A Surprising New Bike from HD

[FJRider]

I think they're starting to wake up. The New Harley Street Fighter.

[Sport-Touring]

[Blue is Best]

I agree. That isn't something they have produced before. I'm not an HD expert but the engine looks like it is new(?). I hope it makes at least 100 hp. Looks to have good suspension too!!

[kyzrex]

This has been “out there” for some time now, but so far nobody has seen it in the flesh or had an opportunity to ride it.  But I agree, it does look interesting and promising.  I have read that it’s a 975cc engine which should produce 100 hp or so.  No word on what the weight may be or when one will be available for testing.

[Blue is Best]

This has been “out there” for some time now, but so far nobody has seen it in the flesh or had an opportunity to ride it.  But I agree, it does look interesting and promising.  I have read that it’s a 975cc engine which should produce 100 hp or so.  No word on what the weight may be or when one will be available for testing.

Never heard of it. Not that I pay attention to HD.

500-550 lbs, 1200cc, 100 hp at least and an rpm limit of 8,000 rpms or so and they would be in the game.

[rajflyboy]

The Motor Company just wont die

[AutoXer]

Never heard of it. Not that I pay attention to HD.

500-550 lbs, 1200cc, 100 hp at least and an rpm limit of 8,000 rpms or so and they would be in the game.

"In the game" performance-wise would be a start, but if they price it like they priced the Livewire it will fail. They have to have some sanity to their pricing.  They may think of themselves as a "premium brand" that can charge such outrageous prices, but the Harley name means nothing outside of cruisers - they can't just assume they can price it anywhere they want because they are "Harley".  In fact, given the stigma the name carries with many riders (and the general public) I dare say being "in the game" isn't enough - they need to be at the top level of the game if they are going to really change the company.  So we will see.

[kyzrex]

Because of the stigma that HD does, the stigma of building overweight, underperforming, and expensive motorcycles, I agree that this bike is going to be highly scrutinized by the media and the public.  Each and every flaw is going to be exposed and discussed, and if it is found wanting in many areas it’s going to be a very tough sell.  

May not be fair,  it it’s exactly what HD deserves IMO.  The corporation, and its faithful, have spent years disrespecting the efforts by others to produce cruisers meant to compete with HD.  The others have been scorned, the riders of such have been thought to be less than “real” riders.  HD has even gone so far as to try and patent their own sound.  

So here you go, HD.  This bikes best be better than competition, not just as good as.  You’re going to have to give riders a reason to give up on their Honda, their KTM, or their other brand.  To the faithful of Ducati or BMW, the HD name is one to be scorned and ridiculed and not one to be respected.  You’re going to have to earn that respect that you and yours have so consistently failed to give others, and that’s not going to be easy to do.

[SLK50]

Because of the stigma that HD does, the stigma of building overweight, underperforming, and expensive motorcycles, I agree that this bike is going to be highly scrutinized by the media and the public.  Each and every flaw is going to be exposed and discussed, and if it is found wanting in many areas it’s going to be a very tough sell.  

May not be fair,  it it’s exactly what HD deserves IMO.  The corporation, and its faithful, have spent years disrespecting the efforts by others to produce cruisers meant to compete with HD.  The others have been scorned, the riders of such have been thought to be less than “real” riders.  HD has even gone so far as to try and patent their own sound.  

So here you go, HD.  This bikes best be better than competition, not just as good as.  You’re going to have to give riders a reason to give up on their Honda, their KTM, or their other brand.  To the faithful of Ducati or BMW, the HD name is one to be scorned and ridiculed and not one to be respected.  You’re going to have to earn that respect that you and yours have so consistently failed to give others, and that’s not going to be easy to do.

You’re blatant prejudices prevent you from viewing anything from HD with an open mind.
No matter what they do, it won’t be good enough. So give it a rest.

[Blue is Best]

K is a little tough but I say- well said.

[kyzrex]

You’re blatant prejudices prevent you from viewing anything from HD with an open mind.
No matter what they do, it won’t be good enough. So give it a rest.

You have misconstrued my post.  I am NOT anti-HD motorcycle, far from it.  I’ve rented, ridden, and enjoyed several HD bikes over the years.  I’ve never owned one, but my brother had built, owned, and serviced many in his life. I enjoy them for what they are.

I’m merely trying to point out that HD, as a company and as a community of riders, have tried to build a wall of superiority around the brand for decades.  It wasn’t Sportbike riders that came up with terms like “rice burners” and “ power rangers”.  It was HD that petitioned a government to enact tariffs against larger bikes from foreign manufacturers.  

I will still contend that building a sportbike that is “as good” as the competition will not be enough. The true anti-HD riders will only be convinced to actually BUY them if they are superior products.  So much of the HD sales strategy has been to get people to buy into the mystique of the brand.  But that’s not going to fly with most sportbike buyers because most sportbike riders don’t get that mystique.  If anything they are already much more anti-HD than they are pro HD....and a big part of that is because of the type of things I mentioned in the 2nd paragraph.

[Bounce]

K is a little tough but I say- well said.

+1

[PatM]

It looks like an Mt-01

[AutoXer]

Let's not forget the other major issue - they will drop these bikes into dealerships that are 99% black leather & chrome, to be sold by people who don't know how to sell a product on performance but only know how to sell an image to middle-aged mid-life crisis guys.  Can't wait to see how that works out.  Probably as good as it did for Buell ...

[rajflyboy]

Apparel sales will pay for this motorcycle for the next few years

 

[FJRider]

I hope Harley can turn it around. The plant/headquarters is about 30 miles from my home. I know quite a few people who do work, or use to work there. I think they are about 15 yrs too late to have this modernity epiphany they seem to be experiencing. Especially now that the MC market is shrinking. I can only wish them luck.

[jay547]

Apparel sales will pay for this motorcycle for the next few years

 

A pic I took Saturday:

[rajflyboy]

School bus Harley

Good idea for new Venture for HD.   Big clunky and slow.

[Blue is Best]

Harley is going to have to bite the bullet and change their motorcycle sales direction. This new bike is going in the right way. Their problem will be alienating their bread and butter old school clientele. For every rider that gives up riding due to their "only bike I can ride" mentality , Harley will have to pick up another rider like us that wants to buy/ride American.

I really wanted to buy a Motus but at $30k plus? NEXT. I ain't never paying that kind of money for a motorcycle. If this Harley runs well and sells for a reasonable price then I will go check it out and consider a purchase.

I am a real proponent of buying American. My nonriding friends pipe up immediately about my two Japanese bikes. "But there is no American bike that I can ride" to buy I explain. Maybe now!

[jay547]

I am a real proponent of buying American. My nonriding friends pipe up immediately about my two Japanese bikes. "But there is no American bike that I can ride" to buy I explain. Maybe now!

Are Gold Wings still made in America?

[SLK50]

Are Gold Wings still made in America?

Where have you been?
GW production is entirely Japanese now.