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bigdogbark · #1 25th December 2006

I believe the engineers at HD need to take a trip/ride on some Honda's, Kaws, and Yamaha's. They will find many ideas that are better then HD offer. I like water-cool engines, low maintenance rides, better suspension and so on.

I am not saying that HD should copy Japan but to learn from them and improve on it. Just looking at them you will see that they looked at HD and improved on it. Where they came up short is keeping models in production.

Good luck to HD but really is the 95 incher an improvement or just an EPA band-aid?

As a side note I was a holder of HD stock but I am seriously considering shorting it due to some of your marketing ideas. Go talk to builders, Honda, Yamaha and others.

XL O.C.D. · #2 25th December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdogbark

I believe the engineers at HD need to take a trip/ride on some Honda's, Kaws, and Yamaha's. They will find many ideas that are better then HD offer. I like water-cool engines, low maintenance rides, better suspension and so on.

I am not saying that HD should copy Japan but to learn from them and improve on it. Just looking at them you will see that they looked at HD and improved on it. Where they came up short is keeping models in production.

Good luck to HD but really is the 95 incher an improvement or just an EPA bandaid?

I'm no HD engineer, but I've ridden on Kawi's, etc... No thanks, HD's got it right. Water cooled engines - no thanks. I don't care about the 95 incher. My 1200 keeps me plenty happy.

bigdogbark · #3 25th December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by XL O.C.D.

I'm no HD engineer, but I've ridden on Kawi's, etc... No thanks, HD's got it right. Water cooled engines - no thanks. I don't care about the 95 incher. My 1200 keeps me plenty happy.

Not all of Japan's ideas are good but look at the Goldwing and then the Ultra. But here in the US it is also an EPA issue. My old 74 Yamaha SX 650 had more guts and power then the newer Sporsters. The Sportsters are good rides but HD needs more then one model to carry on. This is a general issue for HD not a single issue with the Sportster.

Y2K · #4 26th December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdogbark

Not all of Japan's ideas are good but look at the Goldwing and then the Ultra. But here in the US it is also an EPA issue. My old 74 Yamaha SX 650 had more guts and power then the newer Sporsters. The Sportsters are good rides but HD needs more then one model to carry on. This is a general issue for HD not a single issue with the Sportster.

Pffft! I had one of thoses XS650s and have had both new and old Sportys,there's no comparo the Sporty wins hands down,even the old iron.

As for the GW vrs EG well they are different animals,I prefer the EG for a long list of reasons I won't even bother to go into here.
Harley has stuck to the old traditional 45deg aircooled,pushrod,single crankpin motor because that's what makes it a Harley and that's what Harley lovers want.
If you want a Jap bike buy one,the V-Rod is high tech enough and I'd agree it needs a different platform but it will never sooth the soul of a traditional Harley lover and that's why it doesn't sell well.
By the way the new motor is 96" not 95'' and by all accounts a great engine.

CBAS5 · #5 26th December 2006

Quote:

Harley has tried that. It is called a vrod. like alle things Harlet is designed for a niche maeket.

IMO the V-rod isn't a copy. It's a performance cruiser and there are other performance cruisers, but Harley added it's own spin to it instead of copying like so many Japanese companies do. The V-Rod styling is unique with Harley's great fit and finish still there. The engine configuration is unique as well. They could have used an inline four or V4 like others, but they didn't. They used a V-Twin. I don't remember of another manufacturer at the time using a V-twin in a performance cruiser. There are sure a lot of them springing up after the V-Rod though.

You would never mistake it for a yamaha or a suzuki. When you get on the bike you still know it's a Harley.

rharrison356 · #6 26th December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdogbark

Not all of Japan's ideas are good but look at the Goldwing and then the Ultra. But here in the US it is also an EPA issue. My old 74 Yamaha SX 650 had more guts and power then the newer Sporsters. The Sportsters are good rides but HD needs more then one model to carry on.

Harley has plenty of rides...883 Sportys to Ultra Classics and customs. If you went to a HD dealer over Christmas and saw the crowds buying, you would realize that Harley is where they want to be. The V-Rod was that extra model that has not lived up to the hype. Bottom line if that Harley stock will go up and down. Although I like the XR, I really doubt if it will sell well. Plus, the MoCo has Buell. My 2 cents.

Kentucky · #7 3rd January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdogbark

Not all of Japan's ideas are good but look at the Goldwing and then the Ultra. But here in the US it is also an EPA issue. My old 74 Yamaha SX 650 had more guts and power then the newer Sporsters.

The Gold Wing can be compared to a private jet on wheels where the Ultra isn't even in the same league. The Yamaha SX650 was nice and a great bike to have fun with but it didn't have near the guts the 883 rubbermount has. I had a 1977 XS650 and rode that bike for years. It was a niice bike for sure but it dang sure wasn't a Sporty nor could you have the fun with it you can have with the Sporty. I've got a 1200 Sporty and a 1670 Roadstar. Both are very nice and both have been trouble free. I like the ride of the Roadstar better than the Softail and the Roadstar dang sure has more power. The chrome isn't as cood as the Harley nor are the spoked wheels but it's still a very nice bike all around.

Y2K · #8 3rd January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentucky

The Yamaha SX650 was nice and a great bike to have fun with but it didn't have near the guts the 883 rubbermount has.

We may disagree on a lot of other things but I'm with ya on this one and I've also owned both of these particular bikes.

82ndJumper · #9 25th December 2006

The day Harley makes a bike like the Japs then I will never own that type of Harley. If you want a Jap bike then get one. If not leave what we have and what we like alone.

sycle1 · #10 25th December 2006

I agee with ya XL O.C.D.
I have riden Japanese bikes alot since the 1970's and apart from being fast and reliable they use cheap metals and cast alloys, they rust really fast, they are too light they get thrown around and blown off the road on windy days, they are uncomfortable to ride, they are imposible to work on with normal sized hands, they sound like a reved up sewing machines and their resale is crap, apart from that they are great I guess.