Seems some Harley Riders aren't happy either....

[Kretz]

Came across this article, seems Yamaha aren't the only ones who are upsetting some of their customer base

 

http://www.bikebandit.com/blog/post/the-new-harley-davidson-that-has-the-harley-faithful-in-an-uproar?roi=echo3-46403785356-44030165-06ed5f8ee401455a45d3f89b47adb660&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=promo_products&utm_source=Sun_090317_BBNews&utm_content=2018_harley_faithful_in_uproar

[CaseyJ955]

Came across this article, seems Yamaha aren't the only ones who are upsetting some of their customer base

 

http://www.bikebandit.com/blog/post/the-new-harley-davidson-that-has-the-harley-faithful-in-an-uproar?roi=echo3-46403785356-44030165-06ed5f8ee401455a45d3f89b47adb660&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=promo_products&utm_source=Sun_090317_BBNews&utm_content=2018_harley_faithful_in_uproar

 

I saw this article and I have to say I really like the look of the new bikes. It was much needed facelift. I doubt they are brave enough to offer some models without the antiquated anemic Vtwin, not yet anyway. Even HD has the twins now running better than they ever have in the past. All that being said I think it's too little too late.

 

There is good news for the traditional purists loving the previous years of HD. There hare thousands and thousands of them on CL at rock bottom prices all over the USA. Many are in showroom condition with little/no miles. Damn near brand new bikes and people just cant seem to get rid of them. I see the same ones on CL over and over for months and I regularly search SD/ND/WY down into Ft Collins. There are enough of these things to go around for at least a couple generations to enjoy for those that want tradition and heritage.

 

It may sound crass but if we look at this from a strictly marketing standpoint, the guys that are really upset about this will probably be done buying any bikes before to long. HD has no reason not to do this and so much more. I agree with keeping a line of the traditional twin but sink or swim comes to mind. I agree with what was said in the article. They have to start building better, more modern bikes to survive going forward. It has to be getting hard to sell brand new HDs off the showroom for the insane prices they ask when there are so many late model super clean private sale offerings for a fraction of MSRP.

[zagger]

Came across this article, seems Yamaha aren't the only ones who are upsetting some of their customer base

 

http://www.bikebandit.com/blog/post/the-new-harley-davidson-that-has-the-harley-faithful-in-an-uproar?roi=echo3-46403785356-44030165-06ed5f8ee401455a45d3f89b47adb660&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=promo_products&utm_source=Sun_090317_BBNews&utm_content=2018_harley_faithful_in_uproar

 

What a bunch of delicate blossoms! When I realized that my beast didn't have any Harley parts, I mounted my front headlights into a frame made with a welded Harley primary chain. But the joke was on me when I discovered that maybe 75% of Harley owners didn't even know that they had a primary chain. Overall, not a group with lots of in-depth knowledge about their bikes.

 

The new Harley looks like it was aimed at the young rider market - the one group that they cannot reach because of their prices (nearly $18K with shipping). If they really want to gain some turf in the younger rider bike market, they need to get their pricing inline with the imports.

zag

Edited September 3, 2017 by zagger

[RandyR]

I saw the new models a couple of days ago. I'll admit that this one appeals to me.

 

[djh3]

I will bet probably within 5 years or so maybe 8 an air cooled motor will be a dinosaur. Like the 2 strokes unless they keep cyl temps up to burn emmisions which air cooled just cant stand the heat. Thats part of why HD went to liquid cooled heads.

[VentureFar]

RandyR this low rider is a Dyna wide glide with less front end rake. Classic HD look. Always been my personal favorite look for an HD but would only accept an HD as a gift or inheritance.

VentureFar...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RandyR]

RandyR this low rider is a Dyna wide glide with less front end rake. Classic HD look. Always been my personal favorite look for an HD but would only accept an HD as a gift or inheritance.

VentureFar...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I'm just talking to the wind. I do really like my RSTD but its getting just a bit heavy for me and I could use a slightly lower seat, both of which this Harley seems to have. That said, I do prefer watercooled and shaft drive, but they add weight. I'm not a Harley style rider and my preferred rides have been Triumphs over the years. I may have a senior moment and get a new bike, at least I keep looking. I've also looked closely at the 1200cc Indian and discontinued Victory vtwins.

[cowpuc]

RandyR this low rider is a Dyna wide glide with less front end rake. Classic HD look. Always been my personal favorite look for an HD but would only accept an HD as a gift or inheritance.

VentureFar...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Your a lop eared nasty varmint, a really bad egg, in a nice kind of way but still naughty

 

Tip and I took Tweeks out for an end of season stroll last Saturday.. On the way home, we ended up at a Harley shop holding demo rides up North of us just in time to grab some of their left over road grub = pulled pork (Hog?) sandwiches, beans and taters.. Should have seen em laugh when I parked Tweeks right in front of the sales barn where HD's were parked all over, stepped off her - gave her GORGEOUS Back Off Whip a good tug for luck and walked into the barn where the food was being served and started singing "Long Tall Glasses" to the waitresses = place went WILD Neil!!

Later,, test rode the new 114 inch Walkee "8" Fat Bob (LOVE those scrambler pipes,, I am a SUCKER for scrambler pipes)... Gotta say,, compared to my 78 80 inch Shovel Head Low Rider (that actually saw your area a couple times with me on her back Neil, including Death Valley) = WOWZY was it amazing!! The Motor Company is finally turning the corner in looking beyond bling for sales IMHO.. Thinkin they realize the mid to upper aged folks who got caught up in the whole "a fully blinged out HD is the only real scoot" routine and really had no interest in advancements in ride and such are just about out of the picture and the younger folks are looking more at performance of both engine and ride..

