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.  

[FizDog74]

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.

Ahh... thanks for the info. I had no idea. You'd think those balance shafts would help with the longetivity of the motor too. I would have guessed they would have done that the other way around for the touring bikes and left all the shaking to the softails , but what do I know.

Shame about the Wide Glide, I always thought they were good looking bikes.

[Geoff]

Yesterday, there was so much excitement on HD message boards as the faithful awaited the '09 lineup announcement.  Today, the mood is somber and many are disappointed. One poster on HDForums stated, "perhaps Harley is waiting for the country to get out of The recession..."

[Nodaclu]

The plain 883 was dropped (wish it had nomenclature to distinguish it like every other model. Guess we don't have to worry about that now.)

The 883L and 883C remain. Entry price is now $6,999 - up either $300 or $400 from last year, I'll have to check.

On one of the Sportster forums, there are two employees of H-D that work at the Kansas City plant building Sportsters. Both have been dropping hints since the '07's came out that something huge is in the works for the Sportster lineup for 2010.

They won't give any specifics at all (doing so would mean their jobs of course). They will only say that it's the most significant change in the 50+ year history of the XL line.

Many are predicting a water-cooled Sportster, but that seems too obvious, and the faithful will NEVER accept it.

My hunch is that the bike will be new from the ground (frame) up, will be lighter, better handling, and get the Thunderstorm engines (or at least the full technology) from the XB's, since it appears that Buell will be phasing that motor out of their lineup over the next 3-5 years.

If we don't get the XR, this will be why. The 2010 Sportster in its 1200 guise will basically be the same bike from a performance standpoint - minus the historical ties to the XR750 of course.

The deletion of 3 models in the XL line, no new XL models added, and the continued non-presence of the XR1200 will only feed more fuel into this fire. Should get interesting.

[1KPerDay]

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

The new superglides handle better (much stiffer forks) and brake better (even with one disc) than the FXDX. They just don't call it the "sport" anymore.  

[1KPerDay]

My hunch is that the bike will be new from the ground (frame) up, will be lighter, better handling, and get the Thunderstorm engines (or at least the full technology) from the XB's, since it appears that Buell will be phasing that motor out of their lineup over the next 3-5 years.

If we don't get the XR, this will be why. The 2010 Sportster in its 1200 guise will basically be the same bike from a performance standpoint - minus the historical ties to the XR750 of course.

The deletion of 3 models in the XL line, no new XL models added, and the continued non-presence of the XR1200 will only feed more fuel into this fire. Should get interesting.

It's the only thing that makes sense... but making the "low" or "custom" models the only ones available for 09 is asinine.  

[OrangeSVS]

It's the only thing that makes sense... but making the "low" or "custom" models the only ones available for 09 is asinine.  

You have to buy a custom one because they don't make a standard one?  That sounds pretty standard to me.

[1KPerDay]

"custom" means crappy big wheels, forward controls, and chrome. Everything UN-sportster, in other words.

[OrangeSVS]

"custom" means crappy big wheels, forward controls, and chrome. Everything UN-sportster, in other words.

Ah... gotcha.  See it always confused me when a factory comes out with a custom model for folks to buy because I always think of custom as having to be "built for a customer" or at least being sort of like a one-off.  But, using google today, I found another definition of custom and this one actually fits: "Frequent repetition of the same act; way of acting common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; usage; method of doing or living; Habitual buying of goods; practice of frequenting, as a shop, manufactory, etc."

[1KPerDay]

Excellent. A very apt definition.

[mnb]

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.

Try running Metzelers on it.

I, too, am really interested in some of the changes in the '09 touring models.  But I'm not that fond of the paint choices.  I'm pretty happy with my '07 Road King, but if I were to get another Harley, I'd probably go with a Road Glide and add on a removable color matched trunk (like I did with the Road King) for long trips.  The fairing, stereo and cruise control would be nice to have.

[chornbe]

Yesterday, there was so much excitement on HD message boards as the faithful awaited the '09 lineup announcement.  Today, the mood is somber and many are disappointed. One poster on HDForums stated, "perhaps Harley is waiting for the country to get out of The recession..."

Those guys wouldn't be happy if Willie G. fellated them all one by one in the HQ's front window.  

[OrangeSVS]

Those guys wouldn't be happy if Willie G. fellated them all one by one in the HQ's front window.  

Would you?

[chornbe]

Try running Metzelers on it.

