Kawi2strokes.com Forum

markets flooded with used ones for pretty cheap.. thats why the sales are down. and i think a lot of people are just over it.

and barry, im not trying to sell you my falcons. so.. mnah. not harsh.. its the truth. the only true innovator they had, one of the best in the business, and they let him go. HD can suck it, they wont be around for much longer in their current form.

incidentally, i do have some inside information from my current job and a previous other job as to whats going on in the plant there.... trust me, a big change... its coming.

Just because it's in the NTR section doesn't void it from being the worst post ever

Sales may be down but the dealers clean up on apparel and service. Hardly any riders I know work on there own stuff. And being near Milwaukee 99% of the bikes here are Harley. I'm no fan, take it or leave it for me, but the Buell stuff I liked. A big change would be a breath of fresh air

I like the big-twin harley design, it might be a little old school but it does have some modern enhancements too. Personally I find it much easier to work on than a whole BUNCH of other motorcycles both old and new.

I've owned mine for 12 going on 13 years and if not for the Royal Purple issue I would not have had to do anything to it other than regular maintenance. Because of RP I have torn it down a few times and I find it easy and even enjoyable to to work on. It's been my undeniable mule for a long time - push the button and go with nary a problem. Ultra reliable, comfortable, great storage, pulls my camping trailer etc. You can say the same thing about other manufacturers too though.

And I if the design was so outdated why are all the metric cruisers trying to intimidate it - and their designs are much harder to work on.

There will always be a niche for the big twin market though - many of us just like them, I do.

The point is taken about used market though - but it's across the board for many vehicles these days.

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This is true. Where I grew up the hills were so steep and long, when your ball rolled down the hill you just said "screw it"...

most owners dont work on them.. and they arent hard if you are familiar with them.

they didnt just copy the design, they improved it. dramatically. hence why the new 500's and 750's are more like a japanese 'copy' of a harley than a 'true' harley. at least they were smart enough to realize it eventually.. but like said, 30 yrs after honda did...... (500 shadow)

Mark - I am curious how "dramatically" did they improve it, ie no pushrods and such?

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This is true. Where I grew up the hills were so steep and long, when your ball rolled down the hill you just said "screw it"...

lighter, faster, better handling, cheaper cost. better fit and finish by a LONG shot.

Look at any other company, or motor design. Look at the Z1, a late 60's design. 60 some odd rwhp, 30 years later, 150 rwhp. Or ducati, BMW, even Moto Guzzi. All kept their motor design, but massively improved the durability and output, even weight. And all coming out with new timely designs.

And then there is Harley, other than moderately better materials, and an increase in displacement, different colors and more variation in designation letters than actual cycle design, it's still a 110 year old technology. 1340 cc's, 700 plus lbs and 60 some odd hp? It's a joke.

It really breaks down into the "stigma" of the harley owner. Where other companies have to change and update to stay in the game, Harley rider are the opposite, don't change, that is idiocy. The V rod engine "should" have been the springboard into the modern era for Harley, as was the Buell. But no, they were shunned. Harley makes more money off of clothing than motorcycles, what does that say? It's a brand, built on a brand. Famous for being famous.

The majority of Harley riders still "dress" for attention, more than protection, try and find a real helmet during Daytona week.

And yes, the Japanese were smart, they saw a market segment and wanted part of it. As long as it "looked" like a HD and sounded like one, people didn't care, and they got it cheaper, and more reliable.

I know there are many guys here that have HD's, that are good guys, and good friends. And I have many friends locally that ride Harleys, and that's cool.

But the truth is, HD is a "brand" more than a good product. As the numbers show, sales are way down, as the diehards are getting too old to ride, and people now want more than a "name". Harley is last ditching it with the 500 and 750.

Harley is the original "Starbucks"...........

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........

To paraphrase a comment on the Guzzi board, guys shopping for a midsize V-twin cruiser might choose one of the Japanese Harley style bikes to get the real thing, rather than Harley's copy.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

A better fit and finish plastic chrome is lighter.
I helped a friend put a shift fork and gears in a 1500 Vulcan what a P.o.s
He now owns a harley and a early h2 .

Sent from my deer Stand.