, Matt. You bring calmness and civility to motovlogs. I enjoy what you do. Thanks!
Thank you.
Mr. Laidlaw, I am a MMI trained tech. However, I have never owned H-D. That being said, I have owned 4 Japanese v-twin motorcycles that had very but the quality of build as any H-D I have ever laid hands on. Every one was around half the c.c. displacement of a big twin. Even giving up that level of engine, they easily kept pace with Harleys, were just as comfortable and (in my humble opinion) just as reliable. Even now, given the financial capability I would likely but a H-D. Remebering an old adage that says the worst thing about a Harley is the owner says a lot about a the image of Harley Davidson motorcycles. No on can argue about most, not all, H-D owners are elitist.
Matt's facts where only partially true. 2018 Indians ride better, look great, have far better designed engines that give less trouble, Hold their value the same as H-D etc. OTOH all top manufacturers kinda come off as elitist . From my owner ship experience of both, HD does nothing better than Indian as of the 2018 model year save tons and tons of bling and variations.
I love that you're on a low rider s. I just picked up my 2016 and couldn't be happier with it. torque is 100% there. only complaint is finding a good set of pipes for it that aren't 2 into 1. I'm fine with 2 into 1 into 2 through a collector, but not just one pipe out the rear...
Spot on video Matt! I crossed over to Harley-Davidson due to the quality and fun to ride. The bikes are classic, comfortable, fast, and beautiful. The paint is amazing and really durable and the resale value is amazing versus so many other brands. Just love my bike and look forward to many fun miles ahead!
Enjoy the ride my friend.
Not going to lie and say I remotely watched a majority of your video but for the most part you seem like a pretty honest guy in this aspect. One question I would like to ask, being a sportbike rider myself..is why do so many Harley riders mock or just plain out ignore us? Like I wave to all bike riders and everytime I wave to a Harley, they just completely ignore me. You may have answered this already in the video but perhaps a time stamp would be helpful. Thank you
Bit late on an answer but the people who usually don't wave are either weekend warriors that think of themselves as too badass to wave. Anybody who rides more than once a week will usually wave.
Odd, in my locality I have found the opposite, when I road my suzy most Harley riders waved, Now I am on a Harley and less than half non-harleys wave back(I miss a few do to clutching or traffic but I try to wave at all). For some reason when I had Suzy it bothered me more if a Harley didn't wave than if an other didn't.
That's more so the guys who got into it cause they think they're Peter Fonda or Steve McQueen too cool for everyone. Honestly you'll find a lot of harley riders don't like them either as they bring bad name to our hobby. Ride safe man
Horsepower is how fast you drive into a concrete wall, torque is how far you push the concrete wall after you drive into it.
SCIENCE!!
TheKennedyChannel you are going to push a wall with your HD? these dumpster fires hardly have enough power to move out over their own way.
Nope, you Harley guys sure have a firm grasp on physics don't you 😂
uhm... no, energy is how far you move it. Energy would be a formula of mass times velocity squared. as used in the Video, a Yamaha R1 has more torque and horsepower than an M8 road glide, it however weighs half and even at speeds twice the Harley is capable of, wouldn't move the wall very far at all....
I actually saw where a Harley went through a brick wall. Instead of rebuilding the wall completely, they actually left a large circle in the middle where the guy went through. True story, happened in the late 80's in Kemah, TX on MF 2094 at Lazy Lane and the apartments on the corner. He was obviously drunk and speeding down the road, but lived to tell the story.
Matt, I have a Fat Boy and a V Rod in the UK, I have read a ton of books on HD's but with your knowledge of HD's you have taught me a lot, many thanks for your good interesting well presented videos..
Great!!!!, you highlight the specialty of HD. As a new rider with Harley SR as my first bike I wonder why there is a fuss about HD. I love it, it's simple and solid.
Great video. Really appreciate you defending Harley's 👌🏻 🤙🏻 keep your face in the wind brother
And they are worried because "Harley riders dont wave at them." I was literally told not to buy H-D because their riders dont wave.
@Desert Dawg bad thing is it was someone I served/deployed with. And I've wanted HD as long as I can remember. Now when I close on the house, it's between the RGS/SGS/FXLR/FXBB, as well as Midnight Blue SG Standard. Tough choice.
