From: car377@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (charles.a.rogers)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: What do we call Harleys?
Summary: We call 'em fun
Date: 10 Apr 92 20:59:51 GMT
Organization: AT&T

In article <WARKENTI.92Apr10123049@syscad8.CAE.Mitel.Com>, warkenti@CAE.Mitel.Com (BJ Warkentin) writes:

[What do we call Harleys]
>
> - Expensive in a cc for cc, feature for feature comparison

So are Bimotas, Moto Guzzis, Buells, Spondons, Harris's, Eglis,
Ducatis, Honda NR750s, RC30s, TZ250s, OW01s, BMWs, and quite a few other 
bikes.  Buyers generally find that whatever it is that's special or 
unique about the bike makes it worth the added cost.

> - Bloody expensive to insure

So are all the Japanese sport literbikes.

> - Poor selection available at most dealers

Make that *no* selection.  Every dealer I've checked around here
already has deposits on every bike coming in this year.  Shoppers
are now putting back-up deposits on the same bikes, and the queues
are sometimes 3 and 4 buyers deep for those.  All this in spite 
of the factory's increasing its capacity significantly in the last
couple of years.  Poor selection is a side-effect of consumer desire
for the product in HD's case.

> - Fairly mediocre performance compared to state of the art as shipped

Depends on what sort of performance you talk about.  Few bikes are
as smooth as a Dyna-glide running down the superslab with the engine 
in its sweet spot.  Gas mileage performance is also extremely good, as 
is tire life.  HD's are also good performers when it comes to resale 
value, traditional motorcycle aesthetic appeal, maintainability, reliability, 
availability of aftermarket suppliers, lack of shaft effect (wheel-hopping, 
side-slipping) or chain-effect (yucky mess), cornering stability,
universal availability of service and parts facilities, factory support, 
owner's group support, friendliness of salesfolks, pleasing exhaust note 
(I'm talking about stockers here), and capability to instill raging desire 
in the hearts of otherwise fairly conservative consumers.  Other bikes may 
be faster, quicker, lighter, more flickable, or better in other performance 
measures, but then they don't perform nearly as well as Harleys in those 
performance areas where Harleys excel.

> - Cruiser like handling (not surprising for a cruiser like bike)

This is the argument I really can't figure out.  I've frequently ridden 
my sport bike with cruiser riders in the mountains, and for most of the
twisty riding we do, they don't seem to have any trouble staying
with me.  I like to lean as much as the next rider, and I've always
been a warp-drive addict.  I may not stay with every squid on a GSXR
or FZR, but I often go quickly and aggressively enough to keep the 
adrenaline pumping, and I have a good time.  So do the HD riders I ride 
with.  Hmmm.  Maybe my FJ1100 has "cruiser-like handling".  That's OK, I'll
keep it anyway.

> - Bike of choice of most "biker gangs" in North America

I suppose every brand has a similar cross to bear.  What bike do 
you suppose is the bike of choice for the bareback squids in shorts, 
sneaks, Nike head-bands, and Oakleys?  My vote's on the green ZX7R.
Of course, that's not the fault of the other serious sport riders who
happen to like that brand/model.

> - Non evolving since the evo engine with the exception of a new frame
> design recently

Well, if you evolve the engine and the frame, there doesn't seem to
be a heck of a lot left to evolve.  We might count as evolution the
improvements in sidestand design, self-cancelling turn-signals, rubber-
mounted engines, fork locks, brake-system improvements, use of the 
latest tire technology, re-engineering of the springer front-end
(you might not consider it leading-edge stuff, but it does represent
a form of evolution), ignition system improvements, lubrication system
improvements, clutch improvements, transmission improvements, suspension
component improvements, state-of-the-art paint and corrosion
control improvements, and who knows what-all materials-use improvements.
HD's engineering dept is also committed to a long-term plan of continual
incremental power increases.  This sort of evolution doesn't jump out
and bite you like USD forks or single-sided rear swingarms, but it
does advance the state of development of the machine, and it certainly
pleases customers, if the factory order backlog is any indication.

> Comments????????? Anyone else wanna play?

Here's an observation I've been mulling over for a while now.  I
started riding in 1964, when Honda was just beginning to change the
face of the motorcycling world.  They did something with their products
and marketing that reached out to non-riders and riders alike, that
revitalized a mediocre motorcycle market and transformed the way
ordinary people perceive motorcycles and those who ride them.  HD is
doing the same thing right now.  It's not a coincidence that the
showrooms are empty and you have to stand in line to offer a backup
deposit.  Harley is selling fun and a unique and addictive way to
enjoy life, the world, and the company of other folks.  They're doing
just what Honda did back in the sixties, and they're doing it right.
Good for them.

Chuck Rogers
car377@druhi.att.com
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles,ba.forsale,ba.market,ba.market.misc,misc.forsale