I just tell my Harley friends Harleys are great, I just wanted a bike that had more history and heritage, better engineered, and more reliable. Mostly though, I have to say it's because I owned a Triumph when I was young and If I'm recapturing my youth - that's what I need. Also, I never really wanted to own a Harley. If I ever get another bike it will be a sports tourer for highway riding. If Triumph comes out with a Trophy or something like the BMW, I'd probably go for that. Harley doesn't make anything that fits in that catagory.
I ride with 8 close friends that have Harleys and one that has a Gold Wing. That Gold Wing is ****** right spooky when it pulls up next to you on the highway. You never hear it coming.
