With the price so close to Harley and Indian would you still buy the Yamaha or would you go with the Kawasaki for way less?

I'm a Harley guy but the Yamaha Road Star was what Harley should have been especially engine wise at the time. The 1700 was an incredibly strong reliable motor. Loved mine.

One thing I noticed is.. yeah people buy HD over the metrics but you didn't mention that almost all of the HD owners dump thousands more into them before even leaving the dealership. Stage kits, mufflers, ecm mods, air filters etc.

I'm good. I'll still keep riding my 1949 hand shift / foot clutch El Panhead and starting it with a kickstarter in one or two kicks.

I have a 2004 Yamaha Road Star 1700 with 80k miles on it now. Paid $4000 for it, 6 years ago. I've owned Harleys and think they are beautiful, but so is my "Yamahawg", and the price and reliability are unmatched.

Yamaha had the 4 valve engine a lot longer than Harley did, and I still own Harleys, but that Yamaha Roadstar and the whole star line are really nice running and handling bikes. If you can't afford a Harley a used Yamaha can be bought cheap and they are a nice big V Twin

Years ago , a friend who was a service manager and excellent mechanic had a Yamaha Venture Royal. He took the V-Boost system of a wrecked V-Max and recalibrated the carbs and V-Boost butterflies to come on lower in the RPM range. Ended up with a Venture Royal that pulled power wheelies in 3rd gear!

The discontinued Triumph Thunderbird line are actually great bikes with lots of torque. The main downside is the availability of aftermarket parts as well as some OEM. I have the Storm model - 1700cc with 98HP and 115lbs at the crank. It's a power cruiser, unlike the LT touring model, but nowhere near the long haul bike represented here.

As a yamaha guy I have to say the ugly venture bike is a beast,did I mention ugly, and in the summer a serious nut roaster,but for the money an Fjr-1300 is a bike that can do anything you ask, very fast,super easy to maintain, handles like on rails and cheap compared with the big V-twins,a new one is under 20k out the door and can easily go 200 k miles just changing the oil,easy choice fer me bob.....

I been riding over 40 years so I can remember when a 750cc Kawasaki would smoke the hell out of bikes twice that size now....the way I understand is the government got involved with dictating gear ratios and that destroyed the performance of the smaller engine bikes. I had a Kawasaki LTD 454 that I bought brand new in 1986 (the only brand new bike ive ever bought), and it would do 128mph giving it absolutely everything it had to give, had a LTD 750 that was stupid fast and the fastest ive ever been on a bike was on that one. On a side note that 454 cost me $2,150. out the door. Theres absolutely no way in hell I would ever spend the kind of money these guys are asking for a new bike these days. I wish we could go back to the time when good bikes and cars could be bought for $500.-$1,000. before the dollar was completely destroyed.

Had an 05 Roadstar 1700 for 13 years. Unmatched reliability and fun. I’ve owned tons of HD and they just cost too much to own.

I walked into a multi-line dealership in SC and they had a leftover Star Eluder sitting on the floor. The salesman offered it to me for $5K off the list price before I had even opened my mouth. I wasn’t looking for a new bike and besides, the bike is too big to fit in the space where I have to park it. If I was to spring for a new bike it would be a Road King.

I’ve owned the 113 Yamaha and it’s a excellent motor. Still find myself on a 103 Dyna. Certainly would not be afraid to run the yammahammer if I was on a budget. I’d slap some shocks on a 5 grand sporty before I’d have any of the others. I’ve had two of those and have found them super reliable and cost effective to run.

The Gold Wing is still the king of touring bikes.

Kawaski makes a great bike. Problem is, their cruisers are as soul-less as they are bombproof.

The trick to buying metric like the Yamaha TC or Kawasaki Vaquero or Voyager is to buy a left over 2 year old model at sometimes 5k less, especially on the Kawasakis. On the Kawasaki's go to Ivan's Performance Products and send in the ECU for a flashing and get a Big Air Kit. Add V and H ( maybe some others ) slip ons. All this for I am guessing 1500 dollars and you will get 90 hp and 115 lbs torque, which is a pretty good deal in my book. Or look around for a garage queen for a better deal. And the Kawasaki's are going to do you well, just do maintenance. I would have gone this route 5 years ago, but I bought a garage queen Victory Cross Country that is a fabulous bike.

have a 05 ultra classic, wife and took 2wk road trips every year. must say it was nice having a harley dealer close by at every and any direction we rode. people were always nice, and we enjoyed purchasing a t-shirt on our travels as memory of our rides. Harley big cruisers rule.

