I was watching a YouTube, Laidlaw HD on the 18 Sport custom. He said their is a good chance this is the end of the sportster. Seems very sad, as that bike is an icon. I figure he has very good connections, I hope he's wrong. Does anybody agree with him?

 

I think the name Sportster will live on for a long time. Harley tried not using it for one model year about 40 years ago and folks were very upset. I think the end of the twin shock, air-cooled, pushrod version is near the end.

My prediction is a water-cooled, OHC in a new monoshock frame. If they can get the engine output of a Jap liter twin of 20 years ago it will be the greatest thing since sliced bread.

In an ideal world, I'd like an adventure version, a tracker, and a sit-up standard cruiser similar to current offerings.

 

Triumph Bonneville & Tiger, Ducati Monster & Scrambler, BMW's upcoming F850 & 750 GSs. Harley's got nothing here. IMO, the "light cruiser" market segment is saturated.
It's time for a change.

 

" THE SPORTSTER "

The longest running made motor cycle of any make WORLDWIDE

 

The Sporty is an icon for H.D. The best bike they ever made, can't see them discontinuing it...b.

 

haven't read that, but glad i have one for sure.

 

Maybe it's time for me to buy another. OTOH, I wouldn't take anything a dealer told me too seriously. Harley keeps changes under tighter wraps than next year's iPhone, and a dealer will tell you anything he thinks will make a sale.

 

I think HD will just revamp it and drop in something like a mini M8. It's too big of a seller and way for new riders to get into Harley for them to just discontinue.

 

The Sportster platform is way overdue for a revamp. It uses an outdated (and non-standard) powerplant, and shares very little with other Harley lines. I can see a re-imaging of the type with a more modern power plant (either a baby M8 or a re-born Revolution), but not a total death of the sporty.

 

From all of yours lips to Gods ears!