I somewhat understand the natural human aversion to change, and since HD has a very loyal customer base, the hesitancy (ie: "new bikes suck!") to a new lineup of bikes is somewhat understandable.

But I do question those people, because there is no realistic thing you can point to on a newer car/truck/bike and claim that it was better in previous model years.

There are exceptions of course.

Let's look at muscle cars of today. You can get a volume selling Mustang GT, or Camaro SS for the price of a loaded Camry or Accord and run low 12's bone stock out of the box. Are the new muscle cars worse or better then the 60's era cars that started it all?

 

I appreciate all the advances HD has made over the years but my 07 still runs fine, I will keep it for a long time. I might add another bike but for now I don't know what it will be...

 

A Subaru STI WRX will probably smoke the vast majority of hot cars built in the '50s and '60s. I think a '70 Chevelle is beautiful but I' not willing to pay $100K for one. They are rich men's toys and those rich men are dying out.

 

We will see how well they sell but I know my local dealer is moving 18's already. The Fat Bob that came in left the same day it was uncrated.

I think the revamp of the Cruiser line was a good move. I'm interested to see what the next move will be to attract 2 million new riders.

I think a true 'Harleysaki" will need to be made that attracts folks from the other 50% over. I bit on the Street Rod because it's not like a traditional Harley in any sense...

Not just for Harley but for the industry as a whole it's a very exciting time.

...just need to get more new riders!

 

Better! Assuming that wasn't a rhetorical question.

My 71 sixpack challenger looked better than a new one but thats it.

 

I can't believe I read this entire thread. LOL. I've owned about every type and brand of bike starting with my first at age 10. A 1974 Kawasaki KV-75. I thought that bike was the world. It left such an impression on me that I went on to buy more Kawasakis. I have owned a '95 ZX-6 Ninja, then a string of different years' worth of Vulcans.

Then the 100th Anniversary HDs came out. I bought one, a 1200 Sporty. I rode that bike a total of 4000 miles, and after the third time I had a mirror snap off at the base of the stalk at highway speed, I'd had enough. I could have easily said, "Eff this, HDs are junk". But I'm not so quick to judge, and I liked the bike except for this problem. I moved on to other bikes from Fat Boys, Yamahas, Hondas, a Triumph Daytona 955i, and came back to HD.

I'm 50 years old. The new 107 M8 drew me to the new bike. Out of all of them, Jap, British, or HD...I feel this is the finest bike I've owned. I felt that my 2005 CVO Fat Boy was lacking quality at 24K miles...if not for the new improvements HD made through the Rushmore project, I probably wouldn't have purchased another HD.

Everyone has their opinion. I like chrome; others like blackout. It's all good, to each their own. Just ride and be safe. Respect the other guys' opinion.

 

a frickin' Camry will smoke a lot of '60s muscle cars, but admittedly a big part of that is how much better tires are now.

 

Delete.

 

I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion about the new bikes. Like them=buy one, don't like them=don't buy one. I do hate to see the superglides go, that's what I started out on (well actually a 45 flathead chopper), then a superglide. None the less we all ride what we like. Personally, I'll be sticking with my 06 springer softtail and perhaps start looking for a shovelhead. Theres my two cents worth............

 

Ain't that the truth.