Streetwise: Most American men want a Harley

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Friday, April 23, 2004 | Lauren Rudd

[Willie Green]

What do men want more than anything else? No, not that ... well maybe that also; but that is not the topic of today's column. According to a survey of 1,000 men nationwide, besides wanting more money and keeping their wives happy, six out of 10 men dreamed of owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Steve Piehl, Harley-Davidson communication director, said, "When asked why they had not bought one, there were some interesting answers such as, 'My wife won't let me,' 'I don't have the time' and the one that really drives us crazy, 'Don't they cost at least $20,000?' "

The survey revealed that 75 percent of the respondents thought a Harley was too expensive. Not true, says Harley. "What we're finding out is that people know owning a Harley is cool, but they just do not have the facts. If they did, they'd have one in their garage right now," Piehl said.

[Melas]

So in 22 years you doubled your money? Sorry friend, Thats not a good return.

It's an excellent return. He doubled his money in 22 years AND had full use of the utility of the product during that 22 years. Breaking even on a vehicle after 22 years would be absolutely amazing.

[Melas]

Careful. Sporties can grow on you. I've owned 3 of them, and my sojourns into the big twin world were unfilling, and I always went back to Sportsters.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Life is a risk. Every breath you take could be your last. Remember this, you are never more alive than when you think you are about to die.

Dying is a piece of cake.

Living as a vegetable is the real bitch.

Quadraplegia is called "skiing, diving, motorcycling syndrome" for a reason.

[BraveMan]

You're right; my choice of 401k investments needs work!

[BraveMan]

I'll probably have this old girl forever . . .

[wku man]

I want a Springfield Armory M1A, and about 10,000 rounds of 7.62mm to play with.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[BraveMan]

Buying a Harley is the cheap part. Keeping it running is another matter entirely.

Hmmm, lets see. In 22 years I've gone through 3 clutch cables, 2 throttle cables, 4 front brake pads, 2 rear brake pads, 5 sets of tires, 6 batteries, 3 drive chains, 1 tranny sprocket, both sets of wheel bearings, 1 turn signal bulb, and one set of footpeg rubbers. Yep, pretty high maintenance . . .

[BraveMan]

I almost forgot. I had to replace the lenses on the speedo and tach five years ago. They clouded up, making the instruments look shabby & hard to read.

They're made by Nippon Seiki.

Harley got smart & switched back to American made gauges in 1983. I think mine was the last year to be equipped with Japanese instruments.

[Ghengis]

No. lol The cop was so embarrassed, he said that he wouldn't even look at the guy. He was telling me about the intensive motorcycle training they go through in Ohio...

Just curious. Which town in Ohio was this?

[G3]

Agree 100%. That's why I own a GSXR-1000 the most unbeliveable bike available.

PS: Do you know what HD stands for?

Hundred Dollars which is what you spend every time you buy a small HD product.

[P-Marlowe]

Living as a vegetable is the real bitch.

That's why they shouldn't have helmet laws.

Be careful Unim. Typing can cause irreparable damage to your wrists.

[Mr Rogers]

You can buy a Miata for the price of a Harley. Handles & looks better, can be driven year round and has lower insurance. If you've never ridden a cycle & don't want to work at getting good on one, then I recommend the Miata.

[knak]

We have this one....Well it's brandywine now, not white. My husband calls it his "YamaHarley".

[elbucko]

I'd have to say I'm impressed by their achievement.

I thought you would be. It's kind of a "Seabiscuit" story about motorcycles.

I'm not sure that anyone's build a faster single-engine streamliner bike yet.

I don't think so either. Perhaps that record still stands to this day. I'll try to find out. One has to plow through the So. Cal Timing Assn. achieves.

...one advantage...was the Harley engine's architecture, which allows for significant displacement increases.

Yes. "How big would you like your Harley engine, Sir?" The stroke has some limitations, but the bore can be a cave. It's a tugboat motor, to be sure. Designed and built for moving heavy things with torque. It may be an anachronism, but the Japanese have had to resort to imitating Harley styling in an effort to stay competitive in the motorcycle market. They can't make enough off the Cafe Racer crowd. Cafe Racers don't have the money that the Harley riders have and the Cafe Racers don't live long enough to pay off the Wonder Bikes".

Don't get me wrong, I am as impressed with mechanical sophistication as anyone, perhaps more, I'm a mechanical engineer. But for a speed record to stand for over 20 years while it is being assaulted every year, deserves respect.

Regards, Buck.

[IamHD]

Ghengis,

I don't remember because it has been about 4 years since I have spoken to this motorcyle cop. But, he did tell me that a lot of police departments in Michigan send their officers to this place in Ohio for training. I wish that I could remember.

[IamHD]

Thinking about it...it had to be somewhere around the Toledo area (I think) because he said that he traveled back and forth everyday. They were taught high speed chases, swerving, etc. He also said that the bikes were a mess when the training was over. LOL

[spunkets]

This link lists all those more involved than the MSF/Motorcycle Safety Foundation's courses. They teach basic riding skills . Focus, cornering technique, evasive manuver's, ect. The other schools in the link teach Hi-perf technique. Here's a HP school in mid-Ohio.

swerving...that occurs when the rider's blitzed!

[spunkets]

There's a dragway in Norwalk, OH, but I don't thing they have the facilities for a proper HP riding course.

[IamHD]

"swerving...that occurs when the rider's blitzed!"

Well, I was taught to swerve, too, but I think what I meant to say, was avoiding objects at high speeds? Blitzed, to me, means drunk. Is that what you mean? All I know, is that this motorcycle cop was trained to ride someplace in Ohio.

[hookman]

So you are less dead when killed while riding a Harley? reminds me of something a moth said, once.