The next Touring frame
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 500
From: Northern WV
Let's say there's a new frame that does away with the rubber mounts utilizing the motor as a stressed member, that alone could reduce weight significantly and they could tune the counter balancer back to full function. Recall how the Sportster gained like 60 pounds or maybe even more when it's engine became rubber mounted due to how much the frame had to be beefed up.
I could envision the new Tourer sporting its counterbalanced M8 motor solidly mounted in a new light weight frame offering better handling, ride, and performance due to significant weight savings.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
My thoughts as well. The balancer works so well in the current rubber mount setup they had to dial it back a bit to increase vibes.
Let's say there's a new frame that does away with the rubber mounts utilizing the motor as a stressed member, that alone could reduce weight significantly and they could tune the counter balancer back to full function. Recall how the Sportster gained like 60 pounds or maybe even more when it's engine became rubber mounted due to how much the frame had to be beefed up.
I could envision the new Tourer sporting its counterbalanced M8 motor solidly mounted in a new light weight frame offering better handling, ride, and performance due to significant weight savings.
Let's say there's a new frame that does away with the rubber mounts utilizing the motor as a stressed member, that alone could reduce weight significantly and they could tune the counter balancer back to full function. Recall how the Sportster gained like 60 pounds or maybe even more when it's engine became rubber mounted due to how much the frame had to be beefed up.
I could envision the new Tourer sporting its counterbalanced M8 motor solidly mounted in a new light weight frame offering better handling, ride, and performance due to significant weight savings.
Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Wonder if it will be a race between Harley, Indian, and Honda GoldWing to offer a DCT type shift? Honda now has it on a 1000cc bike and it will happen on the big bikes soon.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,671
Likes: 5,066
From: Georgia
even 10% off the bike's total would be amazing, I am always amazed at how much of a pig my SG is. beautiful bike but 20% over weight by far
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Losing the full frame, putting the engine on a diet, going to an aluminum single-sided swingarm, and making another few changes would get you most of the way there. The Ultras ran around 750 pounds prior to 2008; they've gotten porky.
Getting the weight back down close to 700 pounds and losing as much unsprung weight as possible would make the bikes go, stop, turn, and ride a ton better. That's a serious win for everyone.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,394
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
They said we'd never break the sound barrier either.
Losing the full frame, putting the engine on a diet, going to an aluminum single-sided swingarm, and making another few changes would get you most of the way there. The Ultras ran around 750 pounds prior to 2008; they've gotten porky.
Getting the weight back down close to 700 pounds and losing as much unsprung weight as possible would make the bikes go, stop, turn, and ride a ton better. That's a serious win for everyone.
Losing the full frame, putting the engine on a diet, going to an aluminum single-sided swingarm, and making another few changes would get you most of the way there. The Ultras ran around 750 pounds prior to 2008; they've gotten porky.
Getting the weight back down close to 700 pounds and losing as much unsprung weight as possible would make the bikes go, stop, turn, and ride a ton better. That's a serious win for everyone.
I do agree these new ones are on the heavy side but the up side of that weight to the average rider is the bike feels much more solid and connected to the road.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Then you have just another import look a like, they may down the road and I mean a long way down the road develop something to attract all the crotch rocket kiddies to this side of the tracks but doubt seriously it'll be in my lifetime. The vintage look V Twin fat bike is the mocos iconic bread & butter machine that 90% of their buyers want.
I do agree these new ones are on the heavy side but the up side of that weight to the average rider is the bike feels much more solid and connected to the road.
I do agree these new ones are on the heavy side but the up side of that weight to the average rider is the bike feels much more solid and connected to the road.
By moving to more modern construction you'd save a ton of weight, have a better-riding bike, and there would be zero change to the silhouette of the bike. The vintage look wouldn't go anywhere.
You make a fair point about the weight, but for people who actually ride their bikes (I know you do, that's not a swipe), the benefits of losing that weight would far outweigh (ha, ha) the perception of "solid" and "connected".