So I'm looking at possibly getting a motorcyle and am curious how much the brand matters. I am looking at getting a cruiser, nothing too big, but nothing tiny either. Probably going to go for something a few years old for a few thousand, but I haven't decided on anything yet. Of course Harley makes Sportsters and they look great, but are a little pricier than others. I'm curious if you're paying extra for the name more than anything else. I was also looking at Honda Shadows and a couple of other makers. Personally I am happy paying a reasonable price for something I like, but wonder if riding a Honda or another brand is kind of looked upon as lame in the biker community. I'm not about looking lame you see so some b****ing ride that I could have my hot momma on the back all while looking tough works.
I am far from an expert on bikes, but the impression I get from my friends with bikes is that Harley is just a name. Overpriced and low reliability; someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what I've heard. Probably couldn't go wrong with a used Honda?
Have you ever rode a bike? If you haven't start out with anything you can find cheap with low cc's. If you like it then it would be time to make the decision you're trying to make now. I started out with a 250 cc Suzuki $1200 off brand junker and loved it, but knew after a week I needed more power not only to go faster, but to accelerate faster out of sticky situations. I ended up getting a used 2007 harley 883 roadster($9500 indulged lol ) and I love it. Find out if you even like riding first then consider a bike you feel would fit you. Don't just choose harley just cause it's a harley. I chose it because it looks like a 40's bike and had the right feel when I sat down on it.
Thanks guys, I probably will get something not too pricey that I can just get a feel for. I wouldn't even mind putting work into it. Guess we'll see. Also surprised there aren't more bikers on the site. Suppose I shouldn't be.
man i had a Ninja 250 and wow did i have fun. rode it for about 6 months and sold it for almost as much as i bought it for. great resell value
I used to ride all the time, from a Ninja 250 all the way up to a turbo-charged Hayabusa. I'm a sportbike guy, and have never had a cruiser (yet). I'll tell you that the only issue you may have with brands is that some Harley riders really frown upon anything that isn't American/Harley. I never rode with that kind of crowd, but many of them will not even acknowledge a sportbike on the road. The Japanese bikes are all very reliable overall. I'm not too familiar with Harley. I've got the '07 Ninja 250 rotting in my garage along with an '01 GSXR-600, also rotting. The Ninja was my commuter for a while, and the Gixxer was my track bike (road course). I need to do something with them, and will probably keep the Ninja. Anyway, I've got a lot of experience with riding and tinkering on bikes. I'd be happy to answer any questions. Good luck!
Nah, I bought the '07 wrecked for 1500 and fixed it up for a few hundred more. Lol, back at ya. I only bought it for fuel economy. It was hard going from a mega power bike to the little 250, which is probably why I shelved it.
Since '73, I've had a Honda 350, Suzuki 250 & now have a Yamaha 575. I've loved them all. I road them back & forth to work primarily. I buy new, change oil & keep them in the garage when not riding. These 3 make good dependible rides as far as I'm concerned.
yeah, but don't be scared off. It's just cause when you do get into a wreck, or drop your bike it's usually a very bad injury relative to car/car collisions. You just have to be hyper aware when you're riding.
I'm not scared of that, I just didn't know that was a common term. A dude I work with rides pretty crazy and I'll ask if he's ever heard it.
Long time Japanese biker, first time Harley biker...and I'm sorry that some Harley bikers have such ****ty attitudes when it concerns bikers of other brands...just ****ty. But I wave! . So screw the assholes on Harleys that won't acknowlege you. Which brand is better? Mox nix. Get the bike that fits your money. I've always ridden Japanese bikes until 04. Dad came home that year with a white Road King Classic and I got tired (or envious) of seeing it in his garage. So I went out and bought a black one. And that's is the reason why I got a Harely that time...other than the fact that I do alright financially, because if I wasn't, I'd be on a Suzuki or Honda.
came here to say this. It's sad 'cause it's so iconic, but they are supposed to be a brand well past their prime.
