New roadster
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 632
From: NorCal Rocklin
Amazing how short sighted some of you are.
HD brings back the Roadster to the market and people on the Forums hate it. Did it ever occur to your train of thought that this is the "buy-in" for a younger generation HD rider. Eventually, they move to a bigger bike, and maybe even when they are older- a touring bike.
With that scenario- the MoCo has created a lifelong customer. Sure, the Roadster has a steep price point, sure there are other brands that give more bang for the buck. But, if the consumer wants to go with HD- that's their business.
Personally, I think it's a good looking bike.
HD brings back the Roadster to the market and people on the Forums hate it. Did it ever occur to your train of thought that this is the "buy-in" for a younger generation HD rider. Eventually, they move to a bigger bike, and maybe even when they are older- a touring bike.
With that scenario- the MoCo has created a lifelong customer. Sure, the Roadster has a steep price point, sure there are other brands that give more bang for the buck. But, if the consumer wants to go with HD- that's their business.
Personally, I think it's a good looking bike.
With just CA emissions and freight, not including prep, it's already hitting close for 13K. Im going to wait unitl the year ends and let the dust setting when dealers want to get rid of their inventory
That's crazy money for a sportster.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 12
From: in a house
It's pretty clear there is a SHARP divide in tastes among generations.
Most of the guys bad-mouthing it have bikes pictured in their sigs that I see absolutely zero appeal in, though they clearly love their 'old man bikes'.
They all seem to have the opinion that EVERY bike Harley offers should look just like theirs or at least be along the exact same lines. Well,the biggest thing that keeps me out of Harley dealerships is the fact that they DO all look along the exact same lines (classic styled, low to the ground). This Sporty changes that. It looks GREAT to me and, praise God almighty, it has ACTUAL suspension and brakes! It's the first bike Harley has made that has really interested me since they dropped Buell.
For those saying it costs too much; have you priced bikes lately? There's a whole lot of cheaply made garbage below 10G and not much else. 11,200 is a pretty good price for this bike. You guys may not understand how anyone would pay 11G's for a Sporty but I, for the life of me, can't figure how a touring bike is worth $25,000+ or a Heritage is worth 17, or a CVO is worth as much as a small house!
Most of the guys bad-mouthing it have bikes pictured in their sigs that I see absolutely zero appeal in, though they clearly love their 'old man bikes'.
They all seem to have the opinion that EVERY bike Harley offers should look just like theirs or at least be along the exact same lines. Well,the biggest thing that keeps me out of Harley dealerships is the fact that they DO all look along the exact same lines (classic styled, low to the ground). This Sporty changes that. It looks GREAT to me and, praise God almighty, it has ACTUAL suspension and brakes! It's the first bike Harley has made that has really interested me since they dropped Buell.
For those saying it costs too much; have you priced bikes lately? There's a whole lot of cheaply made garbage below 10G and not much else. 11,200 is a pretty good price for this bike. You guys may not understand how anyone would pay 11G's for a Sporty but I, for the life of me, can't figure how a touring bike is worth $25,000+ or a Heritage is worth 17, or a CVO is worth as much as a small house!
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 34
From: NC/SC
It's pretty clear there is a SHARP divide in tastes among generations.
Most of the guys bad-mouthing it have bikes pictured in their sigs that I see absolutely zero appeal in, though they clearly love their 'old man bikes'.
They all seem to have the opinion that EVERY bike Harley offers should look just like theirs or at least be along the exact same lines. Well,the biggest thing that keeps me out of Harley dealerships is the fact that they DO all look along the exact same lines (classic styled, low to the ground). This Sporty changes that. It looks GREAT to me and, praise God almighty, it has ACTUAL suspension and brakes! It's the first bike Harley has made that has really interested me since they dropped Buell.
For those saying it costs too much; have you priced bikes lately? There's a whole lot of cheaply made garbage below 10G and not much else. 11,200 is a pretty good price for this bike. You guys may not understand how anyone would pay 11G's for a Sporty but I, for the life of me, can't figure how a touring bike is worth $25,000+ or a Heritage is worth 17, or a CVO is worth as much as a small house!
Most of the guys bad-mouthing it have bikes pictured in their sigs that I see absolutely zero appeal in, though they clearly love their 'old man bikes'.
They all seem to have the opinion that EVERY bike Harley offers should look just like theirs or at least be along the exact same lines. Well,the biggest thing that keeps me out of Harley dealerships is the fact that they DO all look along the exact same lines (classic styled, low to the ground). This Sporty changes that. It looks GREAT to me and, praise God almighty, it has ACTUAL suspension and brakes! It's the first bike Harley has made that has really interested me since they dropped Buell.
