2016 Road Glide Ultra
Harley has announced some of its 2016 models, and highlights include new Dark Customs, and the first cruisers to feature the powerful Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine outside the CVO line. Back for 2016 is the Road Glide Ultra tourer. Read about these and other changes for 2016 in the following press release:
MILWAUKEE (Aug. 23, 2015) – Two new hard-hitting Dark Custom models, the most powerful cruiser lineup in company history, and a broad range of performance and styling enhancements throughout the range highlight Harley-Davidson’s powerful new model lineup for 2016.
2016 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Highlights
- New Iron 883™ and Forty-Eight® models assert Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom leadership with motorcycles inspired by the rebellious spirit of the past updated with modern design and new suspensions that put a little extra smooth in the Harley-Davidson soul.
- New S series limited-edition cruisers feature big power and cutting-edge style. The Fat Boy® S and Softail Slim® S combine rich finishes with the impressive Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine to deliver head-turning style and performance.
- Previously only available in Harley-Davidson Touring bikes, the High Output Twin Cam 103™ engines upgrade the power for all Softail® and Dyna® models (except Street Bob), rounding out the most powerful cruiser lineup in Harley-Davidson history.
- Project RUSHMORE’s touring revolution expands with the return of the Road Glide® Ultra motorcycle.
“This is another historic year for Harley-Davidson,” said Mark-Hans Richer, Harley-Davidson Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We’re introducing the most powerful collection of cruisers in our history, including the brand-new S series. We’re raising the bar on Dark Custom motorcycles with the new Iron 883 and Forty-Eight models, the purest expression of the design movement we started in 2008. And we’re extending our lead in touring with the return of the Road Glide Ultra and redesign of the popular Heritage Softail Classic.”
Dark Custom Soul
The new Iron 883 is intentionally raw and rough around the edges, with a modern design inspired by garage-built bobbers past and present. All-new front and adjustable rear suspension, lighter-weight mag wheels and improved seating increase comfort and control to smooth the road ahead. The new Forty-Eight achieves its menacing stance with a burly front tire, new mag wheels and a massive front end with new 49mm forks, and also benefits from improved adjustable rear suspension and seating. Retro styling cues and a perfect ratio of black, color and chrome give this bike a bold visual presence. Riders navigating rough and tumble urban streets on the lean and nimble Harley-Davidson Street® 750 and 500 models will appreciate the improved confidence from new front and rear braking systems.
Most Powerful Cruiser Lineup Ever
Rear tires will beg for mercy with the most powerful cruiser model lineup in Harley-Davidson history. Powered by the Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine, the new Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S cruisers deliver power and performance once reserved for Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models. Both limited-edition models feature dark styling for menacing looks that match their muscle. The Softail Slim S is available in a new Olive Gold Denim color with military-inspired styling, paying homage to the post-war customs that launched the bobber movement. Harley-Davidson gives more riders a dose of Project RUSHMORE performance by making the High Output Twin Cam 103 engine standard in every other 2016 Softail model. The High Output Twin Cam 103 is also the new standard engine for all 2016 Dyna models except the Street Bob® model.
Softail Cruise Control
There’s more cruiser news in 2016; for the first time ever electronic cruise control is available on all Harley-Davidson Softail models. The convenience of Harley-Davidson electronic cruise control, enabled by new electronic throttle control, is standard equipment on 2016 Heritage Softail® Classic, Softail® Deluxe, Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S models and available as an accessory for all other 2016 Softail models.
2016 Heritage Softail Classic
New Sportster Suspension
All 2016 Sportster® models will tame rough roads with all-new front and rear suspension and improved seats working together to enhance rider comfort and control. The new seats incorporate premium materials and revised shapes to provide more supportive comfort. The re-engineered Sportster suspension pairs emulsion coil-over shocks with new front cartridge forks. Nitrogen gas-charged shocks resist oil aeration and feature an internal valve stack with 36mm pistons and high-performance oil to provide superior compression and rebound damping control that reacts quickly to small bumps and keeps the tires in contact on uneven road surfaces. Progressive-rate spring pre-load is adjustable by a threaded collar using a spanner that stows under the seat. Tuned to complement the shocks, the stout forks feature a calibrated piston and valve stack and progressive rate springs for consistent feel throughout the compression and extension range of the suspension. The triple-rate spring and oil lock allows the forks to resist wheel hop under hard braking.
