Man am I ever sorry I posted this, people getting there shorts in a knot over what? it's funny, that's all, let it go and go ride.
That is some funny doggie do-do, and most of it rings true.........lol. I have ridden BSA, Nortons, BMW, Harley, various models of Japan's finest, and it all happens on two wheels. Some of the best memories of riding were a little Yamaha 100 twin, it screemed, and it took me all over the UP in my senior year at Gwinn. If we can't laugh at ourselves, well you know the rest...........going back to watch the video again..............
It's just like the people who bitch about whats on the tv.-- If you don't like it turn it off!! Same thing with the Harley if you don't like them nobody is forceing you to buy one. HD Hank
My saleman had my arms twisted around behind me, just to get me out of the door. But I found the back door and it was all downhill from there, never buy a Harley. Please buy a Honda or BMW even a "duck", but never a harley. That way I will have a parking space at the dealership, and I can walk through the front door and get a cup of coffee without having to wade through a crowd of want-to-be badass bikers, about to trade in their ideas for what they believe is the American dream...........well folks that dream and a buck 25 will get you all the coffee you can drink at the awful waffle Sunday morning waiting on your badass harely riding friends to show up. Well enough early morning ramblings, see ya soon or on the road.
turtleman
I've never owned a Harley, but I have frequently riden them. I find them (EVOs and newer) to be VERY comfortable and reliable.
That being said, I thought the video was funny, but then again, I'm a gortex-clad beemer rider. 😉
Honda brought to you by those that brought you Pearl Harbor! BMW brought to you by those that brought you the death camps. LOL but true. I worked in many independent shops that work on many brands and know the truth about the reliability of other brands.
46u - 6/1/2010 6:31 AM
Honda brought to you by those that brought you Pearl Harbor! BMW brought to you by those that brought you the death camps. LOL but true. I worked in many independent shops that work on many brands and know the truth about the reliability of other brands.
Well, of course, you are correct. But it does show that it's easier to forgive than forget. LOL.
You and I , Mr. 46u, can take comfort that Harley-Davidson isn't going out of business anytime soon so we can all relax. 🙂
Harley Davidson/America Both did their best to put down the Indians/Native American..................lol................couldn't help it..............
And we can forgive, but we will never forget.................
turtleman57 - 6/1/2010 12:42 PM
Harley Davidson/America Both did their best to put down the Indians/Native American..................lol................couldn't help it..............
Do you mean the Indian Motocycle (sic) Company?
The Indian Motocycle (sic) Company was riddled with poor management, primarily after WWII when they made the decision to quit building the 45" Sport Scout, their most popular motorcycle. They compounded this poor business decision when they brought out the Indian Arrow (220cc single) and Scout (440cc Vertical Twin). They were smallish and European-looking and totally out of sync with the typical Indian Buyer who liked the original and economical Sport Scout Scout and, if they had the money, a regular Chief, which was in my humble opinion and that of many others, the most beautiful motorcycle ever to roll down the highway.
Later on, the error was compounded with the introbuction of a 500cc version of the small vertical twin Scout called the Warrior which also sold very poorly. They also brought out an import callled the Brave, a 250cc flathead single that had exactly one horsepower more than its friction drag. That was a non-starter for Indian and almost no one even noticed.
Another issue that dogged Indian from 1936 on was the introduction by Harley-Davidson in late 1935 of their new for 1936 overhead valve 61 cu. in EL Model. This bike was just an Art Deco gem. It was blessed with almost instant popularity and Indian began to struggle from that day on. Later, in 1941, Harley-Davidson brought out a 74 cu. in version of the EL called the FL. Besides being rather pretty it was rather fast for a stock bike in an era when Indian still had a flathead V-Twin.
So, thus began the downfall of the once great Indian Motocycle Company of Springfield, Mass. which culminated in cessation of operations in the fall of 1953, shortly after the introduction of their last bike, the 1954 Blackhawk Chief. This bike was fitted with hydraulic tube forks, some four years after Harley-Davidson brought out the Hydra-Glide with tube forks.
So, I guess you could say that poor management and bad business decisions and faiure to modernize did in the Indian Company. Harley-Davidson helped out though and I doubt if anyone from HD attended the funeral. LOL
This is the way I heard it. For the record, I worked as a Jr. Mechanic at two of the Indian dealers in Chicago, Ill. a couple of years after Indian failed..
Additonally, the Indian Company, and to a slightly lesser extent, Harley-Davidson, were affected by the beginning influx of British motorcycles shortly after WWII. By 1953 they were all over the place. They were fast, relatively cheap and they began to take a bite out of Harley-Davidson after Indian failed. Many of the Indian dealers switched to British bikes at that time. One of my jobs in Chicago was uncrating new Velocettes, Nortons, Vincents, AJS's, Matchless's, Royal Enfields and so forth.
2. Harley-Davidson, to my knowledge never had anything whatsoever to do with any aspect of Native American Indian affairs.
This is my story and I'm stickin' to it. 🙂
I will neither forgive nor forget!
Another thing Indian Motorcycle the REAL Indian Motorcycle did is during the war they did not sell to the general public or not much so when the war was over and the government ended their contract this was another poor judgment. Yes the vertical twin was very poor to say the least. There are other factors as well.
Here is a question I want to see who knows the answer to? What other company that makes motorcycles that has been in business as long as Harley? Now they are not a big motorcycle company and make other things as well which is their bread and butter.
"Harley-Davidson, to my knowledge never had anything whatsoever to do with any aspect of Native American Indian affairs. "
Well I am Native American, Osage, WaterWater Clan. And the various Harley Davidson I have owned have contributed to numerous affairs of mine.............................lol................................;)
46u - 6/1/2010 4:55 PM
I will neither forgive nor forget!
Another thing Indian Motorcycle the REAL Indian Motorcycle did is during the war they did not sell to the general public or not much so when the war was over and the government ended their contract this was another poor judgment. Yes the vertical twin was very poor to say the least. There are other factors as well.
Here is a question I want to see who knows the answer to? What other company that makes motorcycles that has been in business as long as Harley? Now they are not a big motorcycle company and make other things as well which is their bread and butter.
Yes, at the end of the war, Indian was stuck with a lot of war model parts which burdened them a great deal financially. Most companies were not selling vehicles to the general public due to rationing for the war effort. My Uncle was a Chevrolet dealer before, during and after WWII and he couldn't get civilian vehicles until later in 1946.
I'm not aware of any other company with the longevity of Harley-Davidson. There are probably companies that are older, some that maybe build bikes now, but HD is probably the oldest bike maker.
One that comes to mind is Husqvarna which started building bikes about the same time in 1903 that Harley-Davidson did but they are now owned by BMW so there's no continuity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husqvarna_Motorcycles
BMW itself got started only in 1916 so they are not comparable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW
Husqvarna was the one I was thinking of. 😉
turtleman57 - 6/1/2010 5:27 PM
"Harley-Davidson, to my knowledge never had anything whatsoever to do with any aspect of Native American Indian affairs. "
Well I am Native American, Osage, WaterWater Clan. And the various Harley Davidson I have owned have contributed to numerous affairs of mine.............................lol................................;)
I see, blame it on the inaminate object. I see.....hmmmm. 🙂
