Harley or Yamaha....

JoJmoto
Profile picture for user JoJmoto
Posts
1783
Joined
11/8/2006
Location
Clarkesville, GA, USA
JoJmoto
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 1:40am
So, I am looking for a road bike. I really wanted a Harley Street Glide but the Electra glides are pretty much the same with some add ons. The problem is the price. I was looking for an 05 or 06 model and trying to stay under 10K but that seems pretty hard, not impossable but pretty hard.

Now, I can go buy a new left over 06 Yamaha Vstar 1300 for 10K but, it's not really what I wanted. However, I could always buy the front windshield/ferring deal like the street glide and the bags should I choose to, but, which bike do you think it better?

The Harley or the Vstar? I am a MXer not a road bike guy, anyone have any expirence with either of these bikes?
|
maicoman
Profile picture for user maicoman
Posts
764
Joined
5/17/2007
Location
USA
maicoman 7/11/2008 8:10am
7/11/2008 8:10am
If you like big torque and sound, get the Hog.

If you like great perfomance, braking, no oil leaks, etc. get the Yami.

If you must have the HD and your short? look at Softails, they sit real low, so low, that they bottom out in turns.
jay_547
Profile picture for user jay_547
Posts
640
Joined
4/7/2008
Location
Broken Arrow, OK, USA
jay_547 7/11/2008 8:17am
7/11/2008 8:17am
the only advantage to the harley is resale. otherwise, get the yamaha.
WhKnuckle
Profile picture for user WhKnuckle
Posts
7327
Joined
7/17/2007
Location
USA
WhKnuckle 7/11/2008 8:26am
7/11/2008 8:26am
jay_547 wrote:
the only advantage to the harley is resale. otherwise, get the yamaha.
This is correct. But if you're looking at used bikes, the Yamaha won't lose as much value as a new Yamaha would.

I personally don't like Japanese Harley clones, but...it's hard to justify the money unless you're comparing a new Harley to a new Yamaha in terms of depreciation.
JoJmoto
Profile picture for user JoJmoto
Posts
1783
Joined
11/8/2006
Location
Clarkesville, GA, USA
JoJmoto 7/11/2008 8:31am
7/11/2008 8:31am Edited Date/Time 7/11/2008 8:31am
I have found used Ymaha's for 2/3 the price of a new one on craigslist. So that 10K yamaha I can pick up for around 7K with a few thousand miles. Sure cant do that with the Hog. Is there any same in riding a Jap bike instead of American? Smile

The Shop

See All »
WhKnuckle
Profile picture for user WhKnuckle
Posts
7327
Joined
7/17/2007
Location
USA
WhKnuckle 7/11/2008 8:53am
7/11/2008 8:53am
JoJmoto wrote:
I have found used Ymaha's for 2/3 the price of a new one on craigslist. So that 10K yamaha I can pick up for around 7K...
I have found used Ymaha's for 2/3 the price of a new one on craigslist. So that 10K yamaha I can pick up for around 7K with a few thousand miles. Sure cant do that with the Hog. Is there any same in riding a Jap bike instead of American? Smile
No shame in riding it, in my opinion - maybe the Japanese should be ashamed of themselves for building so many blatant copies of Harleys. Harleys are what they are - the Japanese should have built something better, not a more refined Harley. When I see (not necessarily on the particular Yamaha) the fake cooling fins, the rake of the bike, the overall lines, the shape of the tank, the chrome horn and air filters, the unnecessary and bulbous engine cases on the Japanese bikes and see how they simply tried to copy a Harley strictly for marketing purposes, I think, "They couldn't build anything better so they built a copy? Or they could build something better but thought this one would sell better?"
fcr
Profile picture for user fcr
Posts
9348
Joined
12/1/2006
Location
Monkeys Eyebrow, YE
fcr 7/11/2008 9:35am
7/11/2008 9:35am
If you really want the Harley get it. My nephew did the same thing and ended up selling the Yamaha and got a Harley. He ended up spending more in the long run. Used Harley's here are all over the place. Guys cant' give them away.
Cygnus
Profile picture for user Cygnus
Posts
14845
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Hanover, CO, USA
Cygnus 7/11/2008 9:49am
7/11/2008 9:49am
Get a Ducati and never look back at those other two POS .
Rooster
Profile picture for user Rooster
Posts
4432
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Edmonton, CA
Rooster 7/11/2008 1:18pm
7/11/2008 1:18pm
Harley's are great if you want to make a bunch of bunch of noise without all that pesky horsepower.
JPT
Profile picture for user JPT
Posts
7208
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Cedar Falls, IA, USA
JPT 7/11/2008 3:16pm
7/11/2008 3:16pm
You just said the the Yamaha isn't what you really wanted. 10K's a lot of money to spend if you're always looking at somebody else's Harley.
fcr
Profile picture for user fcr
Posts
9348
Joined
12/1/2006
Location
Monkeys Eyebrow, YE
fcr 7/11/2008 4:27pm
7/11/2008 4:27pm
There are quite a few Harley's for sale everywhere. In my area people are dumping toys and it is tough getting anything for them. Harley is an attitude. The Yamaha is not a Harley. One reason I don't have a Ducati and have a Harley is, I would kill myself on a Ducati. I don't have a need to go fast on my Harley. My Harley is to putt around on. Whatever you do get what you want because all the guys I know that did what you are thinking ends up with a Harley.... and they are all cops.
theroyz71
Profile picture for user theroyz71
Posts
522
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Jefferson City, TN, USA
theroyz71 7/11/2008 4:58pm
7/11/2008 4:58pm
If you want a Harley then you will never be happy with a Yamaha.
jay_547
Profile picture for user jay_547
Posts
640
Joined
4/7/2008
Location
Broken Arrow, OK, USA
jay_547 7/11/2008 5:10pm
7/11/2008 5:10pm
maybe this is a better way to make your decision: do you want to dress like a biker or a motorcyclist?
JoJmoto
Profile picture for user JoJmoto
Posts
1783
Joined
11/8/2006
Location
Clarkesville, GA, USA
JoJmoto 7/11/2008 5:26pm
7/11/2008 5:26pm
When I said the Yamaha was not what I wanted, I was speaking of this particular model I was looking at was not set up like the street glide look. I like the bike the way it is but, it does not have all the options/add ons, as in windshield/faring deal, and bags, pips ect...

