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That article is reading a whole lot into a little blip on an accessory gas cap, so -- take it with a grain of salt (or an entire salt lick).
The Source for the Motorcycle.com article was my personal blog and indeed I've seen the model reference on the page of the gas cap and wrote about it (also took print screens) and shared the info with Motorcycle.com
Will they still sell them with subpar exhausts and motors that have to be upgraded by the dealer to "run and sound right"?
I find this type of thinking to be very interesting. Because in every motor generation you get this scenario: "I got a stage 1 and now it runs like a raped ape!" You would see this all the time on the forums for years.
With 80 CI bikes, with 88CI bikes, 96, 103, 107, etc. The stock 103 produced way more power than a stage 1 88, for example. Why weren't people saying it runs like a raped ape with a stock 103?
Personally I think the 114 is more than enough power for my Road Glide Limited (referred to by my wife as the "Loud Couch").
I think if you want more than that, its a choice, but not a criticism of the MoCo if you want to do that.
Regarding sound, you see a lot of people posting that they don't want anything too loud. So it's appropriate for Harley to set a baseline and people have options from there.
Previously they had said it was a licensing deal, and the Chinese-built 350cc "Harley" was made in China by a Chinese company for sale in China (and other Asian markets).
This article says it's a joint venture, HD owns 20% and QianJiang owns 80%, and that the products the JV makes will be made available outside Asia, including in the US.
If that happens, we might see an entry-level bike in HD dealerships, maybe around $7,000 or so. Harley has partnered for small bikes before, most recently with Italy's Aeromacchi, and they built and sold some 125cc and 165cc two-strokes from German blueprints. So it's not without precedent, although... A Chinese Harley sold in the US seems like it might be a tough sell for a lot of the customer base.
Thread really got interesting over last several posts.
H-D certainly has challenges ahead. No manufacturer can compete with the sound, style and feel of the EVO, TC or M8. Maybe Indian, to a small degree. Most everyone can compete with the Rev Max. Japanese, Royal Enfield, etc. manufacturers will draw the low-cost buyers. BMW and Ducati will draw the premium buyers. H-D loyalists may choose the Rev Max but that's not growth.
Honda nailed the 'gotta-haves' vs 'costly to haves' options with the affordable NT1100. It is a wonderful mile cruncher but it's a tool and really hard to get excited about.
I enjoy the big ADVs but I am tiring of tall and heavy and leaning towards sport tourers. H-D is not even in the game.
Can't wait to see the Guzzi V100 sport tourer arrive early next year.
Previously they had said it was a licensing deal, and the Chinese-built 350cc "Harley" was made in China by a Chinese company for sale in China (and other Asian markets).
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The market for 300-400cc is just exploding. Most are sport oriented by some are mini ADV bikes but being in the 5-6k range they just fly out of dealers. I had a BMW G310R for a short while as I was waiting on the bike I wanted to show up and what it reminds you is you don't need power to be fast... the key is not slowing down Surprisingly comfortable little beastie.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Surprisingly comfortable little beastie.
