I agree. And I would never take a position against personal style. Betty is loaded with chrome, but essentially she is a San Francisco custom. To my way of thinking, shouldn't all bikes handle, dampen road shock, start and stop and actually be ridden?

You mention "stock condition." Most of the customs I see are chrome and paint. It's expensive to pull off and replace a swingarm made from boxed tubing and added gusseting. I spent several grand on a decent inverted fork--the exact design that comes stock on many motocross bikes. Why?

Individual riding style is important. However, if you bought Betty, you are only a windshield, saddlebags and a radio away from Sturgis. The positive attributes of the bike are there--but I had to put them there. That is center of my debate on this issue.

Not 2 up you're not. And I am telling you Tourist....you would absolutely love an Ultra.

Its not realistic for any manufactorer to make the perfect production line bike. Harley Davidson is no exception.

Nuf Said

Next time your at the dealership take a look at their parts catalog. When you go into a dealership and buy a new Harley people generally buy thousands more in cloths and accessories. Why would they build exactly what you want, there is more money in not doing that and you customizing it yourself. Same as if you buy it used. Only difference is that someone else customized it for you at their expense.

As for riding only a few thousand miles a year, I think that it is mainly climate driven. Bad weather, snow, rain etc. keeps people off the road. I live in SoCal so weather is not a challenge for me. I usually ride anywhere from 200 to 400 miles every weekend 12 months out of the year and ride one of my bikes more then driving my car. I know several people that don't even own cars just ride their bike!

I do also agree that some bikers or should I say bike owners may not have the opportunity to ride as much as I do, for whatever reason, work, kids etc. As I do know owners that only do a few thousand miles a year. But I like them as I encourage them to customize their bikes and am happy to give them my thoughts on parts. Naturally after a few years they decide to sell and I'm the first one to step up and offer to buy their low mileage bike. My secret is now out!

Well, guys, I'm not really talking about "style" so much as I mean 'function.'

For example, some brakes on V-Rods are Brembo. Consider the analogy. If it is true that the Brembo system is 'better' for stopping a motorcycle--and supposing Harley had hard numbers to underline that premise--then why aren't Brembos on every bike in the line? Certainly a 5' 6" newb on a pristine 883 values life just as much as BI63 on their finest Glide built, yes?

If Brembos are no better, then clearly they are hype. In which case they are overcharging their customers for an ego factor. See what I mean?

The original shocks on Spinner cost Harley 12 dollars. The top-of-the-line replacement shocks for Betty would cost +1200 bucks. Either they are using substandard parts on stock floor models to enhance future customization, or they are bilking a customer's ego.

We're not talking chrome and paint. We are talking about suspension components. As for motor size, since most Glide customers never redline their bikes at a full-out drag race to maximum times and top end speeds, I could slap a 127" stylish chrome cover on their points cone and no one would know the difference. To my way of thinking, it's the same scam.

about 5 years ago I bought my first Ultra. I can't tell you what change it made. I now do not think twice about taking the 400 mile trip on the bike. When i go visit friends in other towns i always take the bike if i can. I have music, windshield, and the leg shields are out standing. I can drag all my shit with me with out having to use 50 bungie cords. I am 54 years old and my ass gets tired riding small bikes. I have had a couple dynas, heck i even had a 250 harley in 1975! I will never go back to a small bike. I f i did i would not know what to do with all the crap i carry now. where would i keep that extra shirt for when it gets cold. How about those extra glasses or that other helmet for her, or that road map, or the sun screen, or wait! what is all this crap i am draging around?? I guess it must be importiant.

As an individual consumer, you have found a bike that fits your needs. However, there is nothing "in the middle." Let me explain.

I can make relatively minor alterations to make a Sportster work for me. And my grin is as big as yours. If you and I were the only ones important here, then case closed. But there is a world of difference between a stripped down Sportster and a boated out Glide. Up until recently there was nothing "in the middle."

I do think that the 1200 Custom tried to answer that problem. Sure, the shocks are still a problem, but if that's all a new owner had to fix it's easy to do. With progressive shocks on that 1200 Custom, you and I could easily travel together. If you need glass for a Sportster, that already exists.

But as BI63 pointed out (and as mileage confirms), Glide owners use their bikes mostly for local traveling--and in Bermuda shorts and sandals. They tout the Glide, but in reality could easily get by with one of those bigger scooters, like the Silverwing.

It sounds like BI63, yourself and I are quite lucky. We can (and have) built bikes that work for us, or have simply bought a "spare bike." For a large percent of the riding public that purchases Harleys, the product line has a big hole in it. Bigger motors are not the answer.

Function:
I couldn't be happier and the main/only reason I've never update my bike was the newer ones just don't compare to me.
I have removable glass, the most enjoyable feature of my bike. I want to bar hop, wind in my face riding, in 2 seconds my bike's personality completely changes. That big locomotive sized nacelle is ageless and beautiful.
I don't need a radio cause all I listen to is my mill. Saddle bags lock and are weather proof. I carry all kinds of snivel gear from sweat shirts to silverware but in 5 minutes I can have a saddle bag free bike that NO it's not a sportster but it is still very sporty. My 80 cubes are just right for power and gas mileage, and a simple carburetor keeps me out of trouble.
I put plenty of miles on my bike and to this day have never been sidelined in any way. Seems even when the tire went flat she waited till we were home. I've had times where my bike was my only transportation/ daily driver and long trips or short errands the size never had any negative effect to me. I'm not comforable on smaller bikes. I can't stand a bike without floorboards and heel/toe shifters. Other than the header, which was replaced because of wear, I've never done/added anything other than upgraded light bulbs.
No, to me the MoCo got it absolutely right with my bike, I feel very lucky to have it.

And I agree--for you. Other companies have bent over backwards to provide their customers with every size, shape and function. I am frankly disappointed. Our dealership received the first 2012 Glides. Chrome and paint.

I will admit this, since HRF caters to guys who actually ride then it follows that we know how to choose, modify and utilize the bikes we own. If I asked around just in my circle of friends I'll bet I can find a guy who modifies Harley frames for the S&S Wedge motor, and we probably know a guy who has already done up a custom in that format.

But when I went looking for a "mid weight" grocery gettin' lunchbox packin' short haulin' somethin' with a bar-n-shield, well, Harley had little to show me. I already own a boated out Dyna. Had not MoCo brought out the 48 I would have had to build something like a bobber Sportster. In fact, I had often mused about an "Iron 1200," or just a Sportster with a chunkier stance.

Let's face it, do a little research on post WWII custom Harleys and you see thousands of guys trimming their bikes down.

Oh yeah baby!!! Ultra's are the way to go. My only regret is not getting one sooner.