View Poll Results: HOw do you feel about these new bikes
That's my kinda bike
74
18.14%
Not for me but i dig it
272
66.67%
Dumbest thing I've seen
29
7.11%
Destroy them all
33
8.09%
Voters: 408. You may not vote on this poll
Official New Harley Models 500 and 700 Thread
#651
11-18-2013, 10:39 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Can't wait to see the 500 and 750 in person and hear their motors. I have to say both look incredible to ME. I bought a Triumph Bonneville for a "spare" bike and for when my 65 year old butt is tired of wrestling with all the weight of my Big Bike.
Looking at these two new Harleys I see the appeal of a Japanese quality V-twin but with much more AMERICAN looks to it. The bikini fairing is very SOA and the pipes don't make me gag like what the Japanese seem to pick.
Think of all the new younger riders that will descend on the dealership and purchase Harley do-rags, jackets, boots, mugs, toilet paper and what-not. This opens up Harley to hordes of youngsters and those that want a more nimble machine but love the marque.
Genius! Good luck Harley! Bring it ON!
I saw a gaggle of young flannel shirt wearing, sneaker equipped kids the other day bombing around on some cheap thrown together Hogs that looked like maybe $5,000 worth of nuts and bolts. Now those same kids can have a better made entry option. I could SEE they were gassed about Harleys but these new bikes look like even more FUN.
Riding 50 years. Owned every Harley from a 1960 XLCH, full dressers, choppers I made, and now finally modifying a Deuce. Also owned sportbikes, trail bikes and Japanese street machines.
I LIKE what I see!
Looking at these two new Harleys I see the appeal of a Japanese quality V-twin but with much more AMERICAN looks to it. The bikini fairing is very SOA and the pipes don't make me gag like what the Japanese seem to pick.
Think of all the new younger riders that will descend on the dealership and purchase Harley do-rags, jackets, boots, mugs, toilet paper and what-not. This opens up Harley to hordes of youngsters and those that want a more nimble machine but love the marque.
Genius! Good luck Harley! Bring it ON!
I saw a gaggle of young flannel shirt wearing, sneaker equipped kids the other day bombing around on some cheap thrown together Hogs that looked like maybe $5,000 worth of nuts and bolts. Now those same kids can have a better made entry option. I could SEE they were gassed about Harleys but these new bikes look like even more FUN.
Riding 50 years. Owned every Harley from a 1960 XLCH, full dressers, choppers I made, and now finally modifying a Deuce. Also owned sportbikes, trail bikes and Japanese street machines.
I LIKE what I see!
#652
11-18-2013, 11:06 AM
I don't "see the Japanese quality" in these units, however I hope this proves to be the case, if so they should be a huge success and make HD a lot of money since warranty claims will be low.
#653
11-18-2013, 08:26 PM
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#654
11-19-2013, 04:10 AM
Club Member
Thanks HD, a good read. A recent announcement in the press here in the UK says that the 500 is only for the USA market. I'm sure it will have benefits elsewhere, so it will be interesting to see what actually happens. We have a major national Bike Show here next week, but unfortunately these new Harleys won't be there.
Last edited by grbrown; 11-19-2013 at 04:24 AM.
#655
11-19-2013, 06:33 AM
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Also there is this post on the wild guzzi forum
"Yesterday I had the opportunity to ride the new HD V Twin. Although covered by a Non Disclosure Agreement, I can say that I am impressed. Designed for the beginner and offered for the training courses, this bike hits dead center, bulls eye, on target. Power delivery is linear, clutch engagement smooth and with a wide friction zone and minimal lever effort. Seating is comfortable with several seats available for a custom fit to the student. Shifting is low effort and precise with no false neutrals. Handling is light and nimble without any oversteer like most of the Asian bikes used in the MSF programs here. Legroom is way better than the others as well. With the optional ,ahem, crash protectors nothing touches the ground even when flopped over on the bars. The mirrors stay intact! Asian cruisers just got blown away. If it proves reliable and low maintenance, I can see this bike in my fleet. The 750 version will sell and may even eclipse the 883 slug.
I don't always like HD but when I do, It must be special."
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=64496.160
Interestingly, the poster, Red Rider is also an MSF instructor, and guzzi rider in SC. Though he is 56, FWTW.
