I've moved "harley" from one list to another

[SANDMAN5]

harleys used to be on my "not no way, not no how" list. But after
spending some time at Smoky Mountain harley in Maryville, TN, the
other day, I've moved harley to my "If I were in the market I might
consider one" list. There is a WORLD of difference between employees
at Smoky Mountain and our local harley shop!! I don't know words big
enough to explain it. I've talked to several harley riders and owners that
won't do business with our hometown shop. Each shop has an Ultra Classic,
same color, same options (near as I could tell) and there is almost $5,000 price
difference! I still think they're overpriced, but one is WAY overpriced, IMHO.
IF I were looking to buy one, I'd gladly travel 125 or so miles to buy from
Smoky Mountain. The employees actually SPOKE to me!!! Several of them!!!! YMMV.

[Momz]

I've moved "harley" from one list to another
Like from blocking my view ahead,...to a distant speck in my mirror.  

But seriously, one of my friends just bought a 99 Tourer this weekend and he is the top salesman at a local HD dealership. His dealership only gives discounts to law enforcement and firefighters. Not even employee discounts.

There are good dealerships, both HD, Honda, BMW, and others. Consumers need to do their homework and be willing to travel to get their best deals.

[Jess Tolbirt]

you know my 2011 electra glide cost the same amount as my 1996 gold wing...
i dont remember what the valks were selling for back in 97 nor the harleys,, but i bet there wasnt that much differnce,, and yes at todays prices a 99 valk tourer will cost much less than a 99 harley road king...thats called resale value...but yes a valk is maybe a better bike all around but i couldnt hold mine up and longer.. now why didnt i buy a victory? then list is long but the bottom line was the cost...the harley was much cheaper...

[alph]

there's a harley dealer here in Eau Claire (on hwy 53) that i wouldn't bring my worst enemy to!!  those people are the quintessential harley guys.  you know, their bikes are the best, anything else is crap, type of attitudes.

then again, there's a harley shop in Black River Falls that i've only heard good things about.  i've never been to that shop for anything, but if i needed too, i'd drive the 50 miles before i deal with the local guy any day!! 

it all falls on the guy that owns the place.  if he's an "A" hole, it'll rub off on his employee's.....

[T-Bird]

harleys used to be on my "not no way, not no how" list. But after
spending some time at Smoky Mountain harley in Maryville, TN, the
other day, I've moved harley to my "If I were in the market I might
consider one" list. There is a WORLD of difference between employees
at Smoky Mountain and our local harley shop!! I don't know words big
enough to explain it. I've talked to several harley riders and owners that
won't do business with our hometown shop. Each shop has an Ultra Classic,
same color, same options (near as I could tell) and there is almost $5,000 price
difference! I still think they're overpriced, but one is WAY overpriced, IMHO.
IF I were looking to buy one, I'd gladly travel 125 or so miles to buy from
Smoky Mountain. The employees actually SPOKE to me!!! Several of them!!!! YMMV.

I know very well what you are saying.
I'm only 20 miles from Thunder Creek Harley Davidson in Chattanooga, but will drive the 60 miles to Smokey Mtn. Harley. 

[hubcapsc]

I bought a Harley in 1998. I don't have much nice to say about the 82 inch Evolution
engine, it couldn't get out of its own way, but Harley Davidson of Greenville SC (HDOG)
was a good motorcycle shop when I was going there.

It wasn't cheap to put my bike in the shop there, but looking through the glass into the
shop at that line of always-busy mechanics was impressive to me. I got the impression
they were all certified, or at least "doing things by the book", and when I got my bike
out everything worked like new down to it seemed like they'd bothered to lube and
adjust the cables...

Big Al likes his Harleys. T-Bird likes his Harley. Shades like his Harley (I bet they don't
have 82 inch Evos  ) Conclusion? They got some good dealers and they got some good bikes...

-Mike

[SANDMAN5]

Yep, I've said it before....it's not so much the harleys I/we make fun of,
it's SOME of the people that have them that are easy targets! As far as
Wings costing as much....wonder which one will last longer...Wing or
air-cooled v-twin? YMMV.

