View Poll Results: A poll
Voters: 1706. You may not vote on this poll
Would you buy a water cooled Harley Touring Bike?
#391
06-20-2011, 12:13 PM
#392
06-20-2011, 12:16 PM
Lets see...from the factory, in base trim, the K1600GTL has over 2x the power (HP and TQ), about the same storage, ABS, traction control, rider-selectable suspension, power windshield, heated seats, heated grips, navigation, far better handling, far better brakes, weighs about 250lbs less...
You really want me to go on?
#393
06-20-2011, 12:19 PM
This is an oft-quoted myth that keeps on being repeated. There are metric brands who make V-Twin cruisers for people that either can't afford a Harley, or wouldn't be caught dead on one. They sell a ton of those machines, and the vast majority of them are water cooled.
For people who actually ride, there's no doubt that water cooling, fuel injection, electronic ignition, monoshocks, and all the other technology being used on superior bikes are good things. Harley can't lose by adopting new technology which makes the bikes more rideable and more reliable.
Because what that does is make them more capable touring machines that'll be taken seriously by riders. The 1,000-mile-a-year club and the people that gripe about tradition and archaic technology aren't the people who'll keep the MoCo going for the next 100 years. It's the guys who seriously tour, who'll put 100,000 miles on a bike in 3 or 4 years and then trade up for another that the MoCo needs to cater to.
For people who actually ride, there's no doubt that water cooling, fuel injection, electronic ignition, monoshocks, and all the other technology being used on superior bikes are good things. Harley can't lose by adopting new technology which makes the bikes more rideable and more reliable.
Because what that does is make them more capable touring machines that'll be taken seriously by riders. The 1,000-mile-a-year club and the people that gripe about tradition and archaic technology aren't the people who'll keep the MoCo going for the next 100 years. It's the guys who seriously tour, who'll put 100,000 miles on a bike in 3 or 4 years and then trade up for another that the MoCo needs to cater to.
Its those of us who put more like 500 miles a week on them.
#394
06-20-2011, 12:20 PM
#395
06-20-2011, 01:00 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Compare dollar for dollar, and the Ultra or Limited REALLY look weak.
Lets see...from the factory, in base trim, the K1600GTL has over 2x the power (HP and TQ), about the same storage, ABS, traction control, rider-selectable suspension, power windshield, heated seats, heated grips, navigation, far better handling, far better brakes, weighs about 250lbs less...
You really want me to go on?
Lets see...from the factory, in base trim, the K1600GTL has over 2x the power (HP and TQ), about the same storage, ABS, traction control, rider-selectable suspension, power windshield, heated seats, heated grips, navigation, far better handling, far better brakes, weighs about 250lbs less...
You really want me to go on?
#396
06-20-2011, 01:04 PM
However, we have both decided the K1600GTL will be the Road Glide's stablemate - and will probably be the bike we use for anything over a tank of gas away.
Comparing the BMW to anything from, well, anyone, just isn't a fair comparison. There's nothing like it anywhere. Its almost insulting to compare it to anything from HD.
Sadly, HD could make a bike like that if they wanted to. There's just too many Kool-Aid drinkers who would whine and complain for the first 3 years it was on the market...kinda like they did with the VRSC.
#397
06-20-2011, 01:11 PM
Road Master
Sorry I do ride a bit more than 1000 miles a year and I like a traditional Harley , yes there are other bikes that have more favorable features or at leat more favaored features but that doesn't mean everyone wants a "wonderbike". I also drive and own a few early 1960's cars and enjoy them too , I am not knocking import cars but a Audi,Lexus,Mercedes, Toyota etc. hold zero interest for me, dont think there bad or a lesser vehicle, just don't like them. New Chargers, Challengers, Mustangs and Cameros, old style technology and would take any and all of them. Same goes for my bike, I like the traditional aspects of the Harley and they are perfectly capable of running anywhere anytime. REally glad that people have a choice of what to ride and hope it continues for a long time
#399
06-20-2011, 01:19 PM
. New Chargers, Challengers, Mustangs and Cameros, old style technology and would take any and all of them. Same goes for my bike, I like the traditional aspects of the Harley and they are perfectly capable of running anywhere anytime. REally glad that people have a choice of what to ride and hope it continues for a long time
What they are is retro-styled designs with modern running gear.
They are also not what keeps Chrysler, Ford or GM in business.
There's no reason HD could not continue to produce outdated, underpowered, overweight, overpriced, inefficient heat-factories for people that want a "classic" bike. The other 98% of their buyers will purchase the updated, underweight, overpowered, reasonably priced, efficient bikes.
#400
06-20-2011, 01:24 PM
Its already very comfy from the factory, and you dont need to make it stand out from everyone else's when there arent that many of them. Besides, you're not going to park a bike like that very much. Its so much more fun to ride it.
Like i said - we're keeping the FLTR, because we love it, but we don't assign it magical qualities it simply does not have. Its a comfortable, underpowered, overweight, V-twin touring bike. That's it. Its like driving a classic car - you get used to the fact that modern econoboxes can stomp the **** out of you at the lights, and do it in far greater comfort.
Last edited by honorsdaddy; 06-20-2011 at 01:26 PM.