[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by javadog

Harley has some hard choices to make. Take the engine, for instance. Do they design it to appeal to the traditional Harley buyer, or perhaps somebody that might be in the market for a Ducati?

Here's an article by Kevin Cameron that talks about the different directions they could go with their new series of engines:

https://www.cycleworld.com/closer-look-at-harley-davidsons-new-975-and-1250cc-v-twin

I like and respect Kevin Cameron a great deal. I have to say, however, that his idea that H-D engineers might remain within their old tried-and-true parameters of their current air-cooled V-Twins is probably slightly off base. Granted, I would not expect to see Ducati Panigale levels of specific output from anything H-D makes, but they are certainly not going to restrict themselves to the piston speeds and cylinder pressures to which they are limited on their current motors.

Like many of us keep saying, "we'll see". We only have a photo at this point. I have to think, though, that to be competitive in the market that at least style-wise it looks like they are after, they are going to have to offer at least BMW twin, or V-Strom, levels of performance. Not Panigale, not Super Duke, not that race bike, cutting edge level, but something respectable in maybe the new Ducati Super Sport and Triumph Thruxton range.