Harley davidson vs HONDA motorcycles?

Harley-Davidson does not make a motorcycle that fits my needs. So in my garage sits a Honda Goldwing. Yes I prefer a Japanese motorcycle over a Harley-Davidson.

I wish Harley-Davidson built a proper sport touring motorcycle with emphasis on touring. But they do not. I have ridden several Harleys. I was shocked how lousy of a motorcycle they were. The fabled made in America touched by God Himself motorcycle. Every one was junk. Couldn't believe how poor they rode, how underpowered, terrible vibrations, and poor ergonomics.

Sorry, I will not look at Harley-Davidsons until they come out with something better. Don't see that happening for a long time. Pity.

Remember, this is MY viewpoints regarding H-D. Others have found the bikes from Milwaukee to suit their needs. I am happy for them. The bikes from H-D do not fit my needs. That does not make me an H-D basher. I only tell the truth regarding MY experiences.

I prefer motorcycles to butt jewelry, so I have never owned a Harley. I have had a few Hondas, and liked them for the most part, but the only one in my stable right now is a '66 305 Superhawk. There are four Suzukis out there, so perhaps that is my favorite brand. I do like their dirt bikes and dual sports.

Wait a minute, I just counted again, and there are five BMWs out there, as well as four more Hondas I forgot about, even if a couple of them are holding up flower pots in my front yard. My last Ducati is gone, as is my Gold Star, and I am down to one Triumph and one Guzzi. There are also a couple of CZs, an MZ, a Puch and a Jawa (I used to have five of those). Still a couple of Kawasakis, and several more have left the building, as have the Yamahas.

I have never had a Norton, Laverda or Husqvarna, but I'd be more likely to buy one of them than I would a Harley.

Harley

If you want a cheap throw away motorcycle you buy a Honda. They are good enough to get the job done however after about 10 to 15 years use they start to get a little on the ragged side. You get what you pay for.

If you want something that is going to actually last you a very long time you get the Harley. You still see many road worthy 60's and 70's models on the road. Even the ones made in the dark AMF years when they were considered crap. How many 60's and 70's road worthy Honda motorcycles do you see. It isn't like Honda sold only a few of them during these years. Honda sold a lot more bikes than Harley during these years. Again, you get what you pay for.

Personally, I don't really care either way. You don't make the payments on my bike, I don't make the payments on yours. So I could care less about what you ride, and I could care less about what you think about what I ride.

It really doesn't matter what you ride, as long as you ride.

I have a Honda, which I absolutely love. I rode a Harley once and to tell the truth I liked it a lot more than I had expected to. It was better for some things, not as good for others. For the money, the Honda is a MUCH better deal.

Someone who rides a Honda might buy a Suzuki or Yamaha next time, but someone who rides a Harley, it -has- to be a Harley. They're so expensive that you aren't going to have one unless you absolutely wouldn't have anything else.

Actually I prefer Italian motorcycles...

but between Honda and Harley, the Japanese of course!

It's all about the personal choice, nothing more. Both are great bikes. The Harley has a higher resale value but the honda may last longer and go faster and very quiet.

Honda or Yamaha for me. Right now it's a Honda. I spend enough time working on other people's vehicles for a living that I want to just get on mine and ride it when the time comes. I don't want to go out Saturday then wait for the trailer to pick up the Harley Monday for it to be worked on then returned later in the week.

For the me the Honda is more comfortable, more refined and simply more enjoyable.

I read somewhere that they were going to make Harley's in India now. Harleys have finally saturated the market so the resale is going away. Honda is the best buy but for guys or gals that feel like riding a Harley makes them special more power to them.

As a company?

Harley pretty much makes one antique reproduction motorcycle in a few different sizes and the design has changed little in 70 years and one more advanced crusier that isn't very popular. Yeah resale is going to be better when a 20 year old bike has about the same look and performance as a new one. But if everyone did that we would still be listening to wind up Victrolas instead of ipods, B&W TVs with rabbit ears instead of flat screens with 3D.

Honda makes alot of different motorcycles, from dirt bikes to scooters to sport bikes and touring bike, all these bikes have very specialized frames and engines that change and improve yearly. And then they make some harley clones too that are actually better bikes than the real thing.

As far as individual motorcycles? Well I have no desire to ride a heavy slow antique reproduction or dress as a gay pirate so Harleys are out for me.