No radios in 2012 touring models?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
I work for the largest computer manufacturer in the world (no, not IBM). The shortages are REAL and the ripple effect of what happened in Japan is going to be felt in a lot of areas for atleast 6 months to maybe a year. We will see shortages of key components in almost ALL consumer products and definately higher prices when these shortages are corrected. If you are planning to buy a TV you better do it now, for example. Personally I dont think HK is a radio that I would buy if I had a choice and if the MoCo gave me an option (read that as lower price) to install my own I would opt for another brand perhaps if easily installed. Problem is that the other brands will be equally "scarce" and will cost more as well. I am guessing those that buy the Ultras will NOT want a new bike with a gaping hole in the front instrument panel. The sound system was a factor when I considered buying my StreetGlide. I probably would have bought a Road King if I didnt want the fairing package to begin with. We are incredibly dependent upon "chips" these days and I aint talking about the potato kind.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 655
From: bklyn,ny
I have n=heard of other companies having similar issues with chips and other electronics coming from Japan. I am actually looking at getting a 2012 because they will have a color I REALLY want, but the intercom and radio system is integral to the two up riding experience on the bike. I would not buy one until I could get one with the system installed.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 4
Thats right. I did not buy a motorcycle to hear my wifes mouth run like a clatter-bone in a ducks ***. I am sure she would say he same thing of me.
BTW, I have a HK radio that I will sell to anyone looking to buy a 2012 bike for a mear $1200.00
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,732
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
I took the survey also but said i wouldn't take the bike until they asked if i would get an extra year warranty, a free radio with install when available and a free GPS...Make it worth my while.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay
I would tell them to keep the HK, reduce the purchase price by the retail value of the radio, and give me the $500 credit. Then I would install and aftermarket Sony with the Hawg Wired kit. If I had it to do all over again I would have strongly considered the EGS.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From:
I used to work for Radio Sound. The radio circuit boards (main and ultra) were manufactured in Japan by Asahi. Radio Sound manufactured the CB/intercom board at their facility. We competed against HK for the new radio design and those friendly to Radio Sound said our radio products (bluetooth, CB, cell interface, navigation, IPOD interface to mention a few) blew HK away but there were new non-riding yuppies who had come on board at H-D and wanted to partner with a "big name" even though most people outside of audiophiles had no idea who Harmon Kardon is. Radio Sound always offered great customer service but the two guys who primarily owned, and ran the company, were total dipshits with no vision or business sense whatsoever.
I worked for about 1.5 yrs and developed a microphone design for the CB/intercom that was small and unobtrusive, could be clipped to your t-shirt for use without a helmet, or clipped to the helmet strap if wearing a helmet was desired. It matched the performance of the "donkey d!ck" boom mic but they never pursued it. After it sat in my closet for well over a year, one of the owners (VP of Engineering) popped in and said he had just been up to HD and they were asking about a smaller mic design. I asked "did you try to sell them the design gathering dust in my closet that you had me work on for almost two years" and he got his normal dumb look on his face and said "I forgot about that". I knew right then they were a lost cause...well, I knew that long before then...
I worked for about 1.5 yrs and developed a microphone design for the CB/intercom that was small and unobtrusive, could be clipped to your t-shirt for use without a helmet, or clipped to the helmet strap if wearing a helmet was desired. It matched the performance of the "donkey d!ck" boom mic but they never pursued it. After it sat in my closet for well over a year, one of the owners (VP of Engineering) popped in and said he had just been up to HD and they were asking about a smaller mic design. I asked "did you try to sell them the design gathering dust in my closet that you had me work on for almost two years" and he got his normal dumb look on his face and said "I forgot about that". I knew right then they were a lost cause...well, I knew that long before then...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 822
From: Nevada
Would be nice if Harley used Bluetooth instead of a wired connection.
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