2014 wtf?
What a humorous thread...having been on this forum for quite sometime, no different from last year at this time...the year before...many of you secretly wishing you could get a new bike, but throwing stones at those who did buy a new one...LOL
Of all the Harleys I've owned...(to many to even remember)...never been so impressed within the first few miles of riding it as I have with my 2014...
Of all the Harleys I've owned...(to many to even remember)...never been so impressed within the first few miles of riding it as I have with my 2014...
Now the newer SGs do, and maybe a few other of the touring ones, but as a hole, I just don't get excited at the look of the last few year models.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 39
From: Central Florida
I don't agree with the statements that if you don't like the changes you are somehow against progress. PROGRESS would be a 4 cylinder water cooled engine.. however I think pretty much ALL of us would agree that would ruin things. Progress could also be full LED displays instead of analog gauges.. again, I think a lot of people would think that would be idiotic. Progress could also be an automatic transmission, again I think most people would scream bloody murder about that.
I don't think the 2014's cross those lines.. but Harley DOES have to watch themselves. I'm a 38 year old IT professional who loves gadgets and modern technology. I ride to get away from that. Changes need to make SENSE not just be progress. I think with the 14's most of them do however they could easily jump the shark. People should express their opinions on both sides of the aisle because manufacturers left to their own devices often make stupid choices.. LOL.
I don't think the 2014's cross those lines.. but Harley DOES have to watch themselves. I'm a 38 year old IT professional who loves gadgets and modern technology. I ride to get away from that. Changes need to make SENSE not just be progress. I think with the 14's most of them do however they could easily jump the shark. People should express their opinions on both sides of the aisle because manufacturers left to their own devices often make stupid choices.. LOL.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Zanesville, Ohio
"vent" is not meant to add wind to the ride
I did not read this entire thread so if this has been said I apologize. The "vent" is actually an equalizer that is meant to come up through the inner fairing right behind the windshield assisting in taking the wind up and over the riders head. This does an excellent job of decreasing wind buffeting at speeds. I even removed the factory windshield and replaced it with a 7" windsplitter and the "vent" still does a nice job of removing wind from my face.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Middle Georgia
These are pics of my wife's 97 Fat Boy EVO. Not saying it was the best looking, but a VERY good looking bike. Unfortunately, I was nervous for her to ride it because of reliability. We don't miss it at all. The one on the right of the last pic is what she rides now, a 2008 VRSCDX. Bottom line, you can make bikes look however you want, but I'll take a newer one over an older one any day.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 150
Likes: 13
From: Fl
I hear what you are saying, the new bikes are so much better in so many ways and they need to keep improving to survive. But, I can remember a bike I had a long time ago, a stroked shovelhead with a rigid frame, shotgun drag pipes, 6 in. extended front end and an s&s carb. It was a nasty bitch but when you kickstarted that thing, after many tries of course, it would sound like heaven and nothing felt better to ride. Of course you had to be young and strong.It would probably kill me now. I freely admit the new bikes are better but what I felt back then the young guys riding the new bikes will never know, something lost forever.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 35
The data below was given to show the current economic situation is affecting the sales of motorcycles.
Victory Motorcycle Sales
2008, 3rd quoter (ending sept.30): 20,998 units sold
2009, 3rd quoter (ending sept.30): 9,344 units sold
2008, 9month (ending sept.30): 71,753 units sold
2009, 9month (ending sept.30): 33,672 units sold
Source: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/4/4864...Down-56--.aspx
Harley Davidson Production
"The drop in demand forces H-D to lower planned 2009 production shipments from estimates of 264,000-273,000 to 212,00-228,000 units."
Source: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/568/40...s-Planned.aspx
"The Company shipped 74,670 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 71,868 motorcycles shipped in the year-ago period and within the Company's guidance for the quarter."
Source: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/568/31...ults-Down.aspx
This should give you an good idea of volumes. Feel free to dig deeper if you need more exact numbers, or broader time frames covered.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US....../news.html?...
Jan 29, 2013 - For the full year 2012, retail unit sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles ... Dealers sold 249,849 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles worldwide in 2012, ... since 2009, rising to annual ongoing savings of approximately $320 ...
Last edited by Sailrider 1; Oct 9, 2013 at 06:16 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 586
Likes: 1
From: White Rock BC
I am completely sold on getting a 2014 FLHX. The many improvements and the ride are worth the extra dollars. I test drove a 2014 two weeks ago and i was really impressed. I could cheap out and get a 2013 for 3 grand less but why do that?
The standard one is fine, dont need the special. I want one badly, charcoal puhleeze !!
The standard one is fine, dont need the special. I want one badly, charcoal puhleeze !!
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: LKN, NC
These are pics of my wife's 97 Fat Boy EVO. Not saying it was the best looking, but a VERY good looking bike. Unfortunately, I was nervous for her to ride it because of reliability. We don't miss it at all. The one on the right of the last pic is what she rides now, a 2008 VRSCDX. Bottom line, you can make bikes look however you want, but I'll take a newer one over an older one any day.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Middle Georgia
Yeah, it's pretty naughty. I couldn't bear to get rid of it, so I gave it to my wife and put the Bob Dron Fairing on it, now she rides the **** out of it.
p.s. didn't mean to hijack the thread.......I still like the 2014s
p.s. didn't mean to hijack the thread.......I still like the 2014s
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 326
Likes: 5
From: N.E. Ohio
Beauty's in the eye of the beholder. Harley is betting that most people will like the new look. To me the bags and tour pak have a smoother, sleeker somewhat more refined look over the more angular look of the previous models.