"Honda REBEL 1100 Better than a Harley Davidson IRON 1200 Sportster?"

[inditx]

Those who say that all Hondas are boring or whatever are painting with too broad a brush, imho.
inditx

[Tom]

+1. They haven't ridden a Goldwing engine bike at full throttle.

[wymple]

And the prize for the stupidest thing I'll read today goes to...

If the money comes out of MY pocket, it's the Honda. Not a contest.

[Kev m]

If the money comes out of MY pocket, it's the Honda. Not a contest.

That's a very different opinion then what I quoted.

And nothing wrong with that.

Mine is opposite yours for my own reasons, but I'm sure you're ok with that also.

Still completely different than what I quoted.

[DaveJT]

If the money comes out of MY pocket, it's the Honda. Not a contest.

I’m good with this too. I’ve a Honda car, and that thing is engineered to death.  I feel like the 700 DCT ABS is a lot of bike ( and unbelievably unpopular).  Or maybe that cx 500, nice twin with a bit of suspension travel ( and a bargain).
That’s the biggest marks against the Honda rebel it’s ugly as sin, and it’s not a bargain. But I think I’d still pick that over a brand new sportster.

[Solorider73]

I get a chuckle out of these threads.  I think most bikes today are pretty solid from a design and warranty perspective. I’ve owned all of the Japanese brands, a Triumph and two Moto Guzzis from new. The only one I’ve ever had a warranty claim against is my MG V7 III.  There is the occasional first year teething pains but that is because they are a first year bike. Warranty’s are there to fix the occasional manufacturing or design issue. If it’s a lemon trade it.

I’ve never owned a Harley, but they get a lot of hate due to being the biggest seller in the US.  When people complain I always think of my Grandfathers hate of Chevrolets. I asked him once why he hated Chevrolet and he complained about a 1950s car that gave him lots of problems. When I pointed out manufacturing and engineering improved over the last 50 years, he didn’t care they still sucked in his mind.

Back on topic, if I had to buy one, I would buy the Harley . I’ve never liked the lines of the Rebel gas tank. If you bought a Honda Rebel, I would sit on it, gawk at it and congratulate you on your purchase.

[Beowulf]

This thread is cracking me up. I personally owning a harley roadster love it. Been very reliable, currently its in the shop for the next 50 days till it gets fixed cause i messed up. Man that was painful. I certainly would never leap over to honda. Ive owned a honda 750 and honestly it was my most hated motorcycle.

Everyone has got a preference. Ive ridden a honda cbr 1000 it was fast but not my thing. I have to say i realize they are well made but i find them lacking.

Been in a unique position. Having to borrow my wife's royal enfield 650 for commuting and recently a friend lent his v7 iii.

Ive tried indian and didn't like it. Id really love to try a triumph but much of the styling i don't like. I keep coming back to the harley it's just fun. Counting the days till i get that bike back. That being said i have no logical reason to dislike the honda i just do.

Forgive the rant.

[Tom]

Most of the forum members are multi brand & multi Guzzi owners.  I have 2 HD engined bikes '98 Buell S3T Thunderbolt and a '80 Recon with 80" Shovelhead.  That doesn't count Yamaha & Hondas

[Scout63]

I wouldn’t buy either, but any company that could sell me the XL125 or the CBX in the same year gets my vote.  Harley’s are gorgeous and sound nice.  I like them until their rider doesn’t return my wave.

[DaveJT]

I wouldn’t buy either, but any company that could sell me the XL125 or the CBX in the same year gets my vote.  Harley’s are gorgeous and sound nice.  I like them until their rider doesn’t return my wave.

Tell me how many waves you’d get from guys on sons of anarchy dressers while riding a grom or a monkey?

[DaveJT]

And amazingly that only comes in second place today. 

I believe that’s more a reflection on you. No offense.

[Tom]

I don't ride a motorcycle to get waves.   

[DaveJT]

I don't ride a motorcycle to get waves.   

Ah. It’s common courtesy. A show of brotherhood amongst two wheelers. But if you think you’re better than everyone else. That’s cool too.

