Problem with that business model is today's 20 something will buy a cheaper more reliable look alike import clone. Hd loses the image they are done .

 

Harley does a pretty poor job at marketing towards younger riders. The street 750 was a prime example of the failure of the MoCo at this. When the street first came out it cost $2k more than an FZ-07. Cycleworld nailed it when they compared the two. The street made the same power but was around 100lbs heavier, worse brakes, worse handling, worse acceleration, and worse fit and finish believe it or not. Anyone who bought a street didn't buy it because it was a better motorcycle, they bought it because of the tank badge. Most young people will not buy a worse motorcycle because of brand loyalty... brand loyalty is the reason harley is doing so bad. Being brand loyal means you will buy crap simply because the brand who made it.

Sorry but as a 30 year old this really irks me.

 

To each his own. For now I'll just have to get by with my old 1200S.

 

Boy that thing is ugly!! Would not catch me on it.

 

Granted it's a small sample but, my son who's 29 and the guys his age he rides with ALL think the bike is an ugly pig. There is NOTHING 'new' or 'modern' or 'sporty' about the styling, it's just a pathetic throwback or continuation of the bad boy/badass look Harley Davidson has milked for WAY too long, and had better learn to get away from. This isn't the '50's and '60's. Hell, I'm surprised the thing doesn't have skulls plastered all over it...

That being said, I hope Harley Davidson sells a million of them, personally I doubt they will.

 

Says who?

I suspect that the new Sportster (No S / Bronx etc. ) will be HD's new "entry bike". If it is marketed with a price tag similar to current models, it will probably be fine, and HD will have a bike competitive with other brands. For $16-$17 K, the Sportster S will have a lot of competition.

Take a look at the specs (weight) and price on the Triumph Street Triple RS.

 

I like it and if I were in my 20s probably would trying to figure out a way to pay for it.

 

I’m 40 years old and I’ve owned a Forty Eight, a Fat Boy Lo, and currently have a Softail Slim S. In between the Fat Boy and Slim, I owned a KTM 1290 Super Adventure R. I tell you this for context. I haven’t considered buying a brand new motorcycle for 10 years.

I think the Fat Bob is an awesome-looking bike that takes some big design chances and mostly works, but, after riding the KTM and experiencing the kind of power and tech that comes at that price point, it put what you get for your money in a different context, for me. I love all of the power and technology that comes with the Pan America, but I had my fling with adventure bikes and it’s just not for me. This new Sportster, to me, is like mashing those two together, with the best parts of both, but costs way less than either. I put a deposit down on a Sportster S, today.

In addition to the act of just purchasing a brand new motorcycle, I want to do my part to support Harley’s recent decisions and encourage them to continue to take these kind of chances.

tl;dr: I think it’s cool-as-hell and I’m buying one.

 

Yes!!! The classic stuff is cool, too. But, it is just that classic. Rely liked my 02 Sporty and wish I still had it. No way in hell would I walk into a dealer today and buy a 2021 Sportster with 1980ish styling and technology.

 

Nobody ever said Gee I wish I had bike that looks just like everyone else's....