[Duug]

Im glad Harley is still in biz but, don't want to own one for a lot of reasons.
1. They are all too small & cramped for me to ride distances.
2-10,...Not to mention everything else about them once they are running.
I do like the styling of a few but, again, I don't own a moto to look at.
Re',..cost. Not a good buy imnho.

 

[Hiramsaint]

Im glad Harley is still in biz but, don't want to own one for a lot of reasons.
1. They are all too small & cramped for me to ride distances.
2-10,...Not to mention everything else about them once they are running.
I do like the styling of a few but, again, I don't own a moto to look at.
Re',..cost. Not a good buy imnho.

Not to be a basher but that's very true. I've sat on a number of them recently at HD of Atlanta and they do feel small and cramped when compared to my 1300 and as most know, I'm not the tallest guy around. I wonder how them big ole dudes that ride them would feel if they sat on an X and were actually able to stretch out a bit. My old bobber and lowrider didn't feel that small for some reason but the new ones sure do.

 

[Silver F]

I test rode a 2015 Street Glide this past winter..... way to SMALL for me... salesman said "they make a Big Boy Seat".. I said you have one for me to try.... NO.

I am 6'3"... 250.

 

[Duug]

Im 6'0/200lb. My neighbor is 6'4"/250. He has a street glide. We switched bikes for a ride once. I hated the SG.
He hated my Xc but, only bcuz he finally found out why I bought a HOnda.
It's faster, longer, smoother, stops quicker....
He was one pissed off big ass biker when we got back.
I told to slowly get off my bike and not throw it down or I'd run his hog thru his garage door.
Jus joking with of course.
Haaa!

 

[Vinish]

I agree that the HD touring bikes are cramped. It is largely the height of the footbeds. I'm not large (5'-9.5" and 175 lbs) and the HD touring bikes made it feel like my upper legs were pointing upwards from hip to knee. Conversely, the HD softail has the foot beds much lower and further forward yielding a great laid back riding position. I have a lot of experience riding and HD Softail and some experience on the VTX 1300 and I think the riding position of both is about the same.

When Mylilpony and I went looking for touring bikes, we tried the HD series and both had the same cramped feeling although I felt it worse. We ended up with Victory Cross Country Tour bikes and these offer the most laid back comfortable riding posture of any bike I've ever been on.

 

[Hiramsaint]

I agree that the HD touring bikes are cramped. It is largely the height of the footbeds. I'm not large (5'-9.5" and 175 lbs) and the HD touring bikes made it feel like my upper legs were pointing upwards from hip to knee. Conversely, the HD softail has the foot beds much lower and further forward yielding a great laid back riding position. I have a lot of experience riding and HD Softail and some experience on the VTX 1300 and I think the riding position of both is about the same.

When Mylilpony and I went looking for touring bikes, we tried the HD series and both had the same cramped feeling although I felt it worse. We ended up with Victory Cross Country Tour bikes and these offer the most laid back comfortable riding posture of any bike I've ever been on.

I'd really like to try one as well but finances wouldn't allow it at this point, which is why I won't test ride one--I'd prolly like it and WANT it-right wigit?

 

[nate6966]

To be honest, I do love a lot of things about the Harleys... the sound, the looks (of some), the chrome and paint, the sound (deserved two mentions when they have good pipes), and several of the newer versions are quite smooth with the new motor mount design. And the seats (especially for the passenger) are much more comfortable on their touring bikes than my Mustang seat.

The "barriers" I see that prevent me from seriously considering a Harley include:
#1 - No leg room! I'm 6'5" and my legs always feel cramped on every Harley I've ever ridden. The salesman response is "cruise pegs and forward controls!" (They don't tell you right away that's an extra $1,000+)
#2 - Power (lack of). Not a single stock Harley has ever felt like the torque feels from my 1800F. Even the VROD didn't impress until the RPMs were high. Again, salesman pitch the custom options of $$$$ for performance upgrades. Never have one modified available to test ride to prove it can be done.
#3 - Price. This one's easiest to overcome, but it's still a big negative. My wife LOVES the comfy pillions and features of the Harleys and also loves their sound. She gave me the green light for the price a long time ago. The retention of resale value definitely helps with the price as well but doesn't mean much as I buy to ride, not to sell. It's crazy to look at the $20-30k, knowing that nice sedans cost that much. That much money puts Harleys in a position they compete with the fact my two vehicles are at the 100k mile mark and are more important than a bike.

