Harley Davidson motorcycles. What actually defines a bike as one?
GenO asked:
Is it the gas tank? The air filter cover? The frame? There are so many motorcycles that look like a Harley. Some even better and cheaper. For example, Independence makes a beautiful bike that uses mostly the same parts. Custom bike builders use the same parts. But what part makes the bike a Harley?
Is it the gas tank? The air filter cover? The frame? There are so many motorcycles that look like a Harley. Some even better and cheaper. For example, Independence makes a beautiful bike that uses mostly the same parts. Custom bike builders use the same parts. But what part makes the bike a Harley?
April 21st, 2008 at 4:44 pm
If it’s not made by Harley-Davidson, then it’s not a Harley, plain and simple. That’s just like saying “my toyota sort of looks like a ford, so is it a ford?” Or ” I have a 350 chevy engine and chevy suspension in my kit car, so is it a chevy?” It has to be made by harley to be one.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Harley Davidson is a brand of motorcycle, just like a Ford is a car. It is not about a particular part. Just as if you have a Ford Mustang, and someone built a car similar, with similar or mostly the same parts, it would not be called a Ford Mustang because it was not built in a Ford factory
Custom bikes can look like them but if they are not manufactured in a Harley factory, then they are not Harleys, regardless of what parts they are made of.
April 27th, 2008 at 2:38 am
For the most part it is that big honkin’ engine. The Harley Road King I rode at work was pretty much the epitome of Harley Davidson. From the cowbell horn next to the engine, to the funky old transmission and cylinders, it just makes it a Harley.
Big loping V-twin has a very distinct idle and when you take off from a stop with any kind of a non-factory exhaust there is no bike quite like it.
They vibrate some, aren’t the fastest, nor the cheapest but there is no substitute if you are a true believer. That engine is the heart and soul of a Harley Davidson.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:30 am
a harley is a harley is a harley - and nothing else matters
April 30th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Primarily, it it the badge on the fuel tank. There are some bikes with Harley engines, but that does not make them a Harley. Even though HD owns Buell, many of the HD “purists” won’t accept these bikes as Harleys. Then again, there are some bikes without Harley engines (such as the Aerimachi-built HD Sprint 350 - a really cool bike) that are technically Harleys also.
It is all a bit convoluted to me - just ride.
Oh, and don’t buy the bit about resale. That is an old saw that doesn’t fly anymore. Harleys depreciate only slightly slower than Japanese bikes these days, due to a glut on supply.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
It is real easy to id a real Harley. They are the bikes that are broken down at the side of the road.The people that ride them can be id’d by the Harley garb they wear, including undies. They like paying to much for an inferior product and would rather have their bike in the repair shop that ride it.
Most motorcycle makers produce much better ,more reliable,motorcycles than Harley. They are priced a lot better also . But a Harley owner will always argue that Harly’s are not over priced.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 am
what makes a Harley is the sound. the sound of the engine is not from pipes but the pitch of the engine cylinders (45 deg angle). the sound and pitch of the engine is patten so no other bike corp. can produce the same sound (they can try )its also made in the good old U.S.A. that helps.
that what i think makes a Harley a Harley. but really its what every you think that makes it stand out to you
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:18 am
the VIN # stamped on the frame
May 5th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Harley-Davidson is NOT a style it is a brand. It has to be manufactured by Harley-Davidson Motor Co. to be a real H-D. Just because someone has copied H-D’s ideas doesn’t make it a H-D.
May 6th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
the Vin# and where it was built makes it a Harley..
this is the ramblings of someone that just sold there Harley
As far as the resale value life doesn’t work that way anymore Harley has upped supply and screwed over the people by making it easy to get a bike………..remember the days of a waiting list………………… as far as American made look under the fork covers betcha it say “showa” hmm that’s the company that makes fork for imports……….. I’ve been all around Milwaukee and haven found the showa plant. With recent talks about a plant opening in china they will soon be in line with the prices of the Japanese bike.
A company can’t strive on nostalgia alone
May 10th, 2008 at 1:17 am
When you glance at a Harley….you notice the transmission…there’s no other bike that has duplicated it…..
either side of the lower cases, derby cover, oil tank…..they’ve all tried to match the distinctive sound and have come very close, but they haven’t visually matched the lower part of the bike.
May 12th, 2008 at 12:15 am
it’s the vin #. my personal fav. is the sound. i just can’t get enough of the gosh darn sound. each time u sit in the saddle u know why u bought it in the first place.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:06 am
A Harley is a Harley. A Honda is a Honda. A bicycle is a bicycle. A Lexus is a Lexus, A F350 is an F350. A dog is a dog. A cat is a cat.
You are asking a question that would be like “What actually defines a cat as a cat”.
That is just what it is.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
What defines a Harley as an original product?
The VIN must start with 1HD.
First digit = country of manufacture, 1 = U.S.
Next two = name of manufacturer, HD = you guessed it, Harley Davidson.
There are many aftermarket and reproduction parts available, and used by custom builders. But to be a genuine Harley, it must have been (at least) assembled by Harley and that is reflected in the VIN.
