| Author | Message | ||
     Buellinachinashop |
http://www.goingfaster.com/angst/noharley2.html I just about launched soda out a nostril reading this. | ||
| Barker |
That is one big rant. That dude needs an editor. | ||
| Citified |
sad, really | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Good thing "Eric" left Harley. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
I think H.D. didn't approve his financing and now he's mad. I can't believe I just read that whole thing. Not to be the odd man out, but on some levels he is right. I for one would love to see and American IL4 that would smoke the fur-ners buts! I Think we could, and should. But I think he missed Daytona where we did kick a#$! And in case nobody said it, Thank you Mr. Buell for that! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Too bad he's never actually RIDDEN a Harley. | ||
| Froggy |
Looks like a cheap knock off of Maddox's work. | ||
| Brumbear |
my new favorite song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWncbPPtio | ||
| Bill0351 |
I had almost forgotten about this guy! He's hilarious. Go to his homepage and read more. I especially like the letters sent in from HD owners. The guy is obviously mentally imbalanced, but he's fun to read. Bill | ||
| Svh |
I feel similar but not quite as umm.. militant as he does about HD being a Brand not a motorcycle company. They sell an image and it is my guess that the accessories and clothing make way more $$$ than the bike sales. I have not done any research on that but I can't imagine it not being the case. It had been a great business for them and really still is. They are still making decent profits and staying ahead of the curve a little by making cut backs. I probably will never own one, although the XR1200 is pulling on me, but am glad they are around otherwise I wouldn't be able to have a perma-grin everytime I am out on my bike. I do not recall HD ever saying they make performance bikes. I do wish there was an American manufacturer that was a multiple line. Buell is sporty bikes and HD is cruisers unlike the big 4 that sell sporty bikes, cruisers, off road machines, etc.. Polaris is close but no sporty bike or dirt bikes. | ||
| Swordsman |
"Harley's fastest motorcycle, the Sportster, isn't anywhere near deserving of its name." Er... how OLD is this? Or is he just THAT misinformed? One word comes to mind: V-ROD ~SM | ||
| Cyclonedon |
wow! I think this guy is extremely upset at Harley-Davidson for some reason! Or someone pissed in his corn flakes this morning. Harley's are what they are and that's a well built cruiser motorcycle with an image and built in the USA. I'd love to own a Road King, one of the best looking motorcycles ever built! | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Tons of hyperbole, but a lot of truth too. I attended Harley POT training a few years back as a BRAG officer. It was very cult like and it honestly turned me off. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
I feel similar but not quite as umm.. militant as he does about HD being a Brand not a motorcycle company. They sell an image and it is my guess that the accessories and clothing make way more $$$ than the bike sales. Svh, I haven't read the piece that started this thread, nor do I intend to, but I will take a moment to disagree, respectfully, with your comment highlighted above. Yep, a lot of image behind the Harley brand, no question, a fact which is the envy of every other for-profit company in the world. And yes, H-D's P&A division has been a money-making monster since the mid-80's, yet another indicator of how wildly successful Harley-Davidson has been at rebuilding said image. But none of this comes without having a good, dare I say great, core product, i.e. motorcycles. Your "not a motorcycle company" comment seems to dismiss the legitimacy of their motorcycles when compared to all the other high-quality choices available these days and, if so, you're quite incorrect. H-D's motorcycles are truly world-class now, which was most definitely not the case when I bought my first one ('76 FLH), and yet they've fought and struggled and consistently improved and attained this elite status without losing that intangible, hard-to-define "something" that makes a Harley a Harley. Or, it could just be that I'm misinterpreting your words. If that's the case, sorry for the friendly mini-rant.  FB | ||
| Limitedx1 |
ya i find it yuppy that doctors buy bikes just to have them and then they sit with 50k in chrome.....but the rest of that dudes rant is just a cop out because he probably cant afford one lol. my saying is "those who hate harley, cant buy one" | ||
| Svh |
FB- No offense taken to the mini-rant. That is one of the things I LOVE about this country is that we have the ability to disagree about anything really (politics, religion,color of the sky, etc) and not have to worry about the other guy killing you literally. Anyway my counter point.. First I am not sure you should waste your time reading that "article". Not too much substance in there. We in some ways are agreeing I think I just did not convey it correctly and omitted some views. They do have very nice bikes now and very rightfully so they have got praise from the media sources about the improvements. Must be huge because my brother test road a 2007 and a 2009 Electraglide back to back and he said it was night and day the handling difference and he has very little moto experience. However, what I should have said, with some clarification from a nights sleep, is that HD is a Brand that also makes world class motorcycles to support its brand image. I am sure in '76 it was a bit tougher to find HD apparel/collectibles/trinkets than it is today probably were relegated to dealerships and rallies and maybe flea markets but now they are everywhere. If you pay attention to it you will see HD's amazing dispersion in the marketplace. Gas stations, groceries, department stores, hardware stores, discounters, Ford dealers, drug stores, etc all sell HD branded "stuff" now. HD may do motorcycles well now but it is not what they do best. Hope I clarified my view as I am not a Harley hater quite the opposite although they do not appeal to me. Sam | ||
| Court |
>>>>H-D's motorcycles are truly world-class now That's actually a very accurate statement. In all candor I am more concerned, looking ahead, at their management. SOME (that's an important word) of the folks that have risen to top management positions are not the equal of some of the old folks I used to know and work with like Rich Teerlink. It's unfortunate that the culture tends to see the truly talented as potential threats to "Heritage" and that a number of the folks could be described as a chorus of corporate "yes men" (I say men, because the several women I know at the top are among the most talents HD execs in my opinion). HD does motorcycles well. I'd not hesitate to buy a Harley-Davidson product for a moment; the quality is equal to anything made. HD does P&A with the best of them and I am always amazed that that fact seems to bother some folks. I think it's wonderful that HD has a diverse revenue base. It's also noteworthy . . . that since the article was written that it's the New York Times, not Harley-Davidson that has shown signs of being a potential victim of the economy. Harley-Davidson will likely do fine but, personally, I'd love to see them boot a couple folks, craft a clear vision for the future and move a few leaders into position. Louis Rukeyser said it best . .