[cookiedough]

same can be said for any vehicle mfg. dealer.  There are some local dealers  I wouldn't trust to rotate tires or do oil changes. When I bought my Hyundai I had to go to the suburbs of Chicago 150 miles away to save over 1500 bucks vs. the Madison WI local dealers who thought they owned the market.  This week though met a nice HD couple riding a HD  1340cc cycle 19 years old at our local cheese factory.  Seemed like a nice couple they even commented and looked over drooling at my I/S and when came out of the cheese factory he said, nice bike.  I commented back on the nice paint job on his gas tank since didn't really know what else to compliment him on his bike.  Most local HD riders once they see Honda turn up their noses after drooling at the bike and walk away with their noses held high like they own the best bike ever made.  Pretty impressed though that their 19 year old HD was still running good and they planned on taking a week or two to take it out to Maine to visit relatives.  I took one look at their skinny seat and said NOT for me, no how.

[Jess Tolbirt]

same can be said for any vehicle mfg. dealer.  There are some local dealers  I wouldn't trust to rotate tires or do oil changes. When I bought my Hyundai I had to go to the suburbs of Chicago 150 miles away to save over 1500 bucks vs. the Madison WI local dealers who thought they owned the market.  This week though met a nice HD couple riding a HD  1340cc cycle 19 years old at our local cheese factory.  Seemed like a nice couple they even commented and looked over drooling at my I/S and when came out of the cheese factory he said, nice bike.  I commented back on the nice paint job on his gas tank since didn't really know what else to compliment him on his bike.  Most local HD riders once they see Honda turn up their noses after drooling at the bike and walk away with their noses held high like they own the best bike ever made.  Pretty impressed though that their 19 year old HD was still running good and they planned on taking a week or two to take it out to Maine to visit relatives.  I took one look at their skinny seat and said NOT for me, no how.

the guy compliments you on your bike and all you can say in return is nice paint job on his tank? You are exactly the same type person you are complaining about,,

[Momz]

Well he could have said "that motor doen't vibrate as much as the paint shaker at our local paint store".
 Or ask "how many of the chrome accesories are made in Tiawan?"

[BIG--T]

I bought a Harley in 1998. I don't have much nice to say about the 82 inch Evolution
engine, it couldn't get out of its own way, but Harley Davidson of Greenville SC (HDOG)
was a good motorcycle shop when I was going there.

It wasn't cheap to put my bike in the shop there, but looking through the glass into the
shop at that line of always-busy mechanics was impressive to me. I got the impression
they were all certified, or at least "doing things by the book", and when I got my bike
out everything worked like new down to it seemed like they'd bothered to lube and
adjust the cables...

Big Al likes his Harleys. T-Bird likes his Harley. Shades like his Harley (I bet they don't
have 82 inch Evos  ) Conclusion? They got some good dealers and they got some good bikes...

-Mike

Mike HDOG and Timms are great dealerships IMO, especially Greenville HD, the sales department are very friendly and when I was there I was offered Krispy Creme donuts and coffee!  But if I ever get serious about buying one I will go to Timm's bc they will beat Greenville's prices.

Yeah I kow what you mean about the old Harleys and their power...62HP!! . They now have come a long way since the 90'S with a lot more power and a smooth ride. The only time you'll feel it shake is at idle and I'm speaking from only what I know which are the 09'S and up. But why don't I buy one?? I've bought houses cheaper than what they (RG or UC) sell for- no joke! Then I look at my beautiful Valkyrie and VTX both paid for with only about 15k on both... I say "What am I thinking..duh"!! 

