The Problem Facing Harley-Davidson

[tgarney]

I have had 4 Harleys, but no more. They are too big, too expensive, too slow, too blah. Particularly the new 2018 models. I need something that gets my blood boiling, not put me to sleep. Indian is gonna kill Harley in the coming years. Cant say as I feel sorry for HD.

 

[foxviewnet]

First of all, I love my R3! I have ridden Japanese bikes mostly during my journey to the Triumph destination. I think much of my personal preference is from perspective. My perspective has changed over the years due to my riding experiences and comparing bikes that I have ridden. I have several friends with HDs and their bikes look very nice. However, before I rode a Rocket, I thought that they must be something special to the guys that own them...and they are. But to me, they don't have anything close to what I enjoy in a bike except maybe the look and following. I am just not a "me too" kind of guy. I think some of my HD friends have not compared their bike to anything but maybe other HD bikes or they may just like being part of the HD thing altogether. Mo' power to them. Pardon the pun.

Funny thing happened last week while I was looking through some Craiglist motorcycles. I saw a cool 2017 model Yamaha FZ-09 naked bike that would be a ton of fun in the twisties and for a great price. It has an upright riding position which is appealing and lots of torque throughout the power band. I suddenly thought I would really enjoy a bike like this for solo runs as I am a torque prostitute, lol and love the curves too. I came off a Vmax before the R3 so I still have a fondness for the Yamaha bikes.
This being stuck in my head, I decided to go down to a local Yamaha dealership to scope one out before contacting the CL seller to just get a feel for what the bike feels like. I spotted an MT-10 which is the 2018 equivalent of the FZ-09 and went over to check it out. I immediately threw my leg over the seat and lifted the kick stand. To my amazement, it felt like a child's toy underneath me and took me about 5 seconds to dismount. My perspective has changed once again! It was an easy decision since I could compare it. I would be hard pressed to find a better fit for myself other than the R3. It's got the power, torque, comfort, and even handles really well for a beast. Glad I could compare and at least see what else is out there. Also while I was at the dealership, I saw a 2011 R3 Roadster they had taken in on trade. I don't have to tell you what that was like to throw your leg over the seat! (They said it wasn't for sale because the sales manager was gonna buy it. )

 

[1olbull]

I'm bewildered reading all these comments that Harleys are too big!!!
I do not know about you guys, but I ride a Rocket Roadster. Before that, a Kawasaki Vulcan 2000.
I frequently ride a friends Harley for poops & giggles.
THAT HARLEY IS S-M-A-L-L compared to my Triumph or V2K!!!

Harley produces a pretty good machine and their dealer network is second to none!
A Harley does not handle well and they are V-E-R-R-R-R-Y SLOW!
That's why I prefer my Rocket . . .
Just sayin' . . .

 

[barbagris]

I cannot attest to other places - but here a huge proportion of bikes out on the road are Adventure type bikes.

 

[Navigator]

Just test rode a 2018 Harley Heritage Classic with the 114 CI Milwaukee and loved it. It was comfortable, with credible HP and torque and very nice handling. Mind you, this is not a screamer but just a nice machine. It has the new frame and mono shock mounted under the seat. I've had 4 Harleys over the years and never thought I'd have another but.......

 

[JoseyR3Wales]

I was hooked on HD coolade for awhile. A test ride on my R3 broke the habit. That being said most of my shirts still say Harley Davidson.

And there boys and girls you have it. A t-shirt shop with chromos (chrome homos) brimming with mechanics at every other exit so you don't have as far to walk.

