they honestly cant even compete with americans... indian scouts and victory octanes on slaughter hd on performance. the scouts and octanes are 85-100 hp, stock (before mods). scout 60 (883 beater) is 65hp stock. folks spend hella bucks trying to get 100 out of a sporty. the indian aftermarket support is rising as well, custom builders are making monsters, and folks are accepting indian.

hd will get in gear, hopefully. more and more people are buying scouts, scramblers, and dual sports. there are so many sportsters out there that you could buy/build/maintain one without harley ever seeing a dollar from you. the will need to freshen up the sporty brand. the roadster is a start. the rest are sorta tired and old.

a new engine and a performance focus would be great. the majority of folks that will say sh** like oh... but, my bike is just fine" or "i like my sportster blah blah" aren't buying new bike or going to the dealer much... again, no money for hd. lip service does not pay the bills.

 

I know there's a very large price gap between the sportsters and the Glides now . And that there's a V rod motor that would fill that void. With a new water cooled line real well .

 

Getting rid of the Sportster line would one of the worst decisions HD could ever make. They sell A LOT of Sportsters to people who in very short order come back and buy a big twin Tourer or Softail once they go to Bike Night and get the "girls bike" routine.

 

Add a Springer Softail Sportster model - SSS

Leave the rest of the line as it is. Why kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

 

Went to "Motorcycles on Meridian" in Indy last night and heard some of that garbage.
Thousands of bikes and probably two thirds were baggers...
Yeah... let me run out and a buy a bagger so I can be just like everyone else.
Ummm... No thanks!
I'll stick with my 72.




As far as '19 upgrades... don't care... at least right now.
I like what I've got and don't plan on replacing it anytime soon.

...Unless... they re-introduced the Hard Kandy 72 with a 100hp mill and a 6 speed!

Don't see that happening at all... so I'll just go back to not caring.

 

Redesigned frame with mono shock rear suspension. They will keep the basic layout of the Sportster engine but with four valve heads.

 

folks love talking that girls bike trash. I love my girls bike.

 

base it on the 72!!!

 

Actually my late wifes BMW F650GS adventure bike puts out over 70 hp stock and my BMW F800 GS has over 85 and pulls as well if not better than my stock 1200 sporty.

After over 20 motorcycles I bought my first harley this year which was an '08 Sportster 1200 custom. I bought it because it fits with the classic harley image and style but now has reliability, fuel injection, and decent power. If i were to ask for any change it would be to have progressive shocks / springs added to the suspension because compared to my BMW and Hondas these things ride like a lumber truck. Otherwise I love the bike so keep er the same! It is a proven seller with a proven track record. Why change?

 

18s just came out need to see how this line of bikes make out. Its all paint and a veiw add ons along with 2000 to 3000 price increase. I can wait