When I bought my Vintage, I comparison shopped. The last two bikes on my list were the Vintage and a Road King. Three factors made my decision easy:
1) the RK weighed 130 lbs more.
2) the RK dragged the floorboards on one side and the header on the other in sharp turns.
3) the RK cost was $4,000 higher.
Of lesser importance to me was the superior braking and acceleration of the Guzzi. These two bikes are pretty close in build quality. HD has better paint and chrome, but the California has polished stainless fenders, SS braided brake hoses, and floorboards that are not so far forward...still, I would call them apples to apples. In my case, I passed on the Harley because the Guzzi matched my desired priorities better. Thankfully, I feel I made the right choice; my Vintage has been the best bike I've owned in 47 years of riding. I don't hate Harleys, but they haven't made the right one for me, yet.
