The future of Harley Davidson. Explain.

[Eric 951]

Hard to say where H-D is headed. That bike posted is hideous. The most intriguing bikes they have put out lately have been the Sportys which don't seem to get any respect from the majority of the H-D crowd( I never understood this hate either). Never understood why they shuttered Buell. I doubt H-D would ever disappear, but they need to figure out something soon--the days of living large from H-D branded gear and accessories is ending.

[afterburn 549]

I love a Sporty !
Rode a 1976 Sporty coast to coast one time in mostly stock form and a 2.2 gas tank! ( in 1978)
But it got about 60 MPG, never ran out..was worried a couple times.
The 'Other Harly riders would always say stuff about the little bike ...but they were clueless about where the Big twin came from if it were not for the "K" model......
Oh well.
My lil sporty would leave them in the mirror and the history of my mind.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

You are not informed or you would not pose the question if you did.

You're right, I'm not tuned in to the HD scene at all and never claimed to be. And frankly, I couldn't care less about it. I just didn't like Jeff's condescending attitude, whether he knows what he's talking about or not.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by rcooled

You're right, I'm not tuned in to the HD scene at all and never claimed to be. And frankly, I couldn't care less about it. I just didn't like Jeff's condescending attitude, whether he knows what he's talking about or not.

Everyone needs to cut Jeff some serious slack. He's a true blue HD rider and definitely not in the R.U.B camp that many here are referring to.

Noah, I agree to a point. The appeal for me is the lack of technology the R9T has. Yep totally not the BMW model but IMO they nailed the asthetic. I saw one on display at the Des Moines IA airport and that cemented the appeal for me. Have yet to even swing a leg over one but will once the weather gets better here in San Diego. All that said I'm no twin fan. Far too much vibration that puts my hands and body to sleep. My all time favorite is the triple from Triumph



The newer models got it all dorked up. I would be looking for a '06 model, low miles, and ~ $5500. Sweet bike all around.

[Chocaholic]

The R9T is a style-bike for BMW still using the air cooled boxer that is water cooled on every other platform. Great looking bike but my guess is that it will be short lived. Could become collectible but don't bet the farm on it. The Speed Triple was a hot bike but is now handily outperformed by many. Check out the Suzuki GSXS 1000.

Java, I'm guessing you've never ridden a horizontally opposed twin. There's a reason BMW has built their brand around that engine. Torque (low end) on the new WC version is better than their liter track bike. Smoothness at a new level.

[JavaBrewer]

You nailed me Mike. I have not ridden a BMW horizontally opposed twin (I typed that out to avoid another dumb acronym). I am going off the word of what I have read here and other places. Misguided I probably am. In the spring I'll try to back it all up with actual seat time. I owned an Aprilia Mile R that mostly set my opinion of a performance twin super bike. That said I still stand by the Triumph triple. A great compromise between torque of a twin and revving 4 cyl super bike.

[creaturecat]

i love seeing the big old-style choppers. with the mini ape hangers.
.

[HardDrive]

The anti Sportster business is goofy. Seems to be the same as the anti Boxster talk. I think the Sportster 48 is a damn cool bike....I just wish it didn't weigh 573lbs.

[MMiller]

Interesting thread... Lots of great bikes mentioned. The R9T speaks to me as well. I was drooling over one in the showroom just the other day, not sure it's worth what they are asking though.
The last H-D I owned was a ridged shovel... Fun bar hopper but no doubt from a by gone era.. I also have a soft spot for the Sportster.

I have no idea what H-D future is but I hope they get it figured out just because they are an American Icon.

I'll post this just because I like it...

[BeyGon]

I like it too.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by rcooled

You're right, I'm not tuned in to the HD scene at all and never claimed to be. And frankly, I couldn't care less about it. I just didn't like Jeff's condescending attitude, whether he knows what he's talking about or not.

The only "attitude" is that which you read into it. I'm simply offering the perspective of a guy who has been deep into the HD thing since the mid '70's, and who has rolled up an honest half million miles on the things.

I spend a lot of time at bike events. Not HD specific events anymore, as I have even less use for the Chromosexuals than the rest of you. I'm talking cafe, retro, homebuilt, grassroots type events (anyone in the Seattle area owes it to themselves to check out Backfire Moto, third Wednesday every month, in Ballard...). It's at these events that I am seeing more and more of the younger set showing up on Harleys. I would go so far to say that Harley is experiencing a real resurgence among this set.

