I don't think most of the people making these comments have any idea what japanese bikes look like. I spend a decent amount of time around Hondas ( I have had a few and still have one ) and Yamahas and none of them look like these Harley's do, other than the Honda shadow and that's just a Honda cruiser so it kinda looks like all other cruisers. To me when I saw the new bob I thought it was something out of a mad max film very post apocalyptic future utilitarian design and the first time I have ever thought that a street bob has looked good.
Don't sweat the idiots crying about pictures of something they've never actually seen in person and if they want to be stuck in the past leave them in the past eventually dinosaurs will die.

 

I was the plastic side cover that people complained it looked jappy. I was young and wanted something different. Got my FXR in oct 81.

 

I don't care for the looks of the new fat Bob, but after putting it through an aggressive test ride yesterday...I would say it is one of the finest riding bikes I've ever piloted. I think a skilled rider could keep up with sportbikes on a twisty road (not a track). It was the most fun I've had on two wheels in a long time. But, it's ugly. And it's buzzy.

I also rode the fat boy. It is more.comfortable, but I hated it otherwise. Handled like a one track tank and that huge rear meat sucked copious amounts of monkey butter. But, it looks better than the fat Bob.

 

Well, Harley does have Japanese blood. It has been a mongrel for many years. Nothing new. Still love 'em.

"Technically speaking, Harley-Davidson motorcycles sold in the United States are not actually made here, but assembled here. Harley contracts manufacturing of parts to plants located all over the world, including Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, and Mexico. Those parts are then shipped to Harley factories here."

 

Now you've gone and done it..hang on boys!

 

Corn's ready!

 

Whaaaaat? Just got back. Did you guys fill up on da' corn while I was out cruising on my WG???

 

I do remember the "Jap bike" comments towards my FXRS back in '83. My coworkers even took a Toyoglide emblem from the deckled of a Corolla and presented it to me! (Still have it).
I've always seemed to pick the weird Harleys (Tour Glide, Road Glide) but these new bikes just ain't doin' it for me. I may have to road test one. I don't know.
WF

 

FXR didn't sell 'cause people said it was too jappy looking. They were right.
I bought one brand new in '88. Handled great, fast as all get out, but failed in the "Harley" dept...styling.
No one liked 'em until SOA came out, then everyone jumped on the "trendy" bandwagon.

"the first time I have ever thought that a street bob has looked good"

Still waiting on THAT one.

 

Yep, the styling caught everyone by surprise. Even though the FXR frame offered a great improvement in handling and power to the rear wheel, a lot of the Harley loyalists called them Jap Superglides and they weren't popular.


There are a few guys on here that have turned their FXRs into some great looking machines.