[Tom]

Ah. It’s common courtesy. A show of brotherhood amongst two wheelers. But if you think you’re better than everyone else. That’s cool too.

I didn't say I didn't wave.  I said I didn't ride a motorcycle to get waves.         Don't read something into it that's not there.  I've on a motorcycle since '72.   

[Kev m]

Ah. It’s common courtesy. A show of brotherhood amongst two wheelers. But if you think you’re better than everyone else. That’s cool too.

Brilliant!

Now if you don't see the irony in your last two posts that's more a reflection on you. No offense, but very amused. 

[Rough Edge racing]

Quote of the day   "Harley’s are gorgeous and sound nice.  I like them until their rider doesn’t return my wave."
   

[Hymes Inc.]

And the prize for the stupidest thing I'll read today goes to...

Alright. The Honda is the same price but with loads more features. The Honda makes more power and is lighter. Hondas are more reliable (I base this off consumer reports. Until somebody comes out with a better study this is the go to.) Everything else as far as looks, ride feel, and happy factor are all subjective. So tell me how Honda is not superior on the information we have?

[twowheeladdict]

Tell me how many waves you’d get from guys on sons of anarchy dressers while riding a grom or a monkey?

I'll admit that I only caught that show once while in a hotel, but didn't see a dresser among any of those bikes.

Where I live most on Harley Dressers are middle class professionals.

I have had more BMW riders unable to remove their hand from the grip than Harley riders.

In fact, on the Harley forum I am on I get more positive feedback on my ride reports on the Guzzi than I get here, if I post a ride report on the Road Glide.  Mmm.

[Ncdan]

On the two subjects we have going now.
Waves- sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t, regardless of the bike I chose to mount on a given day. The time I don’t is not  because I’m a Ahole, it because I was just not pay attention to another vehicle, (of any type) across the medium and if that guy is offended and so insecure about his status in life, then that’s on him/her.

HD vs Honda- I have tons of respect for Honda and have several and still do own a 38 year old CB.  I’ve owned several Harleys but no Sportster but have ridden them. Never owned one because I’m mostly s touring guy or longer distance day rider but not bar hopper. Therefore my preference holds no biases.
If I won the choice of either in a drawing I would not have to give it much thought. Harley hands down. Why, soul. With the ole HD iron horse, which being a horse rider, is what I can compare the Harley to. Like all horses I’ve owned they had a name, something to make them personal , with a personal attachment. I don’t think I’d feel pressed to give a name to a Honda as it would be like giving my washing machine or dryer a name.
Just the old man at the end of the road opinion 👍

[Sykestone8886]

I guess I don’t get the Harley bashing thing, maybe it’s the stereotype associated with the brand. I’m a lover of all motorcycles, if it suits my needs I like it. That being said I own several makes of mc’s mostly HD’s still my favorite due to reliability and dealer support!

[Kev m]

Alright. The Honda is the same price but with loads more features. The Honda makes more power and is lighter. Hondas are more reliable (I base this off consumer reports. Until somebody comes out with a better study this is the go to.) Everything else as far as looks, ride feel, and happy factor are all subjective. So tell me how Honda is not superior on the information we have?

The problem with your statement was that it was mind-numbingly myopic.

It doesn't consider the most important quality that makes one bike "superior" to another. It is simply whatever the owner WANTS.

Power, lean angles, comfort, lap times may all be part of the equation, but so can looks, feel, maintenance, support (OEM or aftermarket).

I've written repair manuals on the Rebel 300 & 500. They are decent enough bikes and I like the unique looks more than not.

I've written a repair manual on the late-model sportster as well, and owned a few because they embody the characteristics I value more including maintenance, support, feel etc.

Even if I acceptanced your horribly overstated assumption of reliability I would choose the Harley as being superior (the far better fit to what I want in a bike).

The fact that I've got anecdotal evidence that I find way more compelling than consumer reports (whose methods I question) is all I need on "reliability".

I mean shit my buddy has completed the last few IBR rallys on his > 200k mile rubbermount Sportster, and the ones I've owned have been fantastic.

