All new HD sportster:Merged topics

[twowheeladdict]

Oh look, the new Harley-Davidson 'Scout'.

What the Scout wishes it could be.  The Scout has a great engine, but that is where the comparison starts and ends.  The Harley is leaps and bounds better on paper when it comes to chassis, suspension, brakes, you know, all the things that make a motorcycle actually handle instead of just look good. 

[twowheeladdict]

That was pretty much 13.5 minutes I'll never get back. Not much about the actual bike, mainly a bunch of hype. Just have to wait till it gets out into the public. I am over big front tires though, I had a Slim before my Guzzi.
kk

You didn't like the look?  If you are talking handling, you do know that a lot more goes into handling than how fat the tire is.  The overall geometry contributes to the handling and the Slim was not designed to be a corner shredder.  Sure, the guy on the track wasn't going as fast as he would on a SuperSport bike, but he was definitely riding it sporty.

[JJ]

Remember when Sportser's had what they called "The Peanut" gas tank?  I think it held like 2.3 gallons, and then HD offered an optional 3.5 gallon tank, which most riders opted for...

A few months ago, at Cycle Gear in Cave Creek, AZ, we talked to an Indian Scout owner who had not one, but TWO (2) red, RotoPax auxiliary gas containers strapped on each side of the bike. 

When I asked him why, he said he got tired of running out of gas every 100 miles or so!

I never knew they were so thirsty!!

[bad Chad]

How many in the target market are going to pay almost 5K more than the current Iron 1200?   HD classifies it as a sport bike, but its a single disk up front, plus you need another $660 out lay to get the less than robust looking mid mount pegs.   Oh, if you want the luxury of being able to take a friend for a ride, that's another $220.

So the young guy out looking for a cool new way to spend money, thinks why not a HD?   15K for basic black, plus $660, if you want to reasonable egos, plus $220 for rear pegs, and $160 for a rear seat, puts you over $16,000 before tax, freight and what ever else your state and dealer can concoct.  I don't see it being very competitive in the market.

[steven c]

 I guess it's no longer a "chick" bike,not that it ever was. Cool bike but I'll stick with my Uly for my little taste of Harley.

[LowRyter]

That front tire is just ridiculous. 

[Moparnut72]

Rear suspension has 2" of travel. Front is 3.6". Fuel tank is 3.1 gals. What are they thinking? I am not saying anything is wrong with a big front tire, just saying I am tired of the look.
kk

[TimmyTheHog]

All I can say is OMG THEY FINALLY MOVED THAT AIR FILTER!!!!!

It was my most hated thing on the old sportster/FDXR...it keeps on hitting my knee for some reason AND I have short legs!!!

[larrys]

Sure, but I’d say there’s room for both. Pics for comparison of the new Sportster, Indian’s Scout Bobber and FTR1200:



 





Of the 3, I pick the Harley (can’t believe I just wrote that again)

I'll keep my Monster. These guys are wannabes...
Larry

[blu guzz]

I really hope they do well with it.  Making a complete break with the past cannot be easy.  It sounds like they started with a good engine.

[bad Chad]

But they aren't making a complete break from the past.  Yes it's all new, but aside from twice the power and more tech, it's still trying to be and old school sportster.  It's a major update, not a break.

[twowheeladdict]

How many in the target market are going to pay almost 5K more than the current Iron 1200?   HD classifies it as a sport bike, but its a single disk up front, plus you need another $660 out lay to get the less than robust looking mid mount pegs.   Oh, if you want the luxury of being able to take a friend for a ride, that's another $220.

So the young guy out looking for a cool new way to spend money, thinks why not a HD?   15K for basic black, plus $660, if you want to reasonable egos, plus $220 for rear pegs leaves you just short of $15,900 before tax, freight and what ever else your state and dealer can concoct.  I don't see it being very competitive in the market.

The young guys you speak of don't look at total price.  They look at monthly costs.  Another grand over 7 years ain't squat. 

[twowheeladdict]

Rear suspension has 2" of travel. Front is 3.6". Fuel tank is 3.1 gals. What are they thinking? I am not saying anything is wrong with a big front tire, just saying I am tired of the look.
kk

Which bike you talking about now Moparnut72?  Where are you seeing the suspension travel?

[Moparnut72]

Motorcycle.com
kk

[kirkemon]

I'm not buying one. I know ugly when I see it.

[kingoffleece]

Lots of the expected negative.  Let's see what happens.  I remember the PanAm getting the same treatment and it seems like it's selling quite well.
Fine by me.  I hope the previous Sportys drop like stones.  Always liked them for bombing around and would love to steal one soon.

[Moparnut72]

Yes, they are very proud of Sportsters where I live. I got new V7 for what is being asked for a 5 to 8 year old Sporty.
kk

[Turin]

I like it. Looks mean.

[Kev m]

The Pan Am was a clean break bike for new customers.

This is a Sportster replacement for traditional customers and hopefully to bridge in some new.

Remember more bikes are expected on this platform and ergos and other things are easily changed.

This is largely an answer to the Indian Scout and at such compares very favorably.

