Harley Brawler Concept - "Recapturing the Youth Market. Take 3."

[garry]

I don't see the point aside from poseur value. If you want a naked sporty bike, buy the real thing (Speed Triple, Tuono, Super Duke, etc). It'll be lighter, faster, handle better, etc at the same price point or less. Someone else mentioned the Yamaha MT01. How do they do sales wise? Gotta think that is a pretty small market niche they're going for.

[Rincewind]

Go ahead and make it; go ahead and buy it.  Owners will still have to go sit in a corner at HOG meets.  

 

[jfurf]

It appears to be design exercise, not an official concept.  In other words... not a real production model, never will be a real production model, etc.

[Altarider]

This reminds me a lot of the first generation V-Max.  Big, big engine, short rake compared to most cruisers.  I wonder if the V Rod engine can generate the following that the V-4 did for the V-Max.

[Espada]

Dear Harley,

You had the 1125CR.  What the fuck is wrong with you?  Assholes.

[peacemaker24]

I don't know what it's like in other parts of the world, but the areas I cruise around in, Harley ain't hurting.  I'm a truck driver, so I'm on the road a LOT, and from what I see, Harleys outnumber the rest of the motorcycling population together by at least six to one.   Heck the only place I see sportybikes in anything like numbers is Chicago, with the, umm, "Urban pirates," cruising around in packs at 90 in a 45 all the time.  

As for Harley's bikes, their cruisers truly are top notch for cruisers.  I've ridden some modern cruising bikes, like the Triumph T-Bird, Victory Vision, Victory Cross Country, and one of the big Vulcans, and none of them could really compare in terms of comfort and feel to my Dad's 14 year old Road King.  I still think they're overpriced, but they are pretty damned good.

It's this "youth bike," segment that they can't seem to find a working formula in.  I was actually looking at the XR1200, at one point, but then thought: a Sportster ain't much of a bike at any price, so a hot-rod sportster, which is bound to be mediocre by sportybike standards really should not cost 12,000 f#cking dollars.  

~~~Jesse

[atadaskew]

Dear Harley,

You had the 1125CR.  What the fuck is wrong with you?  Assholes.

Maybe the ugliest bike in recent memory.
Or was it that other 1125 model?

Where's Brad when I need him?

[Hodge Podge]

I don't post very often, but I've been here long enough to have misread the thread title as "Hocket Brawler Concept."  Bummer.  That would have been a cool bike...

[Kraz]

I don't really get too excited about a bunch of CG mockups.  It's not even into prototype phase yet...

Are those mirrors mounted on the forks?
 

Oh my...

[falconati]

Beautiful motorcycle.  Hopefully they get a good price on this guy and keep it a lil light

[Espada]

Beautiful motorcycle.  Hopefully they get a good price on this guy and keep it a lil light

Heh, I wouldn't bet on that.  Harley managed to get the Sportster 883 (not even 1000 freaking cc!) Super Low to weigh 563 lb, ready to ride.  The only thing simpler in the world motorcycling is the Honda Rebel 250.  I have a feeling that this   "Brawler," will have a weight that will make an FJR looking damned pocket bike.

[chornbe]

Heh, I wouldn't bet on that.  Harley managed to get the Sportster 883 (not even 1000 freaking cc!) Super Low to weigh 563 lb, ready to ride.  The only thing simpler in the world motorcycling is the Honda Rebel 250.  I have a feeling that this   "Brawler," will have a weight that will make an FJR looking damned pocket bike.

Lighten up, Francis. As we've since discovered, It's a 3rd party rendering of ideas. It is NOT (so far) a Harley-sponsored thing.

PS... Weigh other cruiser-styled bikes. Some of the weights will surprise you. Plus, cut open a Sportster frame sometimes... they're stout and stiff. The reason... the tube walls are crazy thick. Add in all the iron and steel in the engine and gear box... They're not designed (and hence, built) to be lightweight uber performance bikes. Ever ridden one? They're a different feel altogether from bikes with aluminum frames and lots of aluminum and alloys. I didn't say better or worse - different. That density changes the dynamics quite a bit.

[Espada]

Lighten up, Francis. As we've since discovered, It's a 3rd party rendering of ideas. It is NOT (so far) a Harley-sponsored thing.

PS... Weigh other cruiser-styled bikes. Some of the weights will surprise you. Plus, cut open a Sportster frame sometimes... they're stout and stiff. The reason... the tube walls are crazy thick. Add in all the iron and steel in the engine and gear box... They're not designed (and hence, built) to be lightweight uber performance bikes. Ever ridden one? They're a different feel altogether from bikes with aluminum frames and lots of aluminum and alloys. I didn't say better or worse - different. That density changes the dynamics quite a bit.

Nice reference to Pee Wee's Big Adventure    I understand that the Brawler is a third party conceptual study, but the idea behind it irks me.  Admittedly, that stems from my experience as a former owner of a Buell XB9S.  Everything Harley needed to pull in the, "Youth Market," was right there.  

[bomber]

Density always changes things, this is true -- while delving into the mill on my Tuber Buell (especially as 1203 Sportie with mildly reworked heads), I was astounded at the 1960's tech parts still in play . . .

For the vast majority of the target market for these engines, I'll agree that this posed no problem at all  .. . .

Density almost always changes things -- and almost always for the worse. You don't have to be wanting an uber performace bike to appreciate the lack of avoirdupois -- simple K-turn in a crowded parking lot will do it.

[chornbe]

Density always changes things, this is true -- while delving into the mill on my Tuber Buell (especially as 1203 Sportie with mildly reworked heads), I was astounded at the 1960's tech parts still in play . . .

For the vast majority of the target market for these engines, I'll agree that this posed no problem at all  .. . .

Density almost always changes things -- and almost always for the worse. You don't have to be wanting an uber performace bike to appreciate the lack of avoirdupois -- simple K-turn in a crowded parking lot will do it.

I gotta say, I'll never understand the people who can't u-turn a Harley in like 9 feet of space. Especially the touring frame machines. Those things are wicked easy to ride and very well mannered. And if parking lots are the criteria, I'd take pretty much *any* Harley over pretty much any of the bigger STs any day; lower center of gravity and lower overall stance means way easier to move around than a top-heavier or taller bike like an FJR or a C14 or something.