Although I'm not a fan of the denim paint, on the right bike it is awesome. Like a Heritage Springer with red rims, chrome spokes, wide whitewalls, and duals with fishtails. Topped off with a little red and white pinstriping.
BTW, Mercedes and Lamborghini both offer black denim. Saw a black denim Lambo today and it looked like it would belong to Darth Vader.

 

........ SSSHHHHHH !!!! .. that's the 2013 stuff, not '12 .....

 

And that's what insures perfectly good 3-4 yr old bikes with 20-30k on them will be traded in for the "new and improved" version.
A friend of mine has an '02 Ultra with 165,000 miles on it. Engine & trans are original, except for a port job he did to it when it was new, Always burns the cheapest gas he can find (never premium) and has always ridden it hard. No smoke and runs strong.

 

You're right to a point. BMW does have the new 1600 line coming out really soon (and it's going to be awesome). They HAD to do something since the K1200LT wasn't much competition for the 'Wing (or really anything else). Honda isn't doing much at all on the Goldwing for 2012 (I think they got caught sleeping); mostly an electronics upgrade for the NAV/Stereo - It will have the same motor (which is really great) and trans (only a 5 speed, horrible gas mileage). The bags have a redesign I think. The Goldwing has been largely unchanged since 2001. HD did a complete frame redesign in 2009 and that is a pretty major upgrade. So when you say that HD needs to do a major upgrade to get buyers I think you forgot the major upgrade that took place in '09, not to mention the incremental changes that occurred up until that frame. (ABS and better brakes, drive by wire, 6 speed, 6 gallon tank...) not to mention beautiful paint and chrome that you don't get at any price on the other bikes. Plus an awesome dealer network as well as the largest aftermarket around. Of course HD needs to keep up with technology but the new BMW isn't going to sway too many people away from HD; its just a different animal.

 

I had a 2008 Fat Bob with denim black...buddy just got a 2011 SG in Denim Black...to each his own...it's the cats meow color...

 

Very valid points, agree with everything you have stated.
I guess I would like to see HD continue to upgrade their technology
Bluetooth, LED headlamp, better radio/speakers, I know these items can be purchased separately from HD. I would like to see these parts come stock on the touring models.

 

Since 1903, Harley Davidson has always upgraded and/or changed their model lines every year without fail. They also seem to introduce some of the next year upgrades on the previous year bikes, possibly as a test bed or to whet the appetite, who knows. As an example, in 2008 the drivetrain top mounting in the Touring line was changed to what came out in 2009 with the new frame. Also, the six speed came out in the Dyna line in 2006.

I don't know if they are eliminating the 96" engine, but if they do, they do. I like my bike the way it is and just about have it set up the way I want it. I plan to keep it. Although it is no race bike, it runs along pretty good with the 96". I bet if we all went out and took a ride on the 80" Evo or Shovel as comparison, we wouldn't complain so much about the 96"

 

I'm hoping any evolutionary changes remain backwards compatible with our current stuff. Always nice to be able to do upgrades on selected bits of new models.

 

I don't complain about my 96 incher at all. I had it made into a 107.

 

Was denim blue, would have needed a complete paint job then added the passing light bar and lights, tourpack, exhaust, cams, stage 1 and downloader.

I rode it and it was not really much different to ride then my 05 Black Cherry Classic that has the extras listed other then my classic is much peppier then a stock 96.

I am happy with my old 05 and that is all I care.