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07-11-2008, 10:49 AM | #1 | |
Rides a Crotch Scooter
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And, I agree, Harley puts out good stuff these days (still overpriced) but good nonetheless
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07-11-2008, 12:31 PM | #2 |
Tractor Driver
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Location: Franklin, TN
Moto: Buell XB12X Ulysses
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Look at it this way, Buell now has a 100% sportbike oriented dealership network stateside.
Now you won't have to wear your assless pants in to look at a sport bike or get weird looks when you show up at the dealership in your Power Rangers suit. I believe this is the first step in separating the sportbike distribution from the cruiser distribution. It will be easier to service the new generation of Buells inside a sportbike shop rather than trying to retrain Harley techs to service Rotax engines. There will also be the ability to homogenize parts and accessories for sport bikes. I see this as a VERY good move for HD and an even better move for Buell. Better this than HD selling Buell to MV Augusta. I would expect the prices for MV Augustas to decline a little bit. HD has a rediculous ability to degotiate discounts on materials, components, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the components get sourced stateside. Means more American jobs. |
07-11-2008, 05:48 PM | #3 | |
Moto GP Star
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 14,556
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The biggest positive for me is the possibility that MVs could become easier for us to purchase and maintain with a larger dealer network behind them. To be honest tho',my guess is that HD is looking to sell more bikes over there rather than bring more bikes over here. |
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07-11-2008, 06:30 PM | #4 |
Moto GP Star
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07-11-2008, 04:31 PM | #5 | |
Mobile Post-Whore Unit
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Moto: 2000 Honda Magna 750
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My opinion: all the good stuff is wrapped up in the VRSC bikes and a one Sportster that won't even be sold here. Everything else is 1950's tech still (not counting Buell...but HD didn't come up with the innovations for Buell). If they don't change the MV's, great! All for it. If they do, it'll ruin the MV's.
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07-11-2008, 04:53 PM | #6 |
too much time on my hands
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Location: the northern district of god damn
Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now.
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Dont get me wrong, HD makes some good stuff, but the pushrod V twin is old still ancient technology. its time to start throwing some more modern stuff in there. all I'm seeing is the same old motors, just fuel injected really and more electronic stuff. no real mechanical improvements in the last what's it been? 20+ years at least?
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07-11-2008, 05:26 PM | #7 |
Tractor Driver
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Franklin, TN
Moto: Buell XB12X Ulysses
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Harley Davidson is what happens when you take a company at the pinnacle of technological advancement and hit it in the soft spot with a hammer.
They've never had to evolve because their core buyer was buying "classic". They understand the market for their cruisers. They understand that they don't know jack about sport bikes. Buell had to sell enough bikes to justify the expense of the Rotax development. You will see a continued movement away of Buell from Harley Davidson technologically. You will not see HD tech on an MV Augusta or a Buell. You might see MV Augusta and Buell tech on a Harley, though. This is strictly a surface area/market exposure move. My guess is that there will be three distinct divisions, HD, Buell, MV Augusta. Think Ford, Mazda, Jaguar, Volvo. |
07-11-2008, 05:32 PM | #8 |
Mobile Post-Whore Unit
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Except Mazda's, Jaguar's, and Volvo's are all built on Ford platforms. In this example, the host company cloned their product under the acquired smaller companies' names.
Not saying that will happen (hope not). If it doesn't and more advanced tech shows up on Harleys, than I'm all for it and love the idea. If it goes the way of Ford, say goodbye to a nice Italian brand.
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07-11-2008, 05:46 PM | #9 |
too much time on my hands
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: the northern district of god damn
Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now.
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All I'm really saying is I'd LIKE A LOT to see some innovations and use of this modern technology available to us on those Harley motors. They can keep the old school stuff for the fans of classic products, but I'd like a new line of HD motors introduced for those of us who want a cruiser that is modern.
I honestly hope they just keep MV Agusta alive and well, while not really trying to change the bikes. MV makes a very refined and mighty machine that throws down what? 190 to the tire? which is like ZX14 territory with a lot less weight. |
07-11-2008, 06:36 PM | #10 | |
Ride Naked.
Join Date: Feb 2008
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