We're probably closer in age than you think. At least I don't think I'm old people at 41. Not that I think I'm young either.
I grew up on dirt bikes as well. I started on a Honda mini bike, a 50cc model with a centrifigul clutch. I kept that until I got an XR-75. Later I owned an XR-125, and an XR-250 as well.
My first street bike was actually a Honda Twinstar 185. I rode the wheels off of that thing, and actually rode it from Denver Colorado to St. Louis Missouri. At one time I even owned a Honda Rebel 450 in addition to a Harley Sportster I had at the time. The Rebel was a nice little bike, and it's a shame they dropped it and only kept the 250. So don't think I have anything against Honda, because I don't. I even plan to start my daughter off on a Rebel when she turns 15.
That being said, I love Harley-Davidons. They're great bikes, and not the kludges you seem to think they are, but that's ok. My current ride has faithfully carried me some 30,000 miles with nary a hiccup, and it'll only be two years old come July. I'm harder than hell on bike, and I make many long distance trips alone, so I wouldn't be riding a Harley if I didn't know it was reliable.
Really, I can love my ride and appreciate yours as well. I don't have to put yours down to make myself feel good about mine. Unfortunately a lot of riders of Jap bikes feel otherwise. Not that I haven't contributed to big bigotry myself, I know I have, I too have sinned. lol
One of my rides was a 1982 Honda CB750F. I am fairly familiar with Cogadh na Sith's ride. That bike is about as close to the UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) as you can get, which explains much of the animosity Cogadh na Sith has towards all things HD . . .
Double Overhead Cam inline four, stamped steel "Comstar" wheels, rubber mounted turn signals, inverted bucket shim valve clearance adjustments, Stand/Squat shaft drive, etc., etc. Typical Japanese fare; decent performance, conservative non-offensive styling and subdued electric hand buzzer vibration permeating the bars and pegs at all times. Apart from the Hi-Lo transmission selector ala Honda Trail 90, it personified the UJM; reliable, economical and bland as white tofu.
I'll cut him some slack; he's probably never ridden anything that has soul, and thus feels compelled to denigrate and criticize what he can't understand . . .
