....I love playing that game but even after all that, nothing stirred the soul on the dealer floor.
And isn't that the whole idea? If your heart isn't twanged when you see/experience/ride a bike and there isn't any music, you walk. The MoCo has a LONG way to go in getting to a place that provides quality, reliable product with soul stirring paint/design, rebate card or not...
That's my opinion anyway.
IMHO this is the sad truth of it. When you look at a Harley Bagger from afar it's difficult to tell if it's a 2009, 2011, 2014 or 2018. The last big technology jump was Rushmore and a lot of folks don't believe Rushmore was real innovation but a limited "catchup" step to the rest of the industry.
When paint colors and design are the only things that discern one model year from another - is that enough of a reason to buy a new bike? Perhaps if you wore out your current bike due to the excessive mileage you could justify a new purchase. However, I know a lot of folks are just going to keep fixing/servicing their current bike because the cost of renewal is such a barrier.
Honestly, when people come up and compliment your Harley most of them don't have a clue as to the year, model, or features of the bike. It's just cool, whether it's one year old or 11 years old.
DH