My Harley Alternative

Lately, when we have to choose between the Harley and the Ridgeline, the Ridgeline wins. I have no explanation...

And I am sure we all understand completely how you feel.

Looks great. I like the grill. My Ridgeline the same look (black, side boards, fog lights, chrome wheeels) but with the original grill. Yours is better.

I need one of them ROC stickers. :cool:Good to see another RL going rackless. ;)

your truck looks very very nice. I though I wanted red but now you make me want black. ;)

Sharp ride there U-H.
Drive it in good health

Very nice looking vehicle - and more practical than a Harley. Good luck with it.

I need one of them ROC stickers. :cool:

Ditto that.

Nice
Stupid question, are those Honda Rims?
Anyone have a picture of a Blue Ridge with chrome or after market Rims?

Hog,
Where did you get the ROC window sticker? I have been watching the site for info on where to get one but it only says "coming soon".

Thanks for the kind words.

Yes, the wheels are the Honda chrome wheels. I like them a lot. They are very high quality wheels, not cheap (no kidding!) knock offs.
The "window sticker" is actually a prototype that I was playing with when I was considering having some made. I have a friend in the sign business that can make them out of a suitable vinyl material. I seem to recall that Ladyridge may be able to have stickers made as well. I was planning to have some made and give them away to ROC members that sent a postage paid envelope in order to promote this site and the Ridgeline. What you see in the picture is actually a copy (from the top of this page), cut (with scissors), and paste (with scotch tape) mock-up of what I was playing around with. As you can see from the photo, it started to rain just as I took the last picture. The paper sample did not last more than a few more minutes. Before I went any further, I contacted T Mac and asked about copyright issues and asked for permission to continue. He said that there was a sticker that was being worked on and that it should be available soon. I dropped my project at that point. I don't want to interfere or rain on someone elses parade. The bottom line is, I want one too!

It's summer here in sunny Southern California, and so far, my bikes have won. I've had the Ridgeline for almost four weeks, I have 350 miles on it now. In the meantime, I've put 2,000 miles on the bikes. Tomorrow, I am going shopping for another bike!

Nothing wrong with the Ridgeline mind you. I love it, but I can't compare a sunset cruise on a bike to the same drive in my Ridgeline. I like the feel of the wind rushing around me.

I hear ya. Given the choice, the Ridgeline would sit.

I was at a graduation party on Saturday, and my good friend's brother threw me the keys to his $22K 95" special edition Road King. I took it for a nice putt along the lake. It was GREAT to be back in the wind again, if only for a moment.

Once the weather starts to cooperate and the novelty of the new Ridgeline simmers down a bit I am sure that things will return to normal. We got a chance to take a ride on the bike yesterday afternoon so we did. Had a great ride and saw lots of other bikes, but have yet to see a second Ridgeline since spotting our first one last month.

HOG
Wow looks very close to mine, but I sure like your wheels better, chrome must be in your blood. I perfer no roof rack, kinda like no required helmet. Let me take a stab in the dark. You ride a Black Ultra-Classic, maybe a 2003 Anniversary Edition...How close was I?

Ya know Since I got the Ridgeline, I opted for the Ridgeline over the bike, too....Maybe those 90 degree days with the 70% humidity has something to do with it?..I still have put over 4000 on the dresser this year, so far. They both are now competing for my available time. Nice truck! :cool:

I had a 2000 Luxury Rich Red & Black Ultra but was forced to trade it in due to an electrical problem that could not be located or repaired. The master circuit breaker would trip very intermittently for no apparent reason leaving us with no lights, no ignition, nothing at all. Nearly got us killed more than once. Harley Davidson issued a TSB two weeks after we traded it in and would not do anything for us. I came very close to jumping ship and buying a different brand. All that was available at the time of the trade was a 2002 Sun Glow Jade Ultra (Green, sometimes blue, sometimes black, depending on the angle of the sun). Last year PA passed a no helmet required law but I will not ride without one. Thats my choice. We have been down a few times and fortunately walked away with destroyed helmets and torn up jackets and pants. I have seen too many people die or get severely injured in similar crashes.

