Back in the early 90s, I was introduced to a new Sportster 883 owned by one of my tennis partners. At the time, I had a 5+ year old Honda CB400. The Sportster engine (883cc) is more than twice as big as my CB400. The Sportster cost at least twice as much as the CB400. Probably 3 times louder too. But on the road, the Sportster was always behind the CB400. 0-60, 1/4 miles, cornering...
May be the Sportster is not representative of HD, but after that experience, HD no longer exist in my vocabulary.
Sam