I have a FLHRC and a BMW RT. I have had at least one of about every other Japanese brand and multiples of some brands like Honda.
Why do I own the two bikes I have? They fill a purpose: touring & sport touring with both being 44 mile daily round trip commuters much of the year. I stick with these two for now because HD and BMW are a bit unique in that parts are rarely obsoleted out and if you can actually turn a wrench, you can keep them running forever. As an example, one of my more recent bikes - a Suzuki DL1000 VStrom - had obsolete parts at only 8 years old. That is BS, throwaway-society garbage. I'm not interested in searching Ebay for NOS parts for a bike that I may ride cross-country.
Why do HD riders suffer the brunt of ribbing from non-HD riders? I have a theory... remember that first bike you owned? It was exhilarating. You were proud. You felt free! And then, you walked into a gas station to grab a soda. The old, toothless clerk noticed riding clothes. Here comes the question: "Oh?! Do you have a Harley?" You proudly and innocently answer - if it is the first time you've gotten the question - "No, I have a ___________." The immediate response from the non-riding, non-experienced clerk is a sad, "Oh... should have bought a Harley." That kills the enthusiasm and so many then feel the need to justify their decision. After you've heard the question and crestfallen response from a person who knows nothing about bikes anyway, it gets old.
So, two camps begin to emerge: those who eventually bought a HD later and those who didn't. If you bought a HD later then I applaud you if the reason was because it was the best suited machine for your purpose. If you bought it for Village Pantry cred, to only wear HD branded gear and pose as a "real biker," then that person bought a lifestyle/image - not a bike. One sees the same thing with Apple, Duluth Trading, and... BMW GS / Other Adventure Bike riders who never leave pavement. The person bought an image. Starbucks and the GS is a constant meme and I weary of memes. I like to ride.
For those that experienced that same convenient-store/stranger response and never bought a HD, then there exists a tendency to be catty about how their bike choice is "just as good or better" than HD. The ribbing begins. The ribbing is actually pretty easy since so many folks DO buy HD just to dress the pirate-part, brand every vehicle and piece of clothing with HD and do the Harley Owner Group slow-mo parades. Again you can replace HD with Adventure bikes and end up with the same costumes/branding/image-buy-in. The same thing occurs with the self-justification speeches of scooter riders and those with scooter-levels of HP/Torque: "nothing is needed beyond 500cc and 50 hp."
I love my Road King. It is a great touring bike with a classic style but with modern ABS/Fuel Injection/Electronic Ignition & Fuel Management/Cruise Control. It has huge aftermarket support and OEM parts support. I was also considering a Triumph T120 & BMW RNineT at the time. I bought the Road King in spite of and not because of the HD Rider community, branding, and HOG groups. The bike just ticked the boxes. Next bike will be a Indian FTR, BMW RNineT or Triumph Speed Twin.
Buying a bike is both parts emotional and practical in the decision making process. The ribbing can go too far since the subject is emotional for so many. I intentionally don't rib those that buy goofy-looking asian cruiseresque/chopperesque bikes that parrots HD and look like they came out of a cartoon. I love 80s standard and sport Japanese bikes. The 80s (and often later) cruiser Japanese bikes were not to my taste. I did have a2nd Genedit: 3rd Gen V-4 Magna but that was more like a Ducati Monster than an attempt to look like something else for the sake of parroting an image.
The most unkind group I've seen is the BMW MOA members who seem to HATE anything HD for - in my opinion - the reasons stated above. They - in turn - are most like HD image folks for their brand allegiance and elitism with so many (GS) who never leave pavement. The BMW Airhead guys - on the other hand - are fantastic.
My best friend and riding partner grew up in Oconowomoc, WI. His Dad owned a HD dealership, They were a shop race sponsor of Willie G's son. This same friend owns three HD, a BMW and is looking at a Triumph Scrambler XE for the next bike.
Ride what ya like - it is your passion, I hope. Remember it is likely the other guy's passion as well and don't crap on his/her enthusiasm.
/Rant
Seems you left your humor in the top drawer this morning, see if you can wear it tomorrow.
Im a buy American guy when possible. Europeans build some fine motorcycles, as a kid I owned a Triump 650 Tiger and a Norton 850 Commando.But for me since 1976 its been Milwaukee Iron.
Not a Harley tee shirt or or overwhelming HD gear man. I own two Harley sliding jackets and thats about it for Harley Branded gear.
They were both gifts from my girl.
I dont belong to HOG or Eagle Riders either.
I'm an FX rider, I own a few old ones also.
Not a fan of heated grips and seats, cruise control, windshields or Fosgate stereos.
Its not my idea of riding a motorcycle.
If you knew me, you can catch me in the pits of the vintage flat track races and we can bust the balls of the airplane sounding import guys.