PT.....Come on--just because you fell prey to the marketing machine that sells the Harley "lifestyle" and you got taken for much more money that you should have, please don't attack those of us that have used a little common sense:) Your original post was filled with complete inaccuracies and lies--you should do a little research. As far as imports resale value being worth nothing, can you find out what a 70's Ducati 750SS currently sells for?

916Wi
You tried this at one other time..
I refuse enter into a battle of wits with an unarmed man..
So once again, I shall refuse to feed the Troll…
Happy Trails…

PT--Your impression of import riders wishing they could ride Harley motorcycles and being jealous because they can't afford them is completely laughable. There is a divide between the Harley riders and the import riders and it has absolutely nothing to do with money. Import riders find Harleys heavy, slow, lacking any sort of innovation and find the "Ride to Live, Live to Ride", Loud pipes Save Lives mentality of the pirate wannabes that ride them totally embarrassing. When I get too old for a super sport or a sport touring bike, I will definitely look to Ducati, Triumph or BMW to get a standard. Harley won't even be a consideration. I wear gear, I don't chain my wallet to my jeans and I don't ride bar to bar blipping the throttle at every stop sign attempting to let everyone know how cool I am:)

My sister and brother-in-law are Harley riders. NO, they do not look the part but his bike is one of a kind. He won first place in two different contest for the scene he airbrushed/painted on his cycle. It is a memorial to Vietnam Vets and it is awesome! He does this for others also. In fact, Harley had him design one of their tanks. I personally don't like to ride on motorcycles, but to each their own. JMO

PT-I totally agree with you. I may push 70 or so on the bike but 135 mph is for the young kids who think they're gonna live forever. I personally don't care what people ride. If it's got two wheels, great, whether it's a fully chromed Ultra, a Wing or an old Kawi painted with a rattle can. Although, I have had Harley riders give me crap for my Honda 750SS when they were only a year or two off a rice-burner themselves.

Where exactly are you people riding where the speed limit is 135mph????
Yikes.. Last I knew it was still 65mph on the Wisconsin Interstate system..
The majority of Harley Bashers I have met, deep down inside honestly wanted one of there own and simply just didn’t want to admit they couldn’t afford the initial cost..
And yes the initial cost is much higher then an import, BUT.. The Harley will as well maintain a much higher resale value, while the import will eventually drop off to little or nothing.. When’s the last time anyone saw a 20 or 30 year old import bring several thousand dollars on the market? Or for that matter a 10 year old?..
And finally.. Why is it that it’s always the import riders trash talking about someone else’s choice of ride? I could seriously care less what YOU choose to ride, So why are you so put out about MY choice?

I agree with progressive6.

DMFD24, sure almosty all HD's can become fast, but not right out off the showroom floor except the V-rod without 4-6K in mods or a sporster is somewhat quick for what it is. I'd like to see stock vs. stock right off the showroom floor say an Ultra Classic similar touring bike match my 2001 Honda Valkyrie Interstate up to say 135 mph or even the 1/4 mile. It may beat me off the line in 1st gear, but 1/2 way thru 2nd gear, I'm pulling away very easily. Not saying they are not nice bikes, but at over twice the price stock off the showroom floor, not too many HD's are powerful or quick. Even the HD riders admit this that without mods running in the 1,000's, most are slow.

Your right cookiedough about selling out dated engines. The current V-rod is a step in the right direction but the true Hardley purist's thumb their noses at this bike. Not everyone one wants an air cooled engine that has to be mounted on rubber to keep vibrations to a minimum. Hardley needs to come outside the box with some true new designs. By adding more chrome and special paint jobs and then calling it a "new" model is a cheap way out.

You are obviously misinformed if you think that Harleys are the fastest motorcycles. No disrespect, but let's keep it factual.

Extremely very very good news......I bought my 1st harley at 25. Harley isn't going anywhere. They build a better quality better riding and faster bike than any of the Jap cruisers.

Keep your shirts on, boys, the union has not agreed to anything yet. Don't have a premature celebration.

Very good news if ONLY people keep buying into the myth that HD's are worth the price. They are making a killing on their overpriced outdated engines and their marketing scheme is top of the line. I predict when the 50 and over crowd wither away say into their 70's, HD will be gone.

Janesville is sinking like the Titanic, and still the Smashers, Bashers and Trashers are out in full force. The Top Key words to bring them out of there lairs seem to be…….
Christianity….
GM…..
Harley Davidson…

Gazette, why did the AP story leave out the state incentive package offered to harley to stay?

Cheaper bikes? Proly not. The price of GM vehicles hasn't really gone down much......

Now that the workers are more than likely taking a pay cut and other concessions, will the harleys be any cheaper?

Okay, there was a bump in the road. Let's begin again.

GOOD NEWS

Hey sunny; Maybe you haven't noticed that they OWN the market with their design. Image conscious America loves those atiquated machines (Not me though). Why would they even consider a design change? (i.e. the V-Rod).

Now, if only Harley could build a motorcycle other than a V-twin, push-rod valve, air cooled, chain/belt drive, bat-wing fairing touring model, then I would consider a Harley. Why spend $23,000 plus, for a bike that looks like it came from 1959. Modernize your fleet Harley and the world is yours.

Very very good news

Very good news!

Good news.