What does the "48" mean?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
What are you talking about? The first dealer demos? It is just another production model. If it runs for 5 years it would probably be fairly successful. Anything is worth what someone is willing to pay. If you can't afford it one don't get one. I buy then to ride, not as some kind of investment.
No...5 years is planned obsolescence in today's MoCo world. IMHO these are just another marketing gimmick because MoCo has lost its way...
Anything is worth what someone is willing to pay..
You are right on this but that does not make the bike worth it.
If you can't afford it one don't get one. I buy them to ride, not as some kind of investment.
Sorry but I have been riding the same 65 FLH since I came home from hunting Dinks at the end of 1969. Since then I have added a 49 EL and a rat pan 56.
And you...since you seem to be on the attack?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,729
Likes: 29
From: IA
Let's see... knuckles 36-47 = 11 years; pans 48-65 = 17 years; shovels 66-84 = 18 years.
No...5 years is planned obsolescence in today's MoCo world. IMHO these are just another marketing gimmick because MoCo has lost its way...
Anything is worth what someone is willing to pay..
You are right on this but that does not make the bike worth it.
If you can't afford it one don't get one. I buy them to ride, not as some kind of investment.
Sorry but I have been riding the same 65 FLH since I came home from hunting Dinks at the end of 1969. Since then I have added a 49 EL and a rat pan 56.
And you...since you seem to be on the attack?
No...5 years is planned obsolescence in today's MoCo world. IMHO these are just another marketing gimmick because MoCo has lost its way...
Anything is worth what someone is willing to pay..
You are right on this but that does not make the bike worth it.
If you can't afford it one don't get one. I buy them to ride, not as some kind of investment.
Sorry but I have been riding the same 65 FLH since I came home from hunting Dinks at the end of 1969. Since then I have added a 49 EL and a rat pan 56.
And you...since you seem to be on the attack?
I never bought one for "what it was gonna be worth" and I doubt you did either. I got them because I liked them or they met the needs I had. Going by pre-orders and info requests people seem to like this one. Why do you care?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 929
Likes: 3
From: Caro, Michigan
Aside from all the Sportster haters...the "48" IS a reference to the 1st year the Peanut tank appeared on a Harley (1948 125 CC single-cylinder Model 125). The MoCo also recognizes that the peanut tank was in fact created prior to WWII by a German Motorcycle company, for the DKW RT125. This comes from the latest HOG magazine (Winter 2010)...page 8.
Last edited by sajackson; Mar 3, 2010 at 02:57 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 2
From: St. Augustine Florida
Same reason Jack Daniels uses No.7
Enjoy responsibly while seeking your answer grasshopper!
Enjoy responsibly while seeking your answer grasshopper!
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
And the Sportster from 1957 - ?? The 48 is just another Sportster not a completely new motorcycle. If a style change lasts 5 years thats doin good. And all those bikes you mention went through style changes. Brakes, trannies, engine changes, suspension, tires, tins, rigids, swing arms, springers, hydra glides... You have looked for parts and you know that. I suppose they could have just stuck with the 1903 model instead of all those "gimics" over the years like 49s and 56s and 65s. I am guessing it wouldn't be a big seller.
I never bought one for "what it was gonna be worth" and I doubt you did either. I got them because I liked them or they met the needs I had. Going by pre-orders and info requests people seem to like this one. Why do you care?
I never bought one for "what it was gonna be worth" and I doubt you did either. I got them because I liked them or they met the needs I had. Going by pre-orders and info requests people seem to like this one. Why do you care?
Yes there were things like an anniversary model pan, the intro of FX (they saw what the biker community was doing and copied it, they didn't think of it first), later things like Sturgis models, Bi-Centennial models and such but they didn't produce an exaggerated number and try to convince the public this was something new and cool, and do the same line of rap year after year.
Sporty models have been around a long, long time. 57 or was it as early as 55?. Doesn't matter...long time. Took Mother a long time to get away from iron heads, all chain drives and such, but the changes were made for a reason...smoother ride and comfort, not 'how many of these do you think we can sell' attitude. Design and form meet function. My first chop was around a rigid frame Sporty because the lines were sleek.
Why do I care? Hell because my pop rode one till he was in his late 70s, because I intend to do the same and more, because I honestly think that MoCo has too many 'gimmicks' going and if they cut back to basics and let the buyer add on what he/she desired, they could actually turn a profit (kinda like what they did w/ pans and what in today's market is called performance/appearance upgrades), maybe because at age 63 I am starting to look at the world in much the same way my pop did as he advanced in age, maybe because I still give a sh*t about a product I still believe in even though I ride something that is obsolete by modern day standards. I hope the new bikes can make it as far; just do not think they are designed to do so.