if you want a harley, you can afford a harley and you can handle a harley then you should definitely buy a harley! :)

Only if you're a retired mechanic looking for something to do every day...

No buy a Honda

If getting a real motorbike seems a bit frightening a Harley is probably the next best thing.

Take me for a spin first and we'll decide together.

Yes, buy a Harley..I have visited 2 HD plants and have seen many pros AND cons about the Motor Company and it's products but at the end of the day I'd still buy another one. MORE importantly what kind of riding do you want to do, what are your skill levels, where are you going to do most of your riding, regardless of the brand then you have the REAL decision as to what do YOU want from the ride. Joe V

If I were you, I would invest the money in the stock market while great stocks are all on sale!

sure, why not?

If you can afford it sure :)

If you're male do you have some sort of short-comings your trying to compensate for? Small genitals, poor stamina? Vibrating yer nuts numb won't help those much. Do you have a LOT of disposable income for a mechanical gold-digger mistress/wife? Aside from the initial cost of the most overrated highest maintenance bike on the road there's all the other cost of looking like the rest of the wanna-be rebel individualists. There are a lot of bikes on the road that are cheaper, more efficient, lower maintenance, and more comfortable rides. Do you need the status symbol or a good bike to ride?

It all depends on what you plan to do with your motorcycle. If you want to do many hassle free motorcycling miles with it then perhaps don't buy one, yet again if you live in the USA perhaps buying anything but a Harley means going against the grain, and you might have to deal with half of the biking population being hostile to you for not riding a Harley :) When in doubt, think about Duane Allman, (RIP)had he been riding something with proper brakes he might be still alive today.

I don't know anyone who owns one that's disappointed.

Only if you enjoy the open road, freedom, and know how to ride without being dangerous to yourself and others.

I built an Old skool shovelhead hardtail. That thing vibrates like a dog crapping a peach seed. It will beat the heck outta you on a trip. No barhopper here. When I ride my Harley, it's like I can't believe how smooth it is. But I haven't ridden my Harley in about 6 months. All you have to do is ride until you're numb. Then everything's ok.

I've ridden with millionaires on Harleys. I never thought they were pathetic. I just depends on what you want to ride. I've got a pretty bitchin' bike, but I'll wave on somebody on a Vespa. It's all about being in the wind however you want to do it.

Cool. A pirate on a Vstar. Good luck with that showing up at the FloraBama.

The man who taught me to ride a bike was a motorcycle mechanic by trade. He said never in a million years would he own a Harley. That, combined with their outrageous price, was enough for me. You'll have to decide for yourself. Whatever you buy, I hope it has two wheels and you love it. Ride safely.

No. No puffy shirt. No ricer either.

totally if you didn't you would regret it : )

I have owned lots of different bikes (sizes / brands etc.), but have always personally enjoyed my Harley's. THere's more commradeship on the road. You'll enjoy the people you will meet, and you will meet people on a Harley. On resale I have always had a good resale value and very rarly did it take me long to sale or trade. I have never had to spend any money on repairs since Harley's carry about 7 years worht of warranty. Yes, metric's are less but they also resale for less. Good luck and ride safe and enjoy what ever ride.

Yes, Yes and Yes again! Great Motorcycle!

The answer is simple. YES! My Harley payments are less than I would be paying a "shrink" and my harley therapy makes me feel much better than any other type of therapy.

Buy a Ducati instead, unless you want to tow a 2 berth trailer, in which case buy the Harley.

Yes. Best Value for your money overall. Wherever you go you will always be able to find a Harley dealer vice foreign which dealerships are few and far between. Harley Dealer and Maintenance support vice foreign bikes which dealers are few and far between. American made w/ long history of quality to which you will always find a "family" to ride w/.

Simple answer NO! unless your retired or close to retirement AND you cant get on a sportsbike!

My first bike was a Suzuki when I was a teenager learning to ride. As I got in my 20s, I owned a Honda V45 Magna. It was a nice bike and all, smooth. I will not put down any other bike American, Japanese, English, Italian, etc... A lot of bikes have there Pros and Cons. As far as all the people putting down Harleys here... I haven't had a single problem out of mine for years and years since driving off the showroom floor. Ever since Harley started with the Twin Cam 88B motor, there really hasn't been a vibration problem. The B stands for BALANCED. Sorry to the gals that like the vibration. And as the previous answer said Harleys keep their value and Metrics don't, I concur. Although I have seen a lot of nice metrics, I wouldn't trade my Harley for any of them. The new one now have a 6 speed which can be noticed if you plan on doing a lot of highway riding. I Love my Harley. Go to Daytona Bike Week. You will see every kind of bike there but I guarantee... most of them will be Harleys. Live Free and Ride Hard.

No, they brake down all the time.

If you can afford it, there would be no question!

No, ricers are faster and Ducatis are cooler.

depends on what kind of bikes you like. if you're not older than 40....no.

