Jessica Harley is rumored to be interested in buying Ducati, if this is the case it will fill all those voids....

 

This explains the fatbob light

 

Did they not try the sport bike ave. with the Buell and it failed?

 

"The wonder is not how well the bear dances, but that the bear dances at all!" -Goethe (I think).

The new models are technologically closer to "modern"/naked bikes than ever before, but still are unmistakably Harleys. Electronics are sadly missing, but then again, Harleys don't have the performance to really need them, other than ABS. Ducati models would complete the ADV/nakes/sportbike lineup.

I'd like to think the Ducati deal will go through-the main reason I don't own one is that the nearest dealer is 90 miles from where I live. Time will tell.

 

I love that HD has moved several light years forward with the technology and function design of the new Harley's. We all know it was way overdue and the technology of our 2017 and earlier Softail bikes was decades old.

They can and I think they will adjust the cosmetics as they go forward and I applaud Harley for going ahead and doing what needed to be done to bring their "Sport Bikes" aka the new Softail line with a 21st century designed suspension and a far more technologically advanced motor. When compared "Apples for Apples" these bikes will probably out run and out corner anything HD has ever made to date.

Now...with all that being said...their not for me. I am old and old school. I want my Harley to look and sound like the Harley's I grew up loving. I don't throw my bike into corners at high rates of speed...I don't care that they have X amount of more lean angle. I have a NEED for the "Potato...Potato...Potato" sound The Twin Cams and earlier bikes make. Hearing some sport bike sound going by at a high rate of speed does not turn my head at all. I will nearly always turn and look when a "Loud Old School" Harley goes by. That look and sound is part of my history.

Now life goes on and Harley has to keep up with it. But being a old, set in my ways gezzer, I am going to let this edition go right on by

 

I think what they did was ingenious. I, like a lot of other folks, was kinda shocked at the reveal the other night.
Then, I had time to dwell on it.
IF they buy Ducati, then the sport bike idea is self corrected.
They modernized their current fleet, updating frames and streamlining production. They added some new features to classics, and kept some of the more classical designs almost unchanged, asthetically (except for those odd taillights).
The touring models-the models most people mature into-are updated, but remain classic looking. Knowing that people buying these tend to be older, and more financially stable-they appeal to that market.
I think the long term strategy, if they acquire Ducati, is set up for success. If they dont acquire Ducati, then we may see sport bikes in the near future. I am willing to bet that they have both those bases covered.

 

Harley hasn't done anything to attract younger buyers. period. I don't know many 18 to 25 year olds that can afford an $18K+ bike. most still live with mommy/daddy or in college.

 

Street 500 they can afford that !

 

I was referring to the softail line up mostly. The Streets look like a made in china Harley afterthought every time I look at one. Why would the younger crowd opt for a Street, when Honda, Yamaha, kawi etc offer so much better options in that category.

 

again, how long have you been riding. you must be new at this and don't really know what you're talking about otherwise you would of known about the XR 1200 and how it didn't sell.. But being a millennial helps explain a lot.