DEAR Harley Davidson,

[Davo_137]

Because tech doesn’t seem to sell Harley’s, looks do.

Well, that’s my opinion after seeing the reaction of the Harley faithfull to the FXDR, most don’t see the best handling cruiser Harley have ever built. Good suspension and brakes are not high on their lists, chrome is though

My XR1200X has a similar affect when parked amongst the Harley crowd, they cannot even look at the hideous thing with good suspension and brakes. Sports bike riders get it though.

[Glamazon]

Never rode a sports bike (unless you count a Moto Guzzi Le Mans) but I liked the XR1200X.Saw one at St Anne's bike meet last year, I liked it, my mate turned his nose up at it!

[Nibelungen]

Originally Posted by Glamazon

Never rode a sports bike (unless you count a Moto Guzzi Le Mans) but I liked the XR1200X.Saw one at St Anne's bike meet last year, I liked it, my mate turned his nose up at it!

Glam
listen to me
book a reservation for a test ride on a superbike... Duc, Honda, Yamaha, BMW whatever...
also...
4 cylinders are different from 2... more smooth when they deliver the power...
in addition...
when a 2 cylinders has done... the 4 have plenty of juice left to be unleashed
coming from a 2 to 4 you could notice a bit less thrust at the end of the lean... this can be easily corrected with a smaller rear sprocket...

i think that experience is worth it

[Nibelungen]

Originally Posted by Davo_137

Because tech doesn’t seem to sell Harley’s, looks do.

Well, that’s my opinion after seeing the reaction of the Harley faithfull to the FXDR, most don’t see the best handling cruiser Harley have ever built. Good suspension and brakes are not high on their lists, chrome is though

My XR1200X has a similar affect when parked amongst the Harley crowd, they cannot even look at the hideous thing with good suspension and brakes. Sports bike riders get it though.

IMHO of european biker... a bike like the FXDR NEEDS to have at least
mid footpeg controls
TC
ABS cornering
canned maps
a lot less rake

maybe it's only a different philosophy

as for the xr1200x...
if only they were built to make them look like a standard Sporty...

[Toejam503]

Originally Posted by Toejam503

The Sportster has been around for 62 years now. It is the most customized, most recognized Harley Davidson in the world. This motorcycle, alone, has supported more businesses and brand loyalty than any other. Your company has become very highly revered and celebrated due to this iconic model. Keeping it affordable, there by letting the consumers individualize them to there own personal tastes, is the biggest draw to purchase and own one. The Sportster can be chopped, lowered, off-roaded, toured,drag raced, show circuited,bobbed, cafed, etc. and on and on. It is reliable, predictable, easy to ride and look good riding it. I believe it is THEE motorcycle that all others are compared to, even the big twins. Bill Harley and the Davidson brothers would have been SO proud of what it has become! And I am a very PROUD owner of one. Harley Davidson Motor Company has made it 100 years and I hope the SPORTSTER makes it at least 100 years, too.
THANK YOU for building the best motorcycle there ever was and is!

This was a post directly to Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company. I was hoping it would generate questions or ideas directly to them. If they are like most companies, they have an "ear to the ground" that to "see" what the public opinion is about their products.
I was informed (by HD employees) that the MoCo still intends to make an 883 and 1200 for the USA. Most likely, one model of each. There was no foreseen complete cancellation of the air-cooled model and the Sportster name will continue in the Sportster-S model. This was in June 2022. So, I'm staying optimistic about it.

[Sporty1989]

Originally Posted by Toejam503

This was a post directly to Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company. I was hoping it would generate questions or ideas directly to them. If they are like most companies, they have an "ear to the ground" that to "see" what the public opinion is about their products.
I was informed (by HD employees) that the MoCo still intends to make an 883 and 1200 for the USA. Most likely, one model of each. There was no foreseen complete cancellation of the air-cooled model and the Sportster name will continue in the Sportster-S model. This was in June 2022. So, I'm staying optimistic about it.

Well that's good news then if it's true. In Europe they had to get rid of the EVO engine for the Sportster because of the emission requirements. I wonder how long until it affects it here in the states?

[Toejam503]

Europe is trying to get rid of the Internal Combustion Engine, all at once. HD is not the only company that won't be able to sell it's "ICE"s but ALL motorcycle companies will have to meet their super strict Emissions laws. Same as the Auto Industry.
If the US has lower or no restrictions on "small" cc motorcycles, we may see a rebirth of "Hummer" or Aermacchi sized bikes like back in the 60s and 70s. If they do kill the Original Sportster, they'll probably only sell High-End Harleys with what dealers they have left.

[Sporty1989]

Europe has always had rather strict emission requirements. Now they're just frankly moronic. If they kill off the Sportster here it will only further the decline of HD, IMO. Would be more exclusive to rather expensive bigger bikes that wasn't originally intended to happen.

[rejeanprimeau]

Imagine yourself in 2057, celebrating 100 years of the sportster, not with ICE but with a Lithium one. Thing change.

Most country have set 2035 as the end of the Internal Combustion Engine.

Now we can all go get a tantrum.