Holy Harley!!!!! Two brand new bikes, 500 and 750!

[Larry Gude]

When owned and maintained by a skilled mechanic, of course they are.

That's got nothing to do with it. Bike carburetors were designed, specifically, to locate and suck up little tiny, sub microscopic bits of debris, and choke on 'em, so as to encourage anyone who has one to become a skilled mechanic.

 

[GURPS]

Think I'll take my reliable old 2001 carbureted dresser out for a ride today...
...or maybe even the carbureted 1947 flathead instead.
Both are as reliable as a hammer.......

maybe this is why women should not drive, unless they can maintain the equipment ... or the are intimate with a really good mechanic


[if it has tits or tires, it is bound to be trouble at some point]

 

[aps45819]

And NO one is gonna buy an $8,000 baby sportster after getting one look at the Bonneville.

Of course they will just because it's a Harley.

.... and it has 1000x the aftermarket support that the Triumph does

 

[glhs837]

Of course they will just because it's a Harley.

.... and it has 1000x the aftermarket support that the Triumph does

Hell, Buell had that

 

[huntr1]

Harley-Davidson Liquid-Cooled 103-cubic-inch Big Twin Engine



That's exactly why I bought a $7800 Bonneville If I'd have spent $5k more I wouldn't have had any money for "stuff"

ANY bike you buy you're going to spend $$$$ to make it your bike. First thing I added were some hard bags that would hold a gallon jug of milk

Thanks. Had not seen that.

 

[Larry Gude]

Of course they will just because it's a Harley.

.... and it has 1000x the aftermarket support that the Triumph does

Well, that is what we're debating; the next generation and attraction to Harley.

I think it is dying or they wouldn't be doing Harley "Shadows".

 

[Gilligan]

Well, that is what we're debating; the next generation and attraction to Harley.

I think it is dying or they wouldn't be doing Harley "Shadows".

Harley is doing "OK" but I do see..and agree...that the cachet has faded and they were riding a wave that has crested. Not through any particular fault of their own, IMO..they keep developing new big bikes that literally make me drool and at the same time remain largely faithful to their traditions. I just think there was a bit of a "fad" or"craze" factor in their sales that is fading. As such always eventually do.

 

[aps45819]

Hell, Buell had that

Harley killed Buell because it didn't fit the image

 

[Larry Gude]

Harley is doing "OK" but I do see..and agree...that the cachet has faded and they were riding a wave that has crested. Not through any particular fault of their own, IMO..they keep developing new big bikes that literally make me drool and at the same time remain largely faithful to their traditions. I just think there was a bit of a "fad" or"craze" factor in their sales that is fading. As such always eventually do.

And that's why I would have gone TOTALLY different and not tried a 'mini' Sportster.

Have you gotten on any of the post frame stretch FLH's?, post '09 IIRC?

They are very nice riding machines. Good fun in the curves, well mannered in the parking lot and comfortable enough to hit the highway all day.

 

[Gilligan]

Have you gotten on any of the post frame stretch FLH's?, post '09 IIRC?

They are very nice riding machines. Good fun in the curves, well mannered in the parking lot and comfortable enough to hit the highway all day.

I haven't gotten beyond testing the effects of tire pressure on the cornering ability of my chopped hardtail U model, so....

No.

 

[my-thyme]

maybe this is why women should not drive, unless they can maintain the equipment ... or the are intimate with a really good mechanic


[if it has tits or tires, it is bound to be trouble at some point]

uttingcheckbookbackaway:

 

[glhs837]

uttingcheckbookbackaway:

You letting a man tell you what to do with your checkbook?

 

[Shutout]

Of course they will just because it's a Harley.

.... and it has 1000x the aftermarket support that the Triumph does

Isn't that the truth. I finally gave up on finding exhaust for my 1200 Trophy and just kept the stock equipment. Very few options.

 

[aps45819]

Isn't that the truth. I finally gave up on finding exhaust for my 1200 Trophy and just kept the stock equipment. Very few options.

I had to order mounts for my Givi hard bags from England, nobody imports them

 

[Shutout]

If they import the bags you would think they would stock a few mounts. I had the carbs rebuilt this summer and had to replace the CDI box but didn't have too much trouble getting parts.

 

[aps45819]

If they import the bags you would think they would stock a few mounts. I had the carbs rebuilt this summer and had to replace the CDI box but didn't have too much trouble getting parts.

They import the Givi bags and mounts for a lot of bikes, just not the Bonneville. I had their 42l hard bags on my V Strom, liked them and wanted them on the new one. Got the 21l bags and they still look big on the bike

 

[Larry Gude]

They import the Givi bags and mounts for a lot of bikes, just not the Bonneville. I had their 42l hard bags on my V Strom, liked them and wanted them on the new one. Got the 21l bags and they still look big on the bike

Damn, that thing is gorgeous!!!

 

[Larry Gude]

I haven't gotten beyond testing the effects of tire pressure on the cornering ability of my chopped hardtail U model, so....

No.

The what?

 

[desertrat]

Harley is doing "OK" but I do see..and agree...that the cachet has faded and they were riding a wave that has crested. Not through any particular fault of their own, IMO..they keep developing new big bikes that literally make me drool and at the same time remain largely faithful to their traditions. I just think there was a bit of a "fad" or"craze" factor in their sales that is fading. As such always eventually do.

Don't know about that. Seems like I see more and more big Harleys every day. Women starting to get in on it with their Hubbies instead of riding on the back too.

 

[Gilligan]

Don't know about that. Seems like I see more and more big Harleys every day. Women starting to get in on it with their Hubbies instead of riding on the back too.

I didn't mean to imply that their sales were necessarily falling. The company looks pretty healthy actually. What I was referring to is the plateau they've hit..the one that caused the rollback or slowdown in production, number of shifts, etc. a while back. They are not the "hot growth" company they were for a while....I was thinking that might help explain why they are testing the waters in different model directions.

I toured the York plant in '06. At that time they were really cranking and still couldn't keep up with demand and the dealers had waiting lists and were collecting buyer premiums in some cases. I'm sure HD would love to see those days return.