Road Glide Ultra
A two-year absence from the Harley-Davidson Touring line was time well spent infusing the Road Glide Ultra with enhanced style, outstanding aerodynamics and optimized touring ergonomics for rider and passenger– the full influence of the customer-led Project RUSHMORE product-development effort. Propelled by the unrelenting performance of the Twin-Cooled™ High Output Twin Cam 103™ powertrain, the new Road Glide Ultra will exceed the expectations of the most demanding touring motorcyclist.
Heritage Softail Classic
Combining nostalgic style with smooth, modern Softail performance, the Heritage Softail Classic receives refreshed styling for 2016 plus the High Output Twin Cam 103 powertrain, standard electronic cruise control, and a new and improved saddlebag support structure.
The new 2016 Harley-Davidson® motorcycles and accessories start rolling into Harley-Davidson® dealerships immediately. Visit H-D.com to see all 2016 Harley-Davidson models and to find a local authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.
Out here in beautiful Oregon I see more H-Ds owners out enjoying a ride more than other brands.
I’ve put 30K miles on my Electraglide since buying new in 2012. I’ve had two catastrophic failures. The left rear tail light bulb and the left front auxiliary lamp bulb each went out and required replacement. Bought both replacements at Autozone for pennies. Original bulbs were about the only non US made parts on the bike. They had made in Japan clearly written on them. Last four bikes were BMW R1100r, Ducati 900SS, and Honda VTX 1800N3. All were good bikes also but I’ve put more miles on the HD than the others combined. It not rational but the HD is more pleasant to ride than other more modern, powerful and smoother bikes. HD has real competition from Indian now. Good for the consumer.
I have had one catastrophic failure on my 2003 V-rod with 17k miles, rear light bulb went out a couple of months ago, and as yours, replaced with an autozone part for pennies. Other than change of tires and oil, it runs flawless…
Yea but if you guys think those are the only non USA made parts on your bikes, well, just keep telling yourself that if you makes you feel better.
If you took all of the non-US made parts off of an Electra, it could not be ridden out of the showroom. Electronics, brakes, lighting, tires, and many other bits and pieces are made overseas. That’s the reality of manufacturing in the US.
I stand corrected. Brakes are made in Italy by brembo. I’m sure the electronics are made wherever electronics are made these days. Everything else I’ve seen including tires have made in USA written all over them. Not saying this is the case with all Harleys,
Harley’s use Showa forks and shocks,made somewhere in Asia.
Harley doesn’t try to hide the fact that they use Metzler tires and Showa forks on many of there machines in addition other parts are sourced from all over the world.
Yawn………….
You really hit’em where it hurts.
Few brands have as strong an image as Harley does and across their whole line. That strong image surely keeps the desire hot for many until they pull the trigger and buy what they’ve always lusted for. Harley also enjoys a community among motorcycling that has no equal. Look all around on the streets today. Roads are filled with all sorts of vehicles with the “Dark” treatment, dark (mat black) paint, blacked out wheels and glass, etc. People don’t do these things because of any real practical sense, it’s a look of toughness and don’t mess with me!
I have no need to look tough (I am tough 🙂 ) nor a want to look like some dark member of the Death Squad. I guess I have a somewhat cheerier outlook on things. But no one does this better in motorcycles than Harley, not that all Harleys have the blacked out treatment, but wee all see the characters riding them who fit right in. Yes, Harley also attracts the gentlemanly, well-heeled sort that most likely find the heritage and community of like-minded attractive. Plunking down 20-30 large for one is nothing different than putting another car in the garage, a boat in the water or any number of other endeavors that people enjoy.
