Today is my last full day with the GS. I broke down last weekend and decided I wanted a Harley....

Traitor.    Good luck with that Hardly (ever works)

I still don't understand the deal with Harleys.  But at least they are made in my hometown (Kansas City, Missouri). 

Quote from: Jake D on June 27, 2007, 08:47:28 AM
I still don't understand the deal with Harleys.  But at least they are made in my hometown (Kansas City, Missouri). 

I've been thinking about it a lot lately.  In most cases you can get a similar metric cruiser for half the price, though I think the prices of the sportsters are not too bad. 

Aside from "harleys are cool" or "that's all my family has ever ridden" or "I only buy American," Here's what I've come up with:
1. They are well built and very solid
2. As far as I can tell, all the recent ones are very reliable, I've seen a few with high miles (>80k mi) and still running great
3. Metric bike don't have the same character, from styling to exhaust note... I've been listening closely recently and the metrics have a pop-pop-pop exhaust note that is a bit annoying... Harleys' potato-potato sound is a lot more pleasing to my ears at least
4. They have a great dealer network, You can get an atlas with all the harley dealers in it and if you're on a road trip and stop into a dearlership, they are very friendly, plus parts are then available just about anywhere you go
5. Even though there is a high initial investment, they maintain their value very well
6. They have a great marketing team

Still doesn't make them right for everybody, but I think those are some of the reasons they are so damn popular

I think i'm going to be happy with my decision. I mostly ride with Harleys anyway, it is very comfortable, and pretty cool looking. Forgot to mention earlier its a 2003 V-Rod.

Ohhh in that case   those thing are awesome looking

I fell in love with it after the test ride. That motor made the GS feel so inadeqate  . I'm gonna miss the GS it is definately a fun bike but i really like the relaxed feel of the HD.

Quote from: Jake D on June 27, 2007, 08:47:28 AM
I still don't understand the deal with Harleys.  But at least they are made in my hometown (Kansas City, Missouri). 

They are also made here in PA 

If it is a V-Rod it is almost definitely a Kansas City product.  Witness. . .
http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2007_Motorcycles/2007_Motorcycles.jsp?HDCWPSession=k2BmGCvpD2LBQGHfMFT9SLY2pxH1hB1J8ZZskclSz235xHgbLyy9!-844282206!11004028&swfsection=family&swffamily=dy&locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US

KC plant has the distinction of being the only one to produce an entire complete motorcycle. . .the V-Rod.