I live in the Daytona Beach area, and I am quite familiar with the big cruisers. Many years ago, they were ridden by the young and restless, but now, they are just a bunch of geezers. Bikers who want reliability, safety and a bike that will actually go somewhere, instead of being seen somewhere, look the other way when a Harley approaches.

I like Harley Davidson but I've always been partial to the Vulcan. I really like the Vaquero. My uncle rides a Raider and has put well over 100 thousand miles on it with minimal maintenance.

really enjoy your videos, love the info I get from you, you go brother!!!

As far as the metric bikes go I've always been partial to the Kawasaki

Awesome video!...my old 2006 yammi 1700 roadstar midnight silverado was a road king knock off!😉👍...I like my Harley though...will stick with them as long as they build them!...stay safe...ride safe!!😎👍🤙👍🤙🇨🇦

Great content! I work at a motorcycle shop and your videos keep me well rounded! 👍🏻

Hello, Gixxer, If you haven't done-so already, I think a video outlining the problems in the M8 primary case would be interesting for your viewers. The auto-primary chain tensioner and the compensator are problematical! Thanks!

"With Victory folding..." Nah, they were murdered.

I'm a Honda guy. Currently I ride a Valkyrie Interstate. Out of the bikes mentioned. I would still go with a new Goldwing

The goldwing and intruder are leaps and bounds above a Harley in my eyes.

Hey Gixxefoo, thanks for the shout out on the Kimimoto gloves, really warm and comfortable.

There comes a time where TOO big becomes an issue. For example, a BMW R1100RT will get you where you need to go and get you 50 mpg. A Sportster 1200 will get you there and get you 50 mpg. Cruisers are not made to "race" anywhere, that is an oxymoron state. So, the metric section found out that 1800cc and 2053 cc is too much because their mpg went down to 30 - 35 mpg. The new bikes with the 1800 + cc get about 35 mpg. With gas going up to $5 +, motorcycles of large size become an issue. Of course, the media says we can all go out and travel the USA on the big tourers.... Got your vaccine? Got your big credit card? Got time to do it all with that $700 per month payment for that new cruiser/tourer? Nope, you just sit and polish that puppy in the garage.. Marketing today is fantastic. Most baby boomers can't ride across country because they are getting too old and cramp up over long trips. So, buy low priced and save yourself the trouble of expensive bikes. Remember, Officer Good ticket loves to give you that "limiting factor" on your engine speed and size. Also, truly how many people are going to have their engines taken a part and made bigger? Porn queens know that answer to that!!!! Size is their understanding....

Been riding for 47 years. Where the metric bikes messed up if when they started trying to sell bikes that were way more expensive than they needed to be or should be. They thought the same people who wanted to drop 35k on a Harley or Indian wanted to give 30k for a metric. NOPE. When they had bikes under 15k they were flying out the door. They did not get taken over by Harley. They just priced themselves out of the market due to corporate greed. Best thing that happened to Harley and Indian. If theyd stayed on track Harley and Indian would be bunking with Victory

My next bike will be a goldwing. Been eyeing them for a couple of years now just not ready to drop the coin.

I'm the guy with the 2007 1200 Sportster custom fuel injected blah blah blah. These are just crazy days and it's freezing in Erie Pennsylvania and just knowing my sportsters out there in the garage just gives me a thread of Hope for the future.

I have seen the Yamaha tourer discounted at dealers in Southern CA to $22K. I don't think I have seen one on the street. Next competition for HD and Indian is the new line of BMW cruisers and tourer using the boxer engine. Thanks for posting.

I had the Yamaha Roadstar 1600 when they first came out. It was a great bike a the time. Great performace and handled better than the equivalent HD softail. I now have a HD Heritage 114 and I went this way partly for the resale. The roadstar depreciated a lot when I sold it where the HDs are retaining their value. I 've owned it for 2 years now and 2nd hand prices here in Australia are still near what I paid for it.

You should mention in an upcoming video the major hit a person takes in depreciation over just a three year period when purchasing non-harley motorcycles.