Sadly, I have been very busy with many different things this summer and my riding time is at an all time low. I hope to make up some lost seat time later in the summer.

What do you ride?

Similar to people who resemble their dogs....I have a Black Ridgeline, so it sorta matches my Black 2003 Anniversary Ultra-Classic. The dresser is pretty much Chromed and Accessoried out. The bike cost, once accessorized now falls a few clicks short of what I paid for the Ridge. Amazing how chrome and parts can add up. So if people don't think they are getting alot of vehicle with the Ridgeline, take a look at a Harley. BTW Harleys have XM and Nav this year, so you can will resemble your Ridge. :) Whoever said bigger boys have bigger toys was right on the money.

Now I get my chance for accessorize the Ridge. I do enjoy building these up. You have to start with a good base. The Harley and Ridgeline surely fit that need. I can truely say that this vehicle has me more excited than any of the mustle cars I have owned in the past. It will be a great journey.
The people on these forums are fantastic at sharing what works, and what doesn't. How it looks with your paint and where they had problems adding it. This is invaluable to someone like me. Thanks all for sharing!

We differ on helmets, don't wear on one the Bike, or will I in the Ridge. But, there centainly is nothing wrong with wearing a helmet. The Ridge is forcing me to wear a seatbelt all the time, so us old guys can change their habits..Thanks Honda. Maybe soon Harley will make you wear a helmet before you can ride.....NOT. :eek:
Have fun people, life is very short

How can you even think of flying my flag over an import?

What flag? What import??

:) Painful to you as it may be, I felt compelled to help those of you who may still be considering continued citizenship rather than mere residency of this United States of America. While it may seem to you overly sensitive types that I'm simply bashing a foreign product let me assure you that absolutely nothing could be further from the truth. let me set the record straight. I am a 21 year Navy veteran and I loved my time serving alongside the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Forces. Working with them and living amongst their countrymen are among the highlights of my Naval career. It's important to note that with the exception of Submarines and recently indigenously produced combat aircraft...The Japanese Self Defence forces will not purchase any military related products (nor will they work on the same side during war games) of any other country on the face of the earth! There have been many occasions where ranking Japanese officers informed me that it was not out of some misplaced sense of fair-play nor was it subservient in nature...It was quite simply the fact that the ships, aircraft and combat vehicles we here in the United States manufacture are light years ahead of anything else on the planet and they only provide the very best for their people....Think about that...They buy American products because they're superior in quality to anything their own industry or that or the Europeans....And I bet you didn't bother driving an Avalanche (real Truck) before you bought that over blown toy! Now on to my most (recent) favorite subject
The knockoff Honda parlayed on the unsuspecting public in the form of a truck falls short in far too many ways. When compared to the Ridgeline the Avalanche is king and if you haven't taken the opportunity to get into one at the GM discount price; then you are a person who never admits a mistake, believes anything he reads, trusts that anything imported into this country is a superior product (Oh and by the way...While the foreign auto makers assembling vehicles on our soil do employ many people in what would otherwise be impoverished, remote areas of the USA; it's important to see why and gauge the overall impact to the very economy that you enjoy - These foreign manufacturers import almost all the parts and send home more than 80% of the profits. Ask yourself if keeping up with the Jones' today is important enough for you to know that your children probably won't know anything other than a minimum wage job with no choice of their being an independent home-owner...and it falls at your feet!
Too late for you now, but I ask you to actually think before you buy next time. If your answer is like so many of those residents of my country and you feel the need to be duped into remaining blissfully ignorant, of being called a cash cow overseas by the very people you rave about...well then you can be led around by the nose and must like driving a small wannabe.
Like it or not, what you have is absolutely not a Truck...with it's limited cargo capacity (5' bed), the Ridgeline is more apt to be compared with our little, light duty Colorado Crew. Honda's additional compartment is unique and I'm sure is a welcome bin for loose items, but I don't quite see any huge breakthrough in functionality. I too have to wonder why innovative Honda didn't fit Ridgeline with a "midgate," so that the cargo area could be extended into the rear part of the cab. As it is, there's only got five feet of bed there....yea, yea there is an optional bed extender available, but it only adds a foot so we're still well short of the eight(+) feet offered by the Avalanche with its midgate folded. I know, I know the Avalanche is overall a longer vehicle but hey, the big difference/advantage is in the midgate. Even stranger is the Ridgeline's lack of a folding front passenger seat. At General Motors we have them in most of our smaller cars and SUVs. Stop the presses...Does that equate to much over-rated Honda motor company's being among the last to adopt a highly functional innovation? With the Ridgeline's very limited ability to carry long cargo, I find it ludicrous to own or even brag about living on our shores...
If you must drive a Honda then do so over another Honda product, I suppose you can claim some additional cargo volume, with the Ridgeline being a foot-and-a-half longer than Pilot. But after factoring in the Ridgeline's space-robbing rear cab wall, what you have left is quite simply a cargo area that can easier to hose out than a Pilot's.
Far too many reviews have been written inappropriately comparing Honda's Ridgeline with our Avalanche and while the Ridgeline may appear to rival full-size trucks in width; and width affects perceived size as much, if not more than length...it's no wonder that you've been duped into buying a forgery. My surely unwanted but sage advice is to quietly admit the error of your ways and go get yourself a real Truck (Silverado or Avalanche) as soon as you can...Before the GM employee discount offer with rebates expires. :)