This is Harley at its best and no one does it better in this regard. Motorcycle Daily seems to be most frequented most by sportbike and adventure tourer types based on comments people make. Can you imagine what the whole of motorcycling would be if Harley wasn’t around? What would people bitch about then? 🙂 Keep it live people!
My wife and I just returned from a 2 week tour of New England and Canada on our 2014 Limited. A very capable and comfortable touring bike. I was not a “Harley Guy” in the past (this is my first HD) gravitating more to Sport Tourers and Dual Sports. After a year of ownership and about 9000 miles on the clock I’ve absolutely changed my mind about HD. I bought it for the pillion seat but I’ve come to appreciate it as a motorcycle. It is smooth, torquey, has excellent low and high speed manners, strong brakes, sounds good (no loud pipes on mine, totally stock), good ergos, more lean angle than I had expected (not in GoldWing or K1600 territory but better than Indian or Victory Tourers), gets a steady 45 mpg and has a killer electronic information package.
When your pushing the envelope with 3/4 of a HP per CID. The easiest way to put more HP in your bike is to use a bigger motor.
Most of the people posting here seem to know nothing about the state of the motorcycle industry today. If you did, you’d know that it’s the sport bike segment that’s in serious trouble, not HD.
It is always the same bike with a new and improved name.
Nothing beats dressing up like a pirate, straddling 800 lbs of “rollin’ thunder”, riding up the nearest waterin’ hole and swilling back a few brewskis’ eh.
Damn, I love this country.
Part of that stereotype is true, part isn’t. While it isn’t unusual to see Harley’s parked at bars, it also isn’t unusual to see them on the open road, packed for week long (or longer) trips. I ride a lot, and it is not unusual to see HD riders wearing full face helmets and Aerostich suits rolling across the plains, the mountains, or the valleys.
That is true. I tour a lot and see lots of HD’s out on the open road with well outfitted riders. More than one would think. Also see them lined up at bars locally even at 10 am on a beautiful perfect day for riding which confuses me, but I figure whatever reason a man buys a motorcycle for or how he rides it, that’s his business.
Diversity of people is what makes us stronger human beings, and it applies to motorcycles, just imagine that we had only one brand, it will be very boring right? I do own a HD v-rod, best bike I ever owned. But I also own a Ducati 999, a Cagiva Alazzurra and a Honda CB550K.
I like riding them all, it is a different experience every time.
My point is: before go and hate HD or the people that own them, go see what is out there, you will find something for all tastes with the different brands we have an option to buy from.
Too much hate here guys. I see HDs for what they simple are: motorcycles.
I don’t care what brand, color, engine size, etc. They are all motorcycles and they are made to be ridden by passionate people, no room for hate here.
The more choices we have available in the market the better.
HDs are not on my list of bikes to own, but I don’t hate them. I ride a 09 Concours, an 15 FZ09 and a 77 CB400F cafe because I chose to, even if I have read opinions from people that hates those bikes.
Ride what you love and respect what other chose to ride! ‘To each their own’.
I suppose most of the people in the world like HD
I have a bum left leg and knee (broken fibula) that causes pain after a very short time in the saddle of most Japanese bikes. HD floor boards and ergos help me enjoy motorcycling.
I’m not really part of that “old” group y’all speak about, but I enjoy putt-putting around the hills on my EGlide with my wife on the back. I’m not in a hurry; why all the knee-dragging rush? I don’t need to stick my rear end up in the air and kiss the headlight to enjoy the scenery. Sport bikes blow my t-shirt up in the back and I get all sunburned. To each his own.
If we have to explain it, you wouldn’t understand. 😀
Hey, I say that about Moto Guzzis…..
“Proudly going broke since 1921”
🙂
It must drive Harley execs crazy. They have periodically tried to break out of their stereotypes, offering new, water-cooled engines and other tech advances. No one buys it. They want the same old tired chuffers … so Harley keeps cranking ’em out. Eye candy that can barely stay with the flow of traffic. Throw in an uphill mountain grade and a loaded ultra cannot maintain the speed limit. I’ve seen it.
