Saw my first new Sportster S

[michael1954]

I always like playing devil's advocate and thought that maybe it looks better from the other side.

Not so much...

[VLJ_imp]

I have to respect this thing because its HDs first real try at making a bike that genuinely performs at or above market competitive standards in its class. How it looks is...whatever. somebodys gonna like it.

Whats important to me is whether or not it succeeds at the first thing i said. Because that price tag is HIGH for a 1200cc naked.

How on earth does this thing attempt to perform at or above the competitive standards in its class, if the class is 1200cc naked?

In terms of performance, this thing isn't in the same universe as the leading 1200cc nakeds... or is this another example of the usual H-D trick of confining the field of play to itself and maybe one other knock-off brand?

Otherwise, come on. Performance-wise, in no way is this thing remotely competitive in its class.

[the Ferret]

Well it does have about 120 hp and weighs about 500 pounds. Not class leading by any means, but a giant leap ahead for Harleys. If it just didnt look like an over stuff sausage.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I have to respect this thing because its HDs first real try at making a bike that genuinely performs at or above market competitive standards in its class. How it looks is...whatever. somebodys gonna like it.

Whats important to me is whether or not it succeeds at the first thing i said. Because that price tag is HIGH for a 1200cc naked.

How on earth does this thing attempt to perform at or above the competitive standards in its class, if the class is 1200cc naked?

In terms of performance, this thing isn't in the same universe as the leading 1200cc nakeds... or is this another example of the usual H-D trick of confining the field of play to itself and maybe one other knock-off brand?

Otherwise, come on. Performance-wise, in no way is this thing remotely competitive in its class.

Maybe it has nothing to do with performance. Maybe it has to do with appearance and perceived status and numbers on paper. That is, " ... look at me. Look at what I can buy ... ". Same old marketing?

[the Ferret]

Latest scuttlebutt I can find online says April 12th released Sportster will use the liquid cooled 975cc Revolution Max engine originally slated for the Bronx and will have conventional forks, twin shocks, single front disc and may be called the Nightster 975

[GoldOxide_imp]

Nightster. lol - That sounds like another Sportster.

[VLJ_imp]

Well it does have about 120 hp and weighs about 500 pounds. Not class leading by any means, but a giant leap ahead for Harleys. If it just didnt look like an over stuff sausage.

Not class leading, or even close to being class competitive, not in a class that features 200hp bikes that barely weigh 400 lbs. And that's just the basic numbers. Factor in actual performance, i.e., the ability to accelerate, turn, and stop, and this new Sportster is still a dinosaur compared to the class leaders.

[the Ferret]

Well it beats their 800 pound 75 hp normal fare as far as performace goes lol. Won't outrun a Pan America though.

When are they going to put that motor in a naked standard?

[Frulk_imp]

Some of the responses in the early part of this thread related to the exhaust made me laugh out loud.

The people that will buy this bike don't care about class leading this or that...if they did they certainly wouldn't be shopping Harleys...Same goes for a lot of other items we purchase...The Ford F150 is the #1 selling vehicle in the US... don't think it's the class leader in anything that I know of. Certainly not the fastest, or the best braking...but, for some reason they seem to be very popular.

I can't quantify the intangibles that attract people to Harleys. However, the name and brand still have cachet it seems (in spite of the performance, design and technological limitations of its offerings) whether some in the motorcycling fraternity like it or not.

Harley didn't just throw this Sportster together. You can bet there were numerous focus groups comprised of the demographic that the MoCo is trying to entice to buy this model.

When I look at its ridiculous exhaust appenditure I think back on the Indian FTR when it came to market...first thing I thought was how did that ever make it into the showroom...same goes for this one as well.

I've seen these in the flesh at the local dealership and the salesman there keeps offering me a test ride every time I walk in. He knows I have an XR1200 and for some reason thinks I'm predisposed to purchasing this model because of that. I'm not interested in the bike so I haven't taken him up on it...I will say they're selling them...again, in spite of apparently not leading their class in anything. Think they've moved three so far that I know of and there have probably been more.

Couple of things that haven't been discussed by us so far is the overall size of the bike and that front tire. Tiny is almost an appropriate description. The bikes physical presence is very small...and low. You have to see one in person to put that into perspective. Most guys at 6 feet or over and in the 200+ pound range will look like circus monkeys on this machine. Then there's that front tire. It's a 160 I think and very chunky. My buddy made a good observation as we looked over the last one the dealer had in the shop "when that center flattens out I wonder how it will affect handling". I to am interested in that. Maybe a 48 rider can chime in.

I want them to sell like hot cakes. Here's hoping the current gas prices push a lot of folks to consider purchasing a bike as a cost-effective alternative mode of transportation to a car or truck.

[Tev62]

I have owned two Harley's (a good while back now), I never looked at Horsepower or Torque figures when I bought them, just thought they looked cool at the time and knew they would have enough power for me. Rode the 150HP Pan America and thought it was a fantastic ride, superb brakes, engine, handling and bags of character. Hydraulic valve lifters a masterstroke of differentiation I thought.