trade in for a new harley? why? whats the point
#21
05-02-2009 | 08:30 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 11
From: Nomad
Well, I made the decision NOT to trade mine in. I just love it too much. But in a couple of years, I'll sure get another Harley.
In fact, I sorta recall that one of the reasons I wanted a Harley in the first place was how many old ones are still on the road and how easy it is to get parts for all years, etc.
As for improvements over the years........I like what someone said above: they look classic on the surface but continue to improves below the surface. Very true.
Some more "below the surface" improvements they could make could be in braking (why not give Brembos to all lines?), suspension (would an adjustable suspension be too noticeable?), key-detachable bags (so they work like removable suitcases and not foot lockers). Who knows? Maybe someday we'll see some of those, or some new stuff that the MoCo will surprise us with.
But they'll *always* look like a Harley. unmistakable.........
In fact, I sorta recall that one of the reasons I wanted a Harley in the first place was how many old ones are still on the road and how easy it is to get parts for all years, etc.
As for improvements over the years........I like what someone said above: they look classic on the surface but continue to improves below the surface. Very true.
Some more "below the surface" improvements they could make could be in braking (why not give Brembos to all lines?), suspension (would an adjustable suspension be too noticeable?), key-detachable bags (so they work like removable suitcases and not foot lockers). Who knows? Maybe someday we'll see some of those, or some new stuff that the MoCo will surprise us with.
But they'll *always* look like a Harley. unmistakable.........
#22
05-02-2009 | 08:46 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,623
Likes: 1,664
From: Blairsville GA
its almost time for the 2010 models to come out...
they usually release the new info around sturgis time. i do like the idea of the flux capacitor in another thread (back the the future reference for those who didnt catch it)
whatever the changes are, they will likely be small cosmetic changes as usual. harley has a way of just regurgitating the same ole stuff and calling it "new".
look at my 08 heritage. then go google 40s harley model. its the same bike essentially.
the last serious "innovation" was the v-rod and that hasnt sold THAT well. they really need some new blood up at harley in my opinion.
i often wonder.. "what the point in getting a new harley, its just more of the same, and who the hell wants to spend the money to recustomize it again"
any old schoolers have an opinion on this? many of you have been riding for a lot more years than i and i owned many harleys. (i have only owned 1). am i correct on this view, or am i missing something.
school me. seriously, make me understand the draw to trading in and getting a "new one". it seems like you get a harley and you just stick with it until it dies
they usually release the new info around sturgis time. i do like the idea of the flux capacitor in another thread (back the the future reference for those who didnt catch it)
whatever the changes are, they will likely be small cosmetic changes as usual. harley has a way of just regurgitating the same ole stuff and calling it "new".
look at my 08 heritage. then go google 40s harley model. its the same bike essentially.
the last serious "innovation" was the v-rod and that hasnt sold THAT well. they really need some new blood up at harley in my opinion.
i often wonder.. "what the point in getting a new harley, its just more of the same, and who the hell wants to spend the money to recustomize it again"
any old schoolers have an opinion on this? many of you have been riding for a lot more years than i and i owned many harleys. (i have only owned 1). am i correct on this view, or am i missing something.
school me. seriously, make me understand the draw to trading in and getting a "new one". it seems like you get a harley and you just stick with it until it dies
Rather than reinvent the wheel every several years HD gradually evolves their products. That's not the way the Japs do it, but it's worked for Harley for 106 years. Those that only see cosmetic changes aren't looking at the product closely enough. I would suggest Palmer's excellent book for details on year by year developments of the earlier OHV bikes.
From 100 yards someone completely unfamiliar with bikes might say an '08 Heritage and a '40s model were the same bike. No one else. Harley has done a good job of maintaining certain visual cues that give a hint of the classic styling to the new bikes, but the same as the old ones? Not a chance.
We can debate whether a completely new platform constitutes an innovation, or a completely new bike. In either event the V-Rod isn't the last innovation from HD. Harleys aren't for everybody. They might not be right for you. People that like Harleys typically aren't looking for change every few years. They like the continuity and heritage of the brand. Continuity doesn't mean unchanging, it means familiarity through the changes. While the direct link between a Knuckle and a TC (for example) is not easy to see. The intermediate steps from Knuck to Pan to Shovel to Evo to TC show a consistent and steady evolution as technology and materials improved.
I'm not sure what the lure of trading in is. Perhaps it's just the urge for a new toy. There are lots of people however that decide to trade because they want a new model. Or a different color who knows? Some want to stay with one bike forever, some trade in every year. that's the great thing about America.
#23
05-02-2009 | 08:57 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 0
From: 2000 Softail FXST
I've spent too much money on mine to trade it in, plus I've never bought a brand new bike. If I had the cash I'd gladly get one of the new tourers for the modern frame, suspension, motor, etc....