I own 2 Harleys. Love them. Also was a pro HD MC test rider, 2 years. I also own an 06, 1854cc Yamaha Stratoliner and love it every bit as much as my HD's. It's bigger, smoother and nicer. But only a 5spd. I'm really sad to see the metrics leave the field. But it's the swagger of owning a Harley that is the biggest thing the metrics can't compete with. The BIG problem with owning a Harley is, today, Harleys are as common as a cup of coffee in a Cafe. In the 50's and 60's from whence I came, they were rare. Today?? Everyone gathers around and shows each other their Batwing. ...yawn.

🛑🛑 Resale, Resale……Resale 💴💰!!!! Indian or Harley are holding their resale values, year by year; however you are going to “take it in the back side” when you go to trade your metric cruiser in on anything. Both Indian and Harley, are doing a nice job in this sector, and both are “knocking it out of the park” Me, I prefer a Harley; and even better a CVO Harley Bagger. CVO bikes hold their value and are “extra special”, when pulling into your local bike night; regardless of year. 💯👍 Great Content…Gix👍😀

My first bike was a Honda VTX 1300R and was a great bike. Hated that they stopped making them and never really liked the look of the sabre, interstate or fury. I now ride a 2015 Ultra Limited and love it.

No replacement. Nothing else comes close. Never get the same feeling. None of the others look half as good. Harley Davidson will ALWAYS BE KING of the cruisers. It's just FACT.

Moto Guzzis are another choice when talking bout big cruiser/tourers.

They were done in 1970's when Honda came out with the CB 750

Twice I’ve tried going away from a Harley and both times I went right back to it.

You can get any after market part for a Harley, try that for any other Cruiser.

Triumph Rocket 3 with its 2500cc needs a fixed fairing bagger! 🇦🇺

Great video! I learn so much about harleys from your channel

Coming from a Harley-Davidson upbringing, and being the age I am (old) I would seriously consider a Honda trike. I like the body style on them and they're very nice riding as far as trikes go. Great video thanks for the upload

Yeah I’ll go with Harley as well because I wanna spend every penny I have to finish the motorcycle of my dreams because simply the factory didn’t!!! Don’t ask me how I know😜 Everyone is comparing something that is NOT a Harley to a Harley… The Honda Goldwing and the Yamaha whatever are the equivalent of Harley in the rest of the world same as the BMW K1600 series. It’s also the same idea that Harley is trying to achieve with the introduction of the Pan America! All great bikes nonetheless. Metric in the US is like buying a Harley in Pakistan or whatever. Hope you get my point. Great video there boss.

Harley has a lot of name recognition. Indian is kind of new and they are made by the same company that owned Victory.

Yamaha started producing the 4 valve per cylinder 113 motor in 2006 with 100hp / 123 lb-ft. No sumping issues. Then in 2017 HD used that design in the M8.

The big cruiser market is dwindling because the people that used to buy these huge, expensive bikes are not buying them. The well-off baby boomers that purchased these bikes in the past are getting too old to ride. Younger riders, by and large, like Japanese sport bikes, ADVs, nakeds, etc. They aren't buying these huge, expensive machines. All this is reflected in H-Ds stock price. They marketed fully towards their old demographic and didn't invest in marketing towards younger riders. They're trying to play catch-up now with bikes like the Livewire, which also miss the mark - too expensive. As a younger rider, I can buy a decent SV650 for around $5000 pretty easily. With that, I get a very reliable motorcycle that will last me years that can ride comfortably on both streets and the highway. Why invest in a huge highway machine that costs as much as my car? If I want a cruiser, Honda now makes the Rebel 1100. Honda reliability at only $10,000.

Triumph Rocket. Makes a Harley look like a mini-bike

I've owned 2 2015 Honda Interstates thus far...gotta say I still love those bikes. Liquid cooled, amazing reliability, build quality was impressive ( minus the fiberglass fenders) . Nice set of bars, batwing fairing, Vance and Hines pipes and tuner... love my Softail standard but, kinda miss the flat out long distance reliability of my "Metric Twin". Truly dig ur videos, keep it up 🤙

For the money, my Voyager can't be beat . I don't need 100hp, and with 2 up , 42mpg . Very reliable.