I ( from Holland) own a 1989 police Electra. My older brother, who is a Honda and BMW guy, asked me a few years ago if he could take it for a long ride. Ofcours I let him take it. When he returned after a few hours, he had a big smile on his face, and said: now I get it 👍
Started on a Harley , went to a sportsbike . Guess what BACK TO A HARLEY !!! Brilliant superb and comfortable cruiser . Love the ride and everything that goes with Harley Davidson
Matt, nice presentation, but the comparison should be between other touring bikes and the Harley rather than sport bikes. Take the BMW R1200RT, an aircooled twin which has almost 50% higher horsepower, equal torque, better brakes, weighs 200 lbs less, has the navigation, communications, comfort for two, and storage, and it costs less. Yes a different style, I own both for different reasons.
BMW makes a fine machine I'm sure, but visually they do nothing for me. No chrome to speak of and they seem like hanging out with an uptight accountant.
Oh boy.. Where to start? Let's look at the facts first:
- The engine in the RT is not aircooled. It is watercooled. Guess what LC stands for? Correct: liquid cooled.
- The boxer puts out around 30% more HP, not 50% (125HP vs. 90HP).
- The torque is not equal, the Milwaukee 8 puts out around 20% more (125Nm vs. 150Nm). And the torque of the M8 is delivered like 3k rpms earlier than that from the boxer.
- The weight difference between a fully loaded RT and a SteetGlide Special is around 150lbs, not 200 (~300kg vs. 375kg).
- You are right on the price. The BMW is cheaper, even when equally equipped (in Germany: around 5k). But guess what? A Toyota Camry is cheaper than a Cadillac CTS, as well. For bikes: A Yamaha FJR1300 is cheaper than a BMW R1200RT, too.
Last but not least (in fact: most important): You are still mixing up categories. The RT is a sports-touring-bike. Dynamics where a big focus in it's development. It's like comparing a SUV against a station wagon.
Of course, the station wagon can do (almost) everything, the SUV can do. And the wagon will do most things even better than the SUV. But it will always feel different (not necessarily better or worse, just different).
you posh rich git you!! ha..
BFD,
You seem to have missed the point, which was there was little value in comparing a Harley to a sport bike. They are two entirely different animals with different orientations
Compare a touring bike against a touring bike for an accurate analysis. The new GSX R1000R, for instance, with 199hp is in a totally different universe in almost every performance category.
I site the BMW as one example of another touring bike out of many which could be chosen.
1.) As to the BMW R1200RT series, they are primarily air cooled with the water cooling the head just as on the higher end Harleys.
2.)The manufacturer's spec sheet for the RT shows an unladen operating weight of 604lbs, the same Harley FLHTK spec sheet for the Ultra Limited shows a curb weight of 908lbs., a whooping 304lbs difference!!!
3.) Dyno runs on a factory stock Haley M8 generally show in the mid 80 hp range while the BMW boxer engine is around 115hp. This is a significant power advantage to the BMW when you consider that it has a 1171cc engine and the Harley has a 1746cc engine. When one takes into account the weight differential the BMW will out accelerate, out stop and out handle the MOCO by a wide margin.
4.)Torque is not equal, but close enough. When the torque to weight ratio is taken into account they are on par.
BMW's now come with dynamic suspension where they will continually adjust to loads and rebound rates on the fly. The shocks can be adjusted electronically for the number of riders, load and driving conditions, such as dynamic, or normal They have active engine management selections such as rain mode. Harley still has the rear suspension trailing arms attached to the aft end of the rubber mounted transmission case which allows for adverse dynamics when the bike is pressed in corners or ridden at higher speeds. Harley has gotten ride of the horrible air shocks, that tended to leak down, and they have improved the front dive characteristics when braking but they still have a long way to go when the lack of travel is factored in.
Obviously Harley still continues to sell motorcycles, not so much because of performance, but because of style, machismo, sound, and the bad boy image. Just as with the muscle cars of the late 60's and early 70's, and I love the Camaro, Corvette, Chevelle, Challenger, and GTO of that vintage, the bike is a throwback of that time.
The current Harley is the best Harley made to date, but anyone that tries to tell you that they are state of the art technologically is blowing smoke.
Do you even read what you are writing?
I did get the point. Obviously even better than you. You are talking about comparable bikes and that you can't compare a Harley with a sportsbike. And yet you are comparing the Ultra Limited with the R1200RT, which is positioned in a completely different class of motorcycles. The gap is not as extreme as a comparison with a sportsbike, but it is still way off.
