i am looking at a bike.  I have ridden the heritage softail and really enjoyed it.The Harley's of yesteryear (AMF years) sucked.  Have they improved?  I was talking to a sales man about Harley's vs. Yamaha.  He laughed and said nothing sells a Harley like peer pressure. Any way, here is what it comes down to...the Heritage Softail Classic or the Yamaha Roadstar Silverado. What is the better bike? As far as reliability, handleing, comfort, the whole shooting match?  Thanks for the input  

I currently own a Roadstar Silverado 06.  She is an awesome bike. I decided on this bike cause I wanted more bang for my buck but if peer pressure is what is concerning you then buy the Harley.  I can take the pressure, I'm a woman!  LOL!  

roadstar vs. heritage

ummmmm. I had the same dilemma in this past January except it was between roadliner 06 vs. the heritage softtail classic 07. I could not make up my mind, so, I posted many questions on many message boards and it all came to this; perfermance,comfort, comradery, and cost. I had the problem deciding between the two bikes, so, I bought both. I noticed that I get more looks and respect from other bikers with the heritage than with the roadliner. The comradery that you get with heritage is pretty awesome. I live Hollister Ca where there is a big bike rally every  year. There is 30 thousand bikers show up every  year!!! If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought a use Harley and still purchase  both. It’s nice to have a choice. Thank you kiddokie; Jon  

A Kawasaki Nomad.  

Just thought I would drop in and say that I own a 07 Heritage and have put 4500 flawless miles on her so far. My only problem is I keep adding chrome to it! Harleys are very reliable and the new 96 inch motor and six speed make riding vibration free. I did put rush slip ons and have had it race tuned with stage 1 air cleaner and it sounds nice and has increased the HP to 82 up from 62 stock. My advice is test drive them both a buy what makes you happy.  

Better Bike- I think you can not go wrong w/ either bike.Most of my friends tend to lean the Harley route,yet some of us stay metric.The metric bikes are so much better these days than several years ago.You get a lot of bike for your $$ and almost no mechanical problems,and low maintanence.If you wrench on your own bikes -take your pick,but if $$ can be an issue,the Harley shop w/ charge you big for the up keep.If you go HOG, watch out for cam chain tentioner wear- that's not covered and has been a real heart ach -     Jimmy U  

Unless you have to have the HD name, buy the Road Star. It's more bike fore less money. I had a 2001 Road Star for 75,000 trouble free miles. Sold it to a friend and it's still running great at 92,000! All it's ever needed was oil, plugs and tires!  

I would suggest looking into the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 LT as it offers roomier ergonomics as well as a heck of a lot more power than either of those two bikes. In fact, you can find them discounted at some dealerships.

Thanks to the restrictive EPA standards, all motorcycles are running too lean which has a greater impact on the air-cooled motorcycles than the liquid-cooled variants.  

I had a choice between a Harley or a Roadstar, I heard so many negatives on Harley reliability it made my decision easy also with the money I saved I was able to trick out my bike. when I ride my bike no one can tell if its a harley or Roadstar all they see is a Bitchin bike.
also I can cruise at 85 Mph without breaking a sweat, try that with a harley.  

[italic]I had a choice between a Harley or a Roadstar, I heard so many negatives on Harley reliability it made my decision easy also with the money I saved I was able to trick out my bike. when I ride my bike no one can tell if its a harley or Roadstar all they see is a Bitchin bike.
also I can cruise at 85 Mph without breaking a sweat, try that with a harley. [/italic]  

I have a 05 Roadstar 1700 and I love it, I could not see paying way more money just for a name, it does not make sense, the Roadstar has more engine for the money too, I do not have an image to keep up, I love the Harleys but not the prices and besides I hear about the problems they are having with the bikes, I turn heads wherever I go with mine. The Roadstar Engine is Bulletproof I hear and She Runs. There are some on Ebay now with good prices and low miles, compare the two bikes and you will see, It is your decision, I love my Roadstar and besides that she is paid for.  

Get the Harley you'll never be sorry. Great Motorcycles anyone who says other wise has not ridden or owned one. I have owned metric bikes that would compare to any Harley I have owned. What ever model you get it won't be a clone.-DW