You morons. I'm 65, got my first bike at 14 and have owned probably 30 bikes since then. I've forgotten more about bikes, bike repair, riding, and a few other things you girls are probably not familiar with, than you will ever know. For reasons too difficult for some of you to understand, both the Busa and the Harley have their own advantages.
One of my good buddies was two-time AMA champion riding for the Wrecking Crew back when Cal was King and we go back and forth, taking the piss out of each other about the merits or lack thereof of various brands. His father raced Indians in the '30s and '40s and barely talked to his son when he rode for H-D. Difference is, when we crack on other bikes, we both know what we are talking about.
Saying that, I love watching the posers on squid bikes in their Joe Rocket leathers wobbling around the Sierra foothills. They look just as dorky as the Harley weenies in their brown H.O.G. vests riding in formation to some dumpy joint behind a trailer park. And don't get me started on Ducati and BMW riders...
Real riders don't give a flying f**k what others ride. We ride, period. I like riding my Harley, same as the other Harleys I've had in the past. I like riding the Busa for what it is as well. Neither is perfect, but to me the Hayabusa is head and shoulders above anything that has come out of Japan, a country I lived in for 20 years. And one of my jobs there was writing advertising copy for Kawasaki and doing the voice-overs for their dealer promo videos of new models.
My Softail is solid as a rock, requires minimal maintenance and is a great platform for a cruise in the hills or up to the coast. The Hayabusa is perfect for picking up a pound of weed in Mendocino and heading back home. That little hump in the back works great if you cut out the plastic frame inside. You can stash a gatt and a bag of weed, no problem.
Engineering? Engineering?? A '58 anodized-guard Fender Jazzmaster was far better "engineered" than a '59 Gibson Les Paul. Jazzmasters that vintage can be had for $6K, a '59 Lester for $250K, your call. Harley has perfected a bike that is faster than 90 percent of the cars on the road and gives a ride many, many, many people love. Maybe you don't know that? Here's a hint: Count the bikes that pass you on a Sunday morning. Harleys out-number all other brands combined by a huge margin. Think maybe those "old geezeers" know something you don't? Think maybe lots of those folks grew up on Bonnevilles, Z1s, CB750s, Katanas?
In the meantime, why don't ya'all go buy a Cycle Wank magazine and head for the john?
