Oh my.
Remember that episode of “The Simpsons” where Homer gets to design a new car?
Yeah….

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
obviously HD is targeting youth buyers

If you take the time to look at the video, click up to 8 min and you can see the advanced electronics, three mode riding selection from Rain, Normal, Sport, digital output in a round traditional look some of the new tech.

I watched the video and all I saw was a hideous piece of shit that sounded even worse (more thumper like than v-twin....listen from the 13 min mark). There's no chance that this sells well for HD. ZERO! The tech package has been on Euro and Jap bikes for quite some time and HD is gonna have a hard time catching up. Oh yeah- single front disc and a fuel range of `150 miles

I'm glad they are thinking about their future but this is gonna be a flop (even overseas, which I think is their target). I really do want Harley Davidson to come out with something that changes the worlds opinion about them. I've been lusting after a M8 Road King Police for a while but they can't even get the sumping issue taken care of.

I'm a 2016 Indian Scout ABS owner so I'm obviously biased. My thoughts on the HD Sportster S:

About time. This iteration of the Scout has been out since 2015 and it's 100 hp. HD's more expensive existing bike with only 58 hp has been getting trounced by the Scout for 6 years.

If HD is targeting young riders, the $14,999 price point seems odd. Scout is less money (10999 as bobber, 11999 in regular trim, and 12899 in the regular trim w/ ABS like mine), but admittedly it doesn't have ride modes (e.g. Rain, Normal, Sport). However, earlier this year Honda released Rebel 1100 that does have 3 ride modes, but only $9299 for a 6-speed manual and only $9999 for a 6-speed automatic (aka DCT). Additionally, the Honda is built on a proven motor from the Honda Africa Twin.

As others have noted, the muffler is fugly and is in position more likely to burn yourself and give you a toasty right butt cheek on a long ride. Even the Honda Rebel 1100 has a better looking muffler.

In other words, the new HD Sportster S doesn't make me want to trade in my Indian Scout ABS. I'd buy a Honda Rebel 1100 DCT before I'd buy the new HD Sportster S, and I bet a lot of young buyers will as well.

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

Well said and I concur Tator. Honda Rebel 1100 is a nice nicely finished motorcycle with a lot to offer for under $10K.
Hopefully Harley is working on a more normal and less "hipster" variant of the Sportster.

Here's an awesome explanation of why the Indians have been making so much more HP from the V-twin over Harley. Looks like Harley is going to try and finally play catch up.

quote:

Originally posted by Xer0:
Here's an awesome explanation of why the Indians have been making so much more HP from the V-twin over Harley. Looks like Harley is going to try and finally play catch up.

Here is another awesome Fortnine video on why modern engines are a structural member of the chassis (skip ahead to 8:20):

Perfect for Harley. Sell an over priced bike that needs lots of upgrades. Then design and sell you the upgrades.

I am old and have had several Sporties over the years starting with my first 1979 XLS and I still have an XLCR. I have always liked Sportsters. This new bike is not designed for old guys like me and for that I think Harley made the right decision to aim for the younger crowd. Yes the exhaust and taillight are ugly, but the exhaust was ugly on my 1979 and is usually one of the first things to hit the trash can. I hope they sell a bunch of them.

Those mega mufflers are ugly but they are also a function of epa noise abatement laws. In retrospect I think the Sportster S is aimed more at the FTR line than the Scout, the price points are more in line, HP similar, look at the exhaust on the FTR, more EPA influenced noise design.

HD is selling every single Pan America they make, they can't keep up in production, hopefully this will follow along the same lines. Dealers are getting $$ over MSRP, yes I know capitalism sucks, but thats the Pandemic market today.

I can't wait to test ride both...

I think that bike puts Harley in a weird spot. If I was shopping for something in that vein, I would spend less money and buy the better looking Scout or pony up a little more and buy the better looking and performing Diavel. I think the the Pan America looks like a really good bike, but I don't see it in the new Sportster.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
HD is selling every single Pan America they make, they can't keep up in production

It's a sharp looking bike. I'd like about an hour on one to see what it's all about but I'm certain I wouldn't buy one new right now. MoCo did a good job with the Pan America, the Sportster? Not so much (IMHO )

It's the same engine design as the Pan America, and that bike has 150 HP,

Bet a tuning kit for the Sportster S is on the horizon, Stage 2 or 3 with chip, filter, exhaust and you'll be pushing 150 hp easy...

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
... obviously HD is targeting youth buyers, ...

quote:

Originally posted by Calif Phil:
I am old ... This new bike is not designed for old guys like me ...

I'm old... -ish (70, this year). Maybe I'm just young at heart? I like it. I admit I like the Indian Scout more, though.

Now, as to whether my back would stand up to riding one of those for very long: That's another question entirely

It's almost certainly moot. My wife is fairly strongly opposed to me riding again and we've no room in the garage to park a bike, anyway

(Every time we drive by a bike for sale on the side of the road I start singing Arlo Guthrie's Motorcycle Song.)

Anyway, I kind of like it.

quote:

Originally posted by Calif Phil:
I am old ... This new bike is not designed for old guys like me ...

Burt Munro would beg to disagree about age and riding....

I see all kinds if Indians each week as the Dealership is just next door. Much more refined looking bikes than the stock Harleys. At one time they stocked a sweet red, white and, blue Scout. I keep watching the vids for 2021 Triumph Rocket3 R. What a great machine. Hope to see one in the wild one day.

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
I see all kinds if Indians each week as the Dealership is just next door. Much more refined looking bikes than the stock Harleys. At one time they stocked a sweet red, white and, blue Scout. I keep watching the vids for 2021 Triumph Rocket3 R. What a great machine. Hope to see one in the wild one day.

My local Indian dealer is also a Triumph (and BMW) dealer.
I checked out the R3 & it's a big bike, with a quite wide tank.
Didn't ride it, so no impressions there.
My father-in-law tried one a yew years ago & said he didn't like how the transmission felt, but that may be improved by now.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
It's clearly not for everyone, obviously HD is targeting youth buyers, upgrade the engine, improve the electronics, do away with the old styling.

Unfortunately, I just don't think they get anywhere close to that demo with this bike. If I'm young and looking for a bike, I have a myriad of Asian or European options that are faster, handle better, and cost far less. If HD wants to complete in this category, they need to further pare down the bike and make it much lighter, while improving the handling dynamics and lowering the price. And don't even get me started on the PanAmerica.

Those Harleys are horrid, my God and I was a Harley guy.
I did have a Scout and did some work on it. Damn fine motorcycle and wake the dead loud after I was done with it.
My 1st Harley was a 1200 Sportster that had carberators. That was a nice bike also. This new one looks like, well it looks like shit honestly.

I'll take this one i am getting old and need more stuff when i travel

I see the engine and the wheels.... Where's the rest of it?