Though I don't hate the rebel I can't imagine actually wanting it enough to buy it and no evidence you have put forth changes that.

YMMV, but that's what makes it not such a ridiculously black and white issue as you presented it.

[kingoffleece]

The day I buy a bike because it "does this or that better on paper' is the day I stop riding.  Maybe if it was MotoGP, but it's not.
Folks have all kinds of reasons to ride what they do.  Ain't one "better" that another-that's silly talk.  having owned two Honda bikes and 4 H-D's I'll take the Sporty every time.  it's more fun-for me.  Better?  I dunno. 

As for the wave?  As some say, "...........when I want you're opinion I'll give it to you................ ....".

Relax-IT IS A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hymes Inc.]

Though I don't hate the rebel I can't imagine actually wanting it enough to buy it and no evidence you have put forth changes that.

YMMV, but that's what makes it not such a ridiculously black and white issue as you presented it.

I don't believe my original statement involved any love or sway towards the Rebel. I said they were both hideous which I'm entitled to an opinion just like you. I did state that the Honda is superior. Your opinions on why you prefer the Harely, which are still subjective, still haven't proven that the sportster is a better machine, just the one you prefer.

[Kev m]

I don't believe my original statement involved any love or sway towards the Rebel. I said they were both hideous which I'm entitled to an opinion just like you. I did state that the Honda is superior. Your opinions on why you prefer the Harely, which are still subjective, still haven't proven that the sportster is a better machine, just the one you prefer.

You still aren't grasping that objective measurements mean nothing if they are not on the evaluation list.

What's a better machine?

It's the one that does what THE EVALUATOR WANTS best.

Peak hp means nothing to me therefore it's irrelevant to the evaluation.

Same with lap times.

If the Honda corners better thank the Sportster it means nothing if the Sportster corners as well as I want.

There's been no demonstration that the Honda will last more miles or require fewer repairs so you haven't proved superiority there.

What machine is superior? The one that requires coolant changes, chain oiling, and valve adjustments dozens of times in 100k miles or the one that will only need a belt tension adjustment with each new tire.

Again superiority depends on the qualities (objective or subjective) being compared.

Your statement assumed only the ones YOU cared about.

[Kev m]

I don't believe my original statement involved any love or sway towards the Rebel. I said they were both hideous which I'm entitled to an opinion just like you. I did state that the Honda is superior. Your opinions on why you prefer the Harely, which are still subjective, still haven't proven that the sportster is a better machine, just the one you prefer.

PS nothing I'm saying is meant to suggest you aren't right about which would be much better for YOU.

But you can't apply that to the next guy.

[kingoffleece]

Yep.  I'm with kev here.  If machine purchases were based on lap times, or any other metric, then it may well follow that only one in each segment would be purchased by the informed consumer.  Clearly not the case.

"And what is good, Phaedrus, need we others to tell us these things?"

[Hymes Inc.]

Looking at that stats of competing bikes most tend to agree that the one with better stats is a superior bike. Being a superior bike doesn't equate to superior fun or enjoyment. I never stated that. I never said that my opinion was the Honda is more enjoyable or better to ride. I simply stated it was superior. You assumed my opinion was its better to ride. I have not ridden the Rebel or a Harley sportster newer than 2004, so I wouldn't know. That's why I didn't say it's better to ride. Pretty sure I wouldn't like either.

I also never stated that stats are the only metric to buying a motorcycle. Not sure how you got all of this out of "the Honda is superior "? You assume to much.

My old 82 GS1100E was miles more superior than my V7, but the V7 is more enjoyable to ride.

[DaveJT]

It’s all merely a case of “you doth protest too much”.  Clearly the Honda is the better motorcycle.  It goes without saying.

[LowRyter]

Dave JT, you're cracking me up.   

A good one liner is always better than a paragraph of.........

[Ncdan]

It’s all merely a case of “you doth protest too much”.  Clearly the Honda is the better motorcycle.  It goes without saying.

Better is in a be eyes if the beholder, Dave.
Oh wait, that was beauty:)
Oh well, either applies here👍