Names? It's little, orange and water cooled. Nemo.

 

Titles= pinkslips

 

To quote The Vapors (a one hit wonder early 80s band)

'TURNING JAPANESE, I REALLY THINK SO'

 

To quote The Vapors (a one hit wonder early 80s band)

'TURNING JAPANESE, I REALLY THINK SO'

 

I wouldn't call it that at all, considering Harley was the performance leader up until the advent of the 1969 CB750. I look at this as Harley taking back the performance market they held for so many years. Remember Harley had no real competition until the English twins went to market, they even had a head start on the Japanese. If Harley decides to market a street-tracker type sportster, they are just claiming back what was theirs in the begining. Most folks now days have forgotten that Harley was the #1 brand in competition for years and then wallowed around in complacency. I for one am glad Harley is stepping up to the plate and producing a competitive bike and not just relying on "tradition" alone for sales.
The problem today is most Harley owners have forgotten about Harley's history and only remember "The lifestyle". Sad indeed.

 

You know, Im in the data comm field and had been working for AT&T for about 5 years. Employees were constantly reminded "Remember AT&T sets the standards..." which was probably right on the money prior to 2002/2003. At around the sixth year, AT&T based its operation on what everyone else in the industry was doing .... downward it spiraled and very quickly I might add.

If Harley choses to go to a water cooled engine or change any other mechanical technology, it should be because the design is smart, reliable and will perform well. As for the looks, the bike in the leading post looks nothing like a Harley to me. Some change is good. Just so long it doesnt crush whats already established.

I paid 7200 for my new sporty .. I could have went anywhere else and got a lot more bike for my money. The look was the sell for me; and Amerian based - unfortunately cant say built any longer. That bike in the pic looks like a rice burner to me. If I wanted one, I would have went Yamaha or Kawaskaki .... my thought .. stay competitive, but intelligently. Some riders who have learned of my purchase have said "A Harley is a dream." I think thats going a bit to far, but as long as others out there think that Harley will be at the top of their game. Careful Harley .......


Chris

 

I showed this pic to a couple of the young kids that I know that ride sport bikes and both thought it was a cool bike and both would love to ride it. Both of these kids say they will buy HD's when they are older so what is wrong with getting them on a bike sooner. I cut my teeth on a CB750 and would love to have one of these sportsters.

 

As long as the MoCo doesn't abandon their core market, I think expanding their customer base and tapping into a younger demographic is a very smart move. And quite honestly, I don't see this new model as being limited to a "younger" rider. At 46, I would love the performance of a Buell but with the more relaxed ergos and more conventional styling/handling. I could easily see myself adding this bike to my Harley harem.