While the Ultra Limited is a heavyweight luxury-touring-model, the RT is a rather dynamic sports-tourer. It's like comparing an Escalade with a 5 Series station wagon.
If you want to compare the Ultra Limited to a BMW, you have to pick the K1600GT(L). And if you take a look at the specs of the K1600 and the Ultra Limited, you see exactly what Matt was saying in his video.
Just came across this video. I admit, I was a Harley hater up until a few months ago. Now I’m hoping to pick up my first Harley sooner rather than later. That being said, I think a lot of people do what I did - Overlook the experience for stats. For me, riding motorcycles is about experiences. I thought having the best brakes/suspension/whatever made the experience which is totally wrong. Having state of the art equipment is great to add to the experience, but if you can only enjoy the experience based on how ‘big’ your stat sheet is, I’m sorry. I think you’re missing out on a lot of great riding and personal experiences.
I think you hit the nail on the head Ed. It's about the experiences. For example, I can't tell you how many times I've stopped to fill up and have heard Harley Stories from older gentleman, who either have one, had one, or have friends who have them and they just want to communicate those great experiences with a like-minded person.
I enjoy those chats because it's what connects us as humans. Personally, I don't care what people ride. Just enjoy what you have and enjoy the experience. Life is short.
I heard most of what you said and it's always nice to get confirmation regarding a choice. What I really liked was riding with you through the old stomping grounds... Rock Store, Mulholland, Decker, Neptune's Net. Nice job pitching Harley's.
This was a excellent video. I live in northern Wisconsin but last February I drove out to Oxnard, Ca to spend a month helping a friend move. I have been a Harley rider since 1976 so while I was going to spend 4 weeks out there I bought a 2008 superglide to experience California the right way and it turned out to be the greatest vacation ever. In your video I see the same places I went to while I visited there. I rode all kinds of bikes and I agree with you about everything you have to say about Harley Davidson. I currently own 2 bikes now and have owned 7 of them in my lifetime. Life is worth living when you have a Harley to ride.
Matt-Great video--I call that firing sequence of the Harley "The Heartbeat Of America!!!!!!!" Looking to buy a new silver CVO Ultra Limited in the spring!
I would only disagree with the reliability statement that Harley has only been reliable for the last 20 years.....I would say it's been longer. More like the last 30 years, when they came out with the evolution big twin and sportster motors, they made a huge leap in reliability. Other than that great video.
@Grieg Ragen
I have one 26 years and it's never given me an ounce of trouble. Maybe it's because I left it mostly stock never done any engine modifications because I was happy with its performance. Maybe luck to who knows... :)
I apologize for replying late but most of that statement is due to Harley Davidson being owned by AMF at the time who completely ruined Harley Davidson financially, socially and hurt the quality.
Hey Matt great informative video truly spoken sir . I love my 2016 Fatboy and highly proud of it. Wouldn't have it any other way my blood runs black and orange since I was five years old to now at fifty eight keep up the great work Matt God bless
Classic styling, not dated, air cooled, not easy to do with alphabet agencies world wide, great vid Matt
K... I understand the HP and torque is plenty for cruisers... However, why can't HD put better brakes on the bikes??
My Road Glide came with Brembo Brakes it's 2017. Thought I would let you know they have put better brakes on them
@Ticky Tocky I'm not sure which models you're speaking of, I have a 09 StreetGlide, braking is phenominal.
@Ticky Tocky I have, rode Honda's for most of my life I'm 54, owned CX 500, CB900 and CB1000. I have nothing against any bike. My streetglide with the tour pack on is approaching 900#s, the braking is more than sufficient, I do use front and rear combined generally.
Obviously you're not a Harley fan, they are heavy.
When I hear harley haters bitching about harleys I also smell something and that smell is the smell of extreme envy.
True that Matt, i love my 20 year old Harley and wouldn't get rid of it for NOTHING!
134,000 miles and still going strong!
I’m not an expert on the level of Matt Laidlaw, but I have owned several motorcycles. Dirt bikes from the time I was 18 until I was about 40. Since then, I’ve had cruisers. In the cruiser category, I’ve owned a Suzuki, a Yamaha and two Harleys. I ABSOLUTELY prefer either Harley over the others. The power I have when the light turns green is lots of fun. Is it a sport bike? No. I don’t want one. The comfort I have when on a ride of 2 hours or more is INCREDIBLE. My wife and I both like the Harley for comfort. I’m a believer.
