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(09-18-2017, 10:15 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: The other day I was thinking about this while out riding my ST1300. Looking down you can't see the motor in the ST, too much gas tank and fairing in the way, and I thought " what is with Harley?" ( or Indian for that matter). A bike like this could have a rubber mounted or counter balanced V twin engine in this bike, it could even be liquid cooled. The powerplant is really a small part of the whole package and a V twin could be hidden in a sport tourer or standard or ADV just like it is in a Suzuki v strom, KTM GT or Ducati Multistrada. I wonder if they ever even consider that? It's their loss that they don't.
(09-18-2017, 10:15 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: The other day I was thinking about this while out riding my ST1300. Looking down you can't see the motor in the ST, too much gas tank and fairing in the way, and I thought " what is with Harley?" ( or Indian for that matter). A bike like this could have a rubber mounted or counter balanced V twin engine in this bike, it could even be liquid cooled. The powerplant is really a small part of the whole package and a V twin could be hidden in a sport tourer or standard or ADV just like it is in a Suzuki v strom, KTM GT or Ducati Multistrada. I wonder if they ever even consider that? It's their loss that they don't.
Doh! Oh well. 
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Lol more like a V twin Goldwing than a V twin ST
FJR...ST... Concours... RT... Less cruiser...more sport
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Oh, I see. Missed your point. You're asking why HD doesn't make a sport touring bike with their V-twin? I guess because sport tourers have been kicked to the curb in favor of ADVs. I think the ADV craze is driven by old guys who want to sit upright, but still want to be seen as cool. Kind of like when they were younger and didn't want to buy a station wagon, later a minivan, and instead bought an SUV so they could retain a shred of "cool" and thus a modicum of self-respect.
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(09-18-2017, 12:32 PM)Stichill_imp Wrote: (09-18-2017, 10:15 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: The other day I was thinking about this while out riding my ST1300. Looking down you can't see the motor in the ST, too much gas tank and fairing in the way, and I thought " what is with Harley?" ( or Indian for that matter). A bike like this could have a rubber mounted or counter balanced V twin engine in this bike, it could even be liquid cooled. The powerplant is really a small part of the whole package and a V twin could be hidden in a sport tourer or standard or ADV just like it is in a Suzuki v strom, KTM GT or Ducati Multistrada. I wonder if they ever even consider that? It's their loss that they don't.
(09-18-2017, 10:15 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: The other day I was thinking about this while out riding my ST1300. Looking down you can't see the motor in the ST, too much gas tank and fairing in the way, and I thought " what is with Harley?" ( or Indian for that matter). A bike like this could have a rubber mounted or counter balanced V twin engine in this bike, it could even be liquid cooled. The powerplant is really a small part of the whole package and a V twin could be hidden in a sport tourer or standard or ADV just like it is in a Suzuki v strom, KTM GT or Ducati Multistrada. I wonder if they ever even consider that? It's their loss that they don't.
Doh! Oh well.
(09-18-2017, 10:15 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: The other day I was thinking about this while out riding my ST1300. Looking down you can't see the motor in the ST, too much gas tank and fairing in the way, and I thought " what is with Harley?" ( or Indian for that matter). A bike like this could have a rubber mounted or counter balanced V twin engine in this bike, it could even be liquid cooled. The powerplant is really a small part of the whole package and a V twin could be hidden in a sport tourer or standard or ADV just like it is in a Suzuki v strom, KTM GT or Ducati Multistrada. I wonder if they ever even consider that? It's their loss that they don't.
Doh! Oh well.
Amazingly enough, the new venture is oil cooled.
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I have no problems with ADV's except the sky high seat heights. Otherwise like you said they provide everything a sport tourer does only a little uglier lol
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(09-18-2017, 09:24 PM)curlyjoe_imp Wrote: (09-18-2017, 12:32 PM)Stichill_imp Wrote: (09-18-2017, 10:15 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: The other day I was thinking about this while out riding my ST1300. Looking down you can't see the motor in the ST, too much gas tank and fairing in the way, and I thought " what is with Harley?" ( or Indian for that matter). A bike like this could have a rubber mounted or counter balanced V twin engine in this bike, it could even be liquid cooled. The powerplant is really a small part of the whole package and a V twin could be hidden in a sport tourer or standard or ADV just like it is in a Suzuki v strom, KTM GT or Ducati Multistrada. I wonder if they ever even consider that? It's their loss that they don't.
(09-18-2017, 10:15 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: The other day I was thinking about this while out riding my ST1300. Looking down you can't see the motor in the ST, too much gas tank and fairing in the way, and I thought " what is with Harley?" ( or Indian for that matter). A bike like this could have a rubber mounted or counter balanced V twin engine in this bike, it could even be liquid cooled. The powerplant is really a small part of the whole package and a V twin could be hidden in a sport tourer or standard or ADV just like it is in a Suzuki v strom, KTM GT or Ducati Multistrada. I wonder if they ever even consider that? It's their loss that they don't.