“It must drive Harley execs crazy. They have periodically tried to break out of their stereotypes, offering new, water-cooled engines and other tech advances. No one buys it.”
Truthfully, people say they want an American sport tourer or sport bike but even if the Motor Company made such things there’s is such a stigma attached to the name from non Harley types I doubt many would switch (ask Buell or Motus). It would just be an expensive exercise in frustration for the motor company. Harley knows where it’s bread and butter is made and they are very, very good at supplying just what their customers want.
There are many other manufacturers who make other stuff, lighter, faster, more high tech if that’s what you are looking for. Why would Harley want to fight that?
I have a 2014 ultra . Ride most of the time with my wife and fully loaded bags . I can go uphill much , much faster than the speed limit and overtake easily without having to shift from 6th gear . it’s a heavy bike when parked , but easy and composed when riding . Sure it’s not meant for the city traffic , but it’s perfect for two up long hauls and that’s what it was intended for . I suggest you ride one and then you will have a different opinion . Harley does not make bikes for gravel/dirt or racing , but the cruisers are great , if that’s what you want . Had plenty of Japanese bikes and even one BMW in the past , very good bikes for lots of things , but never had any cruiser that could beat a Harley (IMHO) and surely , the Ultra is the most affordable full sized tourer in the market today . Not a cheap bike by any means , but if you buy a Japanese or German bike with the same bells and whistles , you will be some 10k poorer and won’t have that wonderful eye candy waiting for you in your garage . Peace !
Brother, to each his/her own.
All I know is this … I have a friend with an Ultra. Probably not as recent as yours. I’ve got a 2006 K1200LT. We were headed back from Vegas, fully loaded with stuff and our ol’ ladies, and that hog could maintain the speed limit on the uphill grade.
* could not maintain the speed limit.
who’s wife was fatter though?
You really want me to go there, eh Austin?
I’m gald you have a sense of humor
Always enjoy this time of year when HD rolls out their “new” models.
Those that have not gorged on the HD Kool Aid say “yawn” “old tech” and crack some good HD jokes.
Those that have the HD tatoo and bought the wife several thousand dollars of overpriced leather fly the US flag and defend their right to pay more than a product is actually worth.
But something is different this year. There are CHOICES now. Although Victory never has quite got it right, despite the magazines all telling me that they are great bikes. Not one of them has ever appealed to me.
But wait, what’s that? That’s the new Indian Scout? Wow, That’s gorgeous. Performance AND looks you say? At around $10k? American Made even? Sign me up. I’d rock that at the local HD grazing patch and doubt anyone would have the nuts to say “park it in the back”. My American flag is as red/white/ blue as yours, so STFU.
Or I could just go ride my sportbikes and continue to not give a crap about all of the above.
I laugh to myself whenever I stop at the local HD dealer on my Moto Guzzi. The V-rod uses the same valve shims as my KTM dirtbike, so the HD dealer is convenient for something. I get a lot of looks and sneers. One guy even called my bike old tech, while others have called out “Jap bikes park in the back.” Such a totally clueless and closed-minded group of people.
Ride what you ride, but respect the other’s choice. Be aware that we all have an impact on non-rider’s perceptions of us all regardless of what you ride.
cut em a break…maybe. after all, the sportster is finally getting cartridge forks…..
If you have to ask…..well, I don’t understand. Never have. When I look at these machines all I see is a vintage contraption that generates a kind of morbid curiosity. Vintage is supposed to be the domain of a hundred or so OCD inflicted guys getting together and wiping down their beloved toys. But HD clearly has a special sauce that translates whatever the vintage loving crowd feels to the masses, and we are coming out in droves to plonk down obscene amounts of money on the bikes even before we start in on the wardrobe. The international market seems to be even more HD mad than the US.
I may not understand why we do it but I’m glad we do.
