So…..
Harley Davidson has announced four new models ( https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/about-us/more-roads.html#intcmp_HP-BB-MoreRoads ) coming up in the next couple of years. These models are a radical change from the expected from the Motor Company, and social media is all ablaze with hate from the Harley Faithful.
Which is ironic for a few reasons. For one thing, aside from the electric bike, these aren’t exactly new concept motorcycles. Even for H-D, if we’re being honest. Despite what their website says, the Pan America isn’t their first adventure tourer. Have they already forgotten a little branch of their company called Buell that they shut down just a few years ago? There was this Buell model called the Ulysses. Pretty capable adventure tourer, from articles I read back when it was a current bike. And that Streetfighter model? A streetfighter is essentially just a naked sportbike. Um… wouldn’t that be, I don’t know, EVERY other Buell model? The Custom looks to be basically a factory street tracker. Honestly, my biggest issue with the new models is the names. Streetfighters were originally custom bikes, not something you bought as is, and I actually kind of cringe at the term “factory custom”. It’s like “postal service” or “military intelligence” or “jumbo shrimp”. But apparently the motorcycle industry at large has appropriated the words chopper and bobber for bikes rolling off the assembly line, so I guess streetfighter and custom are just marketing-speak now.
Harley Davidson has announced four new models ( https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/about-us/more-roads.html#intcmp_HP-BB-MoreRoads ) coming up in the next couple of years. These models are a radical change from the expected from the Motor Company, and social media is all ablaze with hate from the Harley Faithful.
Which is ironic for a few reasons. For one thing, aside from the electric bike, these aren’t exactly new concept motorcycles. Even for H-D, if we’re being honest. Despite what their website says, the Pan America isn’t their first adventure tourer. Have they already forgotten a little branch of their company called Buell that they shut down just a few years ago? There was this Buell model called the Ulysses. Pretty capable adventure tourer, from articles I read back when it was a current bike. And that Streetfighter model? A streetfighter is essentially just a naked sportbike. Um… wouldn’t that be, I don’t know, EVERY other Buell model? The Custom looks to be basically a factory street tracker. Honestly, my biggest issue with the new models is the names. Streetfighters were originally custom bikes, not something you bought as is, and I actually kind of cringe at the term “factory custom”. It’s like “postal service” or “military intelligence” or “jumbo shrimp”. But apparently the motorcycle industry at large has appropriated the words chopper and bobber for bikes rolling off the assembly line, so I guess streetfighter and custom are just marketing-speak now.
The biggest departure (again, aside from the electric
model), is that these three models will apparently be each offered in four
different engine sizes. 500, 975, and 1250cc are specifically mentioned on the
site. A 250 is mentioned in reference to Asian markets, but I’m wondering if
the fourth displacement for the American and European market won’t more likely
be a 750, like the Street. Personally, I think this is something they should’ve
done many years ago. If they’d introduced a 500cc Sportster back in the 80s,
with its easier use for novice riders and inevitably lower price point, how
many new riders might they have attracted, and possibly kept as those riders
traded up as experience and disposable incomes increased?
Harley folks seem (to me, anyway) too hung up on “tradition”
and classic looks. Don’t get me wrong – I have a solid appreciation for the
aesthetics of the past. I just happen to like modern reliability and ease of
use, too. It seems like every time H-D makes a technological step forward
(which is only about 1/5 as often as other motorcycle companies to begin with),
there’s an uproar of protest. “Sellout!” Well, “selling out”... isn’t that what
a business exists to do? Sell their product? The sad fact is that Harley’s
sales have been in decline. Today’s motorcycle buyer just isn’t buying the
classic look, heavy cruiser. And for those that are, Harley now has competition
in a segment of the market they’ve dominated for decades. With first Victory,
and now Indian syphoning off a big chunk of their customers, Harley has to
adapt, or face going under. So, they’re adjusting to the new reality of the motorcycle
market. It’s a smart move, and really, judging from the reactions I’ve read, a
brave one. It seems like every time they take that step forward on the
technological timeline, Harley is also accused of wimping out. It seems every
change H-D makes comes with a flood of negativity from the very people who
insist that buying anything else is just plain un-American. The fairly recent
release of the partially watercooled motors was the source of jokes. Same with
the V Rod. I remember when I was first setting foot into the biker world in the
early 90s, the hard core bikers were still making fun of Evo riders (the
Evolution motor was introduced in 1984). Of course, I’m sure Panhead guys made
fun of the Shovelhead (1966). I’ve heard that when Harley put rear suspension
on its bikes, there were people upset about that. Electric starter? Sacrilege.
I’m sure there were some who hated the idea of overhead valves when the
Knucklehead motor came out. If some people had their way, we’d all still be
riding kick start only bikes with rigid frames, magnetos instead of batteries,
hand shift/foot clutch, and questionable drum brakes.
It’s laughingly ironic that these seeming technophobes want to hate on new technology, profess how much better the old ways in the old days were, yet, they’re doing so on the freakin’ internet, using a smartphone that puts more computing power in their pocket than NASA used for the moon launch. Like the old song says “Things that make you go Hmmm…”
Anyway, while I do like the looks of most Harleys, it’s no secret I’m not a huge fan of the brand. Plus, they’ve now done away with pretty much the only two lines I’d have been interested in if I were to go H-D again: the FXR and the Dyna. However, they’ve impressed me with this bold new move, and since they’re an iconic piece of Americana, I’d hate to see them go out. I wish them all the best with their new product lines. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll see me on a Harley Streetfighter. Maybe.
It’s laughingly ironic that these seeming technophobes want to hate on new technology, profess how much better the old ways in the old days were, yet, they’re doing so on the freakin’ internet, using a smartphone that puts more computing power in their pocket than NASA used for the moon launch. Like the old song says “Things that make you go Hmmm…”
Anyway, while I do like the looks of most Harleys, it’s no secret I’m not a huge fan of the brand. Plus, they’ve now done away with pretty much the only two lines I’d have been interested in if I were to go H-D again: the FXR and the Dyna. However, they’ve impressed me with this bold new move, and since they’re an iconic piece of Americana, I’d hate to see them go out. I wish them all the best with their new product lines. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll see me on a Harley Streetfighter. Maybe.
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