 

[Hiramsaint]

The last time I went, they tried to sell me on one and after awhile, I showed them my bike and told them if they could put me on a comparable bike for $10,000 and give me $5,000 for mine we'd do the deal right now. She said she couldn't do that and I told her, That's what I've been trying to tell you for the past 30 minutes. I've had 2 HD's in the past and I've made my decision. Unless "El Scootero" has a catastrophic failure, I'm keeping her for the long run.

 

[Silver F]

when I purchased my "F".... New... I figured it would be my final bike... whatever happens...
an being a Honda... it would out live me. 12 years and counting.

 

[IndyX]

when I purchased my "F".... New... I figured it would be my final bike... whatever happens...
an being a Honda... it would out live me. 12 years and counting.

Mechanically I don't see any reason why vtx can't keep going as long as you want. Not sure about the electronics though.

 

[Silver F]

Mechanically I don't see any reason why vtx can't keep going as long as you want. Not sure about the electronics though.

my 1986 Honda Goldwing SEi... the most electronics of almost any bike made.. from new to 2005 and was still working FINE... 19 years.
early Honda Fuel injection.. early auto leveling air suspension. 2 computers on board... most powerful inside case charging system.

 

[Vinish]

I bought a used 2006 HD Softail in May, 2010 for $12,000 and sold it a couple weeks ago for $6500 so I rode it for ~7.5 years and about 40,0000 miles for $5500. IThat seems like a pretty reasonable cost per mile or cost per year. I'm sure better than this can be done with a VTX. Ignoring the accessories and paint, Mylilpony did way better than this. Counting accessories and paint, she did way worse with her VTX1300S but still I don't feel like I got a bad deal from my HD. Two of the keys are never buy a new bike since there are so many used low mileage bikes that can be purchased for deep discounts and try to avoid buying from a dealer. You can almost always get much better deals by purchasing from individuals.

 

[RJ64]

Maybe HD needs to bring back the Topper....scooters are where it's at these days! lol :mosh:

 

[Silver F]

what "Works" for one .. will not work for others.

most of my bikes.. I have sold my bikes near the price I purchase as new... but time and money has changed greatly.

my 1966 Honda CB77, I purchased it for $300.00 in 1969... and sold it in 1972 for $300.00 and I added 20,000 miles to it
my 1972 Honda CB750. I purchased it for $1,500 in 1972.. and sold it in 1975 for 1,950.. but I added an 850 kit, headers and a camshaft.. but added 15,000 miles

I try to purchase a NEW but 1 to 2 years old.
1986 Honda GL1200 SEI, in 1987 New $8,000... sold it in 2005 for $5,000 and 90,000 miles.
1988 Honda CBR1000F...purchased in 1990 New.$6,000, sold it in 2003 for for $5,200... with 35,000 miles.

I do not expect to get a good return on the VTX.. I knew it in 2005.. when I could have purchased a New in the crate 2002 VTX1800 for $5,000 less.

I view a low mileage bike as a mistreated bike.. DRY starts are very damaging.. my opinion.
seals stick and that does damage.

 

[eherlihy]

Here is an illustration of the problem that Harley faces;

Skip the drop in 2007-2011, when the entire economy was in the toilet, but instead focus on the trend from 2011-2014.

 

[wngd]

Too expensive, traditional demographic is shrinking, not enough unique offerings, too slow to embrace technology, even liquid cooling

 

[IndyX]

Here is an illustration of the problem that Harley faces;
Skip the drop in 2007-2011, when the entire economy was in the toilet, but instead focus on the trend from 2011-2014.

Exactly the same issue Honda faced with the VTX. Economy was going down fast no one buying them. I think that had a lot to do with discontinuing them.

Harley holds onto the brand they built around a very specific design. It's 2017 there is no reason to have the same small saddlebags of a 1980 model. Things like that bug me but they refuse to update any of the design.

 

[Tersuesar]

Had a coworker pick up a 1800 VTX with 11k on her fo $3150. (minus the seat, pipes and wing) Until those kind of deals dry up, HD will lose out in the used department too.