Having recently unearthed some invaluable insights from a variety of expert sources, I feel compelled to confess a mistake of judgement on my part. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say I spoke from ignorance. Though I have 30 years in the saddle of a number of moto monikers, and countless hours in tinkering with my bikes (much like a kid with his lego sets), I do NOT have a mechanical training nor the hours repairing a broad variety of machines born from numerous manufacturers around the globe. Deciding I'd settle the debate once and for all, I went around (over the past few months) and asked a handful of motorcycle mechanics whom I know with a diversity of experience and at least 3 decades each in the trade: "If you could have only one machine, that you could just jump-on and ride, with zero maintenance, wake up each day and just go...what would it be?". I felt certain it would be a Japanese make, or German, but I did not expect to hear the answer I got. And I have to say I'm so surprised by the common response that I just have to share it even though it embarrasses me to do so."Harley Davidson Dyna Glide. Inexpensive. No valve adjustments, hydraulic lifters, strong as an ox, gas-up and go, ride it a 100,000 miles and throw it away (personally I'd try and sell it, but I need to be loyal to the quote)." There is one proviso however, that you buy it new and keep it absolutely stock. Change virtually anything other than the seat and mirrors and that'll half it's life expectancy each time...which is why most HD owners experience a mini-series of problems almost right from the showroom floor. Most buyers "personalize" their rides before they even turn the key, and apparently THAT'S the mistake. So there you have it. I apologize, I was wrong, I'm humbled, and admittedly I'm looking at our homespun heirloom brand with renewed fervor. Hmmm.