Yes, but stay away from the late 70's models, in fact it would be a good idea to stay away from the AMF years altogether (1969-1981) those were beautiful bikes but the late 70's had head problems, plus parts are harder to find for the AMF years

I'd have to say that it depends on your personality and what you really want. If you care about image and "owning a legend" and you want to look good and make loud noises while riding around and feel like you're part of a club than go for the harley. If you're the type that would ride across the country 6 times through rain and shine and if you wouldn't think twice about slapping some industrial aluminum hard cases on the side than go for a BMW. If you want all of the luxury and comfort of a car than buy a Honda Goldwing. If you want to go fast get a crotch rocket. If you want something versatile than get a Suzuki V-strom or a Triumph Tiger Kawasaki KLR. If you want everyone to smile and wave at you as you drive by then get a bike with a sidecar.

I'm not a millionaire. I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone. I've ridden many bikes, from japanese to European. From cheaper makes to BMWs to Harleys. I ride a Harley. And won't go back to anything else. Go to your local dealer, take a test ride and decide for yourself. You may not like it. Or maybe you will. To each his own. But I think you will! :) :)

I just can't take it anymore. I can only suspect that the original question was loaded and some of the answers prove that all too well. Harley is not the be all-end all. They have not been the leader in ANYTHING since 1969 when Japanese bikes left them in their technological dust. You can swap almost all parts on an ironhead from 1958-1974 and if you pick any other engine you'll find the same thing. Does that sound like they made any advances? Nope. Does it explain why they almost went belly-up? YEP! When AMF bought into Harley their quality control went right in the crapper. When Harley bought AMF out they got QC back on track and finally got smart enough to seriously rethink their engines and electronics. They are now 1000% better than they were in the 70's and even early 80's. The EVO is a great engine. Harleys are not 100% "MADE IN AMERICA". That is an outright lie and a sales pitch for the weak minded, wannabe weekend warrior lemmings. They are also not the most reliable, most comfortable, most valuable, most ANYTHING. No bike is the BEST. It is only the best for YOU if you like it. Anyone who claims otherwise is nothing but a poser. They are overpriced compared to any other cruiser out there. The resale value thing is another myth. Ive watched more than one friend buy a bike for $16k, add another $10k in chrome and 3 stages of mods and list in the paper reading "Will sacrifice for $12K" Some value! All to be part of the "bad boy club" LOL! Hey, don't take MY word for it... Look up Sonny Barger's comments on Harley and it should be all one needs to see to understand what they have become. Now, to correctly answer the question for anyone who doesn't think it is loaded... Buy what you like. If money is no object and you like Harleys then GO FOR IT! Buy it because you like it... not because you think it will make you cool. Not because you want to fit in. Not because it is 100% "American Made" 'cause it AIN'T! You can't "buy" a "lifestyle" (as HD would have you believe). If Boy George rode a Harley it wouldn't make him any less of a dork, now would it? $20,000 and 20 miles does NOT make you a biker ;) If you want comfort and reliability then a Stratoliner might suit you. a Honda VTX 1800 pees all over HD in ALL categories. Performance, reliability, price, accessories... The 1300 is more bike than most people would ever need. V-stars are nice and affordable too. Boulevards have some beautiful lines and are solid performers as well. I own 2 Hondas. I've owned Harleys and Yamahas too. I have never had anyone tell me I can't pull up to a certain bar because I'm not on an overpriced air-cooled hypercharged lawnmower and I guarantee you I've been to places that most of you would drive right past with your doors locked. Some people watch too many movies and actually believe such crap. I live and breathe motorcycles and I'm here to tell you it is exactly that... CRAP! Now, please... bring on the negatives and the "facts" about HD. I would love to debunk them for the masses.

Buy a Can-Am Spyder.

Depends on if you want to ride it or park it in the garage and watch it increase in value. On riding and performance Harley's are about as poor a motorcycle as you can get. Store it in the garage they go up in value faster than any other. Even Sonny Barger that founded Hell's Angels say Harley's are crap. His wife has one and it has a wobble at 80 Harley can't get rid of. They explain the problem that his wife doesn't weigh enough. So Sonny rode it, same thing, and he happened to be the ideal weight where Harley said there would be no wobble.

you will know if you realy want a harley and then if you do then buy it

Harley made a great name for themselves back in the '60's through their racing division headed by Dick O'Brien who was a very classy guy. Walter Davidson was an inebriated jerk the one and only time I met him. Harley still has a big name but not near the fame they once had. Would depend upon your objective whether to buy one or not.

Emyr, Please forgive the clouded view of those aspiring bikers riding the aforementioned imitations. Now the test...did you think Harley or Honda when I mentioned imitations (smile)? While it's true that Harley has a reputation for maintenance issues, but don't be confused Jedi! That may be more the result of riding behavior by those aggressive (manly) types that choose to answer the call of the wild and fork out a few extra dollars to do so....not to mention, the desire to impress the folks admiring your bike at each and every stop. In fairness to our beginners, it's true that they capture the attention of passer-bys as well...usually they're looking to see if the person committed to the real deal or they're looking to see what sounds like loose change in a tin-can. Lastly, the imitators become a little scarred by they visit their first bike rally and have a hard time fitting-in...especially when the burnout pit opens and the crowds gather. Don't hate me for the truth...I started with a Yamaha and felt the pain. The surgury is a little painful, but when you have the equipment you'll agree it's worth it! Night Train Owner!!!

If you do buy a harley make sure you have enough room to carry a case of oil

no! lot of money for a low performance bike. not the best engenier materials and construction. not good for speeding or riding fast! buy a harley only if you are an easy guy around 60 years old and want to go for a ride in style.

never..you'll regret it