Why are you here? Lonesome? Friends at the GM dealership getting there POC repaired? I usually try to be tolerant but you are testing my patience. I don't buy GM because they are built by people with your mentality and I couldn't care less where or when you served. Your flag? :mad: Wrap yourself in it and go away. I have owned most brands and a GM, especially a Colorado, isn't fit to be mentioned in the same conversation with my RL. :rolleyes: Trying to sell cars based on patriotism is really an act of desperation. Is that the new GM tactic, or just your misguided loyalty? If you can't sell them at a loss, try something else. Sorry for the rant folks, this is for Draconian.

Maybe the way that I phrased question was too confusing. In this thread, what flag do you see flying over what import?

No, I am not going to take the bait. You, too, have the right to your opinion. You earned it. Thank you for your service. I hope that you enjoy the truck that you chose and I hope that it serves you well.

Well I guess I took the bait, huh, UH.? Guess what? No regrets. I take exception to anyone questioning my patriotism. :mad:

Hey Arteegee

Are you implying that an open dialogue and exchange of facts...Of looking at your purchases objectively is wrong? I have been and will continue to be a Professional in whatever endeavor I find myself...You obviously have yet to be able to say the same thing. I only respond as you are in error on virtually every point attempted, however feeble the attempt. :)

"Why are you here?" Because I can be - Honestly? I was mistakenly directed here by a link and felt it important to attempt some form of communication. "Lonesome?" Not now...I have you for a new fan! "Friends at the GM dealership getting there POC repaired?" I work at a GM Dealership by choice and the only POC autos I deal with are the unmaintained, flood of import owners such as yourself trading in their Hondas, Toyotas and such...Overall they (imports) can be good cars and you or anyone else would need to conduct an extensive search to find a POC in manufacture today! "I usually try to be tolerant but you are testing my patience." You sir can't even begin to demonstrate patience nor an original thought. "I don't buy GM because they are built by people with your mentality and I couldn't care less where or when you served." You are so miserably wrong...There is now a better than 65% interchangeability between foreign and domestic manufacturers of much needed auto related parts so the "mentality" thing is common ground with you Honda...Be careful attempting insult as you may upset a vendor for your RL and Gosh...I suppose that I served my nation out of the same misplaced loyalty...In any event I didn't serve my country for you or the lifestyle you flaunt anyway so please do not comment on that you know not or care not for. "Your flag?" Absolutely shipmate! and it probably was once yours...What happened?...Why do you further torment yourself over this issue?...If you lack the funds I can provide the 1-way ticket overseas that you seek...Let me know. " Wrap yourself in it and go away." Like it or not you chose poorly and your insults/trading barbs provide only temporary relief so stick to the facts. "I have owned most brands and a GM, especially a Colorado, isn't fit to be mentioned in the same conversation with my RL." Wrong again...You do have a habit of that...I seriously