Harley-Davidson: A Division.

Many topics in life bring about division in people.  Politics, for example, is a big divider; left wing vs. right wing, Democrat vs. Republican, liberal vs. conservative and so on.  One of the biggest dividers, at least among motorcycle riders, is Harley-Davidson.  Mentioning HD in a conversation opens you up to a wide range of opinions, some good and some bad. 

But why?  What is it about Harley-Davidson that gets people so rowdy?

I think it boils down to three things: price, technology and image.

I know I'm not exactly delivering Earth-shattering news here, but Harleys are expensive.  The Softail Fat Boy Lo starts at $16,299.  The Rocker C starts at $19,499.  The Electra-Glide Ultra Limited starts at a wallet crushing $24,699.  For comparison's sake, a Honda Accord sedan starts at $21,055. 

So, what exactly are you paying for?  From what I see, you're paying for some metal bits, some paint and lots of chrome.  How come Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki can offer the same metal bits, paint and chrome for thousands upon thousands less? 

Next we come to technology.  The Harley formula is based on a simple premise: a large-capacity air-cooled V-twin surrounded by chrome.  In fact, the engine in those $16,000-plus bikes (and the cheaper Sportster models) traces its roots back to 1936.  1936.  That's three years before the outbreak of WWII.  That's five years before America entered WWII.  What I'm trying to say is, it's old.  It's so old, it still uses a dry-sump oiling system and push-rod valve actuation.

Another comparison: The Ducati 848 Superbike cost $13,995 and features fully adjustable suspension (compression, rebound and spring pre-load) front and rear, twin front discs each clamped by a four-piston caliper, 370lb dry weight and an 849cc, liquid-cooled V-twin with four valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams, desmondronic valve actuation and 134 horsepower.

The Fat Boy Lo (nearly $3,000 more) features non-adjustable front forks and pre-load adjustable rear shocks, one front disc with a four-piston caliper, a dry weight of 700lbs (!), and a 1,573cc, air-cooled, two valve, push rod V-twin.  Good luck finding a horsepower figure, but I'd guess it's a lot less than the Ducati.

So you're not paying for technology.  What this pricing is akin to, is a pick-up truck costing $100,000 and a Ferrari costing $70,000.  It just doesn't make sense.

But hang on a bit, what about the V-Rod?  Yes, you see, the V-Rod is Harley's go at building a modern musclebike.  The V-Rod casts aside the traditional Harley frame and V-twin and uses instead a modern tube frame and a liquid-cooled, dual overhead cam, four valve V-twin that was designed with assistance from Porsche.  The 1,250cc engine puts out 123 horsepower.  You'd expect the pricing of this modern Harley to be astronomical but it's not.  The V-Rod line starts at $14,999.  So again I ask, why does granddad's Fat Boy cost over $16,000 when junior's high-tech V-Rod is almost $2,000 less?  It boggles the mind.

Image is big thing for any motorcycle manufacturer.  Harley-Davidson is no exception.  In fact, image can arguably be Harley's biggest selling point. 

The image Harley likes to project is one of rugged individualism.  Harleys are about blue-jeans, work boots, tattoos, black t-shirts and bandanas.  Also factored into the Harley image is the intimidation factor.  A black bike with a loud exhaust and a rider covered in black leather can be an intimidating site.  Plus there's the whole outlaw-biker-gang image a lot of people associate with Harley-Davidson.  The flip-side of that is that more than a few biker gangs, such as the Outlaws and the Pagans, started out riding Triumphs.

So what does all of this mean?  Well, it means that understanding the attraction to an expensive, low-tech fashion accessory is difficult.  Many people see through the facade and notice the motorcycle under all of the marketing.  Some don't and pony up the money to live the "Harley lifestyle".  The simple fact is, as long as Harley-Davidson is in business, people will be divided in their opinions.    

If you want my opinion (and too bad if you don't), I like Harleys.  I like their history, I like their products and I don't like their prices.  I hate to use a cliche, but they are what they are and they don't apologize.  I have been lusting after a 70's FX shovelhead and a 60's Sportster to go alongside the classic British and Italian bikes in my dream garage.  I like unique motorcycles and Harley-Davidson makes unique motorcycles, period.