For Bikers

[Busher]

Everyone knows that Harley Davidson's revenues are way down and that Polaris just sold the Indian brand to Carolwood LP. As a long time motorcyclist, I would very much like to hear what other riders think about the future of these two iconic brands.

[AKIron]

Harley has long been overpriced and they recently shot themselves in the foot. Maybe AMF will buy them, again. If Harley dies Indian might survive.

[AKIron]

The streets are more dangerous than ever these days. My riding days are behind me.

[Devil 505]

they recently shot themselves in the foot.

How so?

I'm not a biker, so what Harley is up to these days is unknown to me.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

No idea what will happen. Not sure I gave a damn anymore. The board of directors at Harley Davidson is a group of utter morons. They've chosen the worst possible CEO's for a while now. Their production choices are stupid. Their "M8" engines make a little more power, but they sound like crap, and are very trouble prone. They've lost their focus. Their dealerships almost all have the reputation as "stealerships". The quality of service is often poor, and the parts mark up is literally insane.

One of their absolute worst decisions was their move to outright ban Ronnie's Harley Davidson from selling online "outside their region". Ronnie's was selling parts at a reasonable markup, actually working to get people their parts, and offering a catalog look up system. They did nothing but HELP Harley Davidson customers keep their bikes on the road. That might well be the last straw for me. I'm rebuilding my NightTrain, and I had $800+ on order at Ronnie's, Harley Davidson refused to allow them to fill my order, so I could finish that bike. That order locally will cost me well over $1,000.

I took two years off to heal from radiation and surgery, and was getting ready to get my bikes ready for some good times. I'm sick of the crap. There's a damned good chance I'll finish my NightTrain, and put it and the CVO Pro Street Breakout up for sale. I love my bikes, I love riding. But I will be damned if I will be at the mercy of a company that quite literally rips their customers off intentionally.

[Animl-AW]

Everyone knows that Harley Davidson's revenues are way down and that Polaris just sold the Indian brand to Carolwood LP. As a long time motorcyclist, I would very much like to hear what other riders think about the future of these two iconic brands.

Meh! HD started their demise in the 90s-2000s when they made it a yuppie weekend warrior fad who bought the way over-priced, thinking a bike makes you a biker, barely road it, then sold it at a loss.

They need this wake up call that those bikes are way over priced.
If you customize it at all you lose the warrenty.

Sons of Anarchy gave them a spike, but thats over.

Indian also sold in Oct. their sales spiked when they came out again, but not seeing many anymore.

In NW Indiana traffic got so bad no one wants to ride in it. HDs for sale everywhere.

If I were younger I’d buy an Indian just to rebel.

I think the up coming generation is more interested in sitting on a PC over a motorcycle. They have a hard tome starting a lawn mower.

[AKIron]

How so?

I'm not a biker, so what Harley is up to these days is unknown to me.

I won't go into detail but their recent policies angered their base. They've since reversed that but damage done.

[Busher]

Harley has long been overpriced and they recently shot themselves in the foot. Maybe AMF will buy them, again. If Harley dies Indian might survive.

Valid points. But I think it's possible, maybe even likely that Carolwood LP will do to Indian what AMF did to Harley Davidson.

[nopoop]

Do a search on utube for harley problems. The M8 is garbage. The twin cam had problems. Last decent engine was the EVO.  Prices are through the roof for a product that has known problems.

Rode a 51 pan for thirty years without ANY problems. Last bike a 06 for $14k cost me 2 grand for the chip and  an exhaust system that didnt sound like a vacuum cleaner..

If I could still ride I would build a a pre 83 shovel wide glide 6" over in black...

Heres the twin cam problems. M8s are different problems.


https://youtu.be/YTEROhR-cEo?si=UztzvZ0cVXsWvVV7

[knorB]

Getting rid of the eurotrash at the top of HD was a good start. Now instead of trying to sell everyone a $90K CVO, selling real base models at a reasonable price is a good start. If they want to attract a younger clientele, add more and cheaper Rev Max bikes.  I'm talking things like the Bronx. Anyone that watches Moto America and likes the hooligan bikes wants a real hooligan and not a stripped down and tweaked Pan AM. It's also a good look that the new guy in charge signed up for the new rider program and went to a dealership to experience what the buyer sees. It would have been better to get an actual rider, but this was a good look.