[BigAl]

harleys used to be on my "not no way, not no how" list. But after
spending some time at Smoky Mountain harley in Maryville, TN, the
other day, I've moved harley to my "If I were in the market I might
consider one" list. There is a WORLD of difference between employees
at Smoky Mountain and our local harley shop!! I don't know words big
enough to explain it. I've talked to several harley riders and owners that
won't do business with our hometown shop. Each shop has an Ultra Classic,
same color, same options (near as I could tell) and there is almost $5,000 price
difference! I still think they're overpriced, but one is WAY overpriced, IMHO.
IF I were looking to buy one, I'd gladly travel 125 or so miles to buy from
Smoky Mountain. The employees actually SPOKE to me!!! Several of them!!!! YMMV.

Anita is a good salesperson there, And Harley Joe is good on parts and acessories to get you going.

I bought a Fat Boy used last February, and they are the total package as far as dealerships.

Smoky Mountain Rocks as far as I am concerned, really, they have ROck and Roll shows there regularly, sometmes country.

But they will hook a brother up and keep him rolling for sure.

The reason I like my Harley is it sounds good, looks like a motorcycle, not a plastic torpedo, and handles better than any bike

I have ever owned.

The motor in the center of the frame is always gonna handle better than something that is hanging outside the frame.

Check with Ducati Racing on the latest comment on handling.

5 and 1/2 years of East Tennessee to Key West and around the Dragon 100's of times still rolling and looking good.

[BIG--T]

harleys used to be on my "not no way, not no how" list. But after
spending some time at Smoky Mountain harley in Maryville, TN, the
other day, I've moved harley to my "If I were in the market I might
consider one" list. There is a WORLD of difference between employees
at Smoky Mountain and our local harley shop!! I don't know words big
enough to explain it. I've talked to several harley riders and owners that
won't do business with our hometown shop. Each shop has an Ultra Classic,
same color, same options (near as I could tell) and there is almost $5,000 price
difference! I still think they're overpriced, but one is WAY overpriced, IMHO.
IF I were looking to buy one, I'd gladly travel 125 or so miles to buy from
Smoky Mountain. The employees actually SPOKE to me!!! Several of them!!!! YMMV.

Bob not all HD dealers are the same, there are some that are real friendly and will go the extra mile like one in my area and others that don't even acknowlege you. Tha same can be said about Honda shops too. There is one Honda dealer that is close to me but I will go to another dealer farther away,,but only go if I have to! 

[Robert]

My son sells Harleys both son and son inlaw ride them Look ok but 2 was never better than 6 for me. Dealers have not proven to be good for me.

[Popeye]

I have had good luck with my old Honda shop and my new Harley dealer.   I have heard horror stories from riders on all brands of bikes.

I loved my Valk Interstate and I loved my first Harley.  Would still have it if I hadn't wrecked it.
I love my 07 Ultra but would really love a new Road Glide with a 103.  All my Hondas were great bikes but I am  a Harley guy now.  All that matters is that you ride, not what you ride.

Popeye

[BIG--T]

I have had good luck with my old Honda shop and my new Harley dealer.   I have heard horror stories from riders on all brands of bikes.

I loved my Valk Interstate and I loved my first Harley.  Would still have it if I hadn't wrecked it.
I love my 07 Ultra but would really love a new Road Glide with a 103.  All my Hondas were great bikes but I am  a Harley guy now.  All that matters is that you ride, not what you ride.

Popeye

Popeye if I bought a Harley the new RG Tourer  with the 103 would be the one. 

[BF]

The reason I like my Harley is it sounds good, looks like a motorcycle, not a plastic torpedo, and handles better than any bike

I have ever owned.

Funny......but that's the exact same reason I like my Valkyrie.   

[cookiedough]

same can be said for any vehicle mfg. dealer.  There are some local dealers  I wouldn't trust to rotate tires or do oil changes. When I bought my Hyundai I had to go to the suburbs of Chicago 150 miles away to save over 1500 bucks vs. the Madison WI local dealers who thought they owned the market.  This week though met a nice HD couple riding a HD  1340cc cycle 19 years old at our local cheese factory.  Seemed like a nice couple they even commented and looked over drooling at my I/S and when came out of the cheese factory he said, nice bike.  I commented back on the nice paint job on his gas tank since didn't really know what else to compliment him on his bike.  Most local HD riders once they see Honda turn up their noses after drooling at the bike and walk away with their noses held high like they own the best bike ever made.  Pretty impressed though that their 19 year old HD was still running good and they planned on taking a week or two to take it out to Maine to visit relatives.  I took one look at their skinny seat and said NOT for me, no how.