Granted, H-D has made continuing upgrades in technology over the years. However, I have a number of friends who ride Harleys, and they have had disappointing experiences. Because they have previously owned Honda and other brand bikes, they tend to be more outspoken about the problems they have had than Harley owners who have never owned any other brand. Issues friends with late model Harleys include overheating, engine failure, and high maintenance costs. I have had to spend far less on maintenance on my Kawasaki than a riding buddy who had a similar vintage Wide Glide. Primary drive maintenance was a big expense on his bike and is not an issue on a Japanese cruiser. At 100,000 miles, his engine was toast, even with by-the-book maintenance. He bought a new Harley to replace the Wide Glide several years ago. He and I took a trip together in 2001 when our bikes were new. My Nomad has 150,000 miles on the clock and shows no sign of needing a rebuild.
Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how much of the wall you take with you.
Best videos out there! Period. Thank you Matt for sharing them. I couldn't Agree more with the content. I love Harley Davidson bike's and will always be a proud owner.
Love your detailed information. Great information, explained better than I’ve ever heard it explained.
As of October 9th 2019... I'm looking at the HD and indian websites right now. 2020 Electra Glide Standard: $18,999. 2020 Indian Chieftan: $21,999. Both very similar models that are direct competitors to each other. How are Harleys over priced or expensive?
It should also be taken into consideration that there are no real alternatives to some of the HDs out there. That's why I got a 2019 Low Rider. I couldn't find anything else with those specs and looks. The whole Softail range has no real competition from Indian, BMW, Suzuki, Honda, or Yamaha.
2020 Road Glide Limited $28,299.00
2020 Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager ABS $17,499.00
That's how they're overpriced.
So you put a standard electra glide with a chieftain 🤔 they are not the same you get more for your buck on the chieftain than the the standard.
Solid video, when people compare sport bikes with Harley's to me I always say well a Corvette and a Cadillac both have V 8's, why cant the caddy outrun the vette? Stupid comparison. At the end of the day though it's all about riding your ride, if you want a ninja then ride a ninja, if you want a BMW then ride it, just like I'll ride my Road King.
And, for those who haven't kept up, Victory is going farewell.
Subie Driver what? What's this about victory?
Victory going out, Polaris gonna focus on Indian and shut down Victory
Subie Driver that's sad. I feel it's slap in the Victory owners face.
I think it's terrible move on their part, they said they'll provide parts and such for ten years though
My guess: There will be some new Indian models in the near future, using Victory engines and chassis. It's just not very smart to run 2 companies aiming for (nearly) the same customers. It's better to focus the efforts on 2 company and make that really succesfull.
Thanks for making this video. Been through a lot of bikes but a hd switchback is my next one. This video helped solidify that choice. Rock on
Matt Laidlaw, Just want to say that you have some great video's. I so agree about this. I built a ridged chopper and used a Suzuki 750 dohc. 16 valve. It was high rev. but no torque and struggle off the line. but rev it up. and it is ready to go. Great analogy.
Thanks man. Thanks for watching
Well done video and very well said FACTS in your video Matt! it still wont shut the haters up but it will educate a lot of folks who actually have working brain @mattlaidlaw
As a young female, I bought my first HD in 2003. It was an '03 Fatboy Anniversary two-tone off the showroom floor. I sold it in 2011 for what I paid for it because of the condition I kept it in - became a bidding war. My next bike became the 48 and I can't imagine ever selling it even when I buy my next HD. The thing about HD's is that people love hearing them roar and I get lots of thumbs up for my bobber. I've had countless people wanting to take pics of themselves sitting on the American iconic motorcycle, and I have no problem with allowing them to do so. With a Harley, you never feel alone and lots of drivers respect HD riders on the road. This isn't always be said about the lawn-mower sounding bikes (sport bikes).
Valerie Quince... 🌺Hi Val, loved your post! It help me stick to my resolution to get my first at 54 yrs old. I hope I find some cool gal pals to ride with like you seem to be😎
@@gypsyfirefly8009 You will. Ride safe. There are plenty of moto riders out there always looking for fellowship.
