Does anyone besides me think...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 644
Likes: 1
Hmmm... I like my bike. Thats why I bought it. If his designs sucked and he lived in the past HD would not be what HD is today. I like HD for the "true" nostalgia that it represents.
My buddy, and I use that term loosely, just bought a Yamaha HD look-a-like and the first thing he said to me was "it looks just like a Harley and cost less". Why did Yamaha, Honda and the rest of them, start making these HD look-a-likes if Willie G did not have a formula that worked?
My buddy, and I use that term loosely, just bought a Yamaha HD look-a-like and the first thing he said to me was "it looks just like a Harley and cost less". Why did Yamaha, Honda and the rest of them, start making these HD look-a-likes if Willie G did not have a formula that worked?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 203
Likes: 5
From:
Say what you like about his designs, but they are making money. I happen to think his, and 12 other peoples, biggest contribution to HD's future was their decision to take it public. HD wouldn't have survived without that move, WG or no. If he wasn't making money for the stockholders, he'd be gone.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
All fuel injection. Rubber Glide. Rubber Sportster. Self-canceling turn signals. Many of you could go on and on. Harley makes incremental improvements without spoiling their basic character: rumble. look. sound. feel. all-metal. Gen u wine motor-sickle.
I read an interview with a design muckety-muck at Harley. He said they pay little attention to the "competition". They pay attention to their customers, at HOG rallies, Sturgis, etc. The Japs obviously do not.
I read an interview with a design muckety-muck at Harley. He said they pay little attention to the "competition". They pay attention to their customers, at HOG rallies, Sturgis, etc. The Japs obviously do not.
The Motor Company has split marketing duties into two now. One arm focuses on the old proven crowd that follows Willie like lemmings to the sea. The other is focused on youth and building the next customer base to sell too. Where do you this Dark Custom came from ? Who do you think is the target audience? I like Willie, but some guys have a little to much man love for him.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Careful now, there are a lot of us old schoolers that love things just the way they are.Upgrade the motors,maybe and suspension for sure.But DO NOT take away that look we all crave.I have loved the look of a bagger since the very first time I laid eyes one,and have owned and ridden them over 45 yrs.