Harley "new" image
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,541
Likes: 1
From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
No, Harley doesn't need to do any of that. People will buy it because they want to cruise around on an American classic cruiser. If they want performance, they'll get a performance motorcycle. When they've healed, they'll take life a lot easier and cruise around on something that hasn't really needed to change all that much in their history. Plus, if they took all the fun out of upgrading and wrenching on one's own bike, people would bitch about that.
You ride a Vrod because you want one thing, prefer another, and can't make up your mind so you settled on "middle of the road".
You ride a Vrod because you want one thing, prefer another, and can't make up your mind so you settled on "middle of the road".
They don't need to make performance bikes (although I think they ought to), they need to make bikes that meet the minimal demands of modern, high-speed, stop and go traffic, without need another 5k of engine/break work.
For those of us who ride everyday (that there's not snow on the road), these things are not toys or garage ornaments that we take out when we want to play "classic American biker", I use this thing everyday, and average 300 miles a week just for work. It needs to stop faster than the guy in front of me, and go quicker than the guy behind me, and start everytime. Flatheads are great for your tour of the country Sunday drive, but in a world in which a basic Honda makes 140 horses, speed limits are 75 mph, and half the people are on a cell phone, 0-60 in ten seconds doesn't cut it for a daily rider.
Edit: if you think that there is nothing between a ZX-14 and a Harley, you're missing out. There is a world of motorcycles that are neither Harleys (or knockoffs) or Sportsbikes.
Last edited by Herr Monk; Feb 27, 2009 at 05:38 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,269
Likes: 12
From: NJ
All good points....I for one agree
So you're argument is people will eat whatever HD feeds them because it's a Harley?
They don't need to make performance bikes (although I think they ought to), they need to make bikes that meet the minimal demands of modern, high-speed, stop and go traffic, without need another 5k of engine/break work.
For those of us who ride everyday (that there's not snow on the road), these things are not toys or garage ornaments that we take out when we want to play "classic American biker", I use this thing everyday, and average 300 miles a week just for work. It needs to stop faster than the guy in front of me, and go quicker than the guy behind me, and start everytime. Flatheads are great for your tour of the country Sunday drive, but in a world in which a basic Honda makes 140 horses, speed limits are 75 mph, and half the people are on a cell phone, 0-60 in ten seconds doesn't cut it for a daily rider.
Edit: if you think that there is nothing between a ZX-14 and a Harley, you're missing out. There is a world of motorcycles that are neither Harleys (or knockoffs) or Sportsbikes.
They don't need to make performance bikes (although I think they ought to), they need to make bikes that meet the minimal demands of modern, high-speed, stop and go traffic, without need another 5k of engine/break work.
For those of us who ride everyday (that there's not snow on the road), these things are not toys or garage ornaments that we take out when we want to play "classic American biker", I use this thing everyday, and average 300 miles a week just for work. It needs to stop faster than the guy in front of me, and go quicker than the guy behind me, and start everytime. Flatheads are great for your tour of the country Sunday drive, but in a world in which a basic Honda makes 140 horses, speed limits are 75 mph, and half the people are on a cell phone, 0-60 in ten seconds doesn't cut it for a daily rider.
Edit: if you think that there is nothing between a ZX-14 and a Harley, you're missing out. There is a world of motorcycles that are neither Harleys (or knockoffs) or Sportsbikes.
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
From: Oak Creek, WI
I do not think they are really overpriced for what you get.
Now the motorclothes are another story
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
From: Oak Creek, WI
Now, I for one, disagree with YOUR comments.
Of all the choices we have to spend our play time ... Speaking for myself, of course ... I choose Harley's over all else. Why? Because ... I like'em ... Everything about 'em. Don't find them "Underpowered" ... at all. As a matter of fact, I don't care much for sport bikes, or ones that are all powered up and supped to the nuts ... never did .. THAT is MY personal choice.
Doesn't mean they don't go like snot ... I just don't care for them...Doesn't even mean I think Harleys are superior to everything else on the market. The simple fact is ... Harley is what I not only choose to spend my time and money on ... but it has become a passion ... it has affected my way of life...in a possitive way.
As a matter of fact, our Harley's often "out perform" the other bikes we travel with. (I ride a Fat Boy and Hubby rides a Street Glide)...Both of our bikes have better gas mileage and less mechanical difficulties on the road...If that's what is meant by 'performance'. They fire up on the first attempt, run very smoothly, and are as dependable as can be ... at least so far. My bike is an 2002 ... and completely stock. I have only had 'er in the shop to replace a small fuel hose (inside the gas tank, that had a small hole)...other than that, not even a 'hic-up". She purrs like a kitten ... a really BIG kitten! She has been good to me, and I have ridden her coast to coast in both Canada and the U.S. and as far south as Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
I'm not sure where you were going with your comments ... They were argumentative and insulting to put it plainly. I just don't think you 'get' what Harley Davidson means to the majority of members here. Have you ever heard the expression ... "If I have to explain .... yada yada yada"
I'm sure you know the rest.