doubt you ever drove a Colorado and yes it is the only reasonable comparator to your RL. "Trying to sell cars based on patriotism is really an act of desperation. Is that the new GM tactic, or just your misguided loyalty?" You are not adept at suggestion - give it up....I sell Chevrolet by choice, coincident with that yes, I am patriotic...You would do well not to confuse the two. "If you can't sell them at a loss, try something else." The auto market is competive to be sure and GM's profits will take a hit but I agree with their tactics...You see, over the past 3 months of the employee discount to the public we've converted almost 10% of the import buying public nationwide to GM products. The quality issues you imply from your alleged past GM ownership are a thing of the past and like the ostracized kid (whom you most likely ignored and maybe even bullied as a child) needs to increase their public exposure...If as you say it's "sell them at a loss" to get that part of American public to even visit then absolutely yes, I personally have knowingly taken a rather substantial pay-cut (Altruistic to be sure but my whole life has been in service so why not) and we are getting the word out to previously unreachable individuals such as yourself. "Sorry for the rant folks," this is for Arteegee.

Maybe the way that I phrased question was too confusing. In this thread, what flag do you see flying over what import?

:) "The only confusion I have is that you would or could even ask!
Shipmate you are flying A US flag as an Avatar on a site that promotes an automobile of foreign manufacture!...Do you really find the two compatible? As if it needed explanation - That is what I questioned.

No, I am not going to take the bait. You, too, have the right to your opinion. You earned it. Thank you for your service. I hope that you enjoy the truck that you chose and I hope that it serves you well.

Sadly I don't drive a truck anymore...College tuition, room & board put that aside for awhile...Last one I drove was a 1963 Ford Regular cab at NAS Whidbey Island WA...I drive an old van that I bought new in Great Britain in 94' and our family car is an 03' Impala. Thanks for your kind, soft spoken commentary on my past service...I only brought that up to answer the question (unasked) of what I was doing in Japan.

Wow! "Draconian" is an appropriate name.

Whistling past the graveyyard, Drac? If GM goes under, I say good riddance. If you can't build a competitive product, too bad. Driven an I-5 crew Canyon and several Silverados and wouldn't have one at half the RL price. I certainly don't question others' choice to buy them. This truck seems to touch a nerve with folks good or bad and I like that. Unfortunately the bad seems to be people with an agenda. Talk about questioning your purchase. You know nothing about me and let's keep it that way. And who asked what you were doing in Japan?

:o Yeah, guilty as charged...or so my wife tells me. In the interest of increasing my new vehicle knowledge can anyone give me some ideas on why each of you chose the Ridgeline over the competition? Since I am here and I've opened my keyboard to you all I am interested...Thanks in advance.

Drac? You sir will live a life of abbreviation if that's all your about! Mercy rule inforce = Artegee is being ignored as an unarmed opponent.

That is the 1 thing we have in common. Ignore function enabled.

