Their V-twin design is not only a shit engine - but it generates so much vibration that it literally shakes itself and everything on the bike to death, causing stuff to fatigue/wear/rattle loose, wiring to fray, you name it.
H-D dealerships are cash cows between that and insane accessory and clothing sales. They're basically Boomer cosplay stores.
Actually kind of sad, I know someone who makes $70k a year and rides a $50k Harley. They will finance anyone...sky is the limit. The marketing is such that you get sucked in with a $15k bike and they are setup to continually trade in and up...anytime. Racket on unsophisticated people.
I ride commuter most days and used to do on weekends. I like the 2nd hand market having so many low mileage bikes.
While I am not about to make disparaging remarks on Harleys reliability, I won't buy one because I like my bikes to perform.
Also, amongst my friends the "Boomer cosplay stores" comment rings true. Nothing inherently wrong with that I guess but not my crowd. I mean, people buy italian supercars to pose down slow streets with too. Your money, do what you want.
It's almost laughable to say that about most of their bikes past the introduction of the Evolution in 1984. Their latest engine is as about as smooth as a V-Twin can get.
The years under AMF ownership were bad quality-wise.
And word didn't get around? Hmmmmmm......