New sportster | Page 3 | GTAMotorcycle.com

New sportster

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PrivatePilot said:
Let's not forget we're talking about Harley here. Ensuring everyone else knows what they're riding is the name of the game for 90% of their owners. If the name on the bike isn't enough, it's on their jacket, their boots, their gloves, their wallet, their socks, their underwear, and the back of their vehicle.

So the native "already own a Harley" market won't go for that. It'l be forever a "chick bike" in the hard core pre-existing owner circles.

New entry level riders looking for an "in" to the Harley world, yeah, it's got hope for sure. I think there will be a lot of guys secretly digging it as well, but not willing to risk the horrific ribbing in the parking lot from all their kin when they pull in on said girls bike lol.
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Harley-Davidson would be much more successful company these days if it wasn't for their customers.

But then again, it was their existing customer base who got them this far... live by the sword, die by the sword.

🤷‍♂️
 
PrivatePilot said:
New entry level riders looking for an "in" to the Harley world, yeah, it's got hope for sure. I think there will be a lot of guys secretly digging it as well, but not willing to risk the horrific ribbing in the parking lot from all their kin when they pull in on said girls bike lol.
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Kinda like an Indian Scout ?
 
PrivatePilot said:
Let's not forget we're talking about Harley here. Ensuring everyone else knows what they're riding is the name of the game for 90% of their owners. If the name on the bike isn't enough, it's on their jacket, their boots, their gloves, their wallet, their socks, their underwear, and the back of their vehicle.

So the native "already own a Harley" market won't go for that. It'l be forever a "chick bike" in the hard core pre-existing owner circles.

New entry level riders looking for an "in" to the Harley world, yeah, it's got hope for sure. I think there will be a lot of guys secretly digging it as well, but not willing to risk the horrific ribbing in the parking lot from all their kin when they pull in on said girls bike lol.
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So that's status quo, girls, newbies and "I dont care" riders - no harm, no foul - should only create upside for the Sporty.

I think the goal is to broaden the appeal to new riders who may have chosen imports based on performance and technology. Modern tech, and gobs of power on <500lb bike. Grab some additional sales in the midweight market, get new riders and others who dismissed Sporties based on antiquated designs. HD typically sells around 45000 Sporties a year -- not too shabby -- my guess is this will preserve and expand those numbers.

For fun, do a quick comparison to a Rebel 1100, Bolt or Vulcan 900. Then ask yourself whether the ribbing would be bigger if you pulled up on a Rebel 1100, Vulcan 900, Bolt or a new Sporty.
 
Mad Mike said:
For fun, do a quick comparison to a Rebel 1100, Bolt or Vulcan 900. Then ask yourself whether the ribbing would be bigger if you pulled up on a Rebel 1100, Vulcan 900, Bolt or a new Sporty.
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Your answer depends solely on what group your ride up on.
Anything outside of HD – “Hey man… that’s a neat bike!!!!”
HD Crowd — “That’s not a real bike.. it’s not HD! And that Sporty? It’s not 1800cc!!! That’s nothing but a pubescent girl’s bike! Get something real and manly!!!!”
 
BigEvilDoer said:
Your answer depends solely on what group your ride up on.
Anything outside of HD – “Hey man… that’s a neat bike!!!!”
HD Crowd — “That’s not a real bike.. it’s not HD! And that Sporty? It’s not 1800cc!!! That’s nothing but a pubescent girl’s bike! Get something real and manly!!!!”
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Get the Sportster, then ask them if they want to race. They'll shut up pretty quickly.

thomas-tank-engine-1120.jpg
 
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BigEvilDoer said:
Your answer depends solely on what group your ride up on.
Anything outside of HD – “Hey man… that’s a neat bike!!!!”
HD Crowd — “That’s not a real bike.. it’s not HD! And that Sporty? It’s not 1800cc!!! That’s nothing but a pubescent girl’s bike! Get something real and manly!!!!”
Click to expand...

Want to see the HD crowd eat themselves from the inside out?

Go read a post about the Livewire on a Harley forum.

I give credit for HD finally doing some new stuff, but hearing their own red meat tear them new orifices for daring be different is pretty hilarious at times. But I think the higher ups at HD have finally come to the realization that the current generation of HD owner is fading away and they need to change to attract new bodies.
 
PrivatePilot said:
Want to see the HD crowd eat themselves from the inside out?

Go read a post about the Livewire on a Harley forum.

I give credit for HD finally doing some new stuff, but hearing their own red meat tear them new orifices for daring be different is pretty hilarious at times. But I think the higher ups at HD have finally come to the realization that the current generation of HD owner is fading away and they need to change to attract new bodies.
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Not all Harley riders are A holes,most of them gave me a wave this weekend
 
PrivatePilot said:
Go read a post about the Livewire on a Harley forum.
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So the Livewire has been officially discontinued from the HD platform and is now on it's own - the Livewire One.
You lose the official HD colour options, gain better battery, and *SAVE* $8000 over the HD branded one.

So basically, HD was peddling an inferior product and charging a serious premium... Considering that, I wonder what sort of price shift should actually be applied to the rest of their product line... A 20-25% drop sounds about right to me. But that's pure speculation.

*Edit - removed improved motor.
 
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BigEvilDoer said:
So the Livewire has been officially discontinued from the HD platform and is now on it's own - the Livewire One.
You lose the official HD colour options, gain better battery/motor, and *SAVE* $8000 over the HD branded one.

So basically, HD was peddling an inferior product and charging a serious premium... Considering that, I wonder what sort of price shift should actually be applied to the rest of their product line... A 20-25% drop sounds about right to me. But that's pure speculation.
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Why do you say better battery/motor? My understanding was the new one was a bit down on power but in exchange you save a bunch.
 
Live on Harley's website
a little more info/pics
$17,999

for comparison an Indian Scout ABS in black: $15,899 (other colours add $1000)
 
This was just posted to reddit by u/JoePilot93, not sure why it's unlisted

 
GreyGhost said:
Half way between the XR and bagger? Not quite as fast nor quite as laid back but maybe a good compromise?
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I’m a fan of the Indian scout already, but was a bit curious how i would hold up to day trips. Specifically the riding position. Also, by mounting all this stuff higher we can get the lean on!

This looks better and I’m sure the aftermarket support will be there for options.
 
Evoex said:
I’m a fan of the Indian scout already, but was a bit curious how i would hold up to day trips. Specifically the riding position. Also, by mounting all this stuff higher we can get the lean on!

This looks better and I’m sure the aftermarket support will be there for options.
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still think the new FTR is a better option, they got 17 inch wheels and more sport options now

the harley has a giant front tire and a single disc brake
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