For those saying it costs too much; have you priced bikes lately? There's a whole lot of cheaply made garbage below 10G and not much else. 11,200 is a pretty good price for this bike. You guys may not understand how anyone would pay 11G's for a Sporty but I, for the life of me, can't figure how a touring bike is worth $25,000+ or a Heritage is worth 17, or a CVO is worth as much as a small house!
I am not young by any means but still young enough to want to flick around my motorcycle if I want to, provided the bike is built to do it. This is the demographic, HD is targeting IMHO, i.e. comparatively younger riders (19 to 34 as i4x4 said, I am a couple years older though) who don't necessarily want to buy a sports bike but want the ability to feel the rush in twisties and curves and at the same time the flexibility to cruise at times. This Roadster is an attempt to achieve just that.
Yeah, it's pricier, slower and heavier than the next Ducati or Triumph or CBR but Harley Davidson motorcycles are not exactly known for these traits anyways. We buy HDs because we like them. To me, it's a welcome change and a notion that MoCo is finally listening to it's growing customer base as against the one that's fading.
Personally, I would've liked a few more HPs and few less pounds (with all the light and cut-off parts, it is still only 10 lbs lighter than a regular 2015 Sportster 1200C which has a bigger tank and bunch of chrome parts adding weight). Still I like the direction MoCo is moving towards.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 717
From: Pennsyleffinvania
The "new" Roadster is not a new design by Harley. It is a re-introduction of the exact same bike that HD put out in 2002 first as an 883R and later as a 1200R. Fast forward 14 years, and the same "innovation" re-appears with the same "triple disk/suspension" highlighted features.
The model lasted only a few years and didn't sell well, and was dropped. The funniest modifications to this previously lame effort were the forward controls and apes that some yeahoos added when they bought their "Roadsters" used and wanted the look of a "real Harley".
If you think a lot of thought went into this, think again. Will it appeal to new riders, and save a chunk of the market? It didn't the last go-round, and the younger market isn't getting any dumber about motorcycle components.
It will sell to the same buyers as before, the few that want a Harley, but one that looks like the naked bikes offered by other manufactures. That is fine, right up until the Roadster buyer actually rides with the guys on the other brand naked bikes, then that wishful dream literally goes up in smoke as the Roadster rider tries to catch up at the next light.
If the MoCo really wanted a retro that would appeal to more buyers, maybe they could have released a limited re-do of the XLCR.
The model lasted only a few years and didn't sell well, and was dropped. The funniest modifications to this previously lame effort were the forward controls and apes that some yeahoos added when they bought their "Roadsters" used and wanted the look of a "real Harley".
If you think a lot of thought went into this, think again. Will it appeal to new riders, and save a chunk of the market? It didn't the last go-round, and the younger market isn't getting any dumber about motorcycle components.
It will sell to the same buyers as before, the few that want a Harley, but one that looks like the naked bikes offered by other manufactures. That is fine, right up until the Roadster buyer actually rides with the guys on the other brand naked bikes, then that wishful dream literally goes up in smoke as the Roadster rider tries to catch up at the next light.
If the MoCo really wanted a retro that would appeal to more buyers, maybe they could have released a limited re-do of the XLCR.
Last edited by LoneWoolf; Apr 21, 2016 at 03:05 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 877
From: Iowa
I don't know, I've seen a lot of Sporties from the 70's with forward controls and apes. It's hard to nail down what a "real Harley" is. I think everyone has a different picture in their mind of what it is. Just because their picture is different doesn't make them wrong, especially when it comes to something as frivolous as the whims of consumers in a market for something that sells big because of the independent lifestyle that it projects.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 210
From: Montana
I say great job Harley! Hello it has small fenders and a little seat! This is way sweater then the new victory or Indian! No its not as fast but it dam sure is a nicer bike! The old school guys wouldn't like it and it's been said it isn't marketed for them! I would however bet given a day to go play on it they would have the time of their life's. This thing would be fun to own!!! I won't one and something else it is almost maintenance-free something the other guys might not be able to say
Last edited by 5150northrider; Apr 30, 2016 at 02:54 PM.
Stage I
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: pnw
new guy here , I like the Roadster and it might be my next bike . I am 66 , started riding in 64 with a Bultaco Mercurio , after that it was 69 Triumph TR6C and BSA 650 twins and then a used 71 Trident and then a 1974 Trident . After that it was Japanese up to 2008 when I bought a new 2008 Triumph T100 Bonneville . I just sold that and I hope to buy again pretty soon which means in the next 12 months . As to my tastes in Harleys I loved the old 78 XLCR and the 2013 [about] XR1200 that was out about 2- 4 years but then discontinued . Anyway , now I like the new Harley Roadster as it is jut my style . Oher bikes that I am considering is the new water cooled Triumph T120 . I am leaning towards the Roadster as it looks good , looks good for customization and performance enhancements plus is air cooled and I never owned a Sporty . So just an friendly hello and opening post introducing myself and I'll be reading the board looking and asking about practical Sportster performance enhancements .