[Dirk_S]

I missed my chance. This should’ve been my only reply on this thread:





I bet if you look at their tax returns, they have a $10,000 black monolith itemized on their expenses.

[twowheeladdict]

Motorcycle.com
kk

I wonder where they got their information. I can’t find it on Harley’s website. I hope they are wrong and it turns out to be 2 inches of shock travel instead of wheel travel.

[TN Mark]

The Pan Am was a clean break bike for new customers.

This is a Sportster replacement for traditional customers and hopefully to bridge in some new.

Remember more bikes are expected on this platform and ergos and other things are easily changed.

This is largely an answer to the Indian Scout and at such compares very favorably.

Winner winner chicken dinner. This new H-D, to me, looks a bit cartoonish and it looks great at the same time. I'm not the target market for it and I won't be getting one. But I hope they sell all they can make. As has been said repeatedly, this 1250 motor is a brute and will show up in more models. Likely a big bore version of it as well. Hooray for H-D!

[Canuck750]

From the right side it looks like a childs plastic toy motorcycle with oversized pieces

[twowheeladdict]

From the right side it looks like a childs plastic toy motorcycle with oversized pieces

Did you actually watch the video?  They were going for over the top for this first model.  Based on all the responses, I guess they succeeded. 

I will test ride one and post a ride report, and to Bad Chad, yes, I have ridden many similar motorcycles so I can provide a realistic review.   

[Dave Swanson]

I love it! 

[tazio]

I like it.
Strong motor, yes, and hurray for that! Might just crush Indian at their own styling and performance game. For now.
Problem for me is, I don't see a Sportster in there.
Harley Sportster, to me, has always meant "less is more", or accomplishing more with less. Keepin' it simple and providing a great jump off point to make of her what you will. My last new Sporty was in the late 80's and I could see a link back 30yrs to the original. Advancements after that only enhanced the experience. (Rubber mount, 5 speed, belt drive etc..)
 But that simple concept remained. "Here's your Motor, Frame and Tank, now go make it YOUR bike!".
But here, something is lost in translation.
Call it something else, just not a Sportster.

[tazio]

Could this be what the Brits call a "Nortley Fartster" ?

Had to look that one up.

[SteveRivet]

Did you actually watch the video?  They were going for over the top for this first model.  Based on all the responses, I guess they succeeded. 

I will test ride one and post a ride report, and to Bad Chad, yes, I have ridden many similar motorcycles so I can provide a realistic review.   

I liked the direction they were going with the Bronx a lot and bummed they didn't follow thru.  This one's a little short and squat to me, and a clear shot at the Scout.  I do like the motor and it looks like they succeeded in what they were trying to do.  Hopefully this motor serves as a platform for a few more machines. 

Steve

[bad Chad]

Aside from how dumb it looks, what to me gets to the core of this is the nebulous motor.   It's got gobs of power, and is no doubt mucho fun from that perspective, but it lacks any real identity.  Stick any big liquid cooled v2 from any of the big boys and you would still have essentially the same motorcycle.  So HD has done what every one else has been doing, big deal.  Perhaps it is what they felt they needed to do to stay relevant with the times, but it's too generic for my taste. 

I do hope the new Moto Guzzi shows more originality.

[cliffrod]

Aside from how dumb it looks, what to me gets to the core of this is the nebulous motor.   It's got gobs of power, and is no doubt mucho fun from that perspective, but it lacks any real identity.  Stick any big liquid cooled v2 from any of the big boys and you would still have essentially the same motorcycle.  So HD has done what every one else has been doing, big deal.  Perhaps it is what they felt they needed to do to stay relevant with the times, but it's too generic for my taste. 

I do hope the new Moto Guzzi shows more originality.

we've been talking about the inevitability of water cooling and how that would change all things HD for years.  Once things move away from the analog simplicity & certain truths that formed the basis of old motorcycles and all their imperfections, a bike that's based upon electrons & plastic & wiring is what it is.  People want some manner of that look but none of the reality of the truth that is a real old bike with that look.  The VRod is a fun engine to ride, but nothing you would recognize or qualify as HD if there wasn't a decal on the tank.  When that bike/engine hit the market, the writing was on the wall.

Guzzis are no different.  How many people want a "new" LeMans that only conveniently looks like an old bike?   I don't even know (or care) enough about late model MG products to even discuss how different they are than the old bikes that many hold in high esteem but don't/won't own and ride.  But they would supposedly buy a new bike that looks like an old bike.  It's ok is someone looks at a glance and sees them riding what looks like an old bike.  the commitment ends there.

At our last big rally in 2019, the nearby Indian Dealer came with a full display.  We lifted  one of his new Scouts onto the stage of the Wall of Death to park it beside the real early Indian Scout and other WoD bikes they had for bling.  My opinion?- it looked like crap.  Modern wannabe fake crap that didn't belong parked there.  But people apparently buy them.   

I felt the same way comparing the XR1200 to an XR1000 or XR750 or XLCR.  The earlier bikes felt real, with some manner of consistency between them.  The rubber mounted and very tall XR1200 was nothing like them.  This new bike is just another step further into that new direction.  Things change because people want and require them to change.