Ducati Monster Forum

This has always been one of my biggest scoffs at this company, that they tucked their tails and quit when Japan started kicking everyones asses, so I guess I gotta tip my cap to 'em.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/harley-davidson-resurrects-vr-1000-150312488.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/harley-davidson-resurrects-vr-1000-150312488.html)

Pull the other one, it's got bells on. ;)

Tucked their tails? I was at an HD dealership today at 1400 on a Wednesday and there was numerous customers and plenty of bikes in the parking lot with riders smoking and joking. I don't think their hurting one bit. More than 50 bikes on the floor of all the models they sell.

So they sell a lot of bikes...so what... The original VR1000 failed and they quit...took the fairings off that heap and called it the vRod. Kudos for trying again.

Is this a April 1st storey?

Ah shite...I think I've been had!

Would've been cool if it was true  :-[

With Harley's resources I'd think they could put up a respectable show if they wanted to.  They had their hands on MV Agusta for a while and look what EBR has done with a fraction of what HD could pour in.  With the company run by business weenies they'll probably sell the whole mess to China before fronting a superbike team.

I just gotta say......... if your business was hugely successful, and built on a model that has nothing to do with road racing any longer, why would you pour money down a hole that would have no benefit to you?

Agreed.  It does nothing to market to your customer base.  Would have a better chance to improve bottom line if Harley created a tractor-pull team or a NASCAR team. 

(Not trying to mock HD owners, just making an exaggerated point.)

Ding ding ding  ;)

If Harley made a proper sportbike that performed I would buy it. And to make one requires gaining the necessary experience competing (and losing). I'm sure I'm not the only one.

The make the beast with two backsers practically print money at this point..it's not like they have anything to lose.

The XRTT was a good looking bike.

(http://www.harleykrxlrtt.com/images/0%2071xrtt%20iron%203.jpg)

But seriously...from a business standpoint why the make the beast with two backs would they want to throw away millions upon millions of dollars?

I hate to say this...but they don't really care if you want them to go racing, and the bike you may...or may not buy...

doesn't mean squat.

Seriously.

Well then it's official...Harley is what we thought they were...a company that regurgitates crappy 40 year old technology year after year to fleece lame posers. I know they don't care about that either. I'm just sayin' it not only would be cool to see an American company sack up and go racing but it wouldn't hurt their bottom line any at the worst case scenario. They'd sell some bikes out of the deal and may even have a whole new wildly profitable chunk of the market share in a few years.

At some point Harley *will* fade away the way they do business..and it'll serve em right. Just like Kmart and Stroh's beer.

Seriously doubt it dood  ;)

they will be the Stroh's of motorcycles...I hope. :P

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2014/07/08/how-the-stroh-family-lost-the-largest-private-beer-fortune-in-the-u-s/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2014/07/08/how-the-stroh-family-lost-the-largest-private-beer-fortune-in-the-u-s/)

"It got worse. Peter Stroh had tried to diversify the business, with investments in biotech and Detroit real estate."

 ok so maybe they aren't nearly that stupid  [laugh]

Actually, HD has some good tech in its bikes, the idea that they are 40 year old designs is a myth. HD knows what its customers want and gives it to them in a form that they will buy. HD has improved its bikes, but if they get to far from their core market, they wouldn't be as successful.

Not that I've owned any HD, but I got to give them the respect of the success they've earned.

Hmm..all that crap is actually probably what would happen if they *did* race again...ok so you're right. Harley isn't going anywhere and I'm a hater.

Follow Flat Track racing.   [evil]


(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7598/16808022907_138ac09c44_z.jpg)

Harleys making a hypermotard?

Done been done fool.  ;)


(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8688/16828133660_9c4ccd3ef2.jpg)

That is hurting my eyes, for the good of everyone it needs to be taken out back and shot

Harley have an illustrious racing heritage.
I love their flat trackers.

This.

Lots of tech in them, they just look archaic.

I'd buy a proper H-D sportbike in a heartbeat if they were so inclined to build one. Until then I'll just keep enjoying my beloved '06 VRSCR.  [Dolph]

Shouldn't this discussion be moved to "Racing & Trackdays"?

Anyway, something just tells me that they don't enjoy seeing EBR being the face of American racing in WSBK.

It should probably go to NMC as it's an April Fools ruse. ;D

I'm only 7 days late

You just earned a prize... ;D

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8686/16451318013_3908ce3dc2_o.gif)

All around  [laugh] in this here thread

This thread was just full of fail.  [bang]

For such a crap film, just that scene alone was worth the price of admission. :D

2 pages are too much for me to read.

A's H's and D's all lining up?

Spare me the excuses. :-*

Sam was quoted as saying he wouldn't do the movie if they cut that line!

He's a pitch man for Capital One credit cards...that dude will do anything if someone is willing to pay him.  :)

...this was a pretty good April Fool's joke though...got lots of people's panties in a bunch on more than just this forum!  [laugh]