Instead of playing catch up they could really introduce something new. Extensive use of aluminum and composite materials could drastically reduce the weight.

An all new all aluminum mono shock frame with 5" of shock travel. Aluminum tank,fenders. replace all the steel parts you can with composite or aluminum. Aluminum can be chromed or anodized.

You can't tell the difference between steel painted parts or aluminum. The feel is the same. All aluminum water cooled engine with reverse flow cooling so the coolant goes thru the heads first, then the block. That allows higher compression, more power without detonation. Revise the cam profiles so people don't have to change the cams to get it to sound more like a Harley.

Put enough power in it (150 hp, 140 ft lbs of torque) use the latest technologies like direct injection to fatten that torque curve.

Ride modes, lean sensitive traction control, electrically adjustable windshield,

The power to weight ratio would be fantastic and the handling much improved. It would be that "got to have it" model they desperately need to turn things around.

That would make me trade my 900lb. RGU in if I could get a new RGU that had all that and weighed 650lbs. 600 lbs would be even better then let everyone else play catch up

 

Yeah!

And why can't Harley-Davidson produce an engine that doesn't vibrate? Yet be a V-twin. Maybe with a vibration on/off button. Even better a vibration setting slider in a smartphone app.

And the sound. Make it so it doesn't sound like a Harley-Davidson. Yet be a Harley-Davidson. And have the power curve of an inline six, yet with a VTwin.

And the same colors other manufacturers offer. Yet made by Harley-Davidson. And disable the chrome option. Unless a customer wants chrome, which they can enable through the smartphone app. Have a slider of chromicity. And another slider for black-chrome versus classic chrome.

And change the riding stance. Something more like those new naked bikes. Yet still retain the classic Harley-Davidson seating posture. They should also change the suspension to new inverted hidden magneto fluid shocks. Yet make them look like a springer.

Instead of steel they can use titanium reinforced carbon fiber mesh. Yet keep the prices of steel frames.

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The reason "why not" is because if you want something different than what Harley-Davidson produces you have to look to another manufacturer. Harley produces Harleys.

 

Because you would not pay for it. take 300 lbs off a Touring bike would be a huge ,expensive task.Few would

 

If they did all of that AND kept the look and sound, they'd have to use Titanium or some other alloy for the frame and many engine parts. Recycled beer cans would not be strong enough. This new 650lb ultra would have a base price of $50,000.

 

And copy the drive belt setup like on the Indian Scout so you can change the drive belt without removing the swingarm. The scout setup is awesome as far as ease of changing the belt.

 

Because then the wieght of the rider and passenger would exceed that of the bike itself.

 

buy a sportster, put on a Memphis shades fairing and a set of saddle bags and you have a light touring bike that you can change the belt on the side of the road

 

OP, I guess you mean something more like a sport tourer? That would be nice. But personally I do not want any weight coming out of my touring bike. Nice and comfortable and stable.

They call them a heavy bike for a reason.

 

Because no one would buy it. Everyone would complain that it isn't a Harley anymore and yadda yadda. But hey, the new HDs just dropped and they have a cable clutch. Never knew something so small could cause such a divide. Then again, it's a Harley. Big, loud, heavy, and shakes yer fillings out.

If the MoCo built something like you describe, the cable/hydraulic debate would pale in comparison the minds blown over THAT fiasco. But I'm all about making the ride better.

 

Or just use the Buell XB system.