You don't HAVE to be a part of that 'my poop don't stink' lifestyle if you own a Harley. Be a REAL rebel, break the mold! You also don't HAVE to buy the T-Shirts! Shame that a 'biker' would tease another biker for his injuries... that just seems like really, really, really bad luck to me.
I rode a 110ci glide too. Was a good bike! No comment on power I'm not much of a power hungry / speed hungry guy I just like to cruise on a comfortable bike! I liked it, but, I didn't like it enough to justify the price and, more importantly, I didn't like it more than other cheaper V-Twin tourers I've ridden. But I certainly can understand why others would spend the extra. They are very good bikes made by an American company!
Personally, I don't think there are any truly bad motorcycles out, nor do I think any one brand is more or less of a motorcycle than any other brand. There are some I would love to own and some I'd never own for one reason or another. I like all motorcycles, and scooters, too for that matter. Some just don't fit my style and preference of riding.
Yup, you got it! I loved that Road King, I really did. It had many 'ups' on the 900. It also had some disadvantages. It was a really 'sit on' not 'in' top heavy kind of bike. But, it had good power, was smooth, and was geared to just about idle in any situation. Brakes were fantastic.
I think the same thing happened to both of us, the reason I was disappointed in the electra glide I rode, and he was so impressed with my 900 LT. The Harley community is no doubt the loudest, and if you've ever even been around motorcycles, you've heard that Harleys are the hands down best bikes in the world. They are flawless in every way, will last forever, and are the absolute perfect ride. Also, you hear that metrics are cheap knock offs, K-Mart Harley's, are junk, unreliable, etc. So I jump on something that everyone tells me is incredible and I find just another motorcycle, nothing really special about it. Mr. Harley jumps on a metric, and finds out, it's just another motorcycle, which compared to what he's heard, is pretty stinking impressive!
These days, manufacturing technology and computers mean they are all solid, well built machines. They may skimp in some areas for cost (plastic chrome, not including certain features, etc.). But I don't think ANY maintstream motorcycle model these days builds an unreliable or cheap bike (Harley, Honda, Kawasaki, Victory, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, etc.) The difference is price, features, styling, and rideability. There are advantages and disadvantages to everything. If you really want a Harley because of the looks, go for it if that's how you wanna spend your money! I wouldn't buy a hot pink motorcycle with pinwheels bolted to it, so it's hard for me to say 'buying a motorcycle based on looks is stupid'.
I have yet to find a motorcycle I did not enjoy riding. Even my wifes little 750 shadow that I was cramped on was fun. I rode some motorcycles I don't think I would buy... but I've never ridden one I didn't enjoy riding. Just get what you like!
Who knows, I may have a Harley one day. Right now, they don't have anything on the line that excites me but maybe one day. One things for sure... my next bike will be bought just like this one. Not with brand preferences or pre-conceived notions, but by researching, reading reviews, sitting on them, test riding them, and finally deciding on one! (Though that probably won't be for a while. When I bought my 900 'they' said it was gonna be too small for the touring I do. Hasn't felt small yet!)