Harley or BMW?

K

Knife Outlet

Joined
Jan 4, 1999
Messages
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I'm ferreting away some money when I can in hopes of buying a two wheeler in the Spring. I've logged several hours at both the local Harley Davidson and BMW motorcycle dealerships. The BMW's are for between the ears. They are smooth, slick, quiet, fast and seem to move effortlessly. The Harley's are for between the thighs. They are loud, boistrous, snarling, exciting. At the moment I'm almost ready to order an HD Dyna Superglide or FXD as they call it in Harley model names. It is a fairly stripped bike. It has the big, bad 88" engine but has something of the lean and mean look of the English bikes of the 1960's. One could almost mistake it for a Norton Commando. However, at my age I should probably be looking for something designed for between the ears. The Beemers are really sweet. Amazing engineering, fit and finish and performance. They really get a lot out of those 1200cc opposed twins. Both great bikes.

Oh yes. I've logged over 100,000 miles on bikes ranging from small Yamaha street bikes to a 1944 Indian chopper. I've made a cross country trip on a 650cc motorcyle. So I'm experienced. The bike would be for running around town, an occasional commute to my retail store and short 100-300 mile cruises just to get some bugs in my teeth.

Any input?
 
You know, I think that is one you really have to figure out on your own. For me, it wouldn't even be a question, especially with what you plan to use the bike for. HARLEY! The BMW is a sweet machine, no doubt about that, and if you were planning on doing a lot of touring it may be a better choice for you. For riding around town and rides in the 100-300mi range I would much rather have the Harley. The BMW does have some intelectual appeal to me, but with the Harley it's all about emotional appeal. I like things that are big, loud and American made.

I say order that FXD!
 
Originally posted by slide13
...Harley it's all about emotional appeal. I like things that are big, loud and American made.

I say order that FXD!
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For cruising it can't be beat.

I have a 1991 FXR with 86,000 wonderful miles on it. :D
 
Unless you just a have a ton of cash in your pocket dying to be spent, take a look at the Zuke 1500LC. Looks like a FatBoy, shaft drive, hydro clutch, self adjusting valves, and all at a great price. MSRP $9999 for an 04 and 03's can be had for around $8k. The bike is maint free other than changing the oil/filter every 6000 miles. AND...there are a ton of aftermarket accessories to modify the bike just like you want.
I was looking hard at a HD this fall, but couldn't make myself part with the big bucks for something that I would only ride 5000 miles per year or so. I found a great site about Intruders and researched the heck out of them. Site is: www.intruder1500.com/forums/start/login.php?webtag=&msg=24.1www.

You can log in as a guest and just lurk and learn. Good luck with whatever you get and ride safe.
 
I put 47K on my '93 Dyna, then after a long road trip from Colorado to Wisconsin, I flew through a flock of bees. Nine stings later, I decided to trade looks for comfort. The Harley was great when I was single, the Beemer (I ride an RT now) is a rider's dream. Comfort, control and style. I still miss the Harley, but I don't miss the upkeep, leaks and long hauls.
 
I'm not riding these days, but have the 100K on 2 notch on my belt too. In my not so humble unpopular opinion there's no comparison. Loud is great for the grocery store run or going to the locale diner for a burger and a beer, but can you actually imagine 300 miles with straight pipes?

Nevermind the "If all you want to do is tour" commentary, look at the R1150RS. That bike is made to be ridden! To the store, to the coast, through the canyons, and yes, across the country. Comfort and ergonomics are top shelf. The powerplant is about as refined as it gets and will go 250K miles if well cared for. Nevermind the joy of electric heated handgrips on a cool sunday morning....

Just my opinion. They're both twins based on very old designs but modernized (more so on the BMW). There's plenty of heritage with both marques. The major difference besides the obvious styling differences is that when you go to sell teh HD, you can probably make money, while when you want to sell the BMW, well.....you probably won't want to sell the BMW so it doesn't matter.

jmx
 
I can imagine 300 miles with straight pipes, and a lot further than that.

But you have to be happy. And personally, I think the quality of the HD's has gone up, just in the last few years. I'm getting a new one, despite that image and my cursed rugged, chiseled Sicilian features. Appearance means nothing.

