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All I know for sure, based on my experiences since I started riding in the late 1960's is the Jap bikes are reliable, the Harley's aren't. Its not really debatable imho.

Aha, now I know why and how you got this idea that Harleys are so unreliable. You were riding when they sucked bad.

I had an ironhead sportster that while it ran like a champ, and never let me down, was a dedicated oil user. It liked oil, and liked it a lot. I don't think I ever changed the oil in it, because there was never a need. The oil never really got old.

However, Harley turned a corner with the evolution engine, and then the twin cam. I do virtually no maintenance on a bike. I change the oil regularly, and that's really about it. Or rather I have it changed. I'm lazy and have more money than time at this stage of my life.

We should ride some time. You probably wouldn't care for my sled, but you'd have to admit that it runs well, doesn't leak oil, and gets me everywhere I want to go.

I know a guy who's put nearly 300,000 km on his Evo big twin over the last 4 years. The engine seems to be good for about 100,000 km before it needs some freshening, which is about half (or less) what some liquid cooled Japanese bikes can do. Still, it's worth rebuilding a Harley engine when it gets tired, which is not true of many Japanese bikes. Taking the higher purchase price, cost of rebuilds, and high resale value into account, it's something of a toss up as to which has a lower total cost of ownership over that kind of mileage. Anyway, he hasn't ever had a breakdown other than, as you say, flat tires. I'd have to agree that Harley reliability is comparable to anything else these days. You want something high maintenance and unreliable, buy a Ducati!

"We should ride some time. You probably wouldn't care for my sled, but you'd have to admit that it runs well, doesn't leak oil, and gets me everywhere I want to go."

I'd like that. I'm in Southern Ohio (the Appalachian Zone). and the riding round these parts is GREAT. As long as you take care to avoid those large, generally green, monster machines that are used in the fields throughout the area....LOL!

btw, I like the look of most Harley's, I don't disparage anyone's "sled". To each his own. I just know I've got a nice ride, with no mechanical issues to speak of, for about a third of what the comparable Harley would have cost me.

My wife has made it clear she doesn't mind if we get another bike, or two (she can ride as well). She wants a fully blown touring bike, however, a Goldwing type.

Hell, I'm only 45.....not going there yet!