09 Harleys Announced Today

[Rincewind]

But now their website appears to be flooded with traffic, so I can't see what changed for 09.  Anyone know about the 09's?  Anything noteworthy?  XR1200 coming to the States?  Harley coming out with a brand of scooters?  Electra-Glide gone electric?  

http://www.harley-davidson.com/

[Rincewind]

Of course, as soon as I post that, the site comes up.  

So far I see a new V-Rod  - The Muscle.  Not bad.  

I can't tell that there are any other new models or significant changes..  

[Rincewind]

copied from http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/7ac21262e5e0a6bcac3a94b253b306a2.htm

Harley unveils 2009 line of motorcycles

Harley announces 2009 line of bikes; Touring models get new chassis, VRSC line gets new model
July 22, 2008: 03:06 PM EST

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Harley-Davidson Inc. on Tuesday unveiled its 2009 line of motorcycles, which includes a new chassis for its seven Touring models and a new addition to its VRSC line.

The iconic motorcycle maker said its popular 2009 Touring bikes are "essentially new motorcycles," containing a new frame and swingarm, along with different wheels and redesigned exhaust and engine mounting.

The result is better maneuverability, heat management, luggage capacity and rear-tire life, the company said.

In addition, Harley debuted the V-Rod Muscle, a new addition to its line of VRSC street motorcycles. The V-Rod Muscle features a more angular appearance than the standard V-Rod, along with five-spoke aluminum wheels and sweeping side-pipe exhaust, Harley said.

The Milwaukee-based company also announced mostly cosmetic updates for several other lines, including its Dyna Street Bob and Heritage Softail Classic models.

Harley's new line of bikes come at a time when the century-old motorcycle maker is struggling with declining profits and a weak consumer environment. Record-high gas prices, lower consumer confidence and a weak economy all have weighed on the company.

On Thursday, Harley said its second-quarter earnings fell 23 percent amid lower shipments and sales of its bikes, though the results beat Wall Street estimates. The company said in April it would respond to the weak market by eliminating 730 positions and cutting shipments to its dealers and distributors by the thousands.

Shares of Harley rose 21 cents to $37.46 in afternoon trading Tuesday.

[Rincewind]

Also new - Harley makes a Trike for 2009, the Tri-Glide.  (Reported in MCN)

[Nodaclu]

With the deletion of the Street Rod for the '08 MY, and the two Roadster-styled Sportsters for the '09 MY (883 Std and 1200R) and the absence of the XR1200, the U.S. consumer has stated in no uncertain terms that they have NO desire to take any corner over 20 mph, as all remaining H-D's now either have forward controls, are "lowered" (i.e., no suspension) or both.

As a former Sportster owner, this makes me stick. So much for staying true to the Sportster's roots.    

[Galo]

With the deletion of the Street Rod for the '08 MY, and the two Roadster-styled Sportsters for the '09 MY (883 Std and 1200R) and the absence of the XR1200, the U.S. Harley consumer has stated in no uncertain terms that they have NO desire to take any corner over 20 mph, as all remaining H-D's now either have forward controls, are "lowered" (i.e., no suspension) or both.

There.....fixed that for ya....

[surfsup]

Seven Touring models rolling on a new chassis that combines a new frame, swingarm, wheels and tires, plus redesigned exhaust and engine mounting. The results include crisp maneuverability, more luggage capacity, enhanced heat management and increased rear tire life.

“Under the skin, our 2009 Touring models are essentially new motorcycles,” said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Vice President, Core Customer Marketing. “There is likely no profile on the American road more distinctive than that of a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle, and we were able to retain the character of each model while significantly improving the riding experience in many ways... snip”

 

[Rincewind]

MD has an article on the new CVO models - http://www.motorcycledaily.com/22july08_hd2009cvo.htm  

The CVO Road Glide is pretty nice for $30k

[surfsup]

sweet!

i used to snerk at the cost of a CVO, then i took the effort to price out the options, upgrades, and materials involved. they are a pretty good deal (if you like HDs) - best $30k you'll ever spend on a toy.

i wanted a 2008 110" CVO ULTRA bad... found just the one ($32k) a few week ago in a dealer in wilmington, nc - and he was would have given me a decent trade in on my FLHR - but i had a feeling that the 2009s must be nipping at his heels - and thus worth the wait.