Doh! Oh well.
(09-18-2017, 10:15 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: The other day I was thinking about this while out riding my ST1300. Looking down you can't see the motor in the ST, too much gas tank and fairing in the way, and I thought " what is with Harley?" ( or Indian for that matter). A bike like this could have a rubber mounted or counter balanced V twin engine in this bike, it could even be liquid cooled. The powerplant is really a small part of the whole package and a V twin could be hidden in a sport tourer or standard or ADV just like it is in a Suzuki v strom, KTM GT or Ducati Multistrada. I wonder if they ever even consider that? It's their loss that they don't.
Doh! Oh well.
Amazingly enough, the new venture is oil cooled.
Doh! Oh well.
Amazingly enough, the new venture is oil cooled.
Yes indeed! That's why I said "Doh! Oh well." because it didn't meet Ferret's liquid-cooled criteria for a proper V-twin sport touring bike.
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Liquid cooling is not my criteria, and it's the only thing that has given me any trouble on my ST ( thermostatstuck partially open and a water pump seal) which is a common problem on them, but for any mfg these days controlling engine heat is a priority, especially on long distance machines. Harley has already gone to partial water cooling on their touring V Twins which Is why I said it " could" even be watercooled. Plenty of places to stuff the radiator on a sport tourer... But it wouldn't HAVE to be water cooled.
But IMO Harley could build a sportier V twin with standard ergos, flatter seat, small fairing and bags, and probably do pretty well with it sales wise. If they had such a creature I certainly would not be adverse to giving one a spin, and if a good machine owning one. I don't dislike Harleys because they are Harleys, I dislike most Harleys because they are cruisers. I could buy a Honda or Yamaha crusier if I wanted a cruiser. I buy Hondas and Yamaha because they build bikes OTHER than cruisers
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(09-18-2017, 09:59 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: I have no problems with ADV's except the sky high seat heights. Otherwise like you said they provide everything a sport tourer does only a little uglier lol
Check out the [url=http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/bikes/adventure-and-touring/tiger/2017/tiger%20800/variants/tiger-800-xrx-low#specification]Tiger 800 XRx Low. Lowest setting for seat height is 29.9 inches. It's kind of ugly though when compared to an FJR. 
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I suppose it's no surprise that we CB owners are challenged by the aesthetics of current ADV fashion, myself included.
As far as HD sticking to its core customer, those folks are getting older and dying off. Helmets off to HD for having the courage to evolve its model lineup with the times (though, arguably, it's still quite limited for those of us who don't care for cruisers).
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(09-18-2017, 01:11 PM)Stichill_imp Wrote: Oh, I see. Missed your point. You're asking why HD doesn't make a sport touring bike with their V-twin? I guess because sport tourers have been kicked to the curb in favor of ADVs. I think the ADV craze is driven by old guys who want to sit upright, but still want to be seen as cool. Kind of like when they were younger and didn't want to buy a station wagon, later a minivan, and instead bought an SUV so they could retain a shred of "cool" and thus a modicum of self-respect.
Ahem...
My Ktm 990 Adventure was the best sports tourer I ever had.. I wanted something to tour on but still fun.. I bought it after seeing the 950 adv chase down a gsxr1000 at leguna seca with Avon roadmasters and it came with hard luggage. It could hold its own with any sportsbike. It's was incredibly well balanced and handled like a dream.
If I put dual sport scorpions on it, I could do fire roads and trails.. Yes, I actually took it off road.. It was literally the do anything bike.. It was awesome. The only reason I didn't keep it was that with two small kids I wasn't riding that much, and I could get a fair chunk of $ for it... The only drawback other than being tall, which was awesome while riding was literally climbing on and off it, was the maintenance. Synthetic oil, 2 oil filters. I kid you not an oil change was 2-3 hours with the crash bars. Basically, it was like dating a super model, got give em more attention
With kids and time constraints, I wanted an easy on and off bike, that was easy to maintain and had low maintence cost..Something basic I could throw a leg over at a moments notice, but was still cool, hence the cb1100. The Ktm had more of a pre flight checklist. Fine for long trip or ride, but a pita for the shorter rides.
I won't argue there are poseurs in the adv crowd. However, they are superior bikes for sport touring in a lot of ways, if you're not height challenged. When I used to be a hsta member (now msta), at rallies I saw one two many sport touring bikes, specifically the st1100 in a ditch.. While a fantastic bike for gobbling up miles, when the road gets twisty, its a handful. The Adv bikes don't have that problem. The only thing you sacrifice really is not getting a full fairing. When touring I wear an aerostich, so weather isn't an issue..
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