Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Black Diamond]

Nope.  And no great temptation either.  Some of the new rides look nice.  But not any nicer than what we've got.  Some new systems offer capability that would be interesting.  But few that can't be retrofit if you really want to (ABS being the exception).  All that being said I've become so disappointed in the MoCo the last few years that they aren't getting money out of me for new bikes anymore.

The dealerships too often are an embarrassment to themselves and the company they represent (if they had the standards requisite to be embarrassed).  The company has such QC issues that the literally put riders at risk and don't seem to give a damn.  So I'm one of the "Harley generation," men of a certain age that should still be sucking the HD teat, that don't.  At least no more than necessary.

I patronize the quality side of the aftermarket for parts as much as I'm able.  Do my own maintenance as much as I'm able.  And give as few dollars as possible to HD itself or their representative dealerships.  I love my bikes.  The company is as much fun as the heat rash you get riding in the hot sweaty south in the summer time.

I agree with much of your statement. They need to get their customer service / quality control in order. Ah heck, I don't need to buy another possible problem. Just look for a "new to me" older scooter.

JW

[Trey767]

I agree with TWOlane/MJB765 

And what a garage  one day when I grow up nice job.

[kraut]

have to disagree - 09-up frame is a must have 

The more you get used to it, the more it stings.

If you buy one of the new touring bikes - after a time you will send the rest to museum 

[SBB]

have to disagree - 09-up frame is a must have  

The more you get used to it, the more it stings.

If you buy one of the new touring bikes - after a time you will send the rest to museum  

Respectfully disagree to the above.
Each of the bikes in my garage is ready and able to ride to California if called upon.
And each can do it in a style distinctively their own, with me as a happy participate.
All of my bikes can and will go to redline when called to and why waste that opportunity by parking them in a museum?

SBB

[Twolanerider]

have to disagree - 09-up frame is a must have 

Nope.  It's not.  There are improvements.  Won't dispute that.  But the difference is not so jaw droppingly dramatic that 08 and prior touring bikes suddenly suffer so dramatically in comparison you don't want to ride them.  Get a pre-09 dialed in to you like you should and it's still a completely adequate ride.  Unless you're just a sucky rider.

[yellowhog]

I rode for years and thousands of miles on that "old frame" 5 spd trans, standard brakes, etc. with no complaints.  There is always going to be new technology developed, but a lot of that technology is designed to keep selling the products. Some is good and some isn't but the choice is ours...

[1abastarsmda]

Respectfully disagree to the above.
Each of the bikes in my garage is ready and able to ride to California if called upon.
And each can do it in a style distinctively their own, with me as a happy participate.
All of my bikes can and will go to redline when called to and why waste that opportunity by parking them in a museum?

SBB

Maybe to the California border, but beyond that you risk fines for your exhaust systems.

[SBB]

Maybe to the California border, but beyond that you risk fines for your exhaust systems.

Occifer Dave them der x-aust pipes be factry.
I sware!

 

SBB

[1abastarsmda]

Occifer Dave them der x-aust pipes be factry.
I sware!

 

SBB

Yuck, yuck, yuck, yuck!   

[sadunbar]

Nope.  It's not.  There are improvements.  Won't dispute that.  But the difference is not so jaw droppingly dramatic that 08 and prior touring bikes suddenly suffer so dramatically in comparison you don't want to ride them.  Get a pre-09 dialed in to you like you should and it's still a completely adequate ride.  Unless you're just a sucky rider.

There are changes.  Some are improvements.  Some turn out to not be improvements.  Often it's just a personal thing...  Sometimes the chit just doesn't work!

My wife has a Chevrolet Venture.  It has a button to push to open the rear door.  She see's it and loves it.  I see it and wonder what the heck was wrong with the handle that has been there for the last 40 years.  The handle worked every time and was cheap to manufacture.  Never broke one ever.  And it suited the purpose well - to open the door.  I am sure the new button and associated pieces added cost to the vehicle.  And it has failed twice.  Is the new button to open the rear door an improvement?  Not to me...  But my wife still loves it...

