Switchback "ripoff"
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
From: Nor*Car
I think this bike was built for people like my brother. I'm 5'10" w/ a 32" inseam, and can BARELY flat foot a RK, RG, or SG. My bro is 2" shorter, with about a 29" inseam, so the tourers would be a no-go for him. The FLD would be perfect for him.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 1
From: St Louis, MO
Amazing how much pissing and moaning in this thread. I'm normally all for knocking the MOCO mainly because of the dealerships, but goddam, they are trying something. By the time the TYPICAL rider adds all of that stuff to a Superglide, they would be well over $3000. I learned a long time ago, you will rarely make anyone happy. When this catches on, this place will be a nut hugging love fest for that bike. It's about as close as you can get to being an old school FL, which is the glory days of H-D, as far as I am concerned.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
I was actually pleasantly surprised at the price. i figured it would be another Softail Convertible at $30 grand. I know, it's not the same, but still, I thought it would be a lot more. I really like the looks on the screen. Haven't seen one in person yet.
As for the 4.7 gallon tank - that's only a quarter of a gallon less than the 5 gallon tank the other Dynas have. As for comparing it to the 6 gallons on the touring models, well, when my hubby had a touring model and 6 gallon tank he was still more than ready and glad to stop when I was ready to fill up. So that would be the least of my concerns. I am looking forward to seeing this in person. Of course I can only look. I still owe too much on my SB for a decent trade in anyway.
As for the 4.7 gallon tank - that's only a quarter of a gallon less than the 5 gallon tank the other Dynas have. As for comparing it to the 6 gallons on the touring models, well, when my hubby had a touring model and 6 gallon tank he was still more than ready and glad to stop when I was ready to fill up. So that would be the least of my concerns. I am looking forward to seeing this in person. Of course I can only look. I still owe too much on my SB for a decent trade in anyway.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 9
From: SoCal & West TN
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 72
From: North Dakota
Hogrida; With my SunDowner seat and hiway pegs, I know I could run a 6 gallon tank dry! Do it with my 5.2 gallon tank all the time. Grab an atlas and check out eastern Montana-Western North Dakota; not many roads and a long way between any kind of big towns. Around here, anything under 500 miles is "a short ride"!
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
There once was a time when cars had options for up to sometimes 7 or more different engines in the same model. Almost always the more powerful the engine, the higher the price. Except way back then with the prices of cars, the engine option increase was only $50 to $100 more!
J
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 4
From: Kennewick, WA
R&D aside, it is still a matter of what the market will bear. They would be stupid to sell any bike for less than people are willing to pay, and people are willing to pay, or they would never have survived the 1980's.
Remember the waiting lists and prices well above MSRP?
Remember the waiting lists and prices well above MSRP?
I also recall HD trying to fight this new competition (in around the mid 90's) by trying to patent their potato-potato sound! They soon backed off from this silly lawsuit and increased production.
Right after HD increased production, the aftermarket manufacturers started dropping off. The smaller builders couldn't compete with HD once their bikes were actually selling for MSRP.
HD dealers definitely took advantage of the seller's market they had going for about a decade, but took a hit when they couldn't produce enough and let the smaller guys gain a threshold in their market.
Now the momentum is in HD's favor. The smaller manufactures are dropping like flies and people are going back to HD. Their prices are once again competitive and they are building bikes that the buying public wants.
Still, in rebuttal to your post, I hold firm that R&D costs and whatever else I mentioned, mostly confirming what you said, are the reasons for the FLD's increased costs.
Sorry, but I'm a bit groggy now, it's after 4:00 in the morning and I can barely keep my eyes open. I'll fight this battle another day. Or maybe not, perhaps we both agree with each other anyway. It's all in fun.