New 1200cc Sportster Seventy-Two and the 1690cc Softail Slim

[Rincewind]

To be revealed in full on Feb. 10.  Please contain your excitement.  

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/h-d-sportster-seventy-two-and-softail-slim-coming-soon/19975.html

[atadaskew]

The Softtail slim looks sweet, the Sportster 72 looks like a gaudier poor man's version of the Street Bob.

[Mr.Black]

Same as it ever was



same as it ever was




same as it ever was







same as it ever was

[County Tar]

Two more things I can use to help alleviate my sleep disorder.  

[Frankienuckles]

Harley's are the "Mr. Potato Heads" of the motorcyle world.

[JReazor]

Harley's are the "Mr. Potato Heads" of the motorcyle world.

I think you meant to say 'Mr. Potato-Potato Head'.

[atadaskew]

Harley's are the "Mr. Potato Heads" of the motorcyle world.

And people like potatoes.

[Rincewind]

The Softtail slim looks sweet, the Sportster 72 looks like a gaudier poor man's version of the Street Bob.

Yeah they did a great job on the Softtail Slim.  $15,499.  The Slim is targeting 30-45 year olds, while the 72 is meant for younger riders as well as Latinos and Euros per the article below. 

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-harley-new-models-20120202,0,564576.story

[atadaskew]

Retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew 10.9% globally and 11.8% nationally during the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with the prior-year period. Overall 2011 sales were up 5.9% worldwide and 5.8% in the U.S.

That's in contrast to much of the industry, which continues to struggle.

It looks like it's the other i.e. Japanese mfgs, that are putting people to sleep.

[Rattlehead]

Let me know when they make a Sportster that functions as an actual motorcycle and not just a fashion accessory.

I've already been down that road (Sportster). I'm glad it's gone.
In it's defense though, it was only a functional suspension, 1 front brake rotor and caliper, some decent wheels/tires, and 50hp away from being a really great motorcycle.  

[atadaskew]

Let me know when they make a Sportster that functions as an actual motorcycle and not just a fashion accessory.

Here you go:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/xr1200x.html

They have been making it for a few years now.

[Rincewind]

I guess by "Slim" they did not mean at all that the bike went on a diet.  700lbs wet.  20lbs over the Blackline Softail and, incidentally, 55lbs over a FJR.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/softail-slim.html#/c/specs

[County Tar]

It looks like it's the other i.e. Japanese mfgs, that are putting people to sleep.

Probably more a reflection of the kind of people that are buying motorcycles.  

[atadaskew]

Probably more a reflection of the kind of people that are buying motorcycles.  

What does that mean?  

All that matters is if bikes are being sold.

[BobW]

I like the Slim, but the donor Fat Boy was one of the few HDs with "proper" tires and with the available tubeless laced rims on the touring bikes, I hate to see them not even offered as an option on their other models. Same crap with the Victory bikes. I can't see where any modern motorcycle OEM shouldn't at least provide the choice of "better" rim/tire designs especially when things like abs can be had. Other than that rant. I'd hit it  

[Rattlehead]

Here you go:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/xr1200x.html

They have been making it for a few years now.

Touche'  

I did actually check out the XR. It was a great lookin' bike and seemed quite comfortable. 2 things killed it for me though, there was nothing it did that my Buell didn't do much better and it was priced about $2g's more than I feel it was worth. There are just far too many bikes that outperform it for less $$$ and are just as well built. The Street Triple R comes immediately to mind.   It does have a very unique look though and I like it a lot but looks aren't the only thing I'm after in a bike.

[Cricket1]

 It does have a very unique look though and I like it a lot but looks aren't the only thing I'm after in a bike.

Yeah, so you are not "Harley Davidson" eligible. 

[Rattlehead]

Yeah, so you are not "Harley Davidson" eligible. 

It would seem that way.
They just seem to compromise way too much in the name of style; like a fully functional suspension.    

[Playinthestreet]

but looks aren't the only thing I'm after in a bike.


In that you ride a Hayabusa, that's a given.

[Rattlehead]

but looks aren't the only thing I'm after in a bike.


In that you ride a Hayabusa, that's a given.

It matters enough that I didn't get a ZX14 though.  
Seems like a lot of people don't think of the Busa as a particularly attractive bike. I wouldn't say it's the best looking bike ever but I don't find it to be unattractive either. The real beauty in it, for me, is that it does everything I ask it to with capability to spare.