In the past 9 years I have had 11 bikes- never a HD. I have never ridden a Harley nor do I really have a desire to. My reasoning, albeit childish, is the attitude of 90% of Harley riders I've come across in Florida.
My experience on my bikes:
98 Yamaha Vstar750- first bike. Most cruisers waived. Sport bikes wither waived or flicked you off 50/50
First time every hearing the term "Jap-Bike"- usually the unsolicited opinion of a harley rider
80 Suzi GS550L- Strangely alot of Harley riders told me they used to have one, then told me how I should put the stock seat and rear fairing on and how the clubman handlebars were a waste of money. Waved at pretty much universally and although the paint was sihtty and bike rarely ran right- the cafe thing seemed to be universally accepted by everyone except the "harley-ist" of riders and a small group of Norton and Triumph die hards.
98 Suzi SRAD GSXR- obnoxiously loud and stupid fast- only real interaction with other riders was other sportbike riders trying to race. Had a hot start issue and was left by the road several times being passed by all sorts of riders who looked the other way.
85 Honda VF750- didnt have it long enough- totalled it about 3 months after work was finished on it.
00 Kawi ZX6- bought as wrecked basket case and left to rot in the yard- put together in a single weekend after wrecking my VF750. Strangely it turned out really cool- had a steampunk look to it and everyone always gathered around it at gas stations and events. Not as many waives but more looks than any other bike that Ive had.
94 Honda Shadow ACE- least favorite bike- worst reception. Ugly teal and white- wanna be harley- mustang seat with tassles, tons of chrome including an airbox cover with an eagle and "born to Ride" etched in it. Bought it cheap and sold it fast.
85 Suzi GS700E- nobody liked this bike and I have no idea why. It was in pristine condition and a prime example of the era's transitioning- but nobody liked the damn thing. I ended up being forced to part with it after I lost my job. Few waves- no real interest negative or positive.
97 Suzi Katana- bought on a budget and streetfightered quick- good sportbike reception. Waves, talks- nobody believed it was a Katana. Harley and cruisers alike- no waives.
85 VMax- best reception albeit the most obnoxious one. Everyone and their dog wants to stop and talk about it. Harley riders waive more often than not, sport bike riders waive almost always.
Point is no matter what you ride someone somewhere likes it and someone somewhere hates it and everything it stands for. My boss is a harley guy (has a 77 sportster, brand new electra glide and a springer) and I hear daily about how Harleys are the original American bikes, the best riding and funnest bikes to own yada yada yada. He says you have to ride one and youll never ride anything else again.
Im not taking any chances.
Just my 2cents
(others are an 87 rebel and a 70 gs700- both never saw the road)