The HD company has been trying to appeal to a different crowd or demographic the last few years. My bikes are '05s and I like the bikes from that timeframe, they were traditional looking. H-D has since discontinued the XLH, and the FXD. It has close representations of those models still, but the custom and blackout theme is hot and heavy now. Hopefully it is waning. My point is, that H-D can bring back any model that they want if the buying public demands it . I think they eventually will bring the SG Sport back, when people will think it is a "new" model LOL!!!

 

There's just not enough demand for a Harley with quality suspension and far, far more margin in paint and chrome. I really enjoyed my FXDXT, but the current most popular aftermarket HD shocks don't even have adjustable rebound

 

They just need to make a brand new fxr or t sport and be done with it. So many would buy it

 

Liquid cooling is in Harley's future. Like it or not.

The baggers usually get the newest high tech stuff first, then the Softail line, then the Dyna's, followed lastly by the Sportys.

Dunno about the V-ROD/Street models as they are the redheaded stepchild of HD. They selling any of 'em?

 

Those V-Rods are hot sellers outside of this country.

-Chris

 

I just want to comment here.....The "updated Dyna frame" did nothing but make the bike heavier.
The frame was already strong enough, the problem was in the poor motor mount design that Harley will not fix.
The reason (some say) they won't address the actual problem is that to do so would open them up to litigation from all of the previous Dyna owners with the poorly designed motor mounting setup.

There are plenty of aftermarket setups that completely cure the problem that Harley claims does not exist.

 

the 06 and up front ends are way better

 

They are stronger and don't need a fork brace, but again they are very heavy.
A 39mm FXDX front end is arguably the best front end Harley ever put on a motorcycle, with the addition of a fork brace, it's even better.

I don't think the weight of the 49mm front end is worth the other attributes of it.

I looked at a lot of options when I was deciding on a front end for my Dyna, I had access to a 49mm front end and considered making a set of narrow glide triple trees for my 41mm forks, I was even considering an inverted front end.
I finally decided to go with the venerable FXDX adjustable, dual disc front end because it just makes the most sense to me from a weight and handling standpoint.

 

I know that HD has the "Water Cooled" head pipe on the touring bike, but if you compare it to the V-Rod or Street, it's really not a water cooled engine. Until they branch out far enough to make a water cooled engine for the touring lineup, I don't see an option for the Dyna lineup. The setup on the touring lineup is minimal while effective and you only get it on the touring bikes that have lower fairings and that cooling option is still limited to the Limited models, so they haven't even figured out a way to add it to all the touring bikes yet.

As for the Dyna future, I can see HD expanding on the ability to tour or even somewhat sport tour on the Dyna. The Switchback wasn't a knock out of the park at first but it seems to be going because it's a light weight somewhat touring bike. I can see them maybe re-introducing the Convertible for the people that still want to tour but aren't into the hard bags and big front ends, this is based on how they introduced the Sportster Superlow 1200T and HD's knowing that a Sportster isn't for everyone, nor is a big touring bike.

Maybe HD will be smart and they will go the way of a sport touring Dyna, FXDXT, maybe something a long the lines of where some of the guys here are going. A 13" sport tuned rear suspension, soft bags, dual disk brakes up front, a perfomanced based bar setup much like t-bars / drag bars, mag wheel, 2-1 exhaust and a minmal but effective fairing. If they take the powertains back to the silver color and provide a good amount of colors for the bike, it will help keep it away for the club style bikes and they won't be accused of being an SOA wannabe (I am not saying the club bikes are this, I know they were around long before the show).

I love the Dyna line up because there are so many possible ways to go with this bike, bob it, tour it, retro it, sport it out........the options are limited only to the owner, can't really say that about the other line up......well maybe the sportster.

 

The most common aftermarket suspension, Progressive, doesn't even make a HD shock with adjustable rebound anymore (418); instead they put on unneeded external reservoirs (970). Tells me the market understands little about suspension and more about looks. My T-Sport had a fork brace, composite rotors and aluminum Excel rims...the whole bike was just over 600lbs, scaled, with a half tank of fuel...700lb+ bikes and handling are not on the same page.

Years ago when shopping for a 2WD pickup truck I was at a friends small dealership and found none of the trucks on the lot had limited slip diffs. My friend told me for the same added-on $ he could get an appearance upgrade you can see from the street; sells better than what you can't see under the truck...the vast majority will take flash over performance and I'll bet there's more margin for the manufacturer in a $500 paint upgrade as opposed to $500 worth of suspension...just business. There is the aftermarket still; if you got lots of money to spend after the fact.