Why is it whenever someone criticizes HD someone always cries "Harley
Bashing".
Steve, I don't think anyone here was sinking to that level. I think everyone
has a right to air their opinion and criticize as long as it's done in a
fair way and with good humor. I've owned BMWs, Ducatis, Japanese bikes and
currently also own a Guzzi, all of which come in for their share of
criticism, a lot of which is deserved. Perhaps Harleys do get criticized
more than other brands but that's probably because there's more ground for
criticism. I know HD is hugely successful and contributes greatly to the
economy and kudos to them for their business savvy, but don't try to tell me
that that means I should think their product is any good. The public gets
conned all the time into buying the wrong stuff. Look at all those ab
exercisers and trucks. OK, OK, before you guys get all upset and email me a
list of the reasons you need a truck, I believe YOU need a truck (especially
you HD and Ducati owners...sorry, just a joke ;-)...), I just don't believe
all half of the American population is better off with a truck than with
another product. Yes, it's a free country. No, I'm not telling you what to
do or what to buy. I'm just explaining what I and a lot of people think.
The only motorcycles I don't really care for much are cruisers (which
coincidentally means all HD except Buells) and those mega-tourer Goldwing
types. I don't hate them. I still consider owners of such as fellow
Motorcyclists. Some of my friends even own them. I would never own one but
that's just my personal taste. The cruisers I like least are the Japanese
ones, because they deliberately step back in technology and function to copy
HD. The cruisers I like best are the BMW and Guzzi cruisers because they
have not chosen to blatantly copy HD, are more original and retain better
"form follows function / performance" principles.
There's a fairly good article worth reading about "Cruisermania" at the
Interactive Motorcycle web site at
http://207.168.125.101/index/features/cruiser/cruiser.htm which is mainly
critical of Japanese cruisers and actually recommends getting a HD if a
cruiser is your thing.
Cheers Joe.
-----Original Message-----
From: Giuntoli, Steve [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 2:37 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: RE: Worth Waiting For?
OK, just got back from an extended weekend in the smokies. Took the bike
that best suited the conditions. Nope it wasn't the EX500 or the GTS. Of
course it wasn't my 2000 FLHTCI. That would've been a real spark show. I
took the Buell M2. What fun!!! You folks have be busy discussing H-Ds.
Wow. Worked my way backwards through a lot of discussion about Harleys and
other non-GTSs.
When I see this kind of banter I cringe. What a total loss of opportunity
to be a larger group - call them Motorcyclists!
The way I see it is that there is no perfect bike. Step back from the GTS
for a minute. Are you a motocrosser? Tourer? Commuter? Trail rider?
Sportbiker? Etc.? Almost every manufacturer of motorcycles makes a model
(or two) to suit. I'd need 30 bikes to satisfy my every need. Some folks
can only afford one and have to choose. Some are in different stages of
their lives and choose accordingly. I can't imagine (anymore) what it is
that makes someone feel better about bashing another brand. In fact, I
can't imagine what I used to gain when I did it. I used to talk like some
of those on this list and had to eat a lot of crow when I took the
opportunity to work at H-D. This company isn't just about bikes. They
support their riders with huge rallys. The employee benefits are fabulous.
H-D's contributions to society (MDA and dumping mega dollars into the city)
are well known around here. If you haven't guessed yet, it was worth eating
that crow.
H-D is not just the market share leader of heavyweight bikes in North
America, they are now ahead of Honda in worldwide heavyweight bike sales.
This just happened and it is a huge accomplishment for a tiny $2B company to
lead a $60B company in any category. I've also seen some eye opening data
out of the JD Powers survey that shows H-D in a more favorable position than
I anticipated.
Now I've vented. Whew. I've a lot of respect for RSRBOB when he lays low
during all of our trashing of GTSs. Hopefully he'll respect me in the
morning too.
Steve the motorcyclist
PS - go easy on my employer, will ya?
-----Original Message-----
From: George Paramithas [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 1999 6:26 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: Worth Waiting For?
> Told him to look seriously at the V-Star 1000....and he is....Harley has
to
> be loosing marketshare big time at this point
No such thing....1,100 maybe SA# 0. One more thing, tell him to get a Royal
Star.
George recommending
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