[Nodaclu]

There.....fixed that for ya....

Thanks...that word should have been in the original post. My bad. My brain goes faster then my fingers most of the time.    

[FizDog74]

No Wide Glide?

[chornbe]

With the deletion of the Street Rod for the '08 MY, and the two Roadster-styled Sportsters for the '09 MY (883 Std and 1200R) and the absence of the XR1200, the U.S. consumer has stated in no uncertain terms that they have NO desire to take any corner over 20 mph, as all remaining H-D's now either have forward controls, are "lowered" (i.e., no suspension) or both.

As a former Sportster owner, this makes me stick. So much for staying true to the Sportster's roots.    

Agreed. On the upside, this guarantees that I'll have the most useful sportster ever built, even if it's not quite what the factory put out

[chornbe]

I'll have to score a ride on an '09 Road King. If the chassis is that much better, the Street Glide I've got his HISTORY. It's just too noodly in weather. I'll lean the shit out of it on dry roads, but in wet weather, forget it. It's squirrely and scary.

[JReazor]

Damn, I keep hoping that they'll bring the FXDX back but they seem firmly committed to moving in the opposite direction.

[chornbe]

Damn, I keep hoping that they'll bring the FXDX back but they seem firmly committed to moving in the opposite direction.

At this point, the Night Rod (mid controls), the base SuperGlide, and the Touring Frame Road Kings are really the only ones that interest me in any way at all.

The soft tail engine is smooooooooooooth and should be put into the touring frame bikes if they aren't going to V-Rod the things.

Shame...

I honestly wonder if the high quantity of low-mileage for-sale Harleys is due to the rattling of back teeth for newer Harley owners. Even tho' they smooth out once you come off idle, it *is* rather annoying at idle.

[FizDog74]

The soft tail engine is smooooooooooooth and should be put into the touring frame bikes if they aren't going to V-Rod the things.

Alright, forgive me for my Harley ignorance, but I thought all the bigger Harleys (sans V-ROD) had the bigger 96 inch motor. So the ones in the softails are different?  

[chornbe]

Alright, forgive me for my Harley ignorance, but I thought all the bigger Harleys (sans V-ROD) had the bigger 96 inch motor. So the ones in the softails are different?  

Yes, they all have the new 96" engine, but the Soft Tail models have the "B" (Twin Cam 96B) balanced engine, which includes a pair of balance shafts. The Harley Faithful hate those engines because, ya knw, they rob like .000003 ft. lbs. of torque.  

I'd transplant one into my 'Glide today if I could afford to get one.

[Geoff]

Besides the touring bike improvements and the new V-Rod Muscle, there's not much new at the Motor Company for '09. Makes me wonder if they used the development budget to fund the MV Agusta acquisition.  It's interesting that the Sportster 883 was dropped.  The new trike is a smart move. It positions Harley to capitalize on sales to aging baby boomers, who are getting too old for 800 pound two-wheelers. Harley will design the trikes and Lehman will build them.  

[chornbe]

Besides the touring bike improvements and the new V-Rod Muscle, there's not much new at the Motor Company for '09. Makes me wonder if they used the development budget to fund the MV Agusta acquisition.  It's interesting that the Sportster 883 was dropped.  The new trike is a smart move. It positions Harley to capitalize on sales to aging baby boomers, who are getting too old for 800 pound two-wheelers. Harley will design the trikes and Lehman will build them.  

There are two Sportster 883s on roster, or do you mean the base model with normal-height suspension?

[Geoff]

There are two Sportster 883s on roster, or do you mean the base model with normal-height suspension?

The article I saw didn't specify which 883 model was dropped. The Wide Glide and V-Rod Dark were dropped, too.