the guy compliments you on your bike and all you can say in return is nice paint job on his tank? You are exactly the same type person you are complaining about,,

It was a 19 year old original bone stock HD in so-so shape.  Nothing to look at really but it really did have a nice scenic paint job on the gas tank done and he was proud of it so made him feel good.  I had to say something besides thanks for the compliment on my bike and was impressed he would ride all the way to the state of Maine from WI riding 2-up. 

[Jess Tolbirt]

any bike i run across with the owner near i always say something nice about his bike,, even if he is riding a mo-ped,,at least he is riding,, remember this, most all people are just as proud of their stuff as you are of yours,,so make em feel good about it!!

[BIG--T]

any bike i run across with the owner near i always say something nice about his bike,, even if he is riding a mo-ped,,at least he is riding,, remember this, most all people are just as proud of their stuff as you are of yours,,so make em feel good about it!!

There ya go! 

[Willow]

any bike i run across with the owner near i always say something nice about his bike,, even if he is riding a mo-ped,,at least he is riding,, remember this, most all people are just as proud of their stuff as you are of yours,,so make em feel good about it!!

Jess, this was exactly what CD did and yet you found it necessary to lambast him with:

the guy compliments you on your bike and all you can say in return is nice paint job on his tank? You are exactly the same type person you are complaining about,,

This is the place you could be a great example to a lot of the great unwashed among us by employing the words, "I was wrong."

[Oss]

someone need a bike wash

or mouth washed out with soap

either way my gal here will set you right

Good secretary..........   

[BIG--T]

someone need a bike wash

or mouth washed out with soap

either way my gal here will set you right

Good secretary..........   

WOW!!  Nice looking...BIKE!!   

[Squealy]

WOW!!  Nice looking...BIKE!!   

there's a bike in that picture? I hadnt noticed....  :-)

[Valkahuna]

Wow! I am impressed. This is the most civil discussion having to do with H-D I have ever read on this board.

Looks like some are capable of compassion, and other of restraint! 

As for the comments on the merits of the Road Glide, yup, it's a great touring bike! Mine is a '99, and is now a 95 inch making more power than the new 103 (a 95 inch with a stroker crank). The addition of the tour pack made it a great tourer.

A good alternative to my '01 IS, which is in a class by itself!

[Jess Tolbirt]

any bike i run across with the owner near i always say something nice about his bike,, even if he is riding a mo-ped,,at least he is riding,, remember this, most all people are just as proud of their stuff as you are of yours,,so make em feel good about it!!

Jess, this was exactly what CD did and yet you found it necessary to lambast him with:

the guy compliments you on your bike and all you can say in return is nice paint job on his tank? You are exactly the same type person you are complaining about,,

This is the place you could be a great example to a lot of the great unwashed among us by employing the words, "I was wrong."

any bike i run across with the owner near i always say something nice about his bike,, even if he is riding a mo-ped,,at least he is riding,, remember this, most all people are just as proud of their stuff as you are of yours,,so make em feel good about it!!

Jess, this was exactly what CD did and yet you found it necessary to lambast him with:

the guy compliments you on your bike and all you can say in return is nice paint job on his tank? You are exactly the same type person you are complaining about,,

This is the place you could be a great example to a lot of the great unwashed among us by employing the words, "I was wrong."

ok maybe i was wrong,,CD did say something nice about his bike but it was the rest of the post that i guess set me off,,sorry CD, My bad,,,i apologize...

[BIG--T]

Wow! I am impressed. This is the most civil discussion having to do with H-D I have ever read on this board.

Looks like some are capable of compassion, and other of restraint! 