What about repair/parts costs between the two? Why is everyone saying the Hog does not have power but is all noise? Is this fact or ya’ll’s opinion?

In the end, I could take either bike, I think I would feel better if I spent less on a bike, however, I do feel there is some nostalgia in owning a Harley. Is this a good enough reason alone to spend that extra 7-8K on a used bike?
fcr
Profile picture for user fcr
Posts
9348
Joined
12/1/2006
Location
Monkeys Eyebrow, YE
fcr 7/11/2008 5:44pm
7/11/2008 5:44pm
jay_547 wrote:
maybe this is a better way to make your decision: do you want to dress like a biker or a motorcyclist?
That is one thing I hate about the Harley crowd. It is adult dress up. I grew up around "bikers". Not my favorite people. I have a problem with emulating or trying to be perceived as a "tough guy". Going out and hanging at Cooks Corner is also not my idea of having fun.
fcr
Profile picture for user fcr
Posts
9348
Joined
12/1/2006
Location
Monkeys Eyebrow, YE
fcr 7/11/2008 5:45pm
7/11/2008 5:45pm
JoJmoto wrote:
When I said the Yamaha was not what I wanted, I was speaking of this particular model I was looking at was not set up like...
When I said the Yamaha was not what I wanted, I was speaking of this particular model I was looking at was not set up like the street glide look. I like the bike the way it is but, it does not have all the options/add ons, as in windshield/faring deal, and bags, pips ect...

What about repair/parts costs between the two? Why is everyone saying the Hog does not have power but is all noise? Is this fact or ya’ll’s opinion?

In the end, I could take either bike, I think I would feel better if I spent less on a bike, however, I do feel there is some nostalgia in owning a Harley. Is this a good enough reason alone to spend that extra 7-8K on a used bike?
If you want a better made bike get the Yamaha. I think they are better made.
brainbasket
Profile picture for user brainbasket
Posts
1531
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Ventura, CA, USA
brainbasket 7/11/2008 5:56pm
7/11/2008 5:56pm
Have you test rode either bike yet?
My HD is a 1960 and is big in the nostalgia dept., not so much on the speed, power, cornering etc. dept. With only 74 cu. inches and 4 speeds it's no thoroughbred to put it mildly.

The newer Evo Harleys are worlds better and don't have the reliability problems that older iron has. As for the leaking rap, my bike does a little - but look closer at the newer bikes. Mine has hand lapped surfaces and cork gaskets and it drools a bit. The new bikes are machined flat and use paper gaskets and don't leak any more than a japanese bike does.

