In my opinion Harley isn't just a status symbol it's a piece of Americana. What other company has thousands of people by shirts, hats, jackets, etc. without ever owning a motorcycle. Why do people alter the exhaust on hondas and yamahas to try and make it sound like a Harley? Why are all bike makers doing their damndest to make theirs look like a Harley? It's simple, Harley says America and freedom louder and better than any other product. From experience I know that pulling up at a highway rest stop people come to talk to you just because you are on a Harley, this doesn't happen with any other bike. It's a close knit family of people who may ride for miles without ever seeing the other persons face, but deep down you know that for that brief time they were more family to you than some of your blood. It's a mystique that's as strong as any other there is. How many motor companies have been in continuous business for over a hundred years? How many vehicles inspire people through their sound alone?
As for the reliability issues: Harley is the most reliable bike on the road now. Then only bikes that run as long are BMW's and they don't hold thier value like a Harley does. People still only think about the dark days when AMF owned Harley. Yes in those days the motorcycles were crap massed produced hunks of junk. That is why Harley bought itself back in 1984 and endeavored to make the best bike possible. I know people with 200,000 miles on their Hogs that have never done more than change oil and tires. Harleys no longer leak oil, need tuning, ride rough, break down regularly, or any of the other negative conotations people come up with. I've got 6,000 miles on my '03 and have as yet to have any problems (aside from envious family members wanting to take it and not getting enough riding time).
Cheers,
Scotsman
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