That said, even the 114 inch is not on the same page as our V-4's performance wise - IMHO - even that lightweight Fat Bob would have its hands full against a fully packed for the open road Tweeks with both Tip and I on her back - not jokin..

But - WOW did it handle!!

When I pulled back in the parking lot on the new '18 HD I could tell Tweeks had hurt feelings.. While heading home we bumped into another brands version of an air cooled twin (see vid).. I assured Tweeks after showing her this one that she should in no way feel threatened for replacement!!

So,, brother VentureFar ,, any more news on if/when/where/possibilities of you laying your Iron Butt riding biker claws into that new one??

 

Edited September 4, 2017 by cowpuc

[VentureFar]

Your a lop eared nasty varmint, a really bad egg, in a nice kind of way but still naughty

 

Tip and I took Tweeks out for an end of season stroll last Saturday.. On the way home, we ended up at a Harley shop holding demo rides up North of us just in time to grab some of their left over road grub = pulled pork (Hog?) sandwiches, beans and taters.. Should have seen em laugh when I parked Tweeks right in front of the sales barn where HD's were parked all over, stepped off her - gave her GORGEOUS Back Off Whip a good tug for luck and walked into the barn where the food was being served and started singing "Long Tall Glasses" to the waitresses = place went WILD Neil!!

Later,, test rode the new 114 inch Walkee "8" Fat Bob (LOVE those scrambler pipes,, I am a SUCKER for scrambler pipes)... Gotta say,, compared to my 78 80 inch Shovel Head Low Rider (that actually saw your area a couple times with my on her back Neil, including Death Valley) = WOWZY was it amazing!! The Motor Company is finally turning the corner in looking beyond bling for sales IMHO.. Thinkin they realize the mid to upper aged folks who got caught up in the whole "a fully blinged out HD is the only real scoot" routine and really had no interest in advancements in ride and such are just about out of the picture and the younger folks are looking more at performance of both engine and ride..

That said, even the 114 inch is not on the same page as our V-4's performance wise - IMHO - even that lightweight Fat Bob would have its hands full against a fully packed for the open road Tweeks with both Tip and I on her back - not jokin..

But - WOW did it handle!!

When I pulled back in the parking lot on the new '18 HD I could tell Tweeks had hurt feelings.. While heading home we bumped into another brands version of an air cooled twin (see vid).. I assured Tweeks after showing her this one that she should in no way feel threatened for replacement!!

So,, brother VentureFar ,, any more news on if/when/where/possibilities of you laying your Iron Butt riding biker claws into that new one??

 

o

 

I asked last week and he told me he is "in line" for it.

If it works out and he givea it to me for a day or whole weekend I plan to ride it like it is meant to be ridden. Far...Venture Far. Do an iron butt or close to it.

I promise to keep everyone advised.

VentureFar...

[cowpuc]

o

 

I asked last week and he told me he is "in line" for it.

If it works out and he givea it to me for a day or whole weekend I plan to ride it like it is meant to be ridden. Far...Venture Far. Do an iron butt or close to it.

I promise to keep everyone advised.

VentureFar...

 

[cowpuc]

:lightbulb:,, late season campin with testing of the new Venture in Death Valley??? Hold a Meet n Greet right out yonder in the middle of no where!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[snyper316]

I saw the new models a couple of days ago. I'll admit that this one appeals to me.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=110346

 

Now this one I like, not sure why but I like it alot....

[cowpuc]

Now this one I like, not sure why but I like it alot....

 

And this is one I test rode last weekend - Gorgeous scoot!! Awesome rider too! I personally LOVE what the MOCO has done with this new Softail frame and suspention.. The new 114 inch Milwaukee 8 pulls pretty dog gone good too - performance wise = it would definitely have its hands full if stacked against Tweeks even with Tip and I both on her but really not bad for an air cooled V-Twin IMHO..

http://motorcycle.com.vsassets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/083117-Harley-Davidson-Fat-Bob-9949.jpg

[videoarizona]

I'm just talking to the wind. I do really like my RSTD but its getting just a bit heavy for me and I could use a slightly lower seat, both of which this Harley seems to have. That said, I do prefer watercooled and shaft drive, but they add weight. I'm not a Harley style rider and my preferred rides have been Triumphs over the years. I may have a senior moment and get a new bike, at least I keep looking. I've also looked closely at the 1200cc Indian and discontinued Victory vtwins.

 

 

You might want to look into aVStar 1300 tourer. I really liked my 950T.....a smaller version. If you ever decide to do sightly smaller.

[RandyR]

You might want to look into aVStar 1300 tourer. I really liked my 950T.....a smaller version. If you ever decide to do sightly smaller.

 

Agreed, I've been real happy with the Yamahas I've owned.

 

I've never owned a bike with belt drive, if I buy a new bike, it seems like the odds are high that's what I'll wind up with, as many I'm looking at have belts.

[videoarizona]

Agreed, I've been real happy with the Yamahas I've owned.

 

I've never owned a bike with belt drive, if I buy a new bike, it seems like the odds are high that's what I'll wind up with, as many I'm looking at have belts.

 

 

Belt drive is a piece of cake to deal with. I changed out the rear tire on the 950 and all I did to make life easy was to mark the positions of the adjusters on both sides of the rear end. After that, it was easy to apply the proper tension to the belt by moving the adjusters until the marks matched. Done. Belt life is very good these days. Probably mucho years. Mine was a 2009 with 11K plus miles and looked brand new when I sold it last month!

 

The biggest problem people have with belt drive is having a dealer or someone put to much tension on the belt, destroying the belt drive pulley bearings. That's why I did the work myself..

 

 

[RandyR]

It looks easy !! ty