#24
05-02-2009 | 09:11 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 3
From: New Port Richey FL
yeah as has been said (now in my words 
)
cosmeticaly i believe the old school look is just in so harley is going where the $$ is.
as far as technology, their have been many differences IMO, flatheads, knuckleheads, pans, shovles/irons, evos, revos, in the BT's they made some very smart clutch changes getting rid of the stupid spring plate (why its still in sportys i'll never know) displacment changes, fuel injection, rubbermounted engines, hell those are only the ones off the top of my simple minded head
) cosmeticaly i believe the old school look is just in so harley is going where the $$ is.
as far as technology, their have been many differences IMO, flatheads, knuckleheads, pans, shovles/irons, evos, revos, in the BT's they made some very smart clutch changes getting rid of the stupid spring plate (why its still in sportys i'll never know) displacment changes, fuel injection, rubbermounted engines, hell those are only the ones off the top of my simple minded head
#26
05-02-2009 | 10:01 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,362
Likes: 1,747
From: Central Texas
I had a 2000 hd fxdwg, a friend bought a 2006 super glide custom,
looking at them side by side I liked mine better. Because harley had
cut so many corners, that there new dynas looked cheep and threw
together. I would liked to have kept mine, but a cager took that
chance away from me. In 2007 harley had just started working again
after a strike and my choices were danged few so I took what I could
get, an 07 RKC. Now that the 08 & 09 are out I am sure enough glad
that I did
looking at them side by side I liked mine better. Because harley had
cut so many corners, that there new dynas looked cheep and threw
together. I would liked to have kept mine, but a cager took that
chance away from me. In 2007 harley had just started working again
after a strike and my choices were danged few so I took what I could
get, an 07 RKC. Now that the 08 & 09 are out I am sure enough glad
that I did
#28
05-02-2009 | 10:35 PM
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Madison Ms
its almost time for the 2010 models to come out...
they usually release the new info around sturgis time. i do like the idea of the flux capacitor in another thread (back the the future reference for those who didnt catch it)
whatever the changes are, they will likely be small cosmetic changes as usual. harley has a way of just regurgitating the same ole stuff and calling it "new".
look at my 08 heritage. then go google 40s harley model. its the same bike essentially.
the last serious "innovation" was the v-rod and that hasnt sold THAT well. they really need some new blood up at harley in my opinion.
i often wonder.. "what the point in getting a new harley, its just more of the same, and who the hell wants to spend the money to recustomize it again"
any old schoolers have an opinion on this? many of you have been riding for a lot more years than i and i owned many harleys. (i have only owned 1). am i correct on this view, or am i missing something.
school me. seriously, make me understand the draw to trading in and getting a "new one". it seems like you get a harley and you just stick with it until it dies
they usually release the new info around sturgis time. i do like the idea of the flux capacitor in another thread (back the the future reference for those who didnt catch it)
whatever the changes are, they will likely be small cosmetic changes as usual. harley has a way of just regurgitating the same ole stuff and calling it "new".
look at my 08 heritage. then go google 40s harley model. its the same bike essentially.
the last serious "innovation" was the v-rod and that hasnt sold THAT well. they really need some new blood up at harley in my opinion.
i often wonder.. "what the point in getting a new harley, its just more of the same, and who the hell wants to spend the money to recustomize it again"
any old schoolers have an opinion on this? many of you have been riding for a lot more years than i and i owned many harleys. (i have only owned 1). am i correct on this view, or am i missing something.
school me. seriously, make me understand the draw to trading in and getting a "new one". it seems like you get a harley and you just stick with it until it dies
#29
05-02-2009 | 10:39 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
Rather than reinvent the wheel every several years HD gradually evolves their products. That's not the way the Japs do it, but it's worked for Harley for 106 years. Those that only see cosmetic changes aren't looking at the product closely enough. I would suggest Palmer's excellent book for details on year by year developments of the earlier OHV bikes.
From 100 yards someone completely unfamiliar with bikes might say an '08 Heritage and a '40s model were the same bike. No one else. Harley has done a good job of maintaining certain visual cues that give a hint of the classic styling to the new bikes, but the same as the old ones? Not a chance.
We can debate whether a completely new platform constitutes an innovation, or a completely new bike. In either event the V-Rod isn't the last innovation from HD. Harleys aren't for everybody. They might not be right for you. People that like Harleys typically aren't looking for change every few years. They like the continuity and heritage of the brand. Continuity doesn't mean unchanging, it means familiarity through the changes. While the direct link between a Knuckle and a TC (for example) is not easy to see. The intermediate steps from Knuck to Pan to Shovel to Evo to TC show a consistent and steady evolution as technology and materials improved.
I'm not sure what the lure of trading in is. Perhaps it's just the urge for a new toy. There are lots of people however that decide to trade because they want a new model. Or a different color who knows? Some want to stay with one bike forever, some trade in every year. that's the great thing about America.
From 100 yards someone completely unfamiliar with bikes might say an '08 Heritage and a '40s model were the same bike. No one else. Harley has done a good job of maintaining certain visual cues that give a hint of the classic styling to the new bikes, but the same as the old ones? Not a chance.
We can debate whether a completely new platform constitutes an innovation, or a completely new bike. In either event the V-Rod isn't the last innovation from HD. Harleys aren't for everybody. They might not be right for you. People that like Harleys typically aren't looking for change every few years. They like the continuity and heritage of the brand. Continuity doesn't mean unchanging, it means familiarity through the changes. While the direct link between a Knuckle and a TC (for example) is not easy to see. The intermediate steps from Knuck to Pan to Shovel to Evo to TC show a consistent and steady evolution as technology and materials improved.
I'm not sure what the lure of trading in is. Perhaps it's just the urge for a new toy. There are lots of people however that decide to trade because they want a new model. Or a different color who knows? Some want to stay with one bike forever, some trade in every year. that's the great thing about America.
#30
05-02-2009 | 11:33 PM
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I just bought an 89 FLHTC for 4k. Its only got 35k miles on it. It already has a few mods on it and according to nightrider, its up around 70 horse. It needed some saddlebag lids and a paint job. Why would you buy new??????? Even the horn works! Yeah there are nicer bikes out there, but I can drop 12k into it and still be cheaper than a new bike. Who really cares, its all preference. And yeah, I keep my tools with me.