2014 Harley Davidson 500 & 750

[OldF7Guy_imp]

My jaw about dropped when I saw this. Not much info out yet but I thought I would post it here for you guys.

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la...z2jikgz39m

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11...ike-market

[flynrider]

It's about time. Harley has been ignoring the middleweight bike sector since the 60s. Looks like they're coming around to the idea that they need to expand their customer base.

Is that a giant radiator on the bike in the pic? Midsize bike with liquid cooling? Probably too radical for the current Harley buyer, but I suspect it'll attract a whole new "non-traditional" customer.

[OldF7Guy_imp]

It's about time. Harley has been ignoring the middleweight bike sector since the 60s. Looks like they're coming around to the idea that they need to expand their customer base.

Is that a giant radiator on the bike in the pic? Midsize bike with liquid cooling? Probably too radical for the current Harley buyer, but I suspect it'll attract a whole new "non-traditional" customer.

Yep, its a radiator. 60 degree V and 4 valves per cylinder OHC set up from what I have read. Lets see if they can build a better CB500. My guess is not a chance in hell but competition is always good and I have to admit I am intrigued. More info here.

http://street.harley-davidson.com/en_US?...ity_street

[Capo]

And they're built in India. Eager to see the reaction from the H-D faithful on that!

[OldF7Guy_imp]

And they're built in India. Eager to see the reaction from the H-D faithful on that!

Wow, I didnt catch that little detail. I imagine the faithful will throw a fit over that and the radiator along with not being the traditional 45 degree V. Hd has finally stepped out of their comfort zone though and I think that is a good thing.

[Capo]

Agreed, I think this is a good thing for them and for motorcycling. The avalanche of new product hitting the streets for 2104 is remarkable, and lots of activity in the lightweight sector. Hope it brings in a new generation of motorbike enthusiasts.

[Obliviontoad]

Last Harley that I looked at seriously was an XR1200. I too am glad that they plan on broadening their product line, hopefully to expand their market and customer base. But the cynical part of me sees this flourishing outside the US but floundering here. The market just doesn't seem to like Harley Davidson to make anything except big jiggly chrome bikes that can be customized infinitely. But, I am willing to look,and see how they perform. And hell, if they succeed in making the motorcycle market in the US more visible, great.

[the Ferret]

This is obviously a bold move for the motor company. That their target audience has been decreasing for a number of years is no secret. They have to expand or eventually wither on the vine. Like a vampire they NEED fresh blood. The amazing part is they are willing to violate their long held platform of 45 degree air cooled push rod valve motors that make a certain sound. The look is obviously pure Harley, which is what they are banking on selling.

On another note, does the motor/ radiator not remind you of a 500 Shadow Honda circa mid 80's?

[cb400four_imp]

I'm a fan of HD so I'm hopeful that this is a commercially successful effort, and the main question is: will customers buy these bikes, and will they buy lots and lots of them?

For the most part, the sporty Buell line and the cafe XR1200 model were generally regarded as very good bikes but they didn't sell well in the US; I think one reason is that non-HD sport riders often don't like going to HD dealerships (maybe too much emphasis on branded 'lifestyle' items?) and HD salespeople openly did not like the 'cafe' style of the Buell and XR1200. The new HD street 500 and 750 look more 'cruiser' and might be closer to HD's traditional cruiser customer base and the salespeople may not resist selling them as much (though the not-made-in-America is a problem and the fact that smaller bikes typically have smaller sales margins will be very very tough to overcome). Footnote: since HD paid about 109 million USD for MV Augusta in 2008, and then sold it at a substantial discount, in my mind shows that the Motor Company has had its fill of trying to integrate cafe sport bikes into the HD lineup.

[the Ferret]

Lol substantial discount? Well I guess $1 is a substantial discount for $ 109 million, but then HD turned around and gave MV $ 38 million for research and development. Damn, what a savy business move lol