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[XBUNCEX]

Hi There,

not sure why the post about an opinion on Springers went off kilter. I just read some follow ups. Guys, I find Jack to be an interesting and knowledgeable person to interact with. Jack, I support you. I support all my CVO brothers and sisters. This forum is really helpful!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day and safe rides!

Hang on to your Springers! We will soon be the most visited bikes in any bike rally!

Carl

PS: Please find attached a picture of my Springer which I took two weeks ago using my superior Samsung mobile phone. I had a wonderful ride! The only wildlife on the road was a very large Snapping Turtle whose head was way up listening to my bike approaching. Not much worry about which way he was going or if he was to change direction Note the detachable windshield, detachable backrest I have on the bike. Both snap on and snap off in under a few minutes. Lunch was good too!

Carl I'm looking for a windshield for my 08 FXSTSSE2 and i like that one on your bike. Do you happen to have the part #?

[King2013]

Sorry for my stupidity in advance or maybe it's just too early for me but, I for the life of me can't seem to find where Jack posted the first blow here. I have read and reread this whole thread and I can't see where Jack provoked anyone into this type of "exchange".
I like this forum and everyone here, I've been involved with a lot of forums, creating them wrote some code for them and usually don't post in altercation threads. But after reading this one I have to say I felt the need to post up, I got your back Jack. No need to continue a thread that is off topic for no reason.

I believe the moco could bring back the springer at some point because there are too many bikes that could be done as a retro that were springers to draw a surge of new sales if the market becomes stagnant. However, I would hang onto any springer because you never know which ones going to turn gold.

On another note,  ride safe and have a blast this season!
I should be out there soon looking for long adventures with yas.

[King2013]

Great, I knew it was to easily for me ( posted at 7:20am on my meds) ! I didn't look at the post dates.
I just brought back a dead fight from a year ago and took sides. Duh. Lmao
Going back to bed.
Forgive my ignorance.

[2k]

Thats OK King2013, when I went to post it said "while you were typing another post was made. I went an looked.....and it was yours! Thanks for keeping me from looking stupider

[Twolanerider]

Thats OK King2013, when I went to post it said "while you were typing another post was made. I went an looked.....and it was yours! Thanks for keeping me from looking stupider

I know what started it all.  Donald Sterling said something about the Springer.  Then that Bundy guy in Nevada was seen chasing his cows on a Springer.  After that it all went to hell fast.... 

[bensonjv]

Sort of resurrecting an old thread but wanted to chime in; specifically to respond to the OP's thoughts on why Springers were on their way out.  I doubt ABS requirements or the threat of them have anything to do with the decision to chop the Springer.  An ABS option can be fit to the Springer front end the same as any other front end.  Besides, as most are aware, on regular road surfaces and OEM parts, its difficult (but not impossible) to lock up the front wheel on a Springer.  Certainly there are aftermarket multi-piston calipers as well as aftermarket pads and rotor combinations that will increase grab.  But stock parts just don't do that for most riders.

It's not a handling performance issue either.  Certainly there are differences in how these and standard telescoping forks operate and that plays a role.  But realized performance is far more about the skill of the rider than it is about the equipment being ridden.  There must be at least one rider in this forum who has a story about riding a Harley with a sport bike guy and eating the sport bike rider's lunch in the twisties.

I think the explanation for taking Springers out of production simply comes down to changes in demand.  I think sales dipped a bit after 2008-9.  I think the SE Springers were a great addition but the Crossbones just never really gained traction.  I believe that was part economy and part poor design.  While it had the Springer front end, overall the Crossbones didn't seem to flow well.  The combination of elements seemed 'forced.'  Granted I am basing that primarily on my personal style preferences and I acknowledge the target market for the bones was about 15-25 years younger than me.  But there is likely some validity in my assessment or there would still be an F*STS in any configuration still available.

Harley has excellent marketing sense.  They bring models in and out of production based on demand.  If sales dip, pull it out of the line-up for a few years until it builds up again.  Based on this trend with Springers, I'd expect to see an F*STS model in the 2016 or 17 lineup.  My money says Harley will save their (re)debut for when chrome becomes the new chrome again.  The economy will (hopefully) improve and the Willie G black on black on black thing will run its course and the masses will call for bling again.  When they do reveal the next one, I'll be one of the first in line to see it.

Hello everyone,

I am under the impression that the FXSTSSE springers will be the last produced by HD. The reason I believe this is that Europe requires ABS brakes and that may come to North America. In anticipation, it does not look like MoCo will make anymore springers. Should keep the value up. There are no springers in the 2014 model line.

Hang on to your Springers! I certainly will do so with mine. I love the ride!

Carl

[FlatsFlite]

" There must be at least one rider in this forum who has a story about riding a Harley with a sport bike guy and eating the sport bike rider's lunch in the twisties."

If they do, it's pure fiction or the sport bike rider didn't know it was a race.

[redbeard719]

Bensonjv, I agree that you have some very valid points.  I do believe you're also right about demand dropping in the later years of the springer offerings.

Where I disagree though, is that there was still a want for the springers, but the offerings from MOCO weren't what people wanted.

The Crossbones, thought an FL springer, was somewhat if a hybrid between an FX rear end and an FL springer front end.  It was confused looking, IMHO.

The FXSTSSE3 is another example of that.  It's a beautiful bike, and I had one for a few months.  But, again, it's confused.  The FX springer front end with a fat front tire and left side brake?  Not the norm.  Also, the 240 rear end was bigger and badder, and attempted to cash in on the fat rear end look that they were late to the party for.

Now, I think if MOCO offered an FXSTS with a 21" skinny tire and a 200 rear, or a FLSTS variant with a fat front and 150 rear, they would sell like mad.

When you come across springer threads, those are the two that always seem to remain true to factory form, the Bad Boy and the Heritage Springer/Springer Classic.  Crossbones usually seem to be bobber'd out OR turned into an FLSTS look-alike.

I believe the MOCO lost its way with the springers.  Black or chrome forks, it doesn't matter, but mixing up the fronts and rears just never really seemed to fully mesh....