That's what I have on there now. They do much better than the DunCraps. However, my problem with the bike isn't the tires, it's the flex-mounted swingarm and the distribution of weight. This thing is SERIOUSLY ass-heavy in wet-weather turns and slides out VERY easily

I, too, am really interested in some of the changes in the '09 touring models.  But I'm not that fond of the paint choices.  I'm pretty happy with my '07 Road King, but if I were to get another Harley, I'd probably go with a Road Glide and add on a removable color matched trunk (like I did with the Road King) for long trips.  The fairing, stereo and cruise control would be nice to have.

I'm looking at going the opposite way. I have the color-matched, removable trunk (that's the cat's ass right there!), but while the batwing fairing may help move the bike thru' the air well, it SUCKS for the rider. I rarely use the stereo as I'm using my Zumo and the Autocom for tunes. I'd be really happy with a road king with removable 'shield, maybe a super-shorty 'shield for Winter.

'Course, I may just sell off the whole front assembly (fairing, electronics, gauges, etc), and get the relatively few parts needed to make it into a Road King from there. It's actually a pretty simple conversion, and I could make more on the parts than it would cost me to do.

[chornbe]

Would you?

Hmm... you make an excellent point. No.

[mnb]

I'm looking at going the opposite way. I have the color-matched, removable trunk (that's the cat's ass right there!), but while the batwing fairing may help move the bike thru' the air well, it SUCKS for the rider. I rarely use the stereo as I'm using my Zumo and the Autocom for tunes. I'd be really happy with a road king with removable 'shield, maybe a super-shorty 'shield for Winter.

The Road Glide doesn't have the bat wing fairing (which is butt ugly).  It has the crash bar mounted fairing (which they claim is frame mounted, although it's clearly not).

Plug the zumo into the stereo.  

I can't stand riding the RK w/o the windscreen or just about any bike over 45mph or so.

[chornbe]

The Road Glide doesn't have the bat wing fairing (which is butt ugly).  It has the crash bar mounted fairing (which they claim is frame mounted, although it's clearly not).

Plug the zumo into the stereo.  

I can't stand riding the RK w/o the windscreen or just about any bike over 45mph or so.

The Road Glide is excellent out on the open road, but this crappy EPA-cert'd lean-running nut roaster needs more air, and more importantly, a wider path for the air to exit. I'm just not even riding mine in the summer, now. My sportster is out on loan, so I'm riding the fizzy for everything but longer 2-up, open road runs. Around town, I just want to kick it over at every stop sign and traffic light and go jump in the river to cool off.

[OldBob]

It has the crash bar mounted fairing (which they claim is frame mounted, although it's clearly not).

I thought the same thing until I looked closely at one.  Yes, there are mounts that attach to the crash bars, but the steering head supports a much more substantial mount.  

Bob

[DaleFranks]

Wow. This is a total surprise.  The bikes look exactly like they did last year.

And the year before that.  And the year before that.  And the year before that.  And the year before that...

[1KPerDay]

 

[Geoff]

Wow. This is a total surprise.  The bikes look exactly like they did last year.

And the year before that.  And the year before that.  And the year before that.  And the year before that...

Why mess with success? Harley-Davidson's classic styling sells bikes.

[DaleFranks]

Why mess with success? Harley-Davidson's classic styling sells bikes.

Don't get me wrong, I love the look.  Best-looking motorcycles made anywhere.  It's just slightly amusing how conservative HD is when it comes to their styling.

The 2009 Touring models are essentially completely new motorcycles, in terms of the fram and suspension.  You wouldn't know it to look at them.

[Geoff]

Don't get me wrong, I love the look.  Best-looking motorcycles made anywhere.  It's just slightly amusing how conservative HD is when it comes to their styling.

The 2009 Touring models are essentially completely new motorcycles, in terms of the fram and suspension.  You wouldn't know it to look at them.

There would be uproar if the styling changed. The faithful like the fact that they can own a bike that looks and feels like the one their grandfather rode.  

Does the V-Rod have conservative styling?

[atadaskew]

The 2009 Touring models are essentially completely new motorcycles, in terms of the fram and suspension.  You wouldn't know it to look at them.

No kidding.  Completely new frame and swingarm.  Revised suspension. New wheels with a 17 incher on the front and a 180 out back.  Newly re-routed headers to keep the nut roasting at bay.  I'm gonna rent one the moment the '09s hit the floor to see the difference.  It sounds like they really have something special now, and no, I'm not being sarcastic.
 
I think we can thank the Vicory Vision for 'forcing' these improvements.

[surfsup]

i agree - a big thanks to victory and the American way - viva la competition and the capitalist spirit!!!!

[Geoff]

i agree - a big thanks to victory and the American way - viva la competition and the capitalist spirit!!!!

Viva la competition!

The new Victory was no overnight development. Harley must have known something was in the works and started its updates to counter the competition. Harley also used the opportunity to fix the problem with touring frame high speed wobble.