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Originally Posted by JavaBrewer
Most modern sport targeted bikes are very close in capabilities, it comes down to preference and community. I have never been attracted to the HD community (the mainstream one) which means I would hate to own that bike and take it to the local HD dealer for service.
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Pretty much every modern sport bike is vastly more capable than we are. I remember maybe ten years ago or more reading a comparison between the then available 600 class sport bikes. I believe it was in
Cycle World. They had six or eight bikes, from 600 fours to comparable twins. They said we had reached the point where we can now "pick like a girl" - choose a color you like, a vibe you like, whatever. Any choice based on performance differences was moot. Every one of those bikes were faster than we are.
So, yeah, community is a large part of that. You know how much I like my Harleys... but I have also expressed how little I like the modern Harley community. I'm not sure when they "jumped the shark", but it's been a long, long time. For the most part I just want nothing to do with those people. Yes, there are still many "real" motorcyclists in the ranks, but I just don't see them at any of the Harley centric kinds of gatherings anymore. Like me, they are probably just out riding and enjoying a rather fine motorcycle.
One has to wonder how much that might hurt RMCR sales if they pull the trigger. No one goes to a Harley dealership looking for a sport bike. Sport bike riders are, of course, even more put off by Harley riders than other Harley riders are put off by them. That might be Harley's toughest nut to crack.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JavaBrewer
My KTM has 54k miles now and very few issues (wood knock). That said their service centers are always out of stock and wait times are long. Personal example, my TPMS sensors went out a year ago. I just ignored it and accepted riding with the check light on in the dash. I thought I would wait for tires and get them done the same time. KTM Poway CA said the sensors were on many month back order. So new tires and still the warning indicator. Last week I ordered and paid for the new sensors and have them ready when tires are due...likely early 2027.
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I've probably mentioned this here before, if so, sorry. Anyway, my main riding partner for many years was a dyed in the wool anti Harley zealot. He rode Hondas of various descriptions. Getting a little bit tired of his ribbing about Harleys, I devised a little game that we would play when traveling together.
I would call out something that just "failed" on the bikes. Alternator, starter, clutch, something like that. The challenge was to "get it fixed", i.e. find a source within riding distance that the other guy could go fetch the needed part (if it was something we could replace on the road ourselves), or to find a dealership or other shop that could "repair" or "replace" our hypothetical failed part.
In over 20 years of playing this game, the "success rate" on the Honda was abysmal. Like close to zero. Oh, they could always get the part - four to six weeks out. Or in the rare instance they had the part, they could schedule you in a couple of weeks. Just too many models to support, and too frequently "updated" or "improved" to allow them to cover multiple years of production.
On the Harley, on the other hand, I pretty much batted 1,000 on the same repairs. Not only were parts always on hand, the dealership would get me in on the same day. Each and every time. Something to be said for their relatively narrow range of offerings and snail's pace of development.
It is actually Harley corporate policy to support the touring rider in this manner. MMARSH pointed out in another thread that he had similar experiences with BMW. But what happens if you are several states away from home and your KTM has problems? Many other makes are in the same boat - your are arranging a tow to the shop and flying home. Or finding a way to get that bike home, like renting a U Haul.
That's probably, admittedly, all pretty much moot with as reliable as today's machines are. And probably a lot less important to sport bike riders who don't venture that far from home.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JavaBrewer
Back on topic, the RMCR looks cool and one dimensional. Kudos to HD if they go forward with it.
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I'm not optimistic. If they do go forward, I might just be enticed to actually go to a dealership. For the first time in a decade...