| ||
| Bill0351 |
http://www.goingfaster.com/angst/main.htm This is the link to his main page. You can agree with him or not, but you have to applaud his effort! He grossly overstates even the things I agree with, but it isn't often that someone so completely documents their deranged obsession with something. For that, he deserves our thanks. Bill | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"HD does motorcycles well. I'd not hesitate to buy a Harley-Davidson product for a moment; the quality is equal to anything made." I used to look at HD as being like a grandiouse OCC and WCC, but that opinion changed in large part by buying one of HD's products and in greater part, by being of the few non-HD employees to tour the Product Development Center. They spend more money dyno testing bikes than OCC and WCC makes in a year. People say....."they haven't changed one bit in 20 years"...they have zero idea how much work goes into making them remain "classic", but yet keep them one of the most dependable bikes made. Harley builds good bikes, but on top of that, they allow the customer to "build" their own creation by offering over 300 pages of parts and accessories. That's not something every mfg offers to their customers. That's one of the main reasons people buy HD. (Message edited by Buellinachinashop on April 01, 2009) | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
First I am not sure you should waste your time reading that "article". Svh, thx for the heads-up. I already knew, somehow, that it'd be a waste of time I don't have time to waste. If you pay attention to it [H-D's brand] you will see HD's amazing dispersion in the marketplace. I pay attention, and I've noticed it. Props to H-D for being able to make money by branding some truly "inane" stuff. Most of this crapola I wouldn't buy with YOUR money, but kudos to them - or anyone else - who does such a good job of crafting their product (and image) that people will shell out their hard-earned dough for a Harley-branded bandana for their stupid poodle. HD may do motorcycles well now but it is not what they do best. Strongly disagree. Hope I clarified my view as I am not a Harley hater quite the opposite although they do not appeal to me. Nope, I knew you weren't a "hater" and I hope I didn't imply that. Best, FB | ||
| Arcticktm |
They sure sell a lot of motorcycles for not being a motorcycle company. I bet the Japanese Big 4 would happily become "not a motorcycle company" to see the number of bikes in the USA that H-D does. I have never owned a Harley, and have no plans to in the future, but that is only because I prefer other types of motorcycles, in general. Funny how a lot of us (self included)want a bike that is "different", and then get somehow jealous when a mainstream brand gets so much attention. If Buell sold as many bikes as H-D, I wonder how many of us would still own one? | ||
| Nevrenuf |
and for him to say that their not dependable is a crock. granted, pre evo they had multitude of problems with reliability. it got to a point that even after the motor was rebuilt, i couldn't go out with out having to do something on the bike. but with the other bikes i've had or have right now, they are as dependable as any other vehicle out there. 6600 miles in 3 wks on the 01 ultra and no problems. 04 that i traded for in 05 no problems | ||
| Bikerjim99 |
I have met people similar to the writer of the article. Many like him cannot afford a Harley - Davidson, and must try to tear down a successful American icon to try to make themselves happy. It bothers him to no end that even though his Ninja is a faster bike, many Americans prefer a Harley. I can infer from his writing that he secretly wishes he too could drive a Harley. But he can't. A disturbed individual, I believe. | ||
| Limitedx1 |
bikerjim, your comment is the same one that comesout of my mouth all the time. people who hate HD cant afford one.......so maybe i should start hating austin martin! | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"so maybe i should start hating austin martin!" FERRARI SUCKS. BIG RED EXPENSIVE CRAP. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
somewhere I have a pic of me covered head to toe in dirt, mud and grime next to the orange bike of choice and giving said BMW camera man a hearty bird... (insert that pic here and it sums up my opinion of the article) If you want to put a label on me and my ride and riding, come out to my neck of the woods ~ a$$hat, oh and bring that roadking with you. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
'Slicker, I'm just back from six days in the Bremerton/Poulsbo area visiting family. I'd have brought the Road King but I couldn't figure out a way to get it thru security at the airport... | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Damnit man, sorry I missed ya Jerry, there would have been a pint or two of Racoon Red or Pioneer Pale to be hoisted. Some of the best roads are out here... and alot of them are still dirt. w00t. "Success offends bureaucrats" thanks for that one Court. I think GM is feeling that one very well right now. I loathe the day that the gobmnt attempts to get their sticky stinky fingers in Buell | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
[THREADJACK] 'Slicker, me sorry, too. Whirlwind trip, helping my Mom (Ma Bueller here on the board) & Family celebrate her XXth birthday. She packed the schedule tight, and there was little time to do much in the way of outside-the-family social calling. I was born and raised in western Washington (went to school in Kitsap and Mason Co.) so I bet you and I have terrorized many of the same roads. Rain check on the brewski's???  FB [/THREADJACK] | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
somewhere I have a pic of me covered head to toe in dirt, mud and grime next to the orange bike of choice City I always figured that's what ALL your pics look like... | ||
| Cityxslicker |
theres a lil road out Mason County way called N. Shore road. Its unpaved, it is 6 miles and 66 turns (we call it devils run) My best time through there is 18 minutes. Next time we go, I will get some streaming video. Now if I had a light, leaner, meaner dirty bike like the 450cc, I think I could shave a couple of minutes off that time. Raincheck granted. |
