so Harley will just make the same generic bikes they make every year?
Yup, Harleys thing has been the "classic motorcycle" niche. Think of it as being able to buy a 57 Chevy or a 71 Chevelle or 72 Nova every year but with semi modern drivetrain tweaks etc.
Hmmmm 650 pounds, windshield goes up and down, heated grips standard equipment, 2 saddle bags, Givi makes a trunk for them, 150+ HP, 6 speed, shaft drive, does not vibrate, water cooled, ABS and traction control (traction control and linked brakes can be shut off).... and I got it brand new for $12,500 in 2018.
Why doesn't HD make it? Because like electric bikes (especially overseas) other companies are doing it better and cheaper, and HD would never recoup their R&D costs, forget about the tooling, etc.
PS it does a quarter in under 11 seconds, experienced riders have gotten into the low 10's
Almost bought one in '07 or '08, but they didn't (and still don't) have cruise control. This invalidates using the term "Touring" to describe a bike for me.
Almost bought one in '07 or '08, but they didn't (and still don't) have cruise control. This invalidates using the term "Touring" to describe a bike for me.
If the riding position is laying on your *****, it’s not a touring bike.
"Instead of playing catch up they could really introduce something new"
That very first sentence says it all. If I wanted a sport tourer I could buy a sport tourer. Once you add a rider to a 650lb road glide you are right back to 850-900 lbs. Add a passenger you are over 1000.
So the I need a heavy bike argument doesnt work.
Just put a windshield and bags on a softail and call it good. Nope, you still dont have the comfort and wind protection of a RGU or all the amenities.
You still wouldn't have 5" of rear suspension travel and a plush ride. People spend thousands trying to make their Harley touring bike ride better and you still have 3" of rear travel.
You call it wanting a metric bike that says Harley on it. You just conceded that the metric bikes are that much better.
You say it would cost too much to build. Bullshit, look what they spent on the Livewire with no return on investment.
Instead of trying to break in to a category where other manufacturers dominate ( the PA) put your money into developing what you do best and build truly badass cruisers and touring bikes.
A 650lb 130 rwhp RGU would win MOTY and all the mags would gush about how Harley not only left Indian behind but stomped a mud hole in their *** and walked it dry.
"A 650lb 130 rwhp RGU would win MOTY and all the mags would gush about how Harley not only left Indian behind but stomped a mud hole in their *** and walked it dry."
yeah - and? That chit's fun to talk about for all of 8 seconds. The company needs to be viable a lot longer than that.
So easy - I'm shocked you haven't done it already. I mean it's just millions to hundreds of millions in R&D. Complete shift in supply chain considerations. Complete change in factory production equipment, thousands of new SKU's in inventory to manage and source - all to make a bike no one will buy due to cost. We're not talking a 1500 dollar premium to do what you think. Take a CVO, now triple that price. Literally and at a minimum.
A 650 lbs. touring bike is a sport touring bike. A touring bike has mass as I described.
Figure out what you want and go buy it. You want a faired touring bike, HD has them, with the weight to make them comfortable. You want a 650 lbs. bike with a fairing? The Sport Glide has one (laughably, maybe).
You want them to build a sport touring bike, then I agree. But you can't turn a Caddy into a Geo Metro and expect it to ride well.
Hmmmm 650 pounds, windshield goes up and down, heated grips standard equipment, 2 saddle bags, Givi makes a trunk for them, 150+ HP, 6 speed, shaft drive, does not vibrate, water cooled, ABS and traction control (traction control and linked brakes can be shut off).... and I got it brand new for $12,500 in 2018.
Why doesn't HD make it? Because like electric bikes (especially overseas) other companies are doing it better and cheaper, and HD would never recoup their R&D costs, forget about the tooling, etc.
PS it does a quarter in under 11 seconds, experienced riders have gotten into the low 10's
I owned a 2013 and it is a great cross county bike for going long distances. But, they are boring (Usually only two color options). I also owned and FJR. Great great bike. But, the fun goes away after an hour of cruising for a long stretch. My experiences on the Concours and FJR are the reason I haven't bought the BMW or Goldwing. You don't even know if the engine started they are so quiet. Great bikes, but just not for me. I've owned a lot of Harleys, and I seem to keep going back to them.
Oh, and passenger aren't as comfortable on the Tour Sport.
02-09-2021, 12:14 PM