Oh, my! What a sad, bitter little troll. Almost like the Maytag repairman (minus a likeable personality, of course). I'd almost be tempted to feel sorry for him, if he weren't so self-righteous and obnoxious.
Wonder if he is astute enough to eventually figure out just how darn silly his rhetoric sounds to a group of happy Ridgeline owners :p Would imagine this "guilt-trip" sales approach is doing him about as much benefit as the employee pricing ripoff, er, rebate.:D

ok, Drac, let me be the first to call you an A**H**E. I served in the USAF for 22 years, retired E8, the backbone of the military. Used to drum people like you out of the AF. I guess being in the USN, you managed to stay "under cover NUT"!! :D

ok, Drac, let me be the first to call you an A**H**E. I served in the USAF for 22 years, retired E8, the backbone of the military. Used to drum people like you out of the AF. I guess being in the USN, you managed to stay "under cover NUT"!! :D

Thanks for saying this Tex's Ridge; I sure was thinking it. USAF would never put up with this guy. I suspect he was in the Navy 'cause no one else would have him! Even so, I'm surprised he didn't end up "accidently" overboard!

I have been thinking about this guy and I can't help but have some doubts about weather he actually was in the Navy. The reason is that every veteran that I have met has a great deal more respect for others and a lot more maturity than he does. I am not accusing him of lying about his service, his obvious lack of respect for others, especially his elders, and his glaring lack of maturity bring makes his statement about serving in the Navy somewhat questionable. I do not intend this to be a personal attack, just an observation. It is not about the difference of opinion, it is about the attitude, demeanor, and the delivery of his opinions that sets him so far apart from the others. Apparently he has a lot of time on his hands with nothing better to do than try to stir up trouble. My guess is that he considers it entertaining and funny. That makes for a pretty shallow and sad existence. That being said, I think that the best way to deal with him is to not deal with him. Arghh matey! Off to the ignore list with ya!

Sounded like the 16 year-old kid of a Chevy salesman who ain't gonna get a new car due to them freakin' Honda buyers. :p A Z06 if daddy owns the store.

:) Last post...I know you're happy with that!
UltraHog - You write as though you were very keen on exercising personal rights and yet your latest posting says otherwise. Yeah, you have a right to say, do, or buy anything you want in this country and I honestly hope that you enjoy your vehicle. Do not however lean on the seniors bit for comfort nor demand anything other than my contempt for the audacity of flying the US flag as an avatar on a site such as this...I and many of my fellow countrymen find it distasteful and bordering on a treasonous act. I'm not a monster but I'll always let you know when you erred.
Lastly for each of you AF veterans who saw fit to use foul language and hurl insults on an open forum - It is you who need to grow up and admit your failures...For the AF veteran of 22 yrs - Look in the mirror my friend - Your comments paint a self portrait.

See you all on the highway! I'm the guy driving the domestic product in the lane ahead of you at the posted speed limit so if you are the type of unsafe driver that I encounter everyday hear this - Regardless of how close you get to my bumper, I'll not through any inaction enable another to violate a written law so back-off.

Yawn. :rolleyes:

Better sell my Jeep, now that it's owned by ze Germans. :D
Can't by anything from RCA, as that's owned by the French.

Message to everyone in Europe - stop buying Fords, Vauxhalls, Opels, Aston Martins, Land Rovers and Rolls Royce, and while you're at it, Coke Cola, Levi Jeans, rock'n'roll music and computers with Intel or AMD chips. Hey, let's only buy the things that are made in our own countries. Phew, the Scottish Haggis industry was in danger there for a minute. Glad I saved it. Am I missing anything, other than my sanity.

Isn't most NBA and NFL mechandise made in Malaysia or somewhere? Now there's patriotic. Heck, soon Smith and Wesson may outsource, then where y'all be? yuck yuck.

Edit - I forgot to mention that that great American truck, the Avalanche is assembled in Mexico. Darn, now I can't buy that either.

What a nutjob!!!

Draconian, to answer your question.. why did I dump my Bravada for the Ridgeline? Lets see, purchased new, owned three years... 9 recalls, numerous warranty repairs and three breakdowns on the side of the road.

