I'm not a hater of the HD or its riders as, a rule. One of the people I most admire is a HD purist. (I asked him about his switch to Ape Hangers on his Sporty. His reason was simple. A more comfortable ride for him, so to each his own. Not for me though.)
But I do agree with tooseevee, Scottie, hillntx, ghg, and others about the disgusting mystique that has developed due to the marketing hype for a less than A+ quality bike and the sheer stupidity of those that buy into it for the wrong reasons. No different than the Hummer craze. These people (Bummers and Riders)
do piss me off because everything is so obviously about image and $$$.
Their image and $$$. They're not into it for the ride, but the need to be seen on the most expensive contraption they can find, even if all they do is take it to the WalMart parking lot and look like they're making a commercial getting there. The whole Logos and Bandanas thing is a real turn off to me. I will not even talk to them.
As for the bikes, I really do like the looks of the Sporty, but even the 883 is just too heavy and vibrates too much for me. The new 500/750s look great too, but I'd have to test ride one before deciding one way or another.
The big ones just remind me of up-graded 1955 Buicks (same for the Indian). No apologies from me there. They just do not appeal to me, cuz I've always leaned toward the somewhat different. Prolly the closest other one out there I'm interested in is the Suz Intruder 800. I like the looks, but haven't ridden one yet.
The more I think about it, the more my next one will be a RE. When they do show up on CL the prices ain't bad.