Should I buy a Harley-Davidson?

I don't care for Harley's but if that's what you want then get one. If you "hate the image" then just choose not to portray the image. I've seen lots of people on Harley's not dressed in Harley gear or full leathers or whatever else one would consider a Harley image. These people look like anyone else who loves bikes and riding and aren't concerned about portraying an image. Ride whatever you want....Just Ride.

If you are an experienced rider, you'll get sick of the sportster after about a weekend. It doesn't have enough motor to keep you interested, and the longer you're on it, the smaller it'll feel. If you go with Harley, go with one of the big twin models (dyna, softail, dresser, or possibly even the v-rod). Don't worry about the belt drive thing. It's a non-issue. And, I don't believe you'll see a significant difference with maintenance and repair costs, compared with similar non-harley bikes. Insurance should run about the same as well, it depends mostly on the value of the bike. Watch out for the accessories and dress-up pieces though, that can get expensive if you want to do any of that. However, if you really aren't looking to buy in to the Harley persona, then i would have to agree with Ed and Victory Riders answers. Spend some time Looking at the Victory and Trimph models, and some of the other metric cruisers. For about the same money, or even less, you'll get a better ride, it just won't come with the "harley" image, but that's not what your after anyway, right?

I shake my head on this one. In the world of motorcycles, the selection of bikes available to a rider is truly staggering. Bikes have NEVER been better. And yet you and many others foolishly believe and I quote "Harley is about the last real bike out there". On what basis can you make such a statement? I have compared a Victory to a H-D. The fit and finish on a Victory beats the H-D hands down. Despite all the improvements by the folks in Milwaukee, they are still tweaking a motorcycle that was first designed in 1957! The current version of the 1200 was released in 1988. It was not until 2004 that the engine was rubber mounted to the frame to reduce vibration being transmitted to the rider. So many other bikes out there that are so far ahead of Harley. And I am not including sport bikes in that statement. Harley has NOTHING that compares to the current batch of crotch rockets. Now I will say this about the current batch of Harleys. The belt drive is great. You can't beat the operation of a bike with fuel injection. Harleys are very well noted for good gas mileage. The engineering and quality control is vastly improved. I used to visit a local H-D dealer back in the mid 70's. Under EVERY NEW HARLEY was a drip pan. With nice fresh oil in each pan. Today if a Harley leaks oil it is a sign of trouble. All that said, I find the offerings from the H-D to be average at best. Nothing Harley makes meets my needs. Especially in the Sportster lineup. They look so uncomfortable, underpowered, and old looking. Please forget about the Harley image and life style. All that is a fantastic MARKETING PLOY by Harley. And a most successful one I will say. Here is another reason not to pick Harley. Air/oil cooling verses water cooling. A water cooled engine will always outlast an air/oiled engine with regular oil and filter changes. Always. In the end you will do what you feel is best for you. Please do your self and your money a favor, take a look at the offerings by the other bike makers. All I can say is Good Luck and Safe Riding.

I think you need to do some research. There are other bikes out there to fit you needs. Victory makes a great motorcycle with several different models. Indian motorcycles are available. Granted you would have to buy used or wait until next year when manufacturing starts again. Henderson's are also available used. Those are great American motorcycles. There are other great custom bikes and metric bikes out there. Triumph, Royal Enfield and the Japanese bikes too. Go to a bike show and see what you like. Check ebay and see the prices.

I love my Harleys, I've had lots of bikes, Jap and English . There's not a damn thing wrong with belt driven finals, no maintenance and they last 30-50k. If you are going HD ,get a Big Twin, The new Dynas are pretty sweet. The only down side to a Harley is that they are not the canyon bikes that the Japs are, but for cruising and touring they're the greatest.

I bought my 1991 Sportster new and rode it as I primary bike for 11 years. I still have it. It's a great bike. In my opinion, the classic Harley problems start only after people that really don't know what they're doing start bolting on after market aircleaners and cams and pipes and start beating the dust out of the bike. If you just ride it and care reasonable care of it (read: change the oil), it will last forever. The best Sportster windshield ever is also the cheapest from a company called National Cycle. Add some decent leather bags and you've got a bike that's easy to live with every day. Good luck!

Harley is indeed the only real bike out there, but if you are concerned about a negative image... we really don't want you.

Don't do it. If you don't like what Harleys stand for either you will become what you don't like or you will never feel right about it. 1200 Sporty? Now there's an oxymoron for you. Don't you wonder how Harley can consider this kind of bike "sporting"? It won't even keep up with the slowest Honda or Yamaha cruisers with much smaller engines. "Harley is about the last real bike out there"????? Give me a break. Harleys are no more real than anything else. Since more poodle bikes are built from Harleys than any other make I would even say that they are less "real" than most other makes. Re shafts eat up too much power: That only matters if you don't have enough power in the first place. An 80 HP GL1000 with shaft drive will still put more power to the back wheel than a 60HP (I'm being generous here) HD with a chain or belt. If I was considering a non-shaft bike (not likely, but you never know) I would take belt drive. Belts have been around for a long time and have proven their reliability. I have heard of a number of broken chains or lost masterlinks, but I have never heard of a broken belt. If you don't like the chromed plastic bits, pick something a bit older and strip off the parts you don't like. Some you will be better off without and some you can find/make better replacements for. But if you really want a Harley go ahead. You know in the long run that, no matter what you convince yourself, it is a fashion statement. You are the one who will have to live with it. Besides, if you buy a Harley it will leave the real bikes for the rest of us ;-)

don't let the belt drive fool you, these belts are beyond tuff. they outlast chains (I've seen 100,000 miles +) and they are toothed timing belts so they don't slip, and they don't stretch.