Harleys are the Airstreams of Motorcycles

[ThisGuy]

After years of research into RVs, buying a 5th wheel, full-timing for 18 months observing many Airstream owners, and having a close friend buy one, the following I believe can be said about both Airstreams and Harleys:

1. you pay two or three times the price over others of comparable performance/quality
   
2. the features don’t keep up with modern innovation
   
3. yes, they are pretty
   
4. you’re paying a huge premium for nostalgia and being part of a club
   
5. members of the club think they bought quality, denial is strong
   
6. members of the club are obsessed with how they/their rig look
   
7. members of the club believe there is only One True Brand
8. resale values used to be spectacular, and the myth runs deep that it’s still true

Anything I forgot?

Anyone else with RV experience agree with the comparison? For me it was striking.

 

[GarrisonMatt]

Lol too funny

 

[DJ]

On its own a Harley Davidson is just as slow as an airstream. On a trailer, a Harley Davidson is just as slow as an airstream.

 

[cusso ken]

Unfortunately the other fact is Airstreams(rare in OZ) and Harleys attract the Ladies,

 

[LOFTYBOB]

I love em, and have a few in the shed as well as my Rocket.

To tell the truth, I prefer the Harley motors thump (110 motors) and the cadence of the engine on a long run.

BUT, I prefer the Rocket's GRUNT
My Softail Slim S

My RoadKing

And my Delux

I hope everyone is speaking from experience, and not just bagging Harleys for the sake of it.

Our MC allows Triumph and Harleys, so no bias there.

Regards Lofty

 

[ThisGuy]

I hope everyone is speaking from experience, and not just bagging Harleys for the sake of it.

Probably a little of both. The times when I laugh at others it's only because I'm first willing to laugh at myself.

At the end of the day, if it's got two (or three) wheels and a motor, it's all good in my book. Likewise I have all the respect for people I've seen who drag an Airstream all over the country, including hundreds of miles of dirt roads in Alaska… or even the people who drag it down the road and set up in their local campground. They're out there doing it.

 

[sonny]

2010 Harley Fatboy (bought new now at 89,000 miles) Not a SCREAMING CHICKEN SPECIAL. Many mods done to engine and primary 117 horse at back wheel. Can not hold a candle to the Rocket X. Performance, comfort and rideability the Rocket X has it beat. It is like this they both have two wheels but that's the only similarities. Makes for a good backup bike when the Rocket is down for maintenance or improvements.

 

[rocketjohn]

Well, that resale thing that used to be true, is pretty much shot. So if I buy me big old Harley, and that's an if for sure....it will be old. An Evo to be sure, but old. Incredible bargains showing up on Craigslist for barely ridden iron.

 

[IMFASTTOO]

Well, that resale thing that used to be true, is pretty much shot. So if I buy me big old Harley, and that's an if for sure....it will be old. An Evo to be sure, but old. Incredible bargains showing up on Craigslist for barely ridden iron.

YES there are so many for sale and they are not selling at the dealers my local dealer says sales are off 40 percent and a lot traded in at the INDIAN dealer and they cant sell them they saturated the market and folks are tired of the same old slow bikes they are discounting them knocking off $6000 at the dealers

 

[rocketjohn]

My local HD dealer has a 2016 left over Road Glide for $14,500 brand spanking new! I almost, and do say ALMOST dropped coin on it. But resisted.