From: steve@bucolix.ncsu.edu (Steve Garnier)
Subject: Re: rec.moto.harley
Reply-To: steve@bucolix.ece.ncsu.edu (Steve Garnier)
Organization: North Carolina State University
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 20:45:13 GMT

In article <1992Jul21.202810.21072@zia.aoc.nrao.edu>
fdvlba@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Fort Davis VLBA site) writes:
>laszlo@eclipse.cs.colorado.edu (Laszlo Nemeth) writes...
>>thanks i always wanted to be a zanie. i am anti rec.motorcycles.harley
>>i am not anti rec.motorcycles.cruiser but people that want the harley
>>group are anti rec.motorcycles.cruiser because that would let in bikes
>>that are "similar" to harleys.
>
>I want the harley group.  I am not against .moto.cruiser.  Probably wouldn't
>read it, I don't like the cruiser style or feel.
>
>I have an HD motorcycle.  It is not a cruiser, with wire wheels, high bars, 
>twin chrome pipes, etc.  Cruisers were invented by the Japanese.  The cruiser 
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>look is an attempt at HD styling.
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You are correct on the second highlighted sentence, but incorrect on the
first highlighted sentence.  If anything, your second sentence supports the
assertion that Harley defined "cruiser styling", which is the absolute
truth.  Perhaps this all comes down to our individual definitions/concepts
of exactly what a "cruiser" is.  It might prove difficult to define for a
charter; then again, maybe not.

>Most aftermarket suppliers cater to either the J or HD market, with little
>crossover.  The  reality of the market is that the consumer groups are 
>separate demographically (different tastes). 

Last time I looked into a Dennis Kirk catalog, *many* of the products were
divided into marque subdivisions for the sake of consumer simplicity, but
*many* of the suppliers sourced parts for *all* marques.  Yes, there are
suppliers who source for only Harley.  One can find many small suppliers
in almost any motorcycle magazine.  There are also major manufacturers who 
supply exhaust systems for Viragos/Shadows/Vulcans/Inturders *AND* Harleys,
as well as sprockets, chain, chrome, handlebars, highway pegs, etc.  The
fact is that motorcyclists are demographically more similar than they are
different, especially with respect to non-motorcyclists.

>When a person makes up their mind to buy a Harley-Davidson, they have decided
>to forgo having the fastest, quickest handling bike available.  Expense is
>also less of a concern.  These are the two dominant themes in rec.mc...
>whose bike is faster, or where the cheapest X is.  It really is a different
>mindset, where faster is not better.

Interesting.  I ride a '79 Yamaha XS1100SF with 157,000 miles, lots of 
chrome, foglamps, and shaft-drive.  Since I'm a PhD student and lack the
money, I haven't been able to replace its third exhaust system.  I have a
5 1/2 month old baby girl, so money is very important to me.  While cost
is an important parameter, I find that quality is cheaper in the long run.

I ride year-round, just as I did when I lived in the midwest.  I also note
a *lot* of posts from people who own "cruising" bikes, and who don't care
squat about who's bike is fastest/quickest/sexiest/mostneon, as well as a
*lot* of posts about BMWs.  I disagree with your assessment of "dominant
themes" in rec.motorcycles.

Steve Garnier - DoD #00000005 - '79 XS1100SF w/ 157K+ miles and *climbing*
KotF (Flame),  KotAM (Anecdotal Motorcycle),  The Daemon's Byte
steve@bucolix.ece.ncsu.edu       "Ineluctably Prolix" - John Norman Sims, Jr.
Come an' get it!  Served up nice an' *hot*!!  Get yer FREEEEE *logorhea*!!!