Maybe it's because there are so damn many used HD's out there. They are finally within reach of the younger set. And, make no mistake, there remains a certain cache' amongst these guys that no other brand can even approach.

As a matter of fact, the new generation of ultra sophisticated, electronic nannied crotch rocket seems to get the least respect in this kind of crowd. Bought and paid for performance that the owner clearly cannot even begin to touch... the guys showing up on these, wearing their racing leathers, are seen as the lowest form of "poseur" and douche bag, with the least in common with the heart and soul of modern motorcycling, and the most out of touch with what is really "hip".

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by KNS

do they allow orthodontists to join?

Yup.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Harley should look to its past for the future

[911boost]

Yawn...

Nothing new to see here, just another typical bandwagon HD bashing with Jeff making lots of sense.

[jyl]

To Jeff's point

https://rideapart.com/articles/win-motorcycle-marketing

Now, I don't know how reliable the data is, that supports the statement that HD is growing share among minorities, women, and young people. But it is stated as fact, not just in media reports but also in HD's investor communications. I haven't checked the 10Ks.

[wdfifteen]

My ex son-in-law has an HD. The POS skipped a child support payment and two weeks of parenting so he and his posse could go to Sturgis. He's about 30, so yeah, I see HDs are attracting a younger crowd. They aren't improving the image of the Harley rider though.

[afterburn 549]

What the new generation does not have a clue about-
Back in the day a bank would not loan us kids money on a harley .
Perhaps they would not loan us money on anything ....LOL (Early 1970s)
One had to bring in a boat load of cash !
(Banks are much more friendly now.)
Or, We would buy the biggest cheapest used pig one could afford.
Strip it , repair it , and make it our own so to speak.
No store bought doo dads to be had.
You want a sissiy bar? We made it.
Thats what me and most my friends did .
We had to. That is the way made them work.
Now, its sign on the dotted line and goodbye .
sigh.
However , Somewhere deep inside me, ( and i know its probably wrong) There is whisper saying they have not earned it......
They do not know a spark plug from a oil plug...
Plus , they all become an immediate badass , talk about biker lifestyle and hold the Hells Angels and the like in high esteem..GRRRrrrrrr
They do 45 MPH, and hold up traffic for miles and days.
I have personally come over the Cascade Hiway in a FULL Blown Semi and have had to slow dwn for a bunch of old fart HD riders putting along!
For miles !
And they are not not smart enough to get OUT OF THE FN WAY!
That is what the new generation does, and I know it's a generality , but it is a huge piece of it , and they piss me off.
If I want to do slow, I am smart enough to move over and get them around me and not be run over .
All these HD threads seem to go to heil in the proverbial hand basket..I helped.
However -
I dont care what anyone rides that is their piece of cake.
I have owned lots of different bikes, I seem to always relegate back to an older V twin .
If I did not have so many other bad habits I would own a different bike for each day of the week.
My GF really needs a Honda Valkyrie F6..she just does not know it yet.
OK
Where is Harley Davidson going market wise?
IDK
I thought it was going to crash years ago. It would seem the market is soaked. Looks Like i am wrong..again.

[ckelly78z]

I supposedly fit the demographic (male 51 YO) for the Harley image of riding a fat, overdressed, road cruiser, bedecked in chrome and fringe. I have never liked that image or felt the pull to be part of that community. I have many friends that have spent fortunes on those bikes, have the tattoos, the black T-shirt from every dealership they've ever been to prove it, and have little else going for them in thier lives.....The old adage "LIVE TO RIDE, RIDE TO LIVE" truly fits them, because they would rather ride than take care of thier marriage, do maintenence on their shack, or show up to thier jobs.

If I were in the market for a street cruiser, I would look strongly at the Honda Shadow, or Victory Cruiser bikes, but for now, i'll stick with my Kaw KLR enduro.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

I have personally come over the Cascade Hiway in a FULL Blown Semi and have had to slow dwn for a bunch of old fart HD riders putting along!
For miles !
And they are not not smart enough to get OUT OF THE FN WAY!

I have encountered this a couple of times. On a winding road a group of Harley riders holding up a long line of cars for many, many miles. One time on the mountain road from Idyllwild all the way down to Banning. Lots of pissed off motorists stuck behind these guys with nowhere to go.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by KNS

I have encountered this a couple of times. On a winding road a group of Harley riders holding up a long line of cars for many, many miles. One time on the mountain road from Idyllwild all the way down to Banning. Lots of pissed off motorists stuck behind these guys with nowhere to go.

The no-drop group ride. Everybody's a winner.