Think I'll just paint my ER5 orange and stick a Harley Davidson badge on it . What's the difference ?

 

Another model bites the dust.

 

Europe did it to them selves. I was hoping Harley would tell them to pound sand instead of trying to jump through their hoops.

 

Are any other manufacturers having the same difficulties? All the European and Japanese manufacturers seem to be able to adapt. Is this what we call American "exceptionalism?"

If we don't like the game, take our ball and go home? Is that how far we've fallen? Sit on the sidelines and cry, rather than aggressively compete? Blame "Europe" for our failures?

My dad and all the other departed WW2 vets are spinning in their graves. Sad.

John

 

Why would any manufacturer run two assembly lines? If the other motorcycle companies can meet EU5 standards, why would they produce a separate bike with lower standards? Seems like good business practices to me. Same stupidity as having a 49 state bike, and a separate "California only" bike. Penny wise and pound foolish, as they say.

John

 

I don't think the Europeans or Japanese are trying to sell a 40+ year old aircooled V-Twin engine design in Europe. Another example of HD paying too much attention to people stuck in the '50's and '60's as far as motorcycle design goes.

 

A while back there were a number of posts around here in which people were guessing that the European emissions standards were the driving force behind the Revolution Max line of bikes.

I'm pretty sure that H-D has one that's a little more Sportster-ish. My guess is they haven't said much about it because they were trying to emphasize their attempts to bring more types of riders into the fold under the More Roads to H-D plan.
Yea, the 338R was to be a rebadged Benelli (made in China) for the Asian market only. No recent comments from the MoCo.

Asia is a part of the world where H-D would be competing more against cheap scooters than they would with Honda Shadows and Indian Scouts. There are YouTube videos from that part of the world labeling the Street 750 a "superbike", if that gives you any idea how different that market is.

 

Why would Harley jump through hoops for some one that's going to ban gas burning vehicles in 10 years. That's their plan to do it by 2030.

 

Well, with the LiveWire project, they might finally get ahead of the curve, instead of sitting on their asses waiting for oblivion. I see so many electric bicycles around, a regular pedal bike is already rare. Almost everyone I see on a bike is riding one, with rack and surfboard affixed. I'm impressed from what I see. Electric vehicles are the future, no doubt.

Europe will still be the huge consumer market it already is, air cooled Sportster or not. No CEO in his/her right mind would ignore that reality. To survive you have to adapt. Ask any dinosaur. If you can find one.

Maybe I will take a test ride on a LiveWire, and report back. I've already cut the cord and left phone/cable/sat TV in the dust. Streaming everything for free now, just pay for WiFi.

John

 

I love my Sportster, but would really like to give the Livewire a spin, or even if they can make a little more affordable albeit shorter range model. Let's see what happens.