I guess Harley is finally listening

Geez I'm sorry, but those do not appeal to me at all. Can't wait to see what the faired sportbike looks like :rolleyes:

I actually would like it if they just took the rubber mounted 1200 Sportster, put some decent suspension on it so it sat level, a flat comfortable seat, some normal handlebars and a 5 gallon tank.

or a Sport-tourer made using a Dyna model only made the same way as above with a nice small fairing , removable saddlebags and top case, cruise, adjustable windshield,and a larger 6 1/2 gallon tank.
 
Thread starter
Your reaction is the same as everybody's i've read actually ferret. everybody above a certain age bracket is immediately turned off by the aesthetics. I think they were pushing some Husqvarna Vitpilen-like thing, trying to appeal to those durn millennials and their confounded xboxes and twitter machines.

I agree that the look and style is going to turn a lot of people off, and I also think they're going to "fail" (or at least not sell very well) at first. after maybe 2 or 3 generations of tweaking they'll get it right. I'm just so happy to see that they're really honestly willing to assemble a bike that isn't a cruiser and really stick to it. they're projecting this product line out over the next 5 years, and it will even include Electic bikes, supposedly.
 
The ferret_imp said:
Geez I'm sorry, but those do not appeal to me at all. Can't wait to see what the faired sportbike looks like :rolleyes:

I actually would like it if they just took the rubber mounted 1200 Sportster, put some decent suspension on it so it sat level, a flat comfortable seat, some normal handlebars and a 5 gallon tank.

or a Sport-tourer made using a Dyna model only made the same way as above with a nice small fairing , removable saddlebags and top case, cruise, adjustable windshield,and a larger 6 1/2 gallon tank.
Click to expand...
I was very happy with my 2002 rigid mount Sportster 1200 Sport (~ 70 HP @ 5,700 RPM 79 ft # @ 4,000 RPM) with excellent suspension, lighter weight than the 04 up rubber mounts, but only a 3.3 gallon tank...5 gallons would be a good capacity (Moto Guzzi V7II was 5.8). I bought a Triumph (67 HP @ 7,500 RPM 50 ft # @ 5,800 RPM) in 2012 mainly because Sportster became primarily low suspensions, with miserable travel and poor lean angles.

No guesses on success, but the Vrod engine was excellent power output, but it did not survive (liquid-cooled, dual overhead cam, internally counterbalanced 60 degree V-twin, 1,131 cc, 115 HP @ 8,250 rpm, 84 ft # @ 7,000 RPM) redline of 9,000 rpm).

Does not really matter to me, as the CB1100 (86 HP @ 7,500 RPM 66 ft # @ 5,700 RPM) is my final M/C.
 
This is an excellent, albeit late, move by HD. The fact that most people on this board, and of a certain age, recoil in horror is precisely why. We're not their target.

The standard, naked and ADV categories are the only growth categories in motorcycling right now. An American entry in those segments must occur. I'd have bet on Indian to get there first, but looks like H-D has finally faced their own mortality. And having products with that brand will 'allow' avowed 'America- first and only' riders to finally make the switch to more exciting, fun and versatile machines. Hope this plays out well.
 
I've been wrong before, and I'll be wrong again . . . but . . .

I suspect it will be another fail for H-D. Harley-Davidson does extremely well producing the machines that are "traditional" for them and not well at all when they try to move into another manufacturer's domain. Buell. V-Rod. Going back many years, the Aermacchi captive imports.

I buy Harleys because the models I choose are the "real thing" (Road King, Road Glide Ultra) and not stupid fakes (Yamaha Star Eluder . . . just gross!). I don't doubt that a Honda Shadow is "better" as a machine, but I know for sure that it's a sorry copy of something else (uhhh . . . Harley). I would no sooner buy a Harley ADV bike than I would expect BMW to sell me a cruiser (Uh oh . . . they tried that with the R1200C cruiser about 20 years ago and you can see where that went). My CB1100 is almost the polar opposite of a Harley. H-D could never successfully produce such a machine (not that Honda has done all that well with it in the US, but I guess that world-wide sales are not too bad).

You never know what might sell, and Harley-Davidson has to do something . . . Unlike Honda, they don't have generators and lawn mowers to sell.
 
Thread starter
cookiemech_imp said:
I've been wrong before, and I'll be wrong again . . . but . . .

I suspect it will be another fail for H-D. Harley-Davidson does extremely well producing the machines that are "traditional" for them and not well at all when they try to move into another manufacturer's domain. Buell. V-Rod. Going back many years, the Aermacchi captive imports.

I buy Harleys because the models I choose are the "real thing" (Road King, Road Glide Ultra) and not stupid fakes (Yamaha Star Eluder . . . just gross!). I don't doubt that a Honda Shadow is "better" as a machine, but I know for sure that it's a sorry copy of something else (uhhh . . . Harley). I would no sooner buy a Harley ADV bike than I would expect BMW to sell me a cruiser (Uh oh . . . they tried that with the R1200C cruiser about 20 years ago and you can see where that went). My CB1100 is almost the polar opposite of a Harley. H-D could never successfully produce such a machine (not that Honda has done all that well with it in the US, but I guess that world-wide sales are not too bad).

You never know what might sell, and Harley-Davidson has to do something . . . Unlike Honda, they don't have generators and lawn mowers to sell.
Click to expand...
lol! bite your tongue...
 
My first thought when I saw the title of this thread was that HD was releasing a bike of their own to compete with Indian's FTR1200 coming out next year. While I'm not likely a buyer for these two new bikes, I do like the design of both. I wish HD well with this new twist.
 
Thread starter
a street tracker is a stretch for harley still, even considering this new lineup. but i'll eat my words because they're already talking about having electric bikes in upcoming lineups, so anything is possible. It'd be nice to see Zero get some real honest to goodness domestic competition.
 
I don't friggin believe it! Kudos to them for finally trying to adapt. Will it work? We'll find out, but at least they are putting themselves out there.

I can't wait to hear what the grizzled, die-hard. kool-aid drinkers say. I'm gonna head to my local sleazy watering hole this weekend just to soak this all in. Gonna be entertaining.
 
Good for HD. I doubt I’ll own one of these, but best of luck to them.
 
I dig the ADV, and I don't usually like ADVs. I think it's the fact that the avoided adding a beak, and overall the bike somehow has a certain "Jeep-ness" to it that is very American. The Streetfighter 975 is cool but probably not a bike I'd buy. However I'd have to ride both before passing final go/no go judgment.
 
Thread starter
that ADV looks like a dad burn transformer. the flat/bar head lamps they're using on these bikes are very distinctive (for better or for worse).
 
I salute Harley for this effort. I would be happy to ride one of their adventure bikes, either this 1250 or something considerably smaller.
 
Stichill_imp said:
I dig the ADV, and I don't usually like ADVs. I think it's the fact that the avoided adding a beak, and overall the bike somehow has a certain "Jeep-ness" to it that is very American. The Streetfighter 975 is cool but probably not a bike I'd buy. However I'd have to ride both before passing final go/no go judgment.
Click to expand...
I like it also. Tubeless spoked wheels are a nice touch. It's certainly better looking than a V-strom or KTM. If they can just keep the price and the seat height out of the stratosphere.
 
I don't know... the two naked bikes sort of remind of some of the modded out CB1100s I've seen. I think they may just appeal to some younger, urban riders who might appreciate a smaller, nimbler v-twin.
 
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