True. There was a lot of anticipation for the Rushmore's, but the PA is getting such high praise, even from admitted HD bashers, that it may take the crown as the most anticipated offering in a very long time. Just one man's opinion.

 

I know the reserve orders are all taken on the web site. I'm going stop in and see my dealer tomorrow morning and chat with the sales guy I bought my last two Harleys from and see what he tells me when I let him know I want a 1250 Special. I'll probably end up with something else (GSA or V4S) if he thinks its going to be late summer or fall before I can get my hands on a PA.

 

You never know. While many plopped their $100 on a reservation the deposit was labeled as 'refundable.' There may be a few not purchased for many potential reasons; the ergonomics are not desired, the size is too big or too small, too tall, too much money, to techno, or the spouse hit the unsuspecting buyer with a brick for trying to buy another bike. This, of course, is totally unplannable but come May there may be some unclaimed units rambling about. See if your dealer would take a deposit for 'next' in line for an unclaimed machine.

 

That's good advice. There will almost certainly be some dropouts and cancelled orders when the bikes hit the sales floor.

 

Spoke to my sales guy (Sales Manager) and he's had a couple of guys ping him with interest on the PA but I'm the first to come see him in person. So I think I just got bumped to priority one out of being present from reading his face. He was unable to see what he was supposed to specifically get in May but is definitely being allotted qty of 1. He's going to contact his distribution manager and see what is picked out for the shop and see if he can find out what's heading their way. I told him that I wanted a Gray Special with wire wheels, with wire wheels being the only MUST have. Betting I can score a set of cast wheels pretty cheap next year to keep a set of 100% street tires on for when that's appropriate for the ride and keep 50/50s or knobbies on the wire ones... need t vet out the new dual sport tires the thing comes with. They are probably fine for pretty much everything like the Tourance or Karoos.

We'll see what comes from it... Might have a bike in May if they get a special instead of a standard. We didn't talk money yet. But they'll treat me right and on my trade too... they have low inventory, they need bikes.

He did complain that the new shipping company that HD is using is still getting their legs and are running his shipments about 4 weeks behind.

 

I talked to my local sales manager and he already has an order in place from someone.

So far the process has been, do your $100 reserve and say you are buying now (I said 3-6 months and haven't been contacted from Harley yet, only my dealer), your local dealer will call you back and then Harley will call you with ordering options. You then talk to your local dealer and they take $1000 deposit and place your order.

Each dealer will get a "demo" bike to order off of sometime in May

There seems to be a lot of confusion between Harley, dealer and customer. The above is how the 1st order was placed at my local dealer.

On a side note, sales manager went to Austin last week and said it was a blast. He's for sure getting one but he's not ready to trade in his Touring bike just yet.

 

Oh and the "demo" bike will be a special, standards will be order only

 

My guy knows I'm a buyer, I'll put a deposit if he tells me there's one coming in for me. I'm hoping that All Demos will be specials with wire wheels... Color choice is secondary, though I'd rather not pay extra for the Orange and white model. I'd probably turn right around and paint what ever I get a custom color anyway since I do my own paint work. At least spray a candy red over the orange to make it red and white.

 

Here in the UK it seems a bit simpler. I spoke to my dealer principal. He took my order for a grey Special with laced wheels and Adaptive Ride Height. I paid £500 deposit directly to him. 30 minutes later I had the official HD order form in my hands.

The last couple of weeks, I have been deciding on accessories. In the end I ordered the aluminium side cases and mounts, titanium exhaust, tank pads, radiator guard and low seat. I have the HD order form for that lot as well.

Certainly, my dealer seems pretty clued up about the whole thing. Although they haven't actually seen a bike in the flesh yet, they have done a lot of online training on the bike and options, they have sold all of their initially allocated bikes for the year and have ordered a metric shitload of parts and accessories - bags, pipes etc... and are pretty sure they will sell all of those.

Now it's just down to the waiting....

 

will just keep my bike coral the way it is and wait. With so much NEW Nox Vidmate VLC on this bike I hope Harley has told the dealers to behave or they could risk losing PA business.