Harley's Ducati

[Kent in Upstate NY]

The Ducati
The new Harley

[TimmyTheHog]

BESIDE the foot position, I actually like the looks of the new Harley.

Wonder if it comes with the rear set relocation kit :D

[Litre1000]

That Harley will get smoked by the Ducati!
Too little, too late...


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[Kev m]

The comparison seems like a stretch to me whether we're talking aesthetically or functionally.

But the Diavel felt like a big scooter to me.

I'll have to check out this FXDR, though I have to say it mostly makes me want to take a closer look at the Fat Bob.

[twowheeladdict]

The comparison seems like a stretch to me whether we're talking aesthetically or functionally.

But the Diavel felt like a big scooter to me.

I'll have to check out this FXDR, though I have to say it mostly makes me want to take a closer look at the Fat Bob.

The Fat Bob is a nice curvy road bike.  I really didn't notice a seat of pants dyno difference between the 107 and 114 but I didn't get to ride unescorted. 

The video on Harley's site showing the FXDR handling the twisties is pretty impressive. 

[twowheeladdict]

That Harley will get smoked by the Ducati!
Too little, too late...


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I'll take the day to day livability  and ease of maintenance in the Harley over the Ducati.  Unless you are 150 lbs you look like a clown in a 3 ring circus on the Ducati. 

[Kev m]

The Fat Bob is a nice curvy road bike.  I really didn't notice a seat of pants dyno difference between the 107 and 114 but I didn't get to ride unescorted. 

The video on Harley's site showing the FXDR handling the twisties is pretty impressive.

Yeah I've ridden the Fat Bob and had some thoughts of making a tourer out of one. Of course I had the same thoughts about the Dyna of the same name. But the Dyna didn't impress me as much as the new Softy.

[Turin]

I don't see the similarity other than both having two wheels.
The ducati is plain butt ugly. Maintenance on these is a royal PITA  (per a local ducati tech).

I'm not a big Harley fan, but it'd have to be my pick between the two.

[LowRyter]

60hp vs 150.

[fotoguzzi]

the Harley has a 68" wheel base.. not impressed..

[Kev m]

60hp vs 150.

Uh, an Evo could manage 60 rwhp.

But you know that misses the point.

I would think stock the 114" would be around 80 rwhp and 110 ft lbs of torque.

Probably be a blast.

[LowRyter]

Uh, an Evo could manage 60 rwhp.

But you know that misses the point.

I would think stock the 114" would be around 80 rwhp and 110 ft lbs of torque.

Probably be a blast.

I am not a fan of either bike.  But I don't see a point of comparison.  That being my point.

[Kev m]

Uh, an Evo could manage 60 rwhp.

But you know that misses the point.

I would think stock the 114" would be around 80 rwhp and 110 ft lbs of torque.

Probably be a blast.

Oh look at that .. Not a bad swag extrapolated from my memory of earlier model dyno runs

[Kev m]

I am not a fan of either bike.  But I don't see a point of comparison.  That being my point.

Well that was my first post too, but for a different reason.

[fotoguzzi]

Oh look at that .. Not a bad swag extrapolated from my memory of earlier model dyno runs

Impressive! torq

[Strada]

I like the Harley better than the Ducati.

The Diavel is a strange beast.
Go with me here on this one... It seems like the Diavel was going for the same play on form and function for Ducati as the Griso did for Moto Guzzi ~ a more mature but powerful, functional and impressive steed for the discerning audience. Whereas Moto Guzzi succeeded with the Griso, Ducati more or less failed with the Diavel. Instead of appealing to the discerning with a raw but refined machine (Griso), Ducati only ended up drawing the weird with the weird.

Sure... as a bike and as a ride the Diavel will ride circles around both the Griso and the new Harley without batting an eye. But perhaps the eye doesn't bat because it is just so strange, foreign and unappealing that this type of alien does not have eyes that can bat.

I'll take the wink and growl of the Griso any day over the strange of the Diavel (which belongs more with the Lestranges of Harry Potter fame) or the raw American take on the same idea seen in the new Harley (although I don't think that the motivation for the Harley falls along the same lines as that which seems to be shared by the Griso and Diavel).   

[TimmyTheHog]

Oh look at that .. Not a bad swag extrapolated from my memory of earlier model dyno runs

oh man...this is gonna be one fun burnout machine...whether you do it on purpose or not LOL...

[Shorty]

I declare a draw as far as fugliness is concerned.

[Huzo]

60hp vs 150.

Yeah but that'll also be a function of the revvier Ducati...?
What is the peak torque comparison and at what RPM..?

[bpreynolds]

To me and my eyes, this is drop dead gorgeous.




But this is almost funny Flash Gordon

[leafman60]

https://www.cycleworld.com/harley-davidson-fxdr-114-is-more-than-power-cruiser

[twowheeladdict]

To me and my eyes, this is drop dead gorgeous.




But this is almost funny Flash Gordon

The new Fat Bob was the strangest looking new softail when introduced.  Then I rode one and immediately understood it.  The looks grew for me over time and I like the new red denim color for '19.  I keep telling myself that my bike buying days are now behind me, but the addiction is still there tempting me.  Once I get the V7 Carbon sorted I am going to save for another roadster car.  That is what I keep telling myself.

[Kev m]

https://www.cycleworld.com/harley-davidson-fxdr-114-is-more-than-power-cruiser

Well that's encouraging!

[kballowe]

I declare a draw as far as fugliness is concerned.

I agree !

[Tusayan]

It seems to me that motorcycle styling has completely broken down.  Every type of bike from adventure tourer to cruiser to sport bike has become desperately ugly, with very few 2018 exceptions from any manufacturer.  Retro stuff is equally desperate, in my opinion simply rehashing the past because looking forward isnt working.  It seems to me the manufacturers have forgotten the basic principles.

I said the same about cars but was gratified when Mazda started consistently making new models that I could say were attractive, maybe not truly beautiful but tasteful and attractive.  Im waiting for the same for motorcycles, from anywhere!

[Chuck in Indiana]

A "sporty" handling bike with forward controls?? Nope. Not me. Swing and a miss..

[LowRyter]

To me and my eyes, this is drop dead gorgeous.




But this is almost funny Flash Gordon

BTDT

[leafman60]

A "sporty" handling bike with forward controls?? Nope. Not me. Swing and a miss..

DITTO

I agree.

.

[oilhed]

The new Harley

That bike with less rake, mid-mount pegs and a flat seat!

[Kev m]

My first impression is that the forward controls are a mistake and I continue to be frustrated with Harley's choices on bikes like this or the Fat Bob. I might pass on both because of them. So I get it, especially those of you who are inclined towards rear sets (which are a no-no to me too).

That said, they aren't nearly what Forwards have been on a lot of the Softails and Choppers of the past. They are much closer to mid-mounts than I think a lot of people realize (even if I would still prefer something else).

Here are some screen captures which I hope help illustrate it.




and