I think it was a shame they didn't try the V-Rod engine in another platform before pulling the plug on it. Personally, I think liquid cooled is the way forward and I think eventually Harley will move to some different engine designs.

I would like to see something liquid cooled in the touring line, as long as it doesn't look like some outer **** space thing.

 

You obviously have NO IDEA what an FXR was..........nuff said

 

Oh..... Burn! 😀👍

 

i know it weighs way more than a sportster..... nuff said

 

I say yes to the "street fighter" but a resounding no to the adventure bike. Harley has/will enter the segment much too late as it has cooled off a bit from it's highest point when Triumph entered and KTM updated their offering six years ago. Honda entered too late and their offering didn't have/still doesn't have the primo bells and whistles of these and king BMW. Yamaha slightly upgraded their model, but it's still a lump in comparison. The HD appears to be a compound copy of all these also-rans. Not saying HD shouldn't innovate, it's just I don't see a market standing by to take on another premium pseudo-adventure bike. I forgot to toss in the also also-rans from Ducati, Kawasaki, and Suzuki. Market already flooded and glutted.

The street fighter bike as shown could be an instant classic. Although technically started by the Speed Triple and Monster in the early 90's, the factory street fighter segment has really taken off with the younger crowd lately. Aprilia redefined the segment with the Tuono and other entrants from BMW and Yamaha are not also-rans. There are no duds in this segment so far and I think Harley could really compete since the street is HD's natural habitat and we're only about three years removed from the segment peak.

These are my opinions based on having researched, bought, and then sold off bikes in both segments in the last six years.

 

What you have to remember is that adventure riders are function over form. I ride a bmw r1200rt, and know some GS owners. They don't care about looks of the bike. They care about the ability of the bike.

 

Only time will tell if this was a good idea or not.

 

I agree! I've been wanting an ADV bike for a while. I think I may have to own one of these!

 

Yeah, yer right. That ten pounds is a hell of a lot of weight. I checked my 94 FXLR owner's manual & it states the dry weight is 575 pounds. You gonna argue with that?

 

I fully agree.

I too have been looking to add an ADV bike to my stable. Have also considered turning a Sportster into a scrambler type bike. I think now I will sit back and wait and see what becomes of the Pan-America. Looks ok so far, but seat looks like a board. Hopefully it will have decent power, low weight and good suspension travel. Needs to competed with the GS1200 and the KTM