Harley stock continues to do well, very well. But the motorcompany must
capture a younger market for this to keep happening. They have gone after this
younger market, in part with the V-Rod - however, the V-Rod is more expensive
than a Jap bike which has the same overhead cam type performance. The Buell is
more of a nitch bike that will not do much for the capture of a younger
market.
The engine has what some consider to be a unique sound due to the fact that
both pistons rise and fall together thus creating a "potato potato potato"
sound. But on the same token the Japanese cruisers capture the same sound
using
a more advanced overhead cam design.
One of the myths is that Harleys are made in America. They are assembled in
America using American and Japanese parts. The suspension system is made by
Showa and the carb bikes feature Mikuni carbs. I believe that there are a
smattering of other foreign parts as well. It should be noted that the carb
bikes are now all but phased out due to anticipated forthcoming EPA demands.
I own a nice late model Harley that has been typically modded for more
performance. I have no idea why I am loyal to the brand other than I can
relate to
the first Harley that I rode years ago which totally blew my mind. At the
time I was a pastor of a church in Antioch CA. The copier repair person came
to fix our copier and he had a Shovel Head Sturgis Low Rider. This was around
1980. After he finished with the copy machine we traded bikes. He took off
with my Triumph Bonneville 650 (a great bike in it's own rite) and I took off
with his iron Harley. I first noticed how heavy it was and hard ot was to turn
in our driveway. When I got it out to the freeway I didn't want to return
home. It was so calm on the freeway with the motor feeling like it was barely
turning over at all. And when it would idle it sounded like it was talking
to me. I fell in love with Harleys at that point.
Kirk
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