I love the Harley too!
Respect for your passion!
Well done man. So many people need to watch this.
Well, Matt. You have started a firestorm with your videos. The one thing that can be said is that owners bring a lot of passion to their riding. Many folks, who can afford it, have more than one bike. In my case after many years of riding, I now have a sport-tourer, an adventure duel sport, and the Harley. I enjoy each of them, but for different reasons.
When riding, Harleys don't really mix with BMWs, KTMs, Italian or Japanese bikes. Most Harley riders tend to cruise along at moderate speeds and don't really press the corners. The guys on the sport-tourers generally travel at a more vigorous pace, and will charge the corners. The duel sport guys do their own thing on and off roads and also tend to scoot, while the pure sport bikes are in another realm as are the dirt bikes.
When i was a kid we sure had fun on 50cc mopeds.
Nice that we have choices.
I agree. I have a BMW, two Honda and a Suzuki, in addition to my Ultra Classic. Different tools for different jobs. However, my Ultra corners better than most people think it can. I can keep up with most people on sportier tourers.
I have ridden numerous different types of bikes. My favorite is Honda. Why? Because I believe they are the most reliable. My parents have become the definition of fair weather riders... Maybe 150 miles a year tops. Their Hondas from the 90's only ever suffer from dead batteries from sitting... THAT SAID! I think a lot of people are listening to your words while simultaneously trying to prove you wrong.
Saying a Harley is "not out dated it just still uses old tech to keep nostalgia" is contradicting. The tech in most of the Harley's power plants is old. But its because its the style and type of bike they build. They do add tweaks there and smooth things out here. But a point you did make, is if they brought in all this new age tech, it simply wouldn't be a Harley. I do all the repairs on my friends and families bikes. They have all types. One bike is a newer Fat Bob. I hit the starter and it has that Harley delay when starting. Then it has that Harley shake while at idle. At cruise speeds its sings its sweet music. on decel it sounds like its going to eat children walking by. Why? Old technology mixed with new. Now I sit on my Dads '97 Honda American Classic (Honda Shadow that was built in America so they could stamp "Made in U.S.A." on the seat for all to see.) It starts smoother, it barely shakes at idle, its revs up, it humms down and is overall a fun bike to ride. But it doesnt have the soul of a Harley. Its not a bad thing to say you use old tech, especially when most riders do own a Harley whether it be due to nostalgia, they want the look, or maybe they just are pro American products. I will say though, Harley has been kicking ass in the electronic department. They came a long way in that regard.
Final thought before I close. I currently do not own a Harley. Mostly because I Love my 3rd gen Magna and CBR. Thus making my garage.... Full.... ;-( The Magna has the Asian styling of a Harley with the efficient V4 engine. This offers a smooth ride at all speeds. Acceleration like crazy, and can cruise on a sunday with the rest of them. It beats most Harleys in races, and was discontinued in 2004... Why? Honda took the look of a Harley and put a 4 cylinder in it! People would see the bike and expect one thing, then the motor makes it something else. This turned a lot of people off to it. That combined with the more expensive cost to build a V4 vs a V-twin, and its fate was sealed... Point is that Harley sells because people want whats in the feelings they get while riding, not what adds up on paper...
150 miles a year may as well hand in your bike licence
Chinese knockoffs are like an up to date Harleys is that Harley-Davidson with a Honda reliability.
Your comprehension skills are nonexistent.
Good vid and pretty informative Matt, Ive been riding now some 48 years owned quite a few different brands but never a Harley , i probably never will but i have learned to respect the bike for what it is and why people ride them.
I think its time for riders to all come together no matter what they ride and share the reason why we ride to others that do not , maybe then the world will be just a little better place for that.
Matt, i am very glad you addressed this. I couldn't say it any better than Keith Rennier has; he seems to have reached into the heart of every Harley lover and expressed it as plainly and as prettily as we would all like to. I rode scooters for 25 years in Hyderabad and Madras, India, and since 2014 only my Street 750. I have thanked my lucky stars every single day for the privilege. Ride safe, Brother.
Get yourself a supermoto. Problem solved, you just win
Just rode one at a track 3 days ago. It was a blast.
it's all about the rider. you enjoy going slow on a Harley. I ride a bike for nothing but adrenaline. thus a ninja is suffice. It's Harley riders who usually have issues with supersport riders.
