Llew wrote: Tue May 11, 2021 3:59 pm
YankeeTarheel wrote: Tue May 11, 2021 2:21 pm
Llew wrote: Tue May 11, 2021 2:10 pm
HD also pissed off a lot of their hardcore base over the years as well, who felt like they were forgotten in the desire to market to RUBs. (Who are, after all, the ones buying the newer bikes rather than restoring old Pans and Shovels.) Kind of eye opening to see Sonny Barger saying he bought a Victory instead.
Having been a rider for 45 years I remember when NO Harley owner didn't heavily modify their rides. But after the buy-back around 1979/1980, H-D saw a HUGE market in "Only genuine Harley accessories". Screamin' Eagle (or puking chicken!). Since H-D is a for-profit corporation, sales started ratcheting up, and, for nearly 40 years it was boom time as all the well-to-do doctors and dentists could play tough-guy masquerade. It was a FAR bigger market than the chopper guys. Now it's slowed down as we boomers have aged.
Who gives a flying fuck what Sonny Barger's opinion is on anything under the sun?
My point was just that the old-time hardcore bikers said to hell with Harley.
I've owned two Harleys and a mid-Seventies Bonnie, but after one too many near misses I decided maybe my eyesight and skills meant it was time to retire the field. Mind you, I'd jump at the chance for another 60s-70s Trumper or Norton.
And H-D's response was "You're not where the MONEY is!" I can respect that.
I've only ridden one, a Sportster 45 on a tour in Southern Alaska. It handled like a decent mid-70's bike, but broke down 3 times.
Most of my bikes have been Yamahas, but that's not due particularly to brand loyalty but rather they had the bikes that fit me at the time.
'71 Suzuki T-250 (aka the X-6 Hustler) twin 2-stroke
'81 Yamaha 650 Maxim in-line 4
'91 Yamaha Venture Royale V-4 1300 -- detuned and upsized V-Max engine
'81 Yamaha XS 400 Parallel twin
2002 Yamaha FZ1 1000 in-line 4, with IPP Jet kit
2004 Yamaha FJR 1300 in-line 4, with IPP custom injector map
The Zook is in pieces in my shed, and I still have the FZ1 and FJR.
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."