I'm sure people will admire you as you waft by on your BMW. I can see it now, "My what a nifty machine that gay guy is riding, I wonder if he can knit me a tea cosey?"

Yup, the iron guys are going to tease you, all in good fun. I'll tell you one more important thing, we admire the BMW guys a lot more than the guys on the sidewalk making safe choices. We'll be brothers with either choice.
 
When faced with this question 10 years ago, I went with BMW. Today, I have to rethink. I don't do 600+ miles days in a hurry anymore. I ride more Interstates now than back roads. Do more around town riding. I may still get the BMW Montauck, but if I'm buying a cruiser, I'm go with a Road King first. But I'm really lusting after the BMW K1200GT.
 
Ride them both first and see which one screams to be taken home.

I've ridden a shovelhead H-D for 14 years. It's time to get something better for long hauls. I looked at BMWs, and it definitely spoke to my brain - you get a lot of bike for the money! However, I rode an 1150RT, and while it was undoubtably a great bike, it just didn't do it for me. And I really wanted it to!
So, as soon as funds allow I'll have an Electra Glide to keep the Sturgis company.
 
Another BMW guy here.

I like Harley's but I'm not really down with the Harley culture. It all seems to be about appearance and being an "outlaw". Of course not many are outlaws and there are a lot of nice guys riding Harleys but I can't get around the image for myself. It seems awfully "poseur" (not that you don't get that with BMW guys either).

One of the main reasons I didn't buy a Harley about 10 years ago was that the cost was really too high for me. The culture wasn't as developed as it is now but the prices were still up there. I probably would own a Harley now if they weren't so expensive to buy. You can pick up some real good deals on BMW's if you get a used bike.

Both brands are pretty easy to work on too, if you're into that (Harleys being much easier). That's what had me interested in Harleys in the first place.

Either way, as long as you're riding, it's all good.

Rob
 
home_bikemain2.jpg


New Norton
 
No, kidding? The Norton brand is back? I had a 750 Commando. I think it was a 1968 if I remember right. I remember I got the Yamaha 650 in 1970, so it must have been a 68. I see the Indians are back too with very hefty price tags. I once had a war surplus 80" Indian that I had made into chopper. It drank oil like a champ, leaked it all over the place and was too long to make a U turn in a neighborhood street. Not a practical bike at all - but exciting.

BJ - 70. I've ridden them both. There is no question that the Beemer is faster, quieter, handles better and is more sophisticated in every sense. There is also no doubt that the HD is a more exciting ride. It's a lot more like that old Norton Commando or BSA 650 from the old days. By the way, the new HD's are really quite nice. Smooth ride, no leaking, no chain to adjust(they use a belt now.) Quality and quality control are A-1. Big change from the HD's of yore.

If I get the HD I won't put straight pipes on it. I won't even change the stock exhaust. I'm too old to need to impress other people. I don't give a hoot what they think of me. The bike is just for me. I could go either way. I can't afford to do both of them, though, despite the appeal of that solution. Maybe I'll go ride them again. The dealers are mostly twiddling their fingers this time of year. Shouldn't be hard to talk them into another ride.
 
Originally posted by Dr. Nick
[B

I like Harley's but I'm not really down with the Harley culture. It all seems to be about appearance and being an "outlaw". Of course not many are outlaws and there are a lot of nice guys riding Harleys but I can't get around the image for myself. It seems awfully "poseur" (not that you don't get that with BMW guys either).

Yes, there's a TON of posers on H-Ds, no question. It doesn't bother me (any more!). For me the bottom line is the BIKE moves me, and I love to RIDE H-Ds. The peripheral BS is meaningless.

One of the main reasons I didn't buy a Harley about 10 years ago was that the cost was really too high for me. The culture wasn't as developed as it is now but the prices were still up there. I probably would own a Harley now if they weren't so expensive to buy. You can pick up some real good deals on BMW's if you get a used bike.

Big Twins have dropped about $2000 canadian dollars this year, bringing an Electra Glide Standard down to near the same price as an R1150RT. They've doubled the warranty to 2 years, less than BMW's 3, but better than 1.
YOu're right about used BMWs, there are some great deals to be had, even from dealers!