I think it's one of those to each their own likes or choice.No offense to anyone.But for the money,I just stay with my Harleys.Why well honestly there's just to many reasons why to list here.Iv owned several other brands thru the years.But having my 1997 Ultra Classic my 1998 Fat Boy and my 2005 Soft Tail Deuse I find that's there's plenty of aftermarket parts for even the older Harleys verses other brands.For me personally I'drather own my Harleys simply because I know I can get parts for them a lot easier than the other brands out there.But like IV always say to each their own.Ride what makes you happy.After all isn't that what's riding all about.Just riding what you like in the wind and enjoying the freedom that goes with riding on 2 wheels.

I recently sold my Road Star and bought an 02 Heritage. I was able to sell my Yamaha for what I payed for the Harley… I’m happy

Victory didn't fold, they rebranded as Indian. Victory was Polaris's attempt at competing with Harley but didn't work for them. So when they had the opportunity to buy the Indian brand they did so and closed the Victory line.

You know it's something you don't hear very often just letting the motorcycle go to the scrap yard. I have have friends that are much older than me that remember most of them now are gone but when behind the Harley dealer or even the Indian dealer they had little scrap yards of motorcycles and you could go pick parts just like automobile. I remember 20 years ago even I needed one adjustable push rod and I went to the local Harley dealer and ask them and it was like I was trying to rob the store used part LOL

The nostalgia market will eventually die all together.

Stick with a used victory for me, I like them better than any of the new options currently available

On the island where I live we have a Harley and an Indian dealership just a mile apart, and we're only 9 by 5 miles.

Well buddy doing some research: best rod to stroke ratio is 1.80 . 96” is 1.75. 88” is 1.90 . Guess that’s why hd stuck with 4.3/8 stroke and went bigger bores . 🤔 the softail slim is gone for 22’ . Thanks for the new lineup say. ✊🏻👍👌

I look for your uploads now!

I feel that used to power statement. I’ve had my FLHCS 114 for about 18 months and I’m definitely ready for a cam and maybe more.

A Moonshine HD upgraded Electra glide..😍 If I had the money..🙄

First! I would pop for the extra $ for the Harley. The customization is key. I would buy a used Harley before buying a metric bike because I just view metrics as disposable because of the reasons you mentioned.

Harley all the way for me. I appreciate competition and the tech developments, but trad Harleys are unique in their character as well as old world basics. I utterly live the rumbble and the shakey rock & roll vibes of the engine. Hearing and feeling the Revs are good markers for knowing how the engine is running, sense of red line and even when to change gears up, let alone the raw sound so other road users know you are around. Not putting other makes down, they are what they are, but would have been nice to also include the Moto Guzzi California.

They are all beautiful bikes, but! The Harley tattoo on my right butt cheek would explode if I sat on anything other than Harley Davidson.

Sadly, neither Harley or Indian make a v twin engine with that feel or sound anymore, so unless it's for the look, I would go with something cheaper. I like the Yamaha engine, but the bike just looks weird. like too modernish. The Road Star engine has proven itself reliable. I don't know if it still sounds of feels like it used to. I would go for the Kawasaki new, though I won't be buying any new bikes that expensive anymore. One HUGE issue I have with all of them is the belt drive. Now Harley has had belt drive for a really long time, but that doesn't mean I like it. When I bought my very first Harley, a used Sportster 1200, I set about adjusting the belt. I got the Harley tension gauge and the Motion Pro wheel alignment tool. Then spent almost 3 days getting it right. What a nightmare. Then I bought a 1989 Harley FXRS Low Rider, and decided to replace the belt on that. I took it to a local independent Harley shop to get it done. I asked them how to adjust the belt tension and keep the wheel aligned at the same time. They told me they use TWO people for the procedure, and that it is almost impossible for one person to do by themselves. I wish the Japanese bikes hadn't abandoned the shaft drive. I used to have a Vulcan 1600 Classic with shaft drive. It was wonderful. Never any adjustment or maintenance, and it was completely sealed. Besides the Sportster for local riding, I also have a Kawasaki Vulcan 750. Both shaft drive and hydraulic valves. I put 119K miles on it so far. Much smaller engine, but it holds its own with the Sportster 1200. My first "cruiser" was a new 1980 Suzuki GS450L. My next cruiser was a used Yamaha XS1100 Special. Neither were touring cruisers, but the four cylinder Yamaha certainly had the power for it. You COULD put a Windjammer fairing, hard bags and a trunk on it if you wanted to. But back in 1980 Honda came up with the Goldwing Interstate, and pretty much took over the market. I would never be concerned about more power on a big touring bike. After all, you are just going to be cruising down the highway at a steady speed. You are not going to be racing it. Sadly, most manufacturers have decided that 10 years is the average lifespan of their bikes, and no longer support them beyond that. While Japanese bikes tend to be somewhat boring (but then so do Harleys and Indians these days) they don't really need to be modified, and can last a very long time before parts start wearing out. And yes, I actually am supporting the Japanese bikes over the new Harleys here. I love older Harleys, and always will. But the new ones don't have the sound and feel of the old ones, so why pay the big money for them? If the Kawasaki had shaft drive, I'd clean out my savings account and buy one. I might even buy a Goldwing if they made a base model with the fairing, bags and trunk, but without all the electronic garbage, including a stereo. But really, ALL motorcycles have become WAY too complicated too actually be reliable anymore. All those electronics are going to fail on a regular basis. And they do nothing to help the bike carry you down the road.