Yeah, GM really builds a great product. :rolleyes:

Oh,Oh somebody missed their pill :p

Draconian,

I skimmed your opening screed. However it was so hard to read owing to your inconsiderate lack of breaks, paragraphs or spacing it was too eye straining to get the whole thing.

I was once very 'buy American' but there's no reason to be any more. All vehicles are made with parts from all over the world now. Besides the American manufacturers have let us down so badly with overpriced trash for so many years ... it is time to give the a good swift kick in the ass.

GM in particular is a behemoth that needs to fall apart. Perhaps after reorganizaton and downsizing they can remember how to make a decent product at a decent price.

Below is a response I offered on the autoblog to some knuckle draggers like you:

I'm shopping for my first down sized truck.

Been driving 3/4 ton trucks most of my life (55 yrs old) and presently own a 99 Ram extended cab, Cummins ... with every option known to truckdom and a mother of a winch.

But I'm tired of that ugly feeling at the pump. I don't really need all that power any more and for when I do I will pull the Dodge out of the barn and use it.

I want a 'runabout' but cannot live without it being at least 'part' truck. I am extremly impressed with the Ridgeline. I'm also 6ft 2in and weigh in at 240. I did fit in the Ridgeline although it would take a little adaptation for me. I did not fit in ANY of it's competitiors except the Dakota which is a dog.

The Nissan Frontier was a nice little truck but just too cramped. Toyota Tacoma was antiquarian in concept and style as is the Chevy Colorado.

I don't want a V8 any more else I'd go for the Titan. Best looking truck EVER. And roomy as all get out. But I've got the Ram in the garage remember when I need a behemoth.

What many are missing in this thread is the revolutionary aspects of the Ridgeline. It is not ugly. A little weird maybe but it grows on you. In black it is truly attractive. But black is a pain. I've had my last black vehicle. Life is too short to do all that polishing and wiping.

You are also missing side airbags front and REAR. There's about 1000 soccer moms for every off roader so when speaking of popularity lets ... speak of numbers not eccentrics that like to take expensive vehicles out and thrash them. If I want to far off road I'll get my jeep out and whip your ass. (It really is about wheel base here)

If you are a die hard truck worshipper then I understand your distain of this unibody strangeling. But a lot of people pick a vehicle on comfort, maneuverability and safety. A lot. The Ridgeline is really fun to drive. It will get me around in four times the comfort level I'm used too ... quickly and with near the luxury level of a Beemer. (I reallly liked the dual climate control and my dogs will dig the power rear window)

The puppies also will go well in the little bed and my camera gear and golf clubs will feel secure in that really neat and lockable 'trunk'. I think this thing is several steps ahead of the American manufacturers and Toyota and Nissan (except for the killer Titan) as well.

It's not for everybody but it fits my niche really well and to be honest I can't find anything to compete with it.

So Draconian you see you are way off base. You think you know what other people should want. Very silly. The Ridgeline is a revolutionary vehicle compared to what you drive. Do you have children? Does the vehicle you drive have side airbags? I'm sure not for unless you have a Ridgeline you'd have to pay at least $40k for any car that has them. You don't sound intelligent enough to afford that expensive of a car.

A final word on buying foreign products. There are some contries on earth from which I will not purchase anything. Those that betray us or are outright enemies. Canada nor Japan are such nations. Canadians may be somewhat jerky and leftist (some of them) but they still sell us cheap oil. I think sending some money their way by buying a car made by them is a good trade. As for Japan they are our greatest ally outside of Britain these days. They buy more of our T bills than any other country I think. That's important. They also have many auto manuffacturing plants in America. That's important too.

You came in here acting like a complete ass. I think you should go away. Maybe come back with a new name and a decent set of manners.

Sfleming, hats off to you sir. That about sums it up. Why is it so many people fail to recognize the global economy in which we live?

Draconian,
You came in here acting like a complete ass. I think you should go away. Maybe come back with a new name and a decent set of manners.


...and a decent set of wheels :D