Hypothetical - you're in charge of HD. What would you do?

[DogBoy]

I don't have any idea how feasible this is but if I were running the show over there I would probably look at developing and sponsoring some form of motorcycle racing that HD bikes could dominate.

I am sure there would be a way to set up restrictions on the bikes so that it would heavily favour air cooled twins with a certain minimum displacement or something so that H-D bikes would be the obvious competitors, and then tag on to stock car racing or some sort of popular US racing sport, and convince a lot of people that HD bikes are not just the most luxurious or best constructed (as many believe) but also the best at a particular type of racing.

The Japanese and Italian manufacturers could conceivably compete but I would guess their racing budgets are pretty much spoken for, in classes they can do well at already.

That might pull in a whole new generation of more adrenalin-focused buyers.  It also might generate more Roadster-type Harleys, which would be good for people like me.


Sent from my brain using my hands

AMA Flat Track has existed for decades. Its dominated by HD and HD spends a lot of sponsorship money on the series and local dealers also spend quite a bit to support flat track racing. It would be nice if HD put in enough money for more TV coverage or at least getting the existing coverage on bigger networks. There is also the single make Vance & Hines XR1200 series as part of AMA Pro Road Racing but I'm under the impression that is mostly backed by V&H. Maybe Prubert would know if HD corporate is also supporting the XR1200 series in any way. The purses and points fund in the XR1200 road racing series are among the best in motorcycle racing in North America.

[misanthropist]

Well, if I'd had that idea fifty years ago, I sure would have looked smart today.

I didn't know that racing class still existed.  In that case I change my answer to "make it more famous".


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[DogBoy]

Agreed.  

[Ramming Speed]

Google Jim Feuling's W3 engine.  

[stevent]

I always thought they screwed up with Buell. What they sold as Buells should have become the Sportster line up. The current Sportsters would be renamed as Roadsters or something along those lines. When the Sporty was introduced it was considered a hot rod meant to take on the Brit's, selling Buells as Sportsters would continue that tradition and would have added to their credability instead of treating them as red headed step children.

A V rod engined bagger is a no-brainer as well though it would need a redesigned frame. I'm pretty happy with the direction they're going and I love the sparklers. I'm on my 8th HD and love every minute of it.

[falconati]

Renaming the historical Sportster line?!  Are you serious?!

[DogBoy]

There is a lot of "New Coke" in this thread.  

[Cricket1]

There is a lot of "New Coke" in this thread. 

Yeah well, the original post is kind of a troll.... at least to the Harley faithful here on STN.

[Prubert]

Maybe Prubert would know if HD corporate is also supporting the XR1200 series in anyway. The purses and points fund in the XR1200 road racing series are among the best in motorcycle racing in North America.

V&H sponsors it, H-D supports it....until 2014.

[Grainbelt]

They are going to miss the bus on the cafe craze if they don't put something out shortly.

I like what they've done with the Nightster and Iron, but I'd like to see something with real suspension. The Roadster didn't sell because it didn't really look like anything - they'd have to offer it with at least a bikini fairing and some relevant accessories.

[atadaskew]

They are going to miss the bus on the cafe craze if they don't put something out shortly.

You don't think the XR1200X was a cafe bike?  Maybe they should have put lower bars on it.

[misanthropist]

I didn't really think of it as a cafe bike, personally.  I did like it and seriously considered one for a bit, but it didn't seem like a cafe bike to me.  Too tall and dirt-tracky, I thought.  I did like it though.

I also liked the roadster but I agree it needed either more pizazz or more panache.  Not sure which though.

Test rode a roadster and don't have it for the sole reason that somebody bought it out from under me while I was making up my mind.


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[Carbonero]

I didn't really think of it as a cafe bike, personally.  I did like it and seriously considered one for a bit, but it didn't seem like a cafe bike to me.  Too tall and dirt-tracky, I thought.  I did like it though.

I also liked the roadster but I agree it needed either more pizazz or more panache.  Not sure which though.

Test rode a roadster and don't have it for the sole reason that somebody bought it out from under me while I was making up my mind.


Sent from my brain using my hands

IIRC, the Roadster was the one Sportster anyone should ever really buy... 4.5 gallon tank, twin discs up front, regular height suspension, particularly NON ape-hangy bars and absolutely no "harley guy" crap pre-installed. Tubeless tires on cast wheels.  

(although all the pictures I find have the peanut tank installed)  

[Rattlehead]

IIRC, the Roadster was the one Sportster anyone should ever really buy... 4.5 gallon tank, twin discs up front, regular height suspension, particularly NON ape-hangy bars and absolutely no "harley guy" crap pre-installed. Tubeless tires on cast wheels.  

(although all the pictures I find have the peanut tank installed)  

I keep telling myself my next bike WILL be a 1200R.

Here you go, with the 4.5gal tank in a nice huge "desktop" size (pic only shows up if your logged in, sorry):

[Carbonero]

I keep telling myself my next bike WILL be a 1200R.

Here you go, with the 4.5gal tank in a nice huge "desktop" size:

I once built the 883 version of the Roadster from a base model. Loved that bike.  

[Rattlehead]

I once built the 883 version of the Roadster from a base model. Loved that bike.  

That is one of the true beauty's of the Sporty. Can't find the exact model you want, just make one. It is probably the best "blank canvas" ever made.

[Justin]

What would I do differently?  Nothing.

+1

[Cricket1]

Nothing

Ding, ding winnar!  It only took 3 pages, but someone finally answered with what the OP was looking for all along. 

[atadaskew]

IIRC, the Roadster was the one Sportster anyone should ever really buy... 4.5 gallon tank, twin discs up front, regular height suspension, particularly NON ape-hangy bars and absolutely no "harley guy" crap pre-installed. Tubeless tires on cast wheels.  

I wanted one of those so bad with the bright blue paint job.  But apparently most people didn't, as it was dropped for the Custom (chrome, bigger spoked wheels etc) and Low versions.
But, they are a business and the market spoke.

[misanthropist]

I wanted one of those so bad with the bright blue paint job.  But apparently most people didn't, as it was dropped for the Custom (chrome, bigger spoked wheels etc) and Low versions.
But, they are a business and the market spoke.

That was the exact one I nearly bought.


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