Don't know if it's already been said but I think the desire to ride a bagger is for an older rather than younger rider...AND not every rider wants to ride an image rather than the bike . You know who you are...

 

Hey, I had one of those.

They don't make the 883 anymore?

 

Ducati introduced some new bikes that are in step with market demand. Best example is the Scrambler. Also, Ducati's brand image connects with young buyers.

A bagger with the V-Rod Revolution mill might compromise sales of the Electra Glide, Harley's most profitable bike.

 

I ONLY got 206,000 miles out of my Sportster before the main shaft bearing went in my transmission in 2017. Everyone of the 5 Harleys that participated in the Iron Butt Rally completed the rally. I'd say their reliability is on par with most other brands.

At the same time I have seen many other brands with 100, 200, and sometimes 300,000 miles on them in the long distance riding community.

 

That right there is one of the most significant reasons that established companies eventually get displaced by competition.

If you aren't willing to compete with yourself, someone else will.

 

2008MY Suzuki "upped" the performance of their flagship 'busa. And yes, it's not a beginner's bike.

 

Good point.

Harley might be reluctant to build something other than cruisers after Buell and MV Agusta didn't work out.

 

a lot. my first bike was an old vt500 that ran like a top. most of cafe racers running around are vintage rice based, tons are out there on 79 goldwings.. just be cause you don't see it doesn't mean it's not happening... hds are a dime a dozen. they are under every rock you flip over... like 80's bmws lol

 

Just to elaborate on your point here, the vintage rice is MUCH harder to keep going once it gets older. I came from Vintage Honda Goldwings, and if you cant find good used or NOS you are kinda screwed. I have a 76 and a 77 Goldwing sitting in storage right now, with nearly enough parts to build another, but some stuff is just unicorn blood (good carbs for one)

I can go to nearly any indy shop (and even some dealers) and get parts for just about any bike the MOCO made. There just arent as many people out there making parts for the vintage rice, and when you do find it, you PAY for it.

I do agree about used Harleys being a dime a dozen, but the vintage rice isnt exactly gold plated either.

 

Damn right! My 81 and 83 are still on the road. Put 200000 on my 97 springer and have 112000 on my 11. It comes down to owner's care and commitment to take care of their machine so the machine will take care of them. Same goes for classic cars and anything else worth preserving. Harleys are not considered "Expendable"! I have no problems with metric bikes, I owned a string of them that were great machines, but now often their owners just drive them into the ground and buy another one.