Every time I read about the Nova it just breaks my heart.

"What if."

 

N0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here's your Porsche-designed, V-4, overhead cam, 150 horsepower Harley Grand Tourer circa 1981. MoCo didn't build it because the buyout, Evolution engine and Softail got in the way.

Legacy engineering morphed into the V-Rod.

 

I think that is going the wrong direction. the vrod is smaller than the current touring models. the only reason that it has a little longer wheelbase is the additional 11* of rake in the front end.

 

I agree with those who say what HD already has offers plenty for touring amenities and comfort. Getting away from a V-Twin to me would be a mistake. There are lots of other examples of three cylinder+ bikes, Honda Valkyrie, Gold Wing, Triumph Rocket, BMW, Boss Hog, they just don't do it for me. I rode 300+ miles with someone last summer who had a Triumph Rocket III. Bike is 140 ci three cylinder, massive and goes like heck, but in the words of the owner when we stopped for gas " it sounds like a Kubota tractor."

 

Sounds like you are looking for a Harley that you can wear bright white tennis shoes, flowery button up shirt, and khaki shorts to take your matching wife on, with your matching yellow full face helmets so you can communicate with each other. Hmmm, doesn't Honda have one like that?

 

I honestly don't see that as a platform with broad appeal. I can ride my RGS 200 miles at a stretch, with a full tank of gas. By the time I'm ready for fuel, my bladder is full, my belly is empty, and I'm ready for a break, but not because the bike isn't doing something right. It's certainly big enough for me, and part of what I love about it IS the V-Twin engine. I'd be willing to wager the vast majority feel the same way.

I do wish the V-Rod Revolution motor had been better utilized by putting it in a chassis that lent itself to longer distance runs, rather than largely relegated to dragstrips and bar-hopping. But Harley-Davidson didn't ask my opinion, so...

 

Harley is successful, and only successful, because of it's nostalgic V-twin engine design. The engine is the main reason why Harley has been the top selling motorcycle manufacture In the USA for most of 25 years.

Now, would they consider adding the OPs bike? Probably not, the budget for manufacturing and marketing two extremely different models would likely be cost prohibitive. I don't know why Polaris just dropped the Victory motorcycle (besides being ugly), but I imagine it is for the same reasons that Harley probably wouldn't venture into a new bike design.

Beary

 

That's probably why the number of V-Rods I've seen on the road I could count on my fingers and have some left over. I think they're great looking bikes, would consider one as a sportster replacement if they weren't so uncomfortable for my physical dimensions.

 

OP basically describes a Gold Wing,but wonders if Harley should build one? Honda already builds it,why would Harley? My '06 Ultra is a 'grand touring bike'..