"Yesterday I had the opportunity to ride the new HD V Twin. Although covered by a Non Disclosure Agreement, I can say that I am impressed. Designed for the beginner and offered for the training courses, this bike hits dead center, bulls eye, on target. Power delivery is linear, clutch engagement smooth and with a wide friction zone and minimal lever effort. Seating is comfortable with several seats available for a custom fit to the student. Shifting is low effort and precise with no false neutrals. Handling is light and nimble without any oversteer like most of the Asian bikes used in the MSF programs here. Legroom is way better than the others as well. With the optional ,ahem, crash protectors nothing touches the ground even when flopped over on the bars. The mirrors stay intact! Asian cruisers just got blown away. If it proves reliable and low maintenance, I can see this bike in my fleet. The 750 version will sell and may even eclipse the 883 slug.
I don't always like HD but when I do, It must be special."
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=64496.160
Interestingly, the poster, Red Rider is also an MSF instructor, and guzzi rider in SC. Though he is 56, FWTW.
#656
11-19-2013, 06:37 AM
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Hmmm, I would think the smaller displacement 500 would suite the Asian market well, no?
#657
11-19-2013, 06:49 AM
Club Member
Early in my biking career I helped out on a volunteer training school. We used BSA Bantams, based on the same DKW as the Hummers. I recall telling many first timers how to raise engine speed a little and ease out the clutch - then watch them as they wound the throttle wide open and simultaneously dropped the clutch!
What amazed me is those little bikes seemed unstoppable and would shudder away into motion, followed a few minutes later by a grinning idiot, pleased as punch that he had successfully ridden on two wheels and survived. Modern bikes don't have the same learner benefits, they're not quite the same!
Last edited by grbrown; 11-19-2013 at 06:51 AM.
#659
11-19-2013, 08:19 AM
It's got the HD logo on it .... it will sell big overseas and I bet we will see plenty of them on our streets. Wonder how the fuel consumption will be?
#660
11-19-2013, 08:37 AM
Also there is this post on the wild guzzi forum
"Yesterday I had the opportunity to ride the new HD V Twin. Although covered by a Non Disclosure Agreement, I can say that I am impressed. Designed for the beginner and offered for the training courses, this bike hits dead center, bulls eye, on target. Power delivery is linear, clutch engagement smooth and with a wide friction zone and minimal lever effort. Seating is comfortable with several seats available for a custom fit to the student. Shifting is low effort and precise with no false neutrals. Handling is light and nimble without any oversteer like most of the Asian bikes used in the MSF programs here. Legroom is way better than the others as well. With the optional ,ahem, crash protectors nothing touches the ground even when flopped over on the bars. The mirrors stay intact! Asian cruisers just got blown away. If it proves reliable and low maintenance, I can see this bike in my fleet. The 750 version will sell and may even eclipse the 883 slug.
I don't always like HD but when I do, It must be special."
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=64496.160
Interestingly, the poster, Red Rider is also an MSF instructor, and guzzi rider in SC. Though he is 56, FWTW.
"Yesterday I had the opportunity to ride the new HD V Twin. Although covered by a Non Disclosure Agreement, I can say that I am impressed. Designed for the beginner and offered for the training courses, this bike hits dead center, bulls eye, on target. Power delivery is linear, clutch engagement smooth and with a wide friction zone and minimal lever effort. Seating is comfortable with several seats available for a custom fit to the student. Shifting is low effort and precise with no false neutrals. Handling is light and nimble without any oversteer like most of the Asian bikes used in the MSF programs here. Legroom is way better than the others as well. With the optional ,ahem, crash protectors nothing touches the ground even when flopped over on the bars. The mirrors stay intact! Asian cruisers just got blown away. If it proves reliable and low maintenance, I can see this bike in my fleet. The 750 version will sell and may even eclipse the 883 slug.
I don't always like HD but when I do, It must be special."
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=64496.160
Interestingly, the poster, Red Rider is also an MSF instructor, and guzzi rider in SC. Though he is 56, FWTW.
I know this guy and the guy who was interviewed for the RideApart review. Somehow they got invites to test the "trainer" versions to be used by RidersEdge and to be offered to MSF. Why the rest of us instructors didn't get invites? Who knows.
Both guys are very seasoned riders, so I would take their input to be fair and impartial. The older one who posted on the Guzzi forum is a European/Sport Tourer type rider by default, so his opinion is definitely neutral and not biased. The younger guy who was interviewed by RideApart has roughly the same background, but more sport bike oriented... again, a neutral opinion.
Just wish I'd gotten the invite myself.