 

[cootertwo]

Old Harley's are kinda neat. Kinda like they've been thrown together by a bunch of left over parts, and work. A lot of interchangeable parts, and lot's of after market parts. Now they are loosing the battle, and are trying to change, like they did with the V-Rod. V-Rod was/is a very nice machine, but it was too "foreign" for the Harley crowd to embrace. No potato sound, no vibrating mirrors or vibrating pilon seat for the Lady's. The prices for the new models are ridiculous, and the dealers are a WalMart of over priced "T" shirts, jackets, hats, etc. etc. Triumph has apparently tried going that route, by requiring their dealers to stock a lot of Triumph, let's say, "apparel" and that is why a lot of dealers have dropped the brand. Just sayin. I've got 2 Sportster's, and never realized how small they were, until I parked my Rocket next to one. Now I'm a bit embarrassed to be seen on one, and a bit embarrassed to the fact that twisting the throttle, mostly results in just more noise rather than more "GO"

 

[Chip]

I'm bewildered reading all these comments that Harleys are too big!!!
I do not know about you guys, but I ride a Rocket Roadster. Before that, a Kawasaki Vulcan 2000.
I frequently ride a friends Harley for poops & giggles.
THAT HARLEY IS S-M-A-L-L compared to my Triumph or V2K!!!

Harley produces a pretty good machine and their dealer network is second to none!
A Harley does not handle well and they are V-E-R-R-R-R-Y SLOW!
That's why I prefer my Rocket . . .
Just sayin' . . .

Same thoughts. I usually switch bikes on long rides with friend who owns a 2016 Ultra Classic. My R3T is significantly larger and taller. That said the Harley must be heavier. Tha balance seems sluggish at any speed.

 

[tgarney]

First of all, I love my R3! I have ridden Japanese bikes mostly during my journey to the Triumph destination. I think much of my personal preference is from perspective. My perspective has changed over the years due to my riding experiences and comparing bikes that I have ridden. I have several friends with HDs and their bikes look very nice. However, before I rode a Rocket, I thought that they must be something special to the guys that own them...and they are. But to me, they don't have anything close to what I enjoy in a bike except maybe the look and following. I am just not a "me too" kind of guy. I think some of my HD friends have not compared their bike to anything but maybe other HD bikes or they may just like being part of the HD thing altogether. Mo' power to them. Pardon the pun.

Funny thing happened last week while I was looking through some Craiglist motorcycles. I saw a cool 2017 model Yamaha FZ-09 naked bike that would be a ton of fun in the twisties and for a great price. It has an upright riding position which is appealing and lots of torque throughout the power band. I suddenly thought I would really enjoy a bike like this for solo runs as I am a torque prostitute, lol and love the curves too. I came off a Vmax before the R3 so I still have a fondness for the Yamaha bikes.
This being stuck in my head, I decided to go down to a local Yamaha dealership to scope one out before contacting the CL seller to just get a feel for what the bike feels like. I spotted an MT-10 which is the 2018 equivalent of the FZ-09 and went over to check it out. I immediately threw my leg over the seat and lifted the kick stand. To my amazement, it felt like a child's toy underneath me and took me about 5 seconds to dismount. My perspective has changed once again! It was an easy decision since I could compare it. I would be hard pressed to find a better fit for myself other than the R3. It's got the power, torque, comfort, and even handles really well for a beast. Glad I could compare and at least see what else is out there. Also while I was at the dealership, I saw a 2011 R3 Roadster they had taken in on trade. I don't have to tell you what that was like to throw your leg over the seat! (They said it wasn't for sale because the sales manager was gonna buy it. )

Agree and so true!

 

[BigNorm]

And there boys and girls you have it. A t-shirt shop with chromos (chrome homos) brimming with mechanics at every other exit so you don't have as far to walk.

**** dude. Can you buy me a drink before talking dirty to me. I have years of HD shirts. It was fun to visit dealers from different cities and meet new people and as a result I was constantly checking out the new bikes. Harley makes a pretty bike that is easy to ride and work on. I doubt I will ever go back to HD. I like the rocket and the community here. One thing I like here is that I could ride something else and I can still be friends with those I've come to love here. I did not get that message when I traded my Road Glide for my R3T on my last board. Take it easy brothers. Love and kisses. Norm out.