Where do you do this "adrenaline riding", it it's public roads, thanks for nothing.
I really like the color scheme of your Street Glide, in fact it was what I visualized doing to my 2008 Road King and when I came across your channel the first video I watched you were featuring it. I enjoy your channel and have seen quite a few of your videos. Thank you
Thank you for making such an honest and detailed presentation. Your intelligent comparisons and explanations have won me over to get a Harley for my first ride. If I wasn't living in Canada, I would see you to buy from you personally.
Matt it's not a misconception a lot of people buy Harley-Davidsons for the name. Another design aspect of Harleys I don't like is the chain driven primary I would have to change that to a Gear Drive.
J N Inhave I disagree. People don't buy a Harley just cuz it says Harley on the side. Also when you say primary do you mean gear driven cam?
I mean the primary on the left side of the bike that has the two gears with a chain that drives them. Tell you what the next time I meet a person that bought a Harley for the name I will audio record them admitting it and then post it on TH-cam for you to listen to.
J N okay sorry to ask, just most people who bring up the subject are talking about eliminating the chain driven cam. Please do record it.
See this is why you're a nice person, some people would automatically get defensive and very hostile. I'm very picky about motorcycles and I do like the XR 1200 and the mid-2000s Sportster Roadster. Harley-Davidson needs to bring back the dual gauge system tachometer and speedometer. I'm not talking about an analog tachometer with a digital speedometer I'm referring to the separate gauges next to each other like on the old Sportster Roadster and the FXR-S SP.
I have only owned Harleys for the past 12 years or so and I have one now. I had (2) Ultra Limited and (1) ultra Classic and I didn't like any of them. Mainly the handling was terrible in my opinion. I know they had made a few changes since 2008 and I hear they are much better. I am torn between the Honda Goldwing and the new Ultra Limited but I have been doing some extensive research. I started with comparing those bikes not just any Harley against sport bikes. I wanted a more apple to apple comparison if you will. I looked at both bikes and the first thing is the Harley is approx. 1K more and it offers less. I could get the same amenities on the Harley but that would increase the price to approx. 3K more. Also, the Honda offers a 3yr warranty whereas the Harley offers a 2 year warranty. Please don't get me wrong I love Harley and again I've owned many of them but when it comes down to price and what you're getting for your money, I have to say the Honda Goldwing is the better way to go. They are also proven themselves over the years to be very reliable, lower cost of ownership etc... The Harley has a better resale value but that has taken a drop since more bikes have been produced and the amount of riders increased. The only thing I really disagreed with in the video is that I do believe people buy Harleys for the name. When you buy a Harley you do buy into the image and I do believe you pay for that. The technology or lack of in comparison is because Harley owners like the shaking, the sound etc.. if Harley changes that, then they would be changing not only their bikes but the image and since I believe that image is part of the reason bikes are sold, they won't do that. The point I'm trying to make is they are expensive and you don't get everything for your money that would you on another brand and you are buying into the image. I think you either love them or you don't and if you do you will buy them
But Jason, what about brand recognition? By that I mean some random girl in Vegas with ankle tattoos named Destini is more likely to know what a Harley is.
"Why you dint jus' buy a real Harley instead a this chinese bike?"
Think about it.
Hey Tyson, I agree there is "brand recognition" of course and Harley like other brands do draw a specific client. That was sort of what I was saying, that part of buying a Harley, you are buying into a certain image and the "random girl" you used as an example, you described her as someone that would be attracted to the Harley as oppose to Honda or any other metric bike. Don't get me wrong I love Harleys I've owned them for many years. I was trying to point out that if your going to compare what you would get for a certain price and Harley and the same price for another brand, you're going to get more amenities with another brand. What you do lose is, the history, image and the all around feel of the old school riding. The shaking, the cool factor. I also will tell you that by far Harleys are the best looking bike in my opinion and what Matt says in this video is true. They have gotten more reliable etc... but they are higher maint costs. I know as I have 2 of them I maintain. The running costs are slightly higher because of the gas. Harley has to use 91 and above which typically costs more than regular gas. Again, I agree with you bud, and I love my Harley..but matt is right when he says there is a reason why there are many options of bikes because not everyone is the same. :)
Yep. Brand recognition basically translates into "people who don't know anything about this type of product recognize this brand". Which is fine, really. A bike, especially a cruiser, is about how you feel when you look at it, and when you're riding. Part of that feeling is how you feel like you're perceived.