Same with new bikes.  Every year new models are rolled out.  Everyone who's into bikes gets excited, whether they're looking to buy or not.  We all look at the new features.  Some are eager to buy because of the features, others won't buy because of the features.  It seems the last few years the prices have gone up and the reliability has gone down - so I've not been interested in buying.  I'd love to have some of the new features....  A new chassis, a 6 gallon tank, stretched bags and wider rear tire.....if.....I could order one without TBW (because it scares me), without the 110 motor and all its issues, without power this and power that...... but they don't make them like that.  The features I don't want out number the features I want.

So I ride what I have and hope someday a new model rolls out that strikes me as super cool, reliable and a value for my money...  

I'm still waiting.....

[Twolanerider]

There are changes.  Some are improvements.  Some turn out to not be improvements.  Often it's just a personal thing...  Sometimes the chit just doesn't work!

Couldn't agree more Scott.  The frame that was then the primary point seems an improvement.  Not like Phoebe Cates in that bikini climbing out of the pool oh hosanna an improvement.  But they made something better.  Not all the changes are better though; or at least not ready for prime time.

I'd not touch HD's fly by wire.  Doesn't matter that auto makers and aeronautics have had it figured out for years and that it's nothing new.  Mother Harley hasn't mastered the hardware nor the software yet.  Lax standards for engine and other specs have evolved a host of other things that just aren't where they should be.

The new data management "HDLAN" system on the2011 Softails is another example.  It intrigues the hell out of me for all the things Mother Harley could do with it.  There is a lot of potential there.  And I'm willing to hope it won't be at least a minor CF.  But this is Harley.  They don't do new things well.  So part of you has to say "god help the Softail guys this year because they don't get guinea pig pay."

[GtreetSlide]

Couldn't agree more Scott.  The frame that was then the primary point seems an improvement.  Not like Phoebe Cates in that bikini climbing out of the pool oh hosanna an improvement.  But they made something better.  Not all the changes are better though; or at least not ready for prime time.

I'd not touch HD's fly by wire.  Doesn't matter that auto makers and aeronautics have had it figured out for years and that it's nothing new.  Mother Harley hasn't mastered the hardware nor the software yet.  Lax standards for engine and other specs have evolved a host of other things that just aren't where they should be.

The new data management "HDLAN" system on the2011 Softails is another example.  It intrigues the hell out of me for all the things Mother Harley could do with it.  There is a lot of potential there.  And I'm willing to hope it won't be at least a minor CF.  But this is Harley.  They don't do new things well.  So part of you has to say "god help the Softail guys this year because they don't get guinea pig pay."

Yea, with all that new technology HD will soon be able to fix your electronic issues from far away by dialing your cell phone number and having you plug it into a jack on your bike, LOL...
Not sure how that "remote access" will work when your base gasket blows though, 
jb

[CVOJOE]

if I could order one without TBW (because it scares me), without the 110 motor and all its issues, without power this and power that...... but they don't make them like that.  The features I don't want out number the features I want.

     

Couldn't agree more. Back to basics would benefit the MOCO, they've lost track of what made them great in the past. Well at least for a while.

[Eqcons]

Nope.  It's not.  There are improvements.  Won't dispute that.  But the difference is not so jaw droppingly dramatic that 08 and prior touring bikes suddenly suffer so dramatically in comparison you don't want to ride them.  Get a pre-09 dialed in to you like you should and it's still a completely adequate ride.  Unless you're just a sucky rider.

Completely agree, Don.  My pre-09 frame bikes were all much more comfortable to ride than the current one - and so what if they did that wallow thing on long fast bends?  Once you got used to the fact that they did, and you knew that it wasn't going to make you fall off, it didn't matter.  My 09 batters me through every bone in my body on every little bump.

Jim

[HOGMIKE]

Completely agree, Don.  My pre-09 frame bikes were all much more comfortable to ride than the current one - and so what if they did that wallow thing on long fast bends?  Once you got used to the fact that they did, and you knew that it wasn't going to make you fall off, it didn't matter.  My 09 batters me through every bone in my body on every little bump.

Jim

Mine did too.........until I upgraded the suspension front and rear!