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I posted recently that my friend purchased a HD RK (road king) after cycling (pun intended) two previous bikes in a little more than two years. No problem with the circulation of scoots and in a way I envy him! We were talking today and the subject of “trading up” to an HD came up. I don’t mind brand loyalty and in fact wouldn’t ride a bike that doesn’t have a loyal base, period. I told him I would consider one as my next bike but there are other bikes on my short list as well—Victory Kingpin; Triumph Rocket III; Honda Vespa (just kidding!)…you get the picture.
Than proceeded the comment “well, there is just nothing like an HD. An HD is like an electric vest (which I use in winter riding) you ride for multiple seasons without one, break down and finally purchase one and ask yourself why you never bought one before. It becomes something you just can’t live nor will never live without.”
I ignored the comment and changed subjects to Peter Eglan’s book Leanings2. On the front of the book is a picture of a Triumph Bonneville which he took on a long excursion and actually loved so much he purchased one for himself. I relayed the history of the picture and out came another stupid comment “I wonder how much Triumph paid him to write that?” Man, how could somebody go from “Hondas are great bikes (yck) to HD is the only true motorcycle on the road in such a short time? He has less than 1k and 2 months of ownership under his belt!

Sorry for the rant but man it just bugs me. Now I find myself wishing the HD breakdown fairy would visit him…insert evil laugh. Not really. He is really a decent guy but I hope this sickness doesn’t get worse the more he rides his bike.

I bet if it was an HD on the cover he would say "see, even the experts think they are the best" but since it was another bike it is "I wonder how much they paid him". Figures...

Trading Up? There needs to be some kind of deprograming service for the HD brainwashed. It's got to be the cash they lay out for them, that makes them convince themselves that there are no better options out there.

He's just feeling stupid for paying so much money for a bike that can't go round corners and now he's having to justify it to himself. You don't need his confirmation that you have a great bike in your triumph (hell, that's what WE'RE for!) so leave him to his ranting and get on with enjoying your ride.

Most people equate cost with quality.

Thats crap! Its like he is demeaning you because your a Triumph Rider. Did you bag on him for his Honda Preference when he had one. I personally LOVE my bike and will not ever trade it. Its reliable, affordable, sexy as hell and handles well. I would consider rebuilding an old Harley for a bar cruiser but fall back on my Lucy for the long hall. Everytime we go on excursions one of the Harleys has the breakdown. Example:

My buddies 2001 Road king got too hot and blew a Gasket riding to Price, UT from SLC. It took two hours to get to a place to fix it. Luckily we ended up in a town with an HD Shop.

My other friend has a 2003 Duece. It had Fuel injection problems and kept stalling on him on our Uintas Ride.

Harleys have always had problems. I've even heard proud HD guys say " If its not leakin' somethin's gotta be wrong"

Just bought "Leanings, 2" this winter - it's my vacation read. Love Egan!
Tell your friend not to feel too hurt, Egan has some Road King stories in Leanings, 1.

Kevin, he must have gotten his hands on the HD Kool Aid.
Gotta love those Victory bikes though...

This is typical for most HD riders. I agree that it has something to do with the high price. In order to feel good about the purchase they try to separate there purchase from the lower price option. In marketing they call this "cognitive dissanonce". The consumer has a conflict between the high price they paid and the quality of the product. Therefore, they seek out positive information to justify their purchase.

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cognitive dissanonce

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Eeeck! Man, I had a flashback. I have not heard that term since Marketing 300.

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He is really a decent guy but I hope this sickness doesn’t get worse the more he rides his bike.

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Probably will. Cause thats what happens.

I am the same. Last year i brought a pair of HD boots. These are the best boots i have ever had, dont understand why i didnt buy them sooner. All you guys wearing non HD boots dont know what you are missing.

No, they are not water proof. Yes, the leak and i get wet feet i the rain. But thats besides the point. They are genuine Harley David Son boots, and worth every penny.

I also have a HD 3/4 helmet.

Don't worry, just sounds like a case of NHARUB Syndrome. After the leathers get worn and the patches get dirty it should subside.

later, Tom.

One of my neighbors just paid over 13k for a two year old Deuce with about 5,000 miles. Pretty, LOTS of chrome. I stood there, nodding my head, saying how pretty it was, all the while thinking “Geez, for that much money he could have gotten a Rocket III.” So now he has a bike no one will notice, that I can out run with my BA and that cost him more than twice what a two year old BA would run.

I believe Panman60 is correct. I bought my first Harley in the 70's and thought that if you didn't ride Harley you weren't a biker. I was branded for many years, then I had to change my life to save it. You cannot understand how hard it was to break away from that motor company. The last Harley I had was a 85, the new evolution motor, which was what I believed saved Harley. I've gone rice and British, and now have a couple of each. I believe I am no longer branded by any company, and can honestly say I can enjoy any bike on the road. The hardcore I used to ride with are now changing their attitudes about different marques, and are now wanting to ride with me again, no matter which bike I'm on. Give him time on the road, a little more time to experience life, and he will grow up to be a true biker.

truly, i would have punched him in the mouth.
"Buy that, sissy boy."

cat

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He is really a decent guy but I hope this sickness doesn’t get worse the more he rides his bike.

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It's called "Milwaukee Madness" and it will get worse if left untreated. Eventually, it will consume him. Symptoms parallel insanity and stupidity with overtones of irreversible psychosis. If left untreated, just sit back and watch him spend money - it's all you can do.

"Watch him spend money" boy he is really doing that. Used to be we would go out riding together, eat, cruise more and go home. Now every rides destination is a HD shop. It was fun last weekend because I got to test ride a Dyna and a FLH(?) HD coupled with a far superior American motorcycle, Victory. Everytime he stops in he drops a Hundred Dollars (the true meaning of HD).

Yeah, I get roped into those trips to HD dealers. Fortunately they usually offer free lunch, a cold beer and sometimes some music. I get great delight in asking for off-season HD themed stuff (aka: junk): Dog collars and Christmas ornaments are fun to ask for, they usually have them stashed away but will make someone dig them out. They usually are just a little off what I was looking for when then uncover these gems. Hey, keeps me busy while my buds drop their dollars.

Deja Vu???