As far as Indian goes... I have no idea how it is going to go. I hope it works out for them because they were kicking HD's tail, and they needed it. We as a customers need them to keep HD in check.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Do a search on utube for harley problems. The M8 is garbage. The twin cam had problems. Last decent engine was the EVO.  Prices are through the roof for a product that has known problems.

Rode a 51 pan for thirty years without ANY problems. Last bike a 06 for $14k cost me 2 grand for the chip and  an exhaust system that didnt sound like a vacuum cleaner..

If I could still ride I would build a a pre 83 shovel wide glide 6" over in black...

Heres the twin cam problems. M8s are different problems.


https://youtu.be/YTEROhR-cEo?si=UztzvZ0cVXsWvVV7

The only real problems I've seen on Twin Cams are the tensioners for the chains. Those are pretty much a consumable, regardless of what they're in. Every engine manufacturer has them fail, it's a matter of how well you maintain it and how hard you beat on it. You can get rid of them with an S&S kit. You can also use high quality synthetic oil, and a good oil cooler and triple the life span.

The M8, that's another train wreck entirely. Those things have ugly oiling system issues, and if the valvetrain has a problem, it's really ugly. But they have some pretty serious power potential. You just need to get all your stuff from someone like George Bryce at Star Racing.

Both the Twin cam and M8 could have a crank problem, I haven't seen many of them fail though.

I really like my Twin Cam bikes. I wouldn't own an M8.

[Animl-AW]

Do a search on utube for harley problems. The M8 is garbage. The twin cam had problems. Last decent engine was the EVO.  Prices are through the roof for a product that has known problems.

Rode a 51 pan for thirty years without ANY problems. Last bike a 06 for $14k cost me 2 grand for the chip and  an exhaust system that didnt sound like a vacuum cleaner..

If I could still ride I would build a a pre 83 shovel wide glide 6" over in black...

Heres the twin cam problems. M8s are different problems.


https://youtu.be/YTEROhR-cEo?si=UztzvZ0cVXsWvVV7

EVO was/is king.

Pan heads have a distinct sound, you know the diff right away when ya A&B them.
I know several that still have them. They look killer.

[Animl-AW]

Valid points. But I think it's possible, maybe even likely that Carolwood LP will do to Indian what AMF did to Harley Davidson.

Dear God,
Just NO

- Animl Crackers

[knorB]

The only real problems I've seen on Twin Cams are the tensioners for the chains. Those are pretty much a consumable, regardless of what they're in. Every engine manufacturer has them fail, it's a matter of how well you maintain it and how hard you beat on it. You can get rid of them with an S&S kit. You can also use high quality synthetic oil, and a good oil cooler and triple the life span.

The M8, that's another train wreck entirely. Those things have ugly oiling system issues, and if the valvetrain has a problem, it's really ugly. But they have some pretty serious power potential. You just need to get all your stuff from someone like George Bryce at Star Racing.

Both the Twin cam and M8 could have a crank problem, I haven't seen many of them fail though.

I really like my Twin Cam bikes. I wouldn't own an M8.

on the twin cams Hydro tensioners fix that problem for the most part. The big problem IMO is when HD stopped using the tapered bearing on the crank. I believe that was 03?

EVO was/is king.

Pan heads have a distinct sound, you know the diff right away when ya A&B them.
I know several that still have them. They look killer.

Evo's were great in for the time. That said you have to be very aware of valvetrain geometry and watch the weak points on the case when you start making big power.

[Animl-AW]

on the twin cams Hydro tensioners fix that problem for the most part. The big problem IMO is when HD stopped using the tapered bearing on the crank. I believe that was 03?




Evo's were great in for the time. That said you have to be very aware of valvetrain geometry and watch the weak points on the case when you start making big power.

How about they stop selling prototypes. God forbid long term testings.