You guys are bringing out some GOOD points, especially on the bells and whistles that come std, on a 21K bike, but not on the touring models. Maybe the days of minimal bike profit, and huge markup on other "necessities" is going away. Will be interesting to see how HD follows up on this success.

 

Harley would do well to consider diversification of their product mix....Look at what Triumph does. They've got their "legacy" bikes, their ADV line, and their "modern" bikes.

People who want a traditional Harley will pay for that. People who want a uniquely American take on an ADV bike, or a sport-tourer, or a naked streetfighter can go that route. Harley's doing just fine selling megabuck cruisers and touring bikes, no reason whatsoever they can't play in other market segments successfully.

 

I would bet money, the new CEO thinks the same way. HD used to have all sorts of bikes, but many were not made by them, just carried their brand. Would be nice to see a more diverse lineup. My first bike, in '67 was an HD. It was a 125cc two stroke. No idea who made it, but it served my purpose very well. Next was a 250cc Sprint, so hopefully this time around, their lineup will be HD built, and controlled. To my thinking, a true learner bike, in the 250 class, 600-750 line, then the 1200 class. All could be based off the general design of the PA engine.

No need to reinvent the wheel every time you bring out a new model.

 

In the 1980's BMW introduced their 'K' bike, comprised of inline 3 and 4 cylinder engines. It was a radical departure from the 'R', the opposed twin. The BMW community had a total meltdown. The K bikes had different design qualities about them that separated them from the R bikes. This attracted new customers looking for the new features and characteristics. To this day the R and K continue with different design and performance characteristics but the R bikes are still there and thriving. Now, in addition to the R and K you have the G, S, and F models as well.

For the most part the uproar has ceased but there are still some old timers that to this day express that the R is 'the only real BMW.'

Harley has an opportunity to make the same move now going forward. The heavy twin does not have to go anywhere yet I keep reading and seeing videos professing the same 'certain death' of HD because they decided to branch out. It is like 1982 all over again with a different logo.

 

I think we've agreed on this in other threads and I agree even more now that the PA is out.

Clearly there will always be a place for bikes like the Revival and even a retro Sportster. I would add a Springer Softail to that line. I would buy a Bad Boy redux if it were priced right.

Then have the "middleweight" (for Harley) line of the PA, and whatever street bikes they make. I would recommend a Scrambler and a Cafe modern XR style bike.

Last - update the touring line. Use the new motor but reconfigure for more torque, maybe punch it out to 1500 cc. Full water cooling - no fake fins. Regardless, give me a motor that specs in at 125+HP/125TQ all in an 800 lb package and I'm happy. Monoshock rear suspension/upside down up front with the ride modes offered by the PA (excluding dirt, but maybe just change it to "soft" for shitty roads). Height adjustable shield, reverse, heated seat, adaptive cruise, and a few rider aids and now you have another BMW killer (as far as sales anyway).

 

I'm sorry, but did you just say "reverse"?

Your man card is revoked.

 

The rims on this bike look like they would be easy to damage due to the rim sticking out past the tires.

 

It doesn't look, to me, like they stick out beyond the tires. That would be a skinny tire.

 

I saw one in person. They stick out past the tire.

 

I’m putting a baker reverse gear on my Electraglide in August… I also had a Rekluse clutch installed … “We don’t need no stinking man cards”