Triumphrat

alii1959 · 01-03-2009, 12:21 PM

Had to go to work today to pick up a student roster. Somehow it took 25 miles for me to do the 14 mile roundtrip...wonder why?? Anyhow, it was drizzly, cool, and foggy. Most of the time in weather like that I only see this other guy on a ginormous BMW dual sport, but today being Saturday some of the Harley dudes were out. Man did they look cold in their "gay pirate" outfits. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to stay warm, not to mention dry in those costumes. ATGATT!! I was dry, warm (not toasty), and comfortable. I guess I just don't understand.

Further, over the past week I have been oogling a new HD V-Rod Muscle...Wow!! That is one hot looking bike. Then I looked at the price....OMG. It would also require quite a few farkles to "make it my own", if you will. Total would be just north of $25K. I cannot imagine. I could get a new Sprint and a Kawi ZX-14 both for that.....hey, there's an idea....wonder if she would go for that....hmmm. You gotta hand it to genius...HD will get their price for that bike....I just don't quite understand, I guess.

Anyway, got back on my '01 Sprint....smiled really big all the way home.

dolson · 01-03-2009, 01:38 PM

I guess everyone has to have a Harley once in their life. Kind of like a convertible. I'm lucky that I got mine out of the way with a 1949 30 some years ago before it became a fashion statement. She was a good machine though.

alii1959 · 01-03-2009, 01:44 PM

Funny, you say that. I was born and raised here in the deep southland, Georgia, and well all equated motorcycle=HD. I keep wanting to find something there that gets my attention for a reasonable price. It doesn't seem possible any more. Not when so many other very capable bikes, without all the baggage (history???) are available much cheaper.

CLB · 01-03-2009, 02:27 PM

There are ways arounds this. I had two convertibles and skipped the Harley.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolson

I guess everyone has to have a Harley once in their life. Kind of like a convertible. I'm lucky that I got mine out of the way with a 1949 30 some years ago before it became a fashion statement. She was a good machine though.

Tri-oomph! · 01-04-2009, 08:01 PM

Harley is going to sell the new Street Tracker (I think that's the name) in the US after all. On that note, I think many (not all) Harley riders have so deeply bought into the bad-boy marketing that even they won't buy a Harley that doesn't fit their image of what they think a Harley is supposed to be. I doubt they'll sell many V-ROD Muscles or Street Trackers, at least not to the "Harley guys."

denoose · 01-04-2009, 08:35 PM

I disagree on the "Street Tracker", more correctly know as the XR1200. It's based on the perennial favorite "entry level" H-D Sportster platform and has been well received in Europe. Judging by the many comments I've seen from numerous sources, I think it will do well here, also. It's not going to offer the performance we have come to expect of course but the name and reputation, coupled with relative gains in power and handling should make this bike a popular model for H-D. It's a nod to Harley's heritage and that's a strong selling point in itself.
See these two reviews, but I don't expect to see one in my garage!

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/20...-coming-h.html

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...iew-87709.html

alii1959 · 01-04-2009, 09:27 PM

I agree that it is going to be a big seller. Check out the comments on the XLForums website. Those guys are ecstatic about the new model. I hope, for Harley's sake, that a younger clientelle will jump on this. But, again, I think the price point is a bit high for most people. If I understand it right, in Europe there is going to be a racing series for this bike, somewhat sponsored by Harley. I hope that they continue to be a success. I just don't see any way that I will be a part of it, unless that lottery ticket pays generously.