Never in my 60 years have I consider buying a new bike. Just plain po. So my only option has been to buy hand-me-downs that maybe need some tires. Love it when some nice mods have done. Bless the hearts of all the new bike buyers! Somebody gotta do it!

Nice ! Harley needs to build an engine modeled after the Sportster S motor only bigger for baggers & they could rule the touring wars ! With 135 HP in the Sportster S how about a1500 for baggers with 180 HP ! They could win no matter what it cost anyway that's my take on it !

I do agree with you I like a bike that I can get parts 20 years down the road than a bike I have to throw away after 10 years

2:15 I want that for my ringtone!

The yamaha star sratoliner and roadliner are some of the most beautiful bikes out there and can be bought reasonably. Only downside is they are 5 speeds.

2003 vulcan 1600 classic 42 k miles, good shape I paid very little. Only way for me to ride. The HD Ultra in red if I ever get rich.

Comfort is where it’s at, especially for us older riders who have had injuries or arthritis. I can’t ride with my knees bent and my feet under my ass. Riding my big Harley is like tiding my recliner down the road.

For my first 15 years of riding I was on nothing but Japanese bikes. Now since 2006 I've been on nothing but Harley's. I don't really have anything against any brand of motorcycle. If I was looking for a bike and the right motorcycle came along I really wouldn't care what name was on the tank.

Good stuff brother, HD it is lol💯

1st thing is try putting a set of fishtail exhaust on a metric bike, ridiculous. I almost bought a low mile vulcan but in the end I chose a used king and had room in the budget to upgrade. Yes I've said im going to install a new cam.

HA! Up until a couple of years ago, I was into power cruiser bikes. V-Max, V-Rod(I know, but most purists do not consider this bike a true H-D), Magna, Madera, Rocket 3, M109s, etc.... Anything less than that was a Harley Imitation. People would rarely cross the fence. People who were truly into performance would not even consider a Harley or an Indian. It was not until recent years that I would consider Harley or an Indian as a performance bike out of the box. Because of this, when I started doing more touring, I went the Sport Touring bike route. Basically a crouch rocket with a touring kit on it. I still have my 2008 Concours 14 till this day. The one I had previously was the VFR800. I was so thrilled that Harley came out with the M8, I immediately ran out and got a 2018 Fatbob. That bike lives up to being a power cruiser although it does not have a lot of top end. But WHEELIES and Burnouts galore. As far as the "after market" thing, who cares about that but Harley people? Only a Harley person will get a $30000 bike, then dump another $10000 into it to get 15% more HP and make a lot of noise. Why do that when you can get a used Sport (Touring) bike that can put out twice the HP and speed for $5000ish stock in good condition. That is exactly what I did. I have the Concours 14 and the CBR954RR for when I feel like a nut. Have the Roadglide cause I like the added comfort. Best thing is my Roadglide is mostly stock!!! No risks of trailer rides due to improper engine modifications......LOL In the end there are a few of us weirdos that just like to get on our bikes and ride......

been on big kawaies since the 80's not just lower cost of bike but much more dendable and cheaper to maintain.. rode harleys on 70's and loved them,BUT back then they. were pretty much only big bikes out there.. no goldwings, cavalcades, voyagers, only harley new and iindians for old bikes but parts hard to come by. Harley is a fine machine but I am spoiled to my shaft drive, water cooled dependable kawaie.

