HD enters the baby cruiser melee

[Slide Panda]

Two versions of a new model for 2014 the "Street"

http://street.harley-davidson.com/en_US

500 and 750 WATER cooled twins  - I wonder what the HD faithful will say?
We know water cooling has come to some of their bigger bikes in a sorta of retro fit - but these sport a new engine.

I'm guessing that these are really targeting the over seas markets. Places where they want a Harley but cannot have bigger bikes or they are just totally impractical. But they are bringing them out in the states too..

[DarkMonster620]

regarding water cooling SP, I think all manufacturers are going that way due to emissions . ..  maybe, just maybe, small displacement will still be air cooled . . .

and with those prices, it will definitely compete against some of the smaller 'cruisers' from Asia . . .

[Slide Panda]

Oh I know water cooling is going to be the way of things for pretty much everything. Just poking a little fun

[ChrisK]

I've already talked to a couple of my buddies that are die-hard Harley riders. They're not concerned with water-cooled or small-displacement. What they're PISSED about, is that Harley is making these in India.

[Slide Panda]

Making just these in India? What about other stuff they are marking there that's coming here? That's probably getting them more.

Like I said, I really figure these are for the Asian market. I can't see sales of them being strong at all in the US - unless they dispensed with the 883 sporty

[Kev M]

I've already talked to a couple of my buddies that are die-hard Harley riders. They're not concerned with water-cooled or small-displacement. What they're PISSED about, is that Harley is making these in India.

What you might want to point out to them (though they might be too stupid to listen if they are THAT die-hard  ) is

1. Harley ASSEMBLES Sportsters and Big Twins in India and Brazil already in order to get around huge import duties. BUT those assemblies are made using motors built here, and frames and other components made here in Harley's facilities and partially pre-assembled. So it still creates work for Americans, and MORE IMPORTANTLY allows the Harley to take steps towards correcting trade imbalances with the US. So Kudos for Harley.

and

2. Word is that the North American market for these new bikes will be supplied by the Kansas City factory. I.E. models sold here, will be built here. Again, win-win for American workers.


I'm a pretty strong, life-long fan of the brand (or at least the bikes) and I'm kinda glad that they are taking this step from a moving forward, expanding their customer base standpoint. I wish them well.

Besides, I've sorta got a thing for smaller displacement/lighter bikes these days.

That said, I'm NOT trading my Sportster for one, as I'm really not interested in water-cooling, but who knows what I might consider in the future.

[Kev M]

Like I said, I really figure these are for the Asian market. I can't see sales of them being strong at all in the US - unless they dispensed with the 883 sporty

I SUSPECT initial sales in the US will be slow, BUT - the 750cc bike makes the same HP as the current 883 AND reports are it will COST AT LEAST $1k less (more like $2-3k if you look at custom colors etc), so I COULD SEE these bikes squeezing out the 883 long term.

[HotIce]

I have been told parts are coming from India, even though they are supposed to be assembled in US.

[Slide Panda]

Personally, I'd expect the 750 to displace (ahem) the 883. They occupy the same slot in the product line - at least in my noggin and the price point is kinder than the 883

Granted I don't totally understand the HD product line as there seem several bikes that are really really over-lappy market spots. But HD isn't the only maker I ponder that with.

[Kev M]

I have been told parts are coming from India, even though they are supposed to be assembled in US.

It wouldn't surprise me if that was the case for this model, but that's not the case for the rest of the line.

[Pedro-bot]

HD makes a water cooled Honda Rebel. 

[ChrisK]

What you might want to point out to them (though they might be too stupid to listen if they are THAT die-hard  ) is

1. Harley ASSEMBLES Sportsters and Big Twins in India and Brazil already in order to get around huge import duties. BUT those assemblies are made using motors built here, and frames and other components made here in Harley's facilities and partially pre-assembled. So it still creates work for Americans, and MORE IMPORTANTLY allows the Harley to take steps towards correcting trade imbalances with the US. So Kudos for Harley.

and

2. Word is that the North American market for these new bikes will be supplied by the Kansas City factory. I.E. models sold here, will be built here. Again, win-win for American workers.


I'm a pretty strong, life-long fan of the brand (or at least the bikes) and I'm kinda glad that they are taking this step from a moving forward, expanding their customer base standpoint. I wish them well.

Besides, I've sorta got a thing for smaller displacement/lighter bikes these days.

That said, I'm NOT trading my Sportster for one, as I'm really not interested in water-cooling, but who knows what I might consider in the future.

I agree with all that. I was just giving an example of what a "die-hard" will perceive. Perception is reality, so they say… 

[Johnny5]

I SUSPECT initial sales in the US will be slow, BUT - the 750cc bike makes the same HP as the current 883 AND reports are it will COST AT LEAST $1k less (more like $2-3k if you look at custom colors etc), so I COULD SEE these bikes squeezing out the 883 long term.

A tangent to be sure.... but... I find these new Harleys to be EEEEWWWW.

That said, I want a Softail Slim or a Sportster 48 in the WORST WAY... lol

[Slide Panda]

A tangent to be sure.... but... I find these new Harleys to be EEEEWWWW.

That side shot Pedro posted... wow that bike is lacking appeal.

[Kev M]

Well, we are talking about cheap/entry level bikes here - I guess I can forgive a LITTLE EEWWW  

Like I said, I'm not looking to replace my Sporty, OR my Guzzi with one, but I BET they'll sell.

That said, check the Harley website out, they've already got some "customs" their bike designers built on the platform to show what can be done with them. And a LOT of Harley sales are because they are blank canvases.

This one doesn't suck