I have matured as a rider, and no longer feel the need to bash the Harleys... heck, everyone does.
As a reminder, as my profession is a marketer, I have high regard for The Motor Company's branding success, and promoting not only their mechanical products, but the entire "lifestyle" concept, for that is what it is.
Now having said that, and I have here in times past as well, I've never had any interest in owning one. Not one. Not ever.
My cousin had a 19-something 25th anniversary edition Electra Glide when I was a teen, and he let me ride it. Nothing memorable about it, in the least.
In my perception - and perception IS reality - they are overpriced, underperforming motors for what they are, and what they cost. And I don't need a "hot rod" any more, and may never buy another sport bike, but yet won't rule that out, either.
Perhaps it's the outlaw crowd, even though they're the fringe, perhaps it's the fact that cruiser riders in general are the least skilled I've ever witnessed, or maybe it's those who insist on installing the loudest and most obnoxious noise-makers on their engines, and then commence to revving the snot out of them at stoplights and scaring little kids, and causing resentment toward us all by non-riders. Then they justify their idiocy by lying to us with that tired, old, "loud pipes save lives" bull crap.
Still and all, in the end, I don't judge them as I used to.
And heck -- Larry could ride a 1973 3.5hp yellow Sears minbike, and he would still have my respect.
His personal Harley does actually look pretty good, as an aside.