I come from the Harley Davidson school of riding, both of my previous bikes being HD's. Jumping back in the saddle after around a 14 year layoff, I started looking again. I first started looking at Harley's. Prices/culture/Chinese influence kind of turned me off. Also, my approach to riding has changed. When I was 21, I got my first street bike, a 1972 Sportster. Most of my friends were riding either Shovels, Pans, and a couple of Knuckles. I'm going back to 1981, so they were all American bikes. My Sporty was considered "small" at that time.
I made the decision to broaden my search to include anything V-Twin including Yams/Honda's/Suzuki's. Alsmost bought a 1999 Intruder 1400, but I felt that the price was way high at $4000.00 including horribly pitted forks. Kept looking and found a guy in March selling my 1987 Savage. Never in a million years would I believe that I would be riding a Thumper, but there was something about it....
Hopped on, and tore up and down his block a few times and instantly grew a $hite eating grin on my face. Bought the bike, got my tags, went back to pick it up. Had to ride 20 miles back on the highway. That grin came back.
I've not had the experience of getting anything but questions, and compliments from all riders I've come in contact with. People seem drawn to it, or maybe they're curious about the $hite eatin grin