Of all the choices we have to spend our play time ... Speaking for myself, of course ... I choose Harley's over all else. Why? Because ... I like'em ... Everything about 'em. Don't find them "Underpowered" ... at all. As a matter of fact, I don't care much for sport bikes, or ones that are all powered up and supped to the nuts ... never did .. THAT is MY personal choice.
Doesn't mean they don't go like snot ... I just don't care for them...Doesn't even mean I think Harleys are superior to everything else on the market. The simple fact is ... Harley is what I not only choose to spend my time and money on ... but it has become a passion ... it has affected my way of life...in a possitive way.
As a matter of fact, our Harley's often "out perform" the other bikes we travel with. (I ride a Fat Boy and Hubby rides a Street Glide)...Both of our bikes have better gas mileage and less mechanical difficulties on the road...If that's what is meant by 'performance'. They fire up on the first attempt, run very smoothly, and are as dependable as can be ... at least so far. My bike is an 2002 ... and completely stock. I have only had 'er in the shop to replace a small fuel hose (inside the gas tank, that had a small hole)...other than that, not even a 'hic-up". She purrs like a kitten ... a really BIG kitten! She has been good to me, and I have ridden her coast to coast in both Canada and the U.S. and as far south as Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
I'm not sure where you were going with your comments ... They were argumentative and insulting to put it plainly. I just don't think you 'get' what Harley Davidson means to the majority of members here. Have you ever heard the expression ... "If I have to explain .... yada yada yada"
I'm sure you know the rest.
Amen and Alleluia Sister.....
Man, I bet you are hot!
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
So you're argument is people will eat whatever HD feeds them because it's a Harley?
They don't need to make performance bikes (although I think they ought to), they need to make bikes that meet the minimal demands of modern, high-speed, stop and go traffic, without need another 5k of engine/break work.
For those of us who ride everyday (that there's not snow on the road), these things are not toys or garage ornaments that we take out when we want to play "classic American biker", I use this thing everyday, and average 300 miles a week just for work. It needs to stop faster than the guy in front of me, and go quicker than the guy behind me, and start everytime. Flatheads are great for your tour of the country Sunday drive, but in a world in which a basic Honda makes 140 horses, speed limits are 75 mph, and half the people are on a cell phone, 0-60 in ten seconds doesn't cut it for a daily rider.
Edit: if you think that there is nothing between a ZX-14 and a Harley, you're missing out. There is a world of motorcycles that are neither Harleys (or knockoffs) or Sportsbikes.
They don't need to make performance bikes (although I think they ought to), they need to make bikes that meet the minimal demands of modern, high-speed, stop and go traffic, without need another 5k of engine/break work.
For those of us who ride everyday (that there's not snow on the road), these things are not toys or garage ornaments that we take out when we want to play "classic American biker", I use this thing everyday, and average 300 miles a week just for work. It needs to stop faster than the guy in front of me, and go quicker than the guy behind me, and start everytime. Flatheads are great for your tour of the country Sunday drive, but in a world in which a basic Honda makes 140 horses, speed limits are 75 mph, and half the people are on a cell phone, 0-60 in ten seconds doesn't cut it for a daily rider.
Edit: if you think that there is nothing between a ZX-14 and a Harley, you're missing out. There is a world of motorcycles that are neither Harleys (or knockoffs) or Sportsbikes.
Modern high speed, stop and go traffic? What's that? Harley's can keep up with traffic here in the U.S. just fine. And they don't need a dime's worth of work done on the engines to do it. They've been doing it for generations too. Even back in the day when the 74" (1200cc) was the biggest on the planet.
Even members here complain that they have to do 80+ mph in order to utilize their 6th gear without lugging the motor.
So I have no clue where you get the idea that today's Harley's won't keep up with traffic. What Honda's bikes produce in HP doesn't come into it. Harley's do just fine in daily traffic without the need to look like an idiot trying to get to 60 mph before the next traffic light, a block away.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
harley sponsors an event called wild ride. its a joint venture between them and emerica (a skate shoe company). basically it is a bunch of pro skaters riding around the country to different spots on harleys.
ive skateboarded for 20 years and recently bought my first harley. i can say that riding a motorcycle is a lot like skateboarding for me, in that it takes all your concentration and totally clears your mind. i think them reaching out to skateboarders and other types of like minded people is a good thing.
ive skateboarded for 20 years and recently bought my first harley. i can say that riding a motorcycle is a lot like skateboarding for me, in that it takes all your concentration and totally clears your mind. i think them reaching out to skateboarders and other types of like minded people is a good thing.