Ahem, by “we” I of course mean those of you actually willing to spend your hard earned cash on these relics. ; )
That is true . I live in Brazil and here HD sells more bikes than in the US every year . People even buy them in groups and every small town has a HOG . A shame they never bring all the models though , we aways get only the ones that are already huge sales hits in America
Great looking bikes…the Iron 883 and Softail Slim S I’ve seen pic’s of @ ultimatemotorcycling.com look particularly great in green.
Again, another year of disappointment when it comes to a mew model year for Harley, I am the first to admit that I spent stupid money on Harley’s over the years and as soon as I rode each new model I was very disappointed at the lack of power, handling, and braking and very surprised at how mechanically noisy the engines are. Yes I know they out sell everyone else in the above 650cc market but they also have 0 percent of the sport bike ,dirt bike ,naked bike and sport touring market’s the only one I now own is a 2011 XR1200X which is the best handling bike they ever made and the only Harley air cooled engine to feature oil cooled heads and stock made over 1 horsepower per cubic inch at the rear wheel. And look at the prices, Harley has cut cost’s dramatically by outsourcing more of there parts and getting rid of long time employees and hiring seasonal employees for half of what they used to pay, there quality is suffering just look at all the recalls recently. no more Harleys for me.
After owning three Ultra’s. I think it’s time for Harley to build a truly new from the ground up bike. Time for a totally new water cooled motor with a gear drive primary and integrated transmission in the same case,Not just a pint of water circulating around the head only, this is not a water cooled motor. Dump the steel tube frame and build a aluminum frame with inverted forks and real suspension instead of the same twenty five dollar rear shocks from the nineteen thirty’s. For almost thirty grand or more it is long past due to give the customer something more than a warmed over design from the sixty’s.
it took 3 bikes to figure that out? Yikes
I was expecting nothing – my expectations are met.
Don’t get me wrong. I love Americana. I love the idea of blending notions of “simpler times” to the antiseptic feeling of today. I love the idea of remembering where we came from. But why is it as I sit on my Pigeon Forge rental mountain cabin porch with my morning coffee, only the HDs rumbling below in the valley upset my dawn peace?
‘Cause you’re old and cranky?
I love my old ’96 Dyna Evo a little more with every new model year introduction.
sad
I was expecting them to make the Street 750 into a scrambler. Nope.
So much hate here. The CVO models are truly impressive. Truly. But check out the prices. Yikes. You could buy any TWO top-line BMWs and have several thousand left over for farkles. And welcome to the 90s, you’d get radial tires. But we can no longer say these bikes are underpowered or unsophisticated. A new Goldwing is long overdue.
I’m not a cruiser guy, but I’m so glad I looked into the CVO bikes. It made my R1200GS seem like a responsible purchase.
The K1600GTL-E stickers at about $30,000, before tax, freight and so forth. I doubt that I could buy two of ’em for the price of one CVO.
Oooh, gas emulsion shocks! That should make those Sportsters feel like they have rear suspension after all.
HD may still sell the most cruisers annually, but they also have the most used units for sale in the classifieds, by a looong shot. Talk about a saturated market, HD is tops in that respect.
I can’t count how many years ago I wrote them about this. About time. Not a bad rig with the right suspension. Now will it be long enough for northern USA?
Is it any surprise that the company that sells the most motorcycles in the US by a long shot has the most used units for sale in the classifieds by a long shot?
Guffaw!
What’s this? A dash of sensibility amid the tsunami of hate?
They don’t look it but technically get better and better every year. Last owned in 03 but rented several over the years. Just rented a 2015 Streetglide S a couple of weeks ago. Used to (80s) you only rode one because it was a Harley and wanted to be part of that crowd. Now I’d ride one because they really are good motorcycles. I’m not a cruiser buyer at the moment- adventure, sport-naked, vintage in the garage but ride one before you knock it. A bit surprising actually. They seemed to have solved the real world street riding comfort-performance problem a different way- weight doesn’t matter if you keep it low and centered, don’t count horsepower only torque, limit suspension travel but make it good and tuned to frame, seat, tires to work together, and keep the look of that of that 49 Caddie. Too many on the roads for me to get excited but I didn’t really miss my 14 GSA over the 2000 miles I traveled two weeks ago. Some times a hammer gets the job done!