May 17th, 2008 at 11:13 am
You don’t buy a Harley. You are sold a Harley. Somewhere along the line, a Harley rider picked up an illogical love/prejudice for the old hog, and it may or may not have to do with the actual bike. Buying one is making a statement. The extra 10 grand you fork over is for the privilege of stating that you are a rebel. You believe domestic is better than imported, no matter what. You stand for individuality and freedom. You don’t conform to the rules. Don’t forget to buy the matching logo T-shirt and bandana, so you’ll match all the other rebels out there.
May 17th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
A Harley-Davidson is a motorcycle built by the Harley-Davidon Motor company. Anything else is not a Harley.
Even if you put a Harley engine into a custom built bike, it’s not a Harley. Ditto for any other parts. Even if you buy all the parts separately and build it yourself it’s still not really a Harley, but you can say it’s a home built Harley.
May 18th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
These days, it’s a motorcycle that started life as being built by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.
There are enough aftermarket parts to replace just about everything on your old Harley motorcycle — but if it didn’t start out as coming from H-D, it’s not really an H-D motorcycle, it’s a “custom cruiser” or a “knock-off.”
May 21st, 2008 at 1:18 am
bottom line: if it didn’t roll off a harley assembly line it aint a harley. ya know what else? i can’t believe the “expensive harley” myth is still alive! do a little research: i looked for independence cycles and found them to be in the 20k+ range… 20k buys a LOT of harley! a superglide is around 12k. an 883 is about 6k. an electraglide standard is about 16500. the cheapest goldwing is about 19600 and a shadow 750 is gonna set you back 6500 minimum. comparing bikes shows harley to be priced comparable to most imports, and when you figure cost of ownership (including resale value) a harley starts to look like a real good deal. just my .02, i could be wrong.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:17 am
rice burners suck rice
May 27th, 2008 at 1:04 am
What makes a Harley a Harley? Well there are many opinions on what is and is not a true Harley Davidson motorcycle. For me, if it rolled off the Harley Davidson assembly line it is a Harley Davidson motorcycle. End of opinion.
What makes one a true Harley rider? To me I say a person whom rides a motorcycle that came off a Harley Davidson assembly line. End of opinion.
What makes a true American rider? That is what this all leads up to and I think that is what the perception is all about. Do I lose my true American status if I bought aftermarket parts for my Harley Davidson motorcycle? How about the apparel I wear? Must I always have a leather vest, a tattoo, and a bunch of pins and patches? The answer to me is no, no, and no again. You bought a Harley Davidson, you have shown your pride for buying an American product. But, ant this is a good one, if you go into a Harley Davidson dealership, look at parts that say “Genuine Harley Davidson Motor Accessories” and look at the back you may sometimes see the words “Made in China.” With that said is Harley davidson a true Harley dealer? Boy this is getting confusing. End of opinion.
Wrapping ia all up I have driven Honda, Yamaha, and Harley Davidson. I only own a Harley Davidson and the reason why is that it is the bike I want. Sure the Hondas are better on gas, have more accessories, cheaper, and lighter but i like the ride, the rumble, and the sound of my fat boy over any other bike I have seen or heard. I am a Harley owner, I am a Harley rider, and I am a true American but I have no grudge against anyone that does not ride the same bike.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:32 am
This question implies that there is some value in labeling a bike a particular brand. That’s a false assumption. Does it make you more of a motorcyclist/American/man to ride a Harley than if you rode a Yamaha, or Ducati, or Victory?
Let’s forget about the labels and just ride.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
The big thing in custom trucks is putting a Caddy nose on a Chevy.So is it a Caddy or a Chevy?Old street rods they put a chevy motor in a ‘32 Ford.Chevy or Ford?
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:22 am
harly owners are proud of the HD stamped on every part of their bikes the harley company. there are many bikes out there that are modled after thesehigh dollar rides.mine is one of them the kawasaki meanstreak.owners of harleys have told me ive paid half what they pay
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
A Harley is a Harley when obviously a Harley Davidson badge is somewhere permanent after all for what someone pays for a Harley your really only buying the name, you say ” I ride a Harley” most people think your a hardass patriot and people pay alot just to make others think that. And secondly when everything that is bought for a Harley costs at least $100 or more, ask for receipts thats how you’ll know for sure.
June 4th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Look for belt drive first, most Harley’s have belt drive rather than chain except the Sportster. If you need to have the pedigree absolute on your bike then check anything with a VIN number that corresponds to the manufacture (Harley) will identify the bike as a Harley.
Badged Chrome items that say Harley do not necessarily make a bike a Harley. Also there are a lot of V-twin engines out there that look like the Harley but are not. (S & S makes a lot of clone engines).
Last check the title or MSO and see what it says. Lastly bear in mind over 30% of a Harley now has Japenese components ( brakes, forks, rotors)
June 6th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
If I have to explain, you won’t understand.
June 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Does virgin help?!
June 10th, 2008 at 9:45 am
The nameplate and inflated price tag.
Also the puddle of oil underneath it.