As for the comments on the merits of the Road Glide, yup, it's a great touring bike! Mine is a '99, and is now a 95 inch making more power than the new 103 (a 95 inch with a stroker crank). The addition of the tour pack made it a great tourer.

A good alternative to my '01 IS, which is in a class by itself!

I know a guy that has an Ultra Classic, RK, and a Road Glide , all late models and he said he liked the RG the best, 2nd was the RK, and last was the UC!! He has no reason to lie since he owns all 3 and the type never to sell them so I believe him. I've heard from several thr RG was a smoother and better handing HD. I do like the duall lights like the Valk and the low fairing. 

[Black Dog]

My brother owned a '06 Road Glide (had to sell because of $$ issues), and I gotta say it was one purdy bike    The fit & finish were A1, came with cruise and a kick butt stereo, all in all, a very comfortable ride.  My only issue, was that it couldn't get outta it's own way, but it was comfortable enough to be an all day cruiser.  Did I mention it was a beautiful bike?  

Black Dog

[BIG--T]

My brother owned a '06 Road Glide (had to sell because of $$ issues), and I gotta say it was one purdy bike    The fit & finish were A1, came with cruise and a kick butt stereo, all in all, a very comfortable ride.  My only issue, was that it couldn't get outta it's own way, but it was comfortable enough to be an all day cruiser.  Did I mention it was a beautiful bike?  

Black Dog

Yeah, if I ever buy one it won't be for the speed! . I owned many through the years and 62-65HP is it for stock! Now if you got the money you can build them to run, but my problem was I couldn't tour with my buddies cause she would over heat... but it would run. Have you watched the NHRA Pro MC drags? Harley/Buell

I am well past those days now so if i could find a deal on a 07 & up with that 6 speed tranny, I would be happy with my Slow glide for all the reasons you mentioned- not to mention resale value. Also it will go fast enough to get you a ticket and get ya killed! 

[Bob E.]

I've never been much of a HD "hater", but never really wanted one either.  However, the newer ones are nice and seem to run alot better and more reliable.  My buddy just bought a 2012 Street Glide.  I rode it the other day and it is really nice.  I love the fairing (so much so that I just ordered one for my Valk), it handles nice and the 103" motor has good power.  So, I wouldn't say that I'm ready to run out and buy one just yet...but then again, I'm not in the market for any new bik.  But if I were shopping for a new bike, they would likely be on the list for consideration.

[Rams]

I am not an H-D hater, I don't like any V Twin, regardless of manufacturer.  I do give H-D credit for improving their product over the last few years.  I'll ride with just about anyone as long as I don't have to ride behind a set of loud pipes and whoever I'm riding with doesn't ride like  a fool.  Obviously my Fat Lady is my favorite but, that doesn't mean I expect everyone to have my taste in two wheels.  

Edited:  As far as lists go, anything with a V Twin in it is on my "Never Consider" list if that wasn't already obvious.

[BIG--T]

I've never been much of a HD "hater", but never really wanted one either.  However, the newer ones are nice and seem to run alot better and more reliable.  My buddy just bought a 2012 Street Glide.  I rode it the other day and it is really nice.  I love the fairing (so much so that I just ordered one for my Valk), it handles nice and the 103" motor has good power.  So, I wouldn't say that I'm ready to run out and buy one just yet...but then again, I'm not in the market for any new bik.  But if I were shopping for a new bike, they would likely be on the list for consideration.

Haha, like you I'm not rushing out to buy one either! I have, in my eyes, a beautiful Valkyrie and a beautiful VTX 1800 both with less than 15K and will play with Harleys in the speed department- both 200,000+ mile bikes with proper maintaince. And the real beauty is the're both paid for!

[SANDMAN5]

LOL, I think a few of you might have missed the "If I were in
the market" part of my post!! I'm keeping my Valk till it's wore
plumb out......should be 2-300,000 more miles or so!!!!

P.S.  My ridin' buddy went back down there yesterday and rode home
on a Heritage Softail!!! I told you it was a major difference in harley
dealers. He told more harley jokes than I ever did.....now he rides one.