It made from iron. It has a style.
Oog want woman. Oog buy Harley.
A minor edit for grammar please. The correct spelling is “hard-hittin;” the G is always dropped. For example, Marcellus says “I’m calling in some hard-hittin Negros who are going to get medieval on yo ass.”
i own a couple of harley shirts. they’re a better fashion company than motorcycle manufacturer.
HD does a good job of making incremental improvements with each model year. A few new features at a time, some different colors, and so forth. Whatever they are doing, they still sell more bikes in America than any other manufacturer. You may not want one, I may not want one, but a heck of a lot of others do, and that’s good. Complain about their engine being tractor technology, then go drive your $40K pickup with the pushrod engine and get back to me. Or the Corvette, with the pushrod engines. You get the point, right?
Polaris has done bupkis to improve the Victory line, other than some paint. No engine improvements, no controls improvements, no suspension improvements, nothing. And look how long the Vision has gone unchanged, and it sorely needs better bodywork. Indian is falling into the same thing – now two years old and no improvements beyond a bit of paint and intro of the Scout model.
I don’t own a Harley; I own a European bike. I rented an Ultra for a few days last summer and was impressed by how well it does its mission – two-up travel in comfort. It is a good bike.
As for the age thing – to state that HD owners are old boomers is partly correct. But the smaller bikes are sold to a lot of riders in their 30s and 40s.
Victory has gone backwards. First they got rid of their good suspensions and then they got rid of most of their model lineup.
The Vision has always needed bodywork, but that’s personal taste.
How can Indian be falling into the same situation? They designed, built, and sold a clean-sheet design bike (and sold way more units than they anticipated). The very next year, they introduced another brand new bike, the Scout, that has no mechanical resemblance (Ok, besides the obvious v-twin and 2 wheels) to the Chief/Chieftain lineup. The Roadmaster was also new, and has a number of changes besides just a tour pack. This has been a pretty commendable undertaking, IMHO, and I think they’ve done very well so far. No recalls on the Chief/Chieftain lineup and one partial recall on Scout rear brakes – not too shabby.
HD sells a lifestyle and they’re very good at it. Unfortunately the Motor Company has become so corporate that its customers have become disposable. I’ve owned Honda, BMW, HD, and Indians. Something about the soul of the HD and the Indians created a strong emotional attachment to them that was missing from the other brands. Most people have no idea what that means. Oh well.
I read a statistic about Harely reliability, that 97% of Harleys are still on the road today. The other 3% made it home….
Never heard that one before.
yawwwwwwn…warmed-over 1920s tractor technology…..zzzzz
agree!
Disagree.
First of all I see very few motorcycles on the road at all this year. Most ARE Harleys so they must be doing something people like. Unlike Europe, commuting is a mass of cars. On weekends there are groups of Harleys, large and small, riding here and there. People may be buying other bikes, but they are not riding them a lot in the Northeast. In 2000 I saw a ton of bikes on the road. Since then I think young people especially are parked in front of some electronic device. They are also not in churches, so they are also not expressing a belief in something other than themselves and their present reality. Many are spending huge amounts of time stoned; the kids of friends for example. They are often not even working to get any kind of wheels like my older brothers did as soon as they turned 16. – So whatever Harley is doing, at least they are out on the road. Let’s see what happens in another ten years when the boomers are not riding anymore.
most of the chuckle-head Harley riders in TX ride (stupidly) with no helmet and are too out of shape to ride a bicycle. Not a very good example for today’s youth….nice job, boomers
Take it easy on us Dirck. Going straight from MotoGP to Harley is gonna cause us some whiplash (“rhymes with git-cash” Fred S.)