Love the way you put a shovel up for sound lol. And the badge on Indian with 1901. That’s a laugh. At least Harley had some ownership during the AMF years not disappeared from about 1965 with two strokes and drop victory to become Indian. But. What’s counting. Yeh triumph from 1902. lol

I came from the metric crowd to HD a few years ago, upon discovering that most metric bikes are what you get, and in some cases upgrades are literally DIY as the aftermarket doesn't support some manufacturers in terms of bolt ons. But that's not to take away from the quality of the metric cruisers in their stock form.

im a harley dude but every metric bike is better on paper then any harley any day, more power, more torque, less to no shaking, incredible smooth power delivery and dont get me started on reliability. if you want the best for long travel just get a goldwing. it always was like that since the goldwing existed. but it's just not a harley.. they are shitty, the company is shitty too but the look of the bikes, aftermarket, community and how easy they are to work with is what makes harleys awesome. i have no idea why ppl try to talk around that fact also you just ignored the BMW R18 or ducati diavel and many big cruiser alternatives to harley.

Hate to tell you, but Honda dropped the Shadow line in '18. Damn shame, too, because the Shadow was THE go-to metric cruiser. The new Rebel doesn't even come close... it's a cruiser-shaped naked bike with no actual cruiser soul. Mind you, neither ever really WERE in the "heavy" cruiser market, with the Shadow and Rebel model options topping out at 1200 cc and 1100 cc respectively.

I have a 2021 BMW S1000XR. So I'm not in the market for a big huge cruiser. But, if I was I would look at the BMW R18 Bagger. Even though it is not a V twin it has the boxer engine in it. I believe it fits into this class of motorcycles. It has big torque for highway droning and BMW would love to relieve you of 30k I can clearly assure you lol 😆. Good video.... 👍👍

I would take the Gold Wing. I've been riding them for over 30 years. Oh, and I like my Fury too.

I've owned a Yamaha Raider and Roadliner.....excellent bikes!! Just wish they had a sixth gear.

Good to see Scooter again

i don't mind to pay the premium for the Yamaha. my problem is that it loses 50% of its value when you ride it off the lot of the dealer. The resale value is just crap. another thing is that the Yamaha has a longer wheel base which makes it not that favorable for lean angle and overall turn capability. It is as you said, we are down to 2 serious choice for the big v-Twin segment.

And then there's the resale value; don't forget Harley tends to hold onto its value much better than the competition

I rode the Kawaski before I bought my Indian. It never felt like it was in the right gear.

That's why they need so many Harley-Davidson shops and s*** is always breaking down

ive been riding for 4 decades and have had almost everything,for me next is going to be a big twin HD ,maybe road king I can get parts and there are independent shops with oodles of experience ..you just wont get that with metric bikes and the world is changing and need to get some more miles in before I age out and or I have no other option but some battery on wheels,thanks for the vid very well done.

Dude I have been watching your video’s for over a year, you should be a spokesperson for HD, you are bright know you shit about Harley Davidson motorcycle cycles . I own a GSXR 750 and have my eye on a new sportster.

Good morning. I had a Kawisaki Voyager. The power kept cutting out during turns and it almost caused an accident. I traded it in for my current Harley.

It’s all true. I grew up on a Yamaha dirt bike and my first street motorcycle was a big Yamaha roadliner. So always a place for a Yamaha. And if I had to pick a big motorcycle today. It would probably be an Indian challenger or Harley road glide. 👍

They are probably all better made than a Harley. Even better value to anyone other than the first owner. Wouldn't swap any of them for my 25 year old FXDL but it's great people have choices. I had a Yamaha exhaust rot out from the inside after 3 years, OEM part was still available but way spendy.

Thanks for posting to each his own personally pretty much of a long distance Rider dealer network is very important and Harley-Davidson has the best

Interesting vid. Ride safe, god bless u.

It's really funny reading this forum because you go to others they are running Harleys and Indians in the ground. Here so many say their preference would be harley or Indian over metric. I've rode a lot of different brands through the years and preferred Harley and Indian over others. My preference , but then I didn't beat my bikes so I've seen their true colors and the better side of the dealerships.