I had a Vulcan 1500 Nomad that I bought for dirt cheap just to take touring around the states. I sold it a couple months later as I had intended to do. It was a damn good machine, especially considering what I paid for it, but it didn't have any badge prestige, but for what I needed it for, it wasn't worth paying 2-3 times as much for a Harley that likely wouldn't even have the same performance.
Exactly! They are nice machines, I actually owned a Vulcan Classic and my brother had the Nomad. Now he owns a Goldwing. People should ride whatever they are comfortable with and it doesn't matter what it is as long as they are enjoying themselves. Really, it's a toy and if you're going to spend money on a toy, you should love it and it doesn't matter what others think. :) Keeping riding buddy!!
Why did you buy a motorcycle you didn't like to ride? Take a look at BMW tourers.
I bought a Vrod a couple of weeks ago. I'm 53 and have ridden bikes since I was a kid. This bike is different than anything I have ever ridden! It's like riding a hurricane down the highway! So much power and personality! I love it!!
Mike Hargrove Interesting a man that has been riding for probably 40+ years and he says it's unlike anything he's ever ridden. Haha. Thanks for the comment. They are really cool bikes.
I just bought an 81 Honda CB900C to restore. I like ALL bikes (except URALS)...LOL
Yessir! I hate that they ended production. Maybe they will introduce something even better.
Great vid for a new Harley rider coming from sport bikes like myself. Subbed.
Matt I appreciate your enthusiasm about Harley but, for a few years now I've been very disappointed with how they treat their customers. Let me give you a couple of examples why I feel this way. 1. They have become a clothing company I will not pay $32.00 for a tank top, really for a tank top you pay that much money, that is ridiculous. 2. I purchase the 2014 Street Glide Special and why, I'm asking you why with all this new technology on the market why do you have to have wire connection just to that you can use your voice command in your infotainment system? I could have purchase an Indian and it works wirelessly why not Harley? and even if you buy a 2017 you still are connected with a wire why????? At this point and time I've been so disappointed that I am ready to move into Indian, there system does work wirelessly!
Soooooo why did you buy it? Do you buy other articles of clothing that are over priced like Nike for instance? Everything has a set price that's how this all works. It all depends on if you want it not.
Why did you buy what? What are you referring to? The clothing or the motorcycle?
I never buy things that are overpriced that how that works!
The HD. Isn't it over priced? That's what everyone is saying. Really anything other than free is overpriced isn't it? Do you really think anyone who is trying to make money is going to give it to you for at the very least anything less than what it cost to make or build?
Your an idiot, to print a t-shirt doesn't cost that much, who the fuck are you anyway a Harley stock holder?
Heat kills horsepower. So why take hot air right next to a blazing hot cylinder into the carb and cycle it back through engine? That is the old tech nology people are talking about. I have a 2007 roadster. no oil cooler. Hot oil breaks down faster than cooler oil. Why no factory oil cooler? My 2004 Bonneville has a factory oil cooler. What about the internal chain? I ride a lot of miles a year. Not bagging on Harley. I really want to like them. Factory seat sucks. Factory suspension sucks. Yes, you can make them better but why they don't roll off the line with better engine cooling, better seats and suspension, ect? Add a sight glass on the side of that pontiac sized crankcase? They can make bikes better and they should.
These harley guys WANT to be uncomfortable and pathetic! It's the only thing that makes them feel more "american"
Anything above 2 mph is going to be fresh air. Your point is only valid at a red light. lol
Brigman Or on the Highyway in a traffic jam in 105 degrees. Yea, it should come with an oil cooler.
Never had that problem before. Fortunately most states I travel in don't have any anti-lane splitting laws, so I can always stay moving when I need to.
Only one state allows lane splitting.
V-Rod - the best bike Harley ever built. It was ahead of it's time and would do very well today.
Matt, I really appreciate your videos, they are well done and you bring up relative points. I recently (2 years ago) bought a 15 street glide after riding BMW and lots of other brands. Rushmore bikes are awesome! Everyone always asks me to compare the Harley too the BMW, they are apples and oranges. I really like both but enjoy riding the Harley because it fits my riding style right now at this point in my life. Thanks for your great videos!
Thank you sir