What a shame the Road Glide Ultra gets the Twin Cooled 103 and not the regular 103. I’ve heard the Twin Cooled are leaking commonly. Sorry Harley you did it again, the wrong mix of parts for me. You have lost touch with your buyer and now made the Road Glide Ultra a pointless exercise.
You heard wrong. Google “Internet Amplification”
Zzzzzz……. Each year I wait with anticipation for the news that the Motor Company is finally installing a bored and stroked V-Rod based engine in a dresser. But like every other year before; I am at a loss for words. Having owned many HD’s and logged over 200K miles on them, I grew tired of the antiquated design. I like the look but the engineers seem uneducated while marketing rules everything. I wish HD could at least modernize their current engines. Meanwhile the “Great Unwashed” continue to wait in line to buy another.
I’ll go back to sleep now…..
“… the “Great Unwashed” continue to wait in line…” — Really? I thought most new Harley buyers were fairly well-off, typically earning $70 – 100k-or-more/year? And I really don’t believe most dresser buyers are salivating to have “a bored-and-stroked V-Rod-based engine” in their tourers. Harley knows their own identity, knows what their customers want, and gives it to them. That’s why they’re a successful company. Period.
Now there’s a self-evident truth if ever there was one.
I’m wondering what the addition of water-cooling has done to new bike sales? Better, worse, too-soon-to-tell, or too many other factors to sort it out?
Somewhere I read TPMS will also be offered on their touring line-up.
It’s 2015. Only 4 years from when Bladerunner was supposed to take place. We have cars that can drive themselves. We all walk around with little hand held computers/communicators that we can order things with or talk to someone from almost anywhere in the world. Yet the best selling motorcycles in the US are basically 1949 Cadillacs with 2 wheels. Yeah they have more horsepower than they used to and are more reliable with better brakes and some electronic goodies but the basic look (never mind the weight) never changes. Personally i feel there’s something bizarre about it all.
Since they are best selling, AKA more popular, maybe its you??
Maybe it’s not..Things are different now, bikes handle well, they don’t break down or shake them selves to pieces. Living in the past is fine if that is where you want to dwell. You might try riding a new R1200GS or a KTM 1190 Adventure and see where things are today..
Too complicated, too heavy and too hot.
I’ll stick with my vintage bike.
Modern Harleys rival any other brand in reliability. I see you talking about things you have no experience with.
Actually they don’t. They are fifth behind all four Japanese brands and Victory.
http://www.moneytalksnews.com/the-most-reliable-motorcycle-brand-not-harley/
I think that would make them ‘6th’. But really? Better reliability than Triumph?
I would think that HD would eventually die off with the passing of the Vietnam vet era of riders? There are only so many of the old guard left and besides, HD can only paint a turtle so many ways for so many years. I’m sure I’m not seeing something that is obvious. Seriously, how is this dinosaur company and machine surviving in 2015? (if they really are).
moderation? Is HD behind MD? – ha ha
I’ve been hearing about Harley’s inevitable die-off since I’ve been into motorcycles, and yet every year since they still manage to sell more road bikes and brand-wear in the US than almost everyone else combined. I see a lot of people age 30 – 50 on Harleys. A lot of the younger guys I know who want to buy a motorcycle are looking at Harleys.
Harley is thriving, not surviving. I don’t know how long it will last, but it would be unwise to bet against them.
Yeah – pretty crazy. At least guys are riding.
It seems obvious to me Harley is supplying a riding experience many find attractive in sound and feel and appearance, and it’s as simple as that. I’ve owned one Harley (2005 Dyna) that I quickly sold (‘won’t go into details), but still understand the attraction, especially the rewarding feel of a big, simple V-twin engine, with hydraulic valves and belt final drive, and strong, instant torque. I’ve owned a couple of more-standard bikes since then, but neither have given me that same power train combination I enjoy (minus the feet-forward ergonomics). I have hopes for Polaris/Victory…
People were saying Harley would be through 30 years ago. They still outsell other brands by a wide margin. How about we talk about 600cc Supersprt sales?