The japanese cruiser will ride fine, that's a given.
If you're looking at HD's I would decide if you want the Dyna style (dual shocks + swingarm) or the Softail style and test ride a new one. If you don't like it then that narrows things down a bit.
brainbasket
Profile picture for user brainbasket
Posts
1531
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Ventura, CA, USA
brainbasket 7/11/2008 6:02pm
7/11/2008 6:02pm
fcr wrote:
That is one thing I hate about the Harley crowd. It is adult dress up. I grew up around "bikers". Not my favorite people. I have...
That is one thing I hate about the Harley crowd. It is adult dress up. I grew up around "bikers". Not my favorite people. I have a problem with emulating or trying to be perceived as a "tough guy". Going out and hanging at Cooks Corner is also not my idea of having fun.
I know what you mean about the adult dress up deal. If you want a real eye opener go out to Laughlin in April during the Laughlin Run and see how many "real" bikers there are, compared with how many yuppies and mid-life crisis riders there are in the casinos. There are clubs there too, but I think they make up about 10-20% of the total crowd there. The rest are 40-60 somethings in leather.

Pit Row

See All »
fcr
Profile picture for user fcr
Posts
9348
Joined
12/1/2006
Location
Monkeys Eyebrow, YE
fcr 7/11/2008 6:17pm
7/11/2008 6:17pm
fcr wrote:
That is one thing I hate about the Harley crowd. It is adult dress up. I grew up around "bikers". Not my favorite people. I have...
That is one thing I hate about the Harley crowd. It is adult dress up. I grew up around "bikers". Not my favorite people. I have a problem with emulating or trying to be perceived as a "tough guy". Going out and hanging at Cooks Corner is also not my idea of having fun.
brainbasket wrote:
I know what you mean about the adult dress up deal. If you want a real eye opener go out to Laughlin in April during the...
I know what you mean about the adult dress up deal. If you want a real eye opener go out to Laughlin in April during the Laughlin Run and see how many "real" bikers there are, compared with how many yuppies and mid-life crisis riders there are in the casinos. There are clubs there too, but I think they make up about 10-20% of the total crowd there. The rest are 40-60 somethings in leather.
Read the book called "Under and Alone". It is about an undercover cop that infiltrates the Mongols. They were the club that the HA's got into it with in Laughlin. Very easy read and makes you understand some of the reasons why people get into that. Still not the lifestyle I want.
JoJmoto
Profile picture for user JoJmoto
Posts
1783
Joined
11/8/2006
Location
Clarkesville, GA, USA
JoJmoto 7/11/2008 6:18pm
7/11/2008 6:18pm
No, I have not rode one yet, not the type I am looking at anyway. My brother-in-law has a HD1200 Sportster I rode a few time. It rode fine but just not enough bike under me for my taste. I have just sat on several. I dont really know anyone with what I am looking for and people are not to open to "Try out rides" if you are not ready to buy, around here.
JoJmoto
Profile picture for user JoJmoto
Posts
1783
Joined
11/8/2006
Location
Clarkesville, GA, USA
JoJmoto 7/11/2008 6:26pm
7/11/2008 6:26pm
Here is the difference between $7500 and $16K, for me.






brainbasket
Profile picture for user brainbasket
Posts
1531
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Ventura, CA, USA
brainbasket 7/11/2008 6:39pm
7/11/2008 6:39pm
fcr wrote:
Read the book called "Under and Alone". It is about an undercover cop that infiltrates the Mongols. They were the club that the HA's got into...
Read the book called "Under and Alone". It is about an undercover cop that infiltrates the Mongols. They were the club that the HA's got into it with in Laughlin. Very easy read and makes you understand some of the reasons why people get into that. Still not the lifestyle I want.
I saw something on the tube a while back - TLC or Discovery - that sounds like it was based on that book. When the cop turns all the evidence over the club doesn't know who did it. He gets a call from a member that says they know who it is that informed and they're going to kill the guy, but it's the wrong guy. The cop tells them not to hit the guy because he himself was the informant. The phone clicks and that's the end of his stint as a Mongol.
Interesting show but the book's always better so I'll pick it up.
fcr
Profile picture for user fcr
Posts
9348
Joined
12/1/2006
Location
Monkeys Eyebrow, YE
fcr 7/11/2008 6:43pm
7/11/2008 6:43pm
Yes that was on National Geo., I forgot that it was on . The book had quite a bit more detail but you get the gist from the show. It is not the greatest book but it does convey why people get into that way of life.
brainbasket
Profile picture for user brainbasket
Posts
1531
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Ventura, CA, USA
brainbasket 7/11/2008 6:52pm
7/11/2008 6:52pm
Right - like how the cop actually started enjoying the lifestyle part of the deal and sort of bonding with members of the club.
He stuck to doing his job, but it must of been hard when that red-headed guy (who kinda had him figured) fired that pistol right next to his head when they were messing around at the shooting range. How he pulled that off is pretty amazing - they even handed over the clubs finances to the guy.
That scenario worked with those guys and a couple other clubs but I think the HA's are quite a bit pickier about who makes it to prospect, I suspect.
bsm121
Profile picture for user bsm121
Posts
1833
Joined
10/5/2006
Location
New Braunfels, TX, USA
bsm121 7/11/2008 8:57pm
7/11/2008 8:57pm
harley rocker...nuff said.
TerryB
Profile picture for user TerryB
Posts
2837
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Cambridge, MN, USA
TerryB 7/12/2008 6:09am
7/12/2008 6:09am
brainbasket wrote:
I know what you mean about the adult dress up deal. If you want a real eye opener go out to Laughlin in April during the...
I know what you mean about the adult dress up deal. If you want a real eye opener go out to Laughlin in April during the Laughlin Run and see how many "real" bikers there are, compared with how many yuppies and mid-life crisis riders there are in the casinos. There are clubs there too, but I think they make up about 10-20% of the total crowd there. The rest are 40-60 somethings in leather.
The influx of Yuppies, pencil pushers and cops to the False Biker scene is sad. Go to Sturgis, you see all kinds of em trailer their bikes to just outside of town, and then ride them in.

