From: DHANSEN@cmsa.gmr.com
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Fabulous Harley Babe Bashing etc.
Date: 3 Sep 92 02:14:21 GMT
Organization: GM Research Labs

In article <1992Sep2.162536.11628@rtsg.mot.com>
declrckd@rtsg.mot.com (Dan J. Declerck) writes:

(buncha shit deleted)

>I bought non harley because:
>1) the more money I save, the more I'm gonna spend on an American car, TV, and ellular phone.
>2) don't like HD styling or image.
>   (like a buell)
>4) Many Japanese promotions are held at WERA events, where licensed riders can ry out
>   the latest bikes.
>   (my friends are into roadracing, and I learned a hell of a lot from them)
>6) There is more to life than HOG, there's Jerseypine, and GWRRA.
>   or working on it to get the same performance, at a loss of reliability.
>If HD would build a modern bike (a la buell) with a modern engine, I'd buy it
>and I'd buy it NOW!. but they don't, so the point is moot.
>
>=> Dan DeClerck                      |  EMAIL: dand%isdgsm@rtsg.mot.com   <=
>=> Motorola Intl Subscriber Group    |                                    <=
>=>                                   |  Phone: (708) 632-4486             <=
>
Your list of reasons is totally invalid except for number 2.  I've been
riding bikes for a whole lota years (took my 1st ride solo in 1964, got my
1st bike in 1966 after buggin, beggin 'n borrowin rides from everybody I
could.  Spent some time ridin' w/H-D's & BSA's in the late 60's.  We often
swapped bikes just to try out the competition.  Never thought very much of
H-D back then; they leaked, shook & vibrated too much.  Sounded GREAT, but
my eyes would go REALLY bloodshot after any significant saddle time, so I
stayed with my Suzukis & Yamahas for all these years.  Still, I liked the
sound of the H-D, just couldn't stand the idea of going red-eye blind
riding one.  Anyway, last year I finally traded in my Yamaha for an H-D
(the H-D dealer gave me more for trade than either of the 2 local Yamaha
dealers would & all wanted list for the new bike of choice, so I bought
the H-D.  Herein lies the jist of this post:

I've had my FXRS for 14 months now.  I've put 19,550 miles on it.  It's
never leaked so much as a DROP of oil, fit & finish are excellent, the
rubber mount & belt drive make for a quiet, vibration free ride (much
better than chain or shaft) that requires next to no maintenance.  I get
a ton of complements on the bike, regardless that it's usually dirty
because I spend my time in the saddle, rather than spit shinin' the thing.

I got heavily involved with Scouting a while back & my last 2 bikes have
been dealer serviced.  My Yamaha would be in the shop a week at a time to
get routine service.  My FXRS gets serviced while I wait, sitting around
enjoying good company & drinking free coffee.  Service costs less on the
H-D too, an unexpected but welcome extra.

If you need speed (I used to, but I've gotten wiser & now even sometimes
travel within or close to the limit and enjoy the hell out of riding even
at these lower speeds), then H-D is not for you unless you have a rich
uncle that'll help you out.  Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha & even some
of those marques from over the Atlantic can make more speed quicker for
less cash & sometimes even sound good doing it.  But you need an
education if you really believe that H-D doesn't build a reliable bike.
My H-D has never left me stranded.  Granted, I haven't really put many
miles on it yet, but I've had other bikes that left me standing beside
the road with less miles on the clock.

I suggest you find out what the hell you're talking about before
you go bitchin.  Life's too short & Big Brother outnumbers all of us on
2 wheels to keep bickering amongst ourselves.  I wave to all who ride.
We're all in the same brotherhood (& sisterhood?).  We all know what it
means to feel the wind.  It's not what you ride, it's THAT you ride.

Dave Hansen  -  Two Wheels Up
                 - Peace -