Why should you buy a Harley Davidson? Well, why not?
We could leave it at that… but we’ll dig a bit deeper. There are hundreds of motorcycle manufacturers out there. From Ducati to KTM, Triumph to Honda, BMW to Royal Enfield, Suzuki to Yamaha, Kawasaki to Norton, Victory to… well, you get it. There are many options for riders.
So what sets Harley apart? Why is Harley-Davidson the kingpin of motorcycles? Here are our top ten reasons to buy a Harley.
- Harley has history. Founded in 1903, it’s an iconic American company that was started in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and remains based in Milwaukee to this day. Harley-Davidson motorcycles have been used as endurance motorcycles, as dirt track pioneers, as vehicles utilized by the United States Army in World War I and World War II as well as subsequent wars. And that’s just scratching the surface. When you think Harley, you think long, storied history. For many people the word ‘motorcycle’ instinctively brings to mind a Harley.
2. Style. While you can argue all you want that a Harley-Davidson is big and clunky, a “road sofa,” the truth is there’s a Harley now available to suit almost any riders preferred aesthetic. The new Harley-Davidson Street models offer a new entry level option aimed at a younger demographic. The Sportster serves as a nimble starter for many and can be stripped down or dressed up. Same goes for the Dyna, which boasts more power while maintaining a subtle aesthetic. Step up to the Softail before approaching Touring models like the Street Glide and Road King. These are bikes that carry the most bulk, but if you’re a road tripper or riding two-up very often or simply need a smoother more comfortable, could very well be worth it. At this point, nearly everyone can find a Harley to buy that’ll fit their style.
3. Parts. They’re readily available. Is the style of the Sportster in the ballpark but not quite you? There are thousands of aftermarket parts from hundreds of manufacturers available out there. It’s one of the most fun parts of owning a Harley. You can easily make it your own and there’s no precise right or wrong way to do it. Your style is your style and no matter your budget, you can incrementally customize your Harley until it’s the bike of your dreams. From grips to handlebars to seats to that big exhaust overhaul, everything’s in play til you get your Harley just right.
4. The Comradery. While all riders share a bond to some degree, there’s a separate class for Harley owners. There’s a brotherhood and a sisterhood, there are countless rides, there are Reddit forums, places to share and discuss an understanding of the ups and occasional downs of Harley ownership. There’s a ‘we’re in this together’ feeling that is hard to totally quantify. Which leads us to…
5. There’s an endless supply of tips, tricks, how-to’s and help out there. And a lot of it’s free! After riding, perhaps Harley owners favorite thing to do is helping their fellow riders out. Find a manual, find one of a million YouTube videos on how to change your oil, install a new Harley seat, pull off a dank wheelie on your FXR and more. If you want to know how to fix your Harley, how to modify your Harley, how to Harley your Harley, there’s plenty of helpful (and occasionaly not-so-helpful) information on the world wide web.
6. The Feel. OK, so this one may be a bit subjective, but really, you hear it from everyone. There’s just a different feel to a Harley. There’s something about it that sets it apart from the rest. It kind of ties into the history, the iconic style. Many people complain that not much has changed about Harley-Davidson motorcycles over the years. There’s some truth in that, but the company also owes some of its wild popularity to that fact. Your dad and his buddies rode Harleys and while you can essentially do whatever you want in this day and age with a few parts, a wrench and little know-how, those old school choppers are just as cool now as they used to be.
7. The Sound. We’ll skip describing the sound. Have a listen.
8. People will stare. Maybe you’d prefer to remain anonymous on the road, but you’ll probably turn heads on your Harley. And who doesn’t love a little attention now and then? From the jealous dad in the mini-van to the teenager dreaming of a Harley of their own to the senior citizen recalling days gone by on his old bike, when you’re on a Harley, you’ll get plenty of attention.
9. They’re Made in the USA. Well, sort of. They’re assembled and manufactured amongst a sprinkling of facilities in the United States – in York, PA, Kansas City, MO and a pair of plants in Wisconsin. Aside from that, parts are manufactured around the world and then shipped to the States for assembly.
10. The Freedom. Get out and ride. When you own a Harley you’ll nearly always have the itch to hit the road. Explore, take the bike on a trip or go nowhere in particular. Sometimes you’ll have a group to ride with, sometimes you’ll go out solo. The point is, owning a Harley will give you an outlet to explore, to clear your mind, to search for new adventure – it’ll give you lots of new opportunities to find what freedom means to you.
I like how you mentioned buying a Harley for the style. Harley's have a unique look that is easily spotted on the highway. Growing up my dad always rode a Harley and I've been thinking about getting one of my own. I'll have to remember the style and memories when making my purchase decision.