Death to false bikers!
TerryB
Profile picture for user TerryB
Posts
2837
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Cambridge, MN, USA
TerryB 7/12/2008 6:11am
7/12/2008 6:11am
bsm121 wrote:
harley rocker...nuff said.
Very nice bike. Rocker C. Some nice Victory's too.
brainbasket
Profile picture for user brainbasket
Posts
1531
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Ventura, CA, USA
brainbasket 7/12/2008 7:42am
7/12/2008 7:42am Edited Date/Time 7/12/2008 7:42am
TerryB wrote:
The influx of Yuppies, pencil pushers and cops to the False Biker scene is sad. Go to Sturgis, you see all kinds of em trailer their...
The influx of Yuppies, pencil pushers and cops to the False Biker scene is sad. Go to Sturgis, you see all kinds of em trailer their bikes to just outside of town, and then ride them in.

Death to false bikers!
The dress up biker scene is funny but I don't think it's any worse than having a sticker kit on a bike when the rider isn't sponsored by the companies on the stickers. Or putting the same stickers on the back of the pickup or trailer. It somehow adds to the experience it seems.
fcr
Profile picture for user fcr
Posts
9348
Joined
12/1/2006
Location
Monkeys Eyebrow, YE
fcr 7/12/2008 7:58am
7/12/2008 7:58am
TerryB wrote:
The influx of Yuppies, pencil pushers and cops to the False Biker scene is sad. Go to Sturgis, you see all kinds of em trailer their...
The influx of Yuppies, pencil pushers and cops to the False Biker scene is sad. Go to Sturgis, you see all kinds of em trailer their bikes to just outside of town, and then ride them in.

Death to false bikers!
brainbasket wrote:
The dress up biker scene is funny but I don't think it's any worse than having a sticker kit on a bike when the rider isn't...
The dress up biker scene is funny but I don't think it's any worse than having a sticker kit on a bike when the rider isn't sponsored by the companies on the stickers. Or putting the same stickers on the back of the pickup or trailer. It somehow adds to the experience it seems.
It's just human nature. People want to belong to a pack, we are pack animals. It is just sad that people buy into the marketed look. There's one born every minute.
jay_547
Profile picture for user jay_547
Posts
640
Joined
4/7/2008
Location
Broken Arrow, OK, USA
jay_547 7/12/2008 9:10am
7/12/2008 9:10am
brainbasket wrote:
I know what you mean about the adult dress up deal. If you want a real eye opener go out to Laughlin in April during the...
I know what you mean about the adult dress up deal. If you want a real eye opener go out to Laughlin in April during the Laughlin Run and see how many "real" bikers there are, compared with how many yuppies and mid-life crisis riders there are in the casinos. There are clubs there too, but I think they make up about 10-20% of the total crowd there. The rest are 40-60 somethings in leather.
TerryB wrote:
The influx of Yuppies, pencil pushers and cops to the False Biker scene is sad. Go to Sturgis, you see all kinds of em trailer their...
The influx of Yuppies, pencil pushers and cops to the False Biker scene is sad. Go to Sturgis, you see all kinds of em trailer their bikes to just outside of town, and then ride them in.

Death to false bikers!
i've seen tee shirts that say, "i rode my bike to trailer week."

Post a reply to: Harley or Yamaha....