A thought or two on the current or nex/gen touring bikes

[baylensman]

So I've read the articles with the same fervor as a starving termite finding a balsa wood airplane. I've sat on a bunch and driven a few, and talked to countless owners at local bike nights ( you'd get the idea that I like bikes) I've come up with a few observations.

 

Who's buying, for the most part ( again non scientific poll here) middle to upper middle aged or pre retirement types ( bulk not all) Mostly guys , mostly have had other bike bikes before, most also drive later model trucks! I was shocked but I'd say 70 or so of the folks over the past two months have had a late model pick up trucks in the stable either as a back and forth or a work vehicle.

 

What I got from most was the big three COMFORT, POWER and EASE OF USE. Most want seamless integration with their phones as a number 1 or 2 priority, They also don't want to fight with the wind or keep bugs out of their teeth Its not about the fastest but about the "feel" of speed, Most everyone wanted to "feel" that being thrown back punch as they accelerated. Not crazy fast like a VMAX or BMW but being able to pass someone or pull up on a ramp without up shifting and down shifting like a madman. They all said i want to be able to use my phone of the bike with out having to pull over or hook up 6 different cables to my helmet. Considering it an older crowd who grew up with travel tickets and folding paper maps the insistence on GPS was amazing even for those who never get more than 100 miles from home.

 

In summation I think both Yamaha and HD came close to what the main street market wants.

 

Talking to a few of the younger guys, the biggest factor in getting a tourer is the rear seat and the second passenger, quite frankly mama enjoys her comfort also.One gal told me I had him buy the "Oh ****" handles for the Harley the first week, because she wanted to hold on when she stuck her face into the wind.

 

I see the evolution of the tourer like the 80's mid to full size cars, gas mileage, power, reliability are second place to number of speakesr and total number of cup holders and whatever gimmick tech is next. Which bike will the be the first to handle a whole six pack! We've gotten to the point where having a total LED light package is more important than displacement! Whats next retractable rain shelters? Power assist braking and steering? How far are we as bikers going to go in removing us from the "experience". Not us per se but the next generation of riders or should I say buyers.

Edited May 9, 2018 by baylensman
can't spell

[Chaharly]

So I've read the articles with the same fervor as a starving termite hiring a balsa wood airplane. I've sat on a bunch and driven a few, and talked to countless owners at local bike nights ( you'd get the idea that I like bikes) I've come up with a few observations.

 

Who's buying, for the most part ( again non scientific poll here) middle to upper middle aged or pre retirement types ( bulk not all) Mostly guys , mostly have had other bike bikes before, most also drive later model trucks! I was shocked but I'd say 70 or so of the folks over the past two months have had a late model pick up trucks in the stable either as a back and forth or a work vehicle.

 

What I got from most was the big three COMFORT, POWER and EASE OF USE. Most want seamless integration with their phons as a number 1 or 2 priority, They also don't want to fight with the wind or keep bugs out of their teeth Its not about the fastest but about the "feel" of speed, Most everyone wanted to "feel" that being thrown back punch as they accelerated. Not crazy fast like a VMAX or BMW but being able to pass someone or pull up on a ramp without up shifting and down shifting like a madman. The all i mean all said i want to be able to use my phone of the bike with out having to pull over or hook up 6 different cables to my helmet. Considering it an older crowd who grew up with travel tickets and folding paper maps the insistence on GPS was amazing even for those who never get more than 100 miles from home.

 

In summation I think both Yamaha and HD came close to what the main street market wants.

 

Talking to a few of the younger guys, the biggest factor in getting a tourer is the rear seat and the second passenger, quite frankly mama enjoys her comfort also.One gal told me I had him buy the "Oh ****" handles for the Harley the first week, because she wanted to hold on when she stuck her face into the wind.

 

I see the evolution of the tourer like the 80's mid to full size cars, gas mileage, power, reliability are second place to number of speakesr and total number of cup holders and whatever gimmick tech is next. Which bike will the be the first to handle a whole six pack! We've gotten to the point where having a total LED light package is more important than displacement! Whats next retractable rain shelters? Power assist braking and steering? How far are we as bikers going to go in removing us from the "experience". Not us per se but the next generation of riders or should I say buyers.

 

 

My opinion on these brand new scooters is this. I picked up my 88 Venture for 2300. I've installed integrated Bluetooth so now I have an info-tainment system as well. Hands free calling, music, GPS, and it never has to leave my pocket. That being said, the cheapest of the full size luxury tourers are more than 10 times the price I paid for my venture. And having ridden late model Ultra Classics, Wings, RSVs I can say one thing with total certainty. You're not getting 10 times the bike for that money. The big bore VTwins are specially designed to take you down the interstate at 80mph all day at low RPMs. I will say that they do better than mine on that front, not that the 88 is afraid of freeway speeds, but I'm about a gallon and a half shy of fuel compared to these newer model bikes. These new bikes are made for people like the guy I work with named Russ. He buys a brand new Harley every year and the only real trip he takes on it is interstate to Oregon and back, no back roads, not really any twisties, just straight there and straight back. If I were to buy a brand new bike, I'll be looking at something more in the adventure category