The Triumph Rocket III, at 2300 cc, is now the gruntiest and biggest production bike currently on the market putting it 300cc above the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000.

And that’s not to mention the price. At appox $25k new it far surpasses any Harley for the price and leaves you with money to spare for accessories.

The TR3 is a muscle bike with monster torque and despite being classed as a tourer/cruiser, its been know to drag off some of the quickest sport bikes – but it really has nothing to prove in the sport class. It has enough torque to burn the road in the passing lane even in fifth gear.

And with the development of the TR3, and the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000, and many others in the 1500-2k+ class, Harley is a long way from catching up.

Buy a Harley for the name. Buy anything else for the power.

If you stick with the best of the top 3, you’ll have no major issues. Hondas, New Harleys, and BMWs (a guy won 1 million miles riden on 1 BMW bike).

Honda

I would say Harley-Davidson.It’s been around longer.I had my first,back in the 70’s.What a mess,Had more oil in the garage floor and problems.Than brought the other brands Honda was and still is a good ride had plenty of them.Good ride and very little trouble.Brought my second Harley in 02 than in 05 brought my Heritage.Will not trade for any other brand,at this time,Maybe some other time but not now.

Victory.

there all good bikes except for Harley which is a throw back of 1960 technology and style that has been vastly surpassed in horsepower, engine size, technology, torque, liquid cooled, you name it. hell I’d take a new hyosong motorcycle before i drove a under powered machine that is known to break down like the Harley. there are jap dirt bikes that have as much horsepower as a Harley. or for half the price you can buy a real jap cruiser that drives like it has a pair.

The best mass production cruisers are Harleys. The Japanese have been trying to copy Harley’s style, sound, etc. for years but they’re just imitations. Harley’s are the best in style, comfort, sound, resale value, etc. If you’re going to get a cruiser check all the brands out for yourself and don’t rule out a Harley just because they cost more than others. If you can’t afford a new Harley, there are good used Harleys out there that are somewhat lower in price but still good bikes. I use to ride Jap bikes including a Jap cruiser, but once I rode a Harley I was hooked and will now only ride Harleys.

All of your major manufacturers have good products (Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Harley, Victory,). It all depends on your choice, what you want to spend, engine size, etc. I got a 07 Yamaha 650 V-Star Silverado. I absolutely love it. When I decide to upgrade, I will probably stay with Yamaha (now called Star Motorcycles). The only reason is because I am very happy with what I currently ride. Right now, Harley is my least favorite brand, simply because of the way some Harley owners act. I really do not understand why some look down on other brands, just because they are not Harley. And don’t give me the not supporting the USA crud, either. When My Star was uncrated, the crate stated Manufactured in Kentucky, so I guess I supported the employee who works in Kentucky. Last I checked, most of them Kentucky boys were good all American boys. My bike rides the open road just like the rest. Any ways, enough of my preaching. Make sure you get exactly what you want, because some of my riding buddies simply do not like their bikes, and do not make good riding companions.

It’s all a preference, style, performance, sound, ride, etc. Personally I prefer a Harley. I’m into the old fashion sound of a V-twin. You just can’t get that from the other makers. I got a neighbor who had a 1800 Honda and tried drilling out the pipes and to me it just sounded sick. No pop in it. But to each his own I guess? And for reliability, well, their all about the same anymore. Like anything else, if you keep up the maintenance and change the oil regular, things will last you a long time.

The 4 major Japanese bikes are good and believe it or not BMW makes a couple of nice cruiser styles.