Either way, as long as you're riding, it's all good.

Rob [/B]
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I could not agree more.
 
Dr. Nick,

Strangely, I would have agreed with you a few years ago. That is, as I had left 'serious motorcycling.'

The 'bad boy' image is just one phase that keeps evolving. If you believe that the real outlaws were the Booze Fighters of the Hollister era, then we're all posers. A WWII era outlaw would have been in his mid to late 40's by the time the Hells Angels became a power. Basically, my Dad's age.

I threw a leg over a motorcycle three years before 'Easy Rider.' So, is Peter Fonda a poser? I was out of a club by the late 1970's when Harley itself cashed in on their image. They had a black Sportster photographed with the chrome gleaming over the caption, "Pull The Trigger." Was the guy who bought one a poser?

To me, when Schwarzenegger and his wealthy buddies starting doing the 'Hard Rock Cafe' circuit is when the 'Harley as toy' craze began. I started seeing electric starters and cell phones and guys who couldn't change their own oil. Finally Harley designed a tranny that didn't even have a shaft for a kick-starter.

But as the 100th Anniversary came near, the real guys showed up, just a tad grayer. And if you look at the evolution of how bikes went from police use to custom, it was 'us' that shaped Harley, not the other way around.

I know a club member that was BORN two years after I quit. Trust me, he's a real biker.
 
Originally posted by Dr. Nick
Another BMW guy here.

I like Harley's but I'm not really down with the Harley culture.
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You mean the Rich Urban Biker?

A Harley is a feeling that if you don't understand; I can't explain it to you. :)

No other bike gives you that feeling, but they're not for everyone.
 
The Honda VTX 1800 retro, smooth, shaft drive, water cooled, great warranty, reliability and inexpensive. My friend has one and I have driven it. Tons of torque and impressive looks.
retro_so.jpg


So many choices so little money.

Paul
 
I don't really understand the "Harley culture" either but it sure exists. The husband of one of my employees subscribes to that culture. He is a very nice man, works hard for a living, loves his children, been married to the same woman for 26 years. Loves his Electra Glide. But he insists on wearing cycling boots everywhere with a bandana on his head. He even makes of fun of pulling up to a bar with bikes parked in front only to find "suits" inside the bar. No doubt he subscribes to the "culture" but there is also no doubt that there is no "bad boy" in him at all. It is curious.

There was a time in my life in the early 70's when I didn't have a car and went everywhere on a bike. I was required to wear a suit to work and was probably one of the original "suits" this man makes jokes about.
 
By the way, PCnorton, the Honda 1800 has the same MSRP as the HD Dyna Superglide FXD. I hadn't thought of that as inexpensive but it's about $300 less than core of the BMW line. Take care.
 
Originally posted by Knife Outlet
By the way, PCnorton, the Honda 1800 has the same MSRP as the HD Dyna Superglide FXD. I hadn't thought of that as inexpensive but it's about $300 less than core of the BMW line. Take care.
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Same price? and only what? 350cc less thanthe Honda. Now look into service. Try looking at a comparable Harley The Fat Boy. Then we will be comparing aplle to apples. Also If cost id your thing check out the retro 1300.
VTX1300_retro_rhs.jpg
MSRP $9199.

Hey I like Harley, but the overpriced themselves and created waiting lists. If you want the name go Harley. You want bullet proof touring go BMW. You want big and cruiser and not pay through the nose go Honda (Although Kawasaki makes a 2000cc cruiser)

I own a 1990 550 Kawasaki Zephyr, a 1971 Norton Commando and owned a 1976 Honda CB550. I have driven BMW, Harley softail dyna glide and Honda VTX. I was going to buy a vtx, but my Mini Cooper won out.

You owe it to yourself to ride these motorcycles and NOT use all our opinions.(please report back how each dealer treats you when you ask for a test ride) I guarantee you will like the Honda and BMW not so sure about the Harley though(vibration). And BTW park the Harley next to the VTX 1800 and see the difference in person.

Paul
 
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