Harley Pan American coming 2/21/2021

[~TABASCO~]

Picture this, after a 100+ years these dealers have never experienced a big muddy mess rolling in the shop, and it to be ‘expected’.
They have delt with highway dirt, but not BDR “dirt” lol

I wonder what most of these Harley techs are thinking when this big dirt machine rolled up in there rack? Lol

Someone recently posted what great luck he has had with his Tenere. I don’t remember the mileage exactly but his Tenere was about 100K, he had another bike with like 300K and his Harley with 200K. Something like that. Someone asked him if he has the same great luck with the Harley, his response made me crack the hell up. I wish I knew where that was so I could re post it. He goes on to respond to the question (in a funny way IMOP) about all the parts that failed, broke, cracked, fell off going down the high way, Etc. I think he said they had stopped excepting his extended warranty because there where so many issues. It was funny and classic.
This is an extremely competitive market with many awesome machines. If Harley comes in with this hokey-pokey “it might last 30K miles” BS, they are going to have there ass handed to them in a big way from this segment.
Good luck to them, I think more the better. This is just a game they are not ready for unless they step it WAY up !

 

[Sierra1]

I remember the post you're talking about. If I remember correctly, it was Ballisticexchris being his typical smart a** self when he asked that question. I laughed my a** off. H-D is known for their style, first and foremost. Part of that style is fixing what goes wrong. It's all part of their "charm". I would love to buy/support an American bike. If H-D had Yamaha dependability/reliability/durability, I would be riding an H-D. But, I've worked to hard for my money, to buy an inferior product.

 

[WJBertrand]

Harley used to sell dirt bikes in the ‘70s. They had a pretty successful little 125, called the Rapido as I recall. Almost 100 years ago


https://nationalmcmuseum.org/2017/10/06/1970-harley-davidson-rapido-ml-125s/


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[Tenman]

 

[Mak10]

Harley Davidson snowmobiles too. Different company then.

 

[Sierra1]

I thought it looked better....

It does. Your avatar pic is greatness.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Harley used to sell dirt bikes in the ‘70s. They had a pretty successful little 125, called the Rapido as I recall. Almost 100 years ago

https://nationalmcmuseum.org/2017/10/06/1970-harley-davidson-rapido-ml-125s/

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The Harley dirt bikes of the 60s (& early 70s?) were absolute pieces of crap made in Italy by Aermacchi and they were part of my intro to motorcycles. My friend Danny got one and it was free or nearly so and we boys were totally nuts over it. A REAL motorcycle!!!

The thing couldn't go more than a day or two without seizing or breaking and Danny got another as a parts bike, then came across another, then another. . . There were a bunch around, they'd rust fast, and nobody could keep them going reliably so we'd pick them up for peanuts. I think his Dad pulled the plug on us when we had the pieces of a half dozen taking up the garage.

 

[Stantdm]

I suppose Harley has lost its core market numbers of the hardcore bikers as well as that bunch who buy one and ride it 5,000 miles in ten years. Indian has grabbed some of their sales but in terms of cruiser sales HD is still the king. It is just a lot smaller kingdom than it used to be. I grew up when bike people wore black leather jackets and those little caps with the hard plastic bill. Everybody rode a HD or an Indian and then just HD was left. Harley has some new products coming out but they have to be careful not to alienate what is left of their core market. Ten years or more ago Willie Davidson said Harley will always be a V twin and that alone makes it difficult for them to find new business. In the late fifties and sixties they tried that fling with Aermacchi and then there was Buell and new bikes like that ugly 500 single and now they make a couple of urban V twins in 500 and 750 displacement that sell poorly. My guess is the ADV bike is not going to sell like hotcakes and that leaves Harley with the "what do we do now" problem. Part of the reality is that US motorcycle sales are down. I thought the Buell was a good fit for Harley but apparently they did not sell enough of them to justify keeping them in the lineup. A $20K ADV bike isn't going to do well against a Africa Twin at $12K when the buyer doesn't have a Harley or nothing mindset. Just my opinion of course.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

T.... we boys were totally nuts over it. A REAL motorcycle!!!

The thing couldn't go more than a day or two without seizing or breaking

Wow does that sound familiar! My very first bike was a Chaprral 80. Purchased for $100 from the kid who's father owned the lawn mower repair business on the block. Never kept it running for more than 5 minutes at a time. After a day or two of that it was permanently returned to the lawn mower repair shop. Lessons learned by both sets of fathers and sons in that transaction.

 

[Sierra1]

….Indian has grabbed some of their sales but in terms of cruiser sales HD is still the king..…Harley has some new products coming out but they have to be careful not to alienate what is left of their core market.....and that leaves Harley with the "what do we do now" problem....A $20K ADV bike isn't going to do well against a Africa Twin at $12K when the buyer doesn't have a Harley or nothing mindset. Just my opinion of course.

I think as time goes by, Indian will gain a larger share of the market. And, that's why I think that H-D is trying all these different types of bikes; they know they have to do something. You're right about the H-D or nothing mindset. Some people don't care how good or bad a bike is....as long as it says Harley Davidson.

 

[RogerRZ]

Some people don't care how good or bad a bike is....as long as it says Harley Davidson.

And as was alluded to earlier in the thread, those that care about such things, probably wont pay an extra dime just because it says Harley Davidson on the tank. They'll use the money they saved on fuel or farkles.

 

[WJBertrand]

I think as time goes by, Indian will gain a larger share of the market. And, that's why I think that H-D is trying all these different types of bikes; they know they have to do something. You're right about the H-D or nothing mindset. Some people don't care how good or bad a bike is....as long as it says Harley Davidson.

This. Indian has the advantage of not having to appeal to an aging traditional core of loyalist. It's very important for them to introduce different genres of bikes early before their core settles in and becomes intolerant of anything viewed as non-traditional in their eyes. I think Indian appeals to a more open minded customer base. I'd certainly consider buying an Indian before Harley, mostly because I really don't identify with the Harley image/stigma. Also the Consumer Reports reliability ratings put Indian & Victory well above Harley in that respect.

 

[ballisticexchris]

I think as time goes by, Indian will gain a larger share of the market. And, that's why I think that H-D is trying all these different types of bikes; they know they have to do something. You're right about the H-D or nothing mindset. Some people don't care how good or bad a bike is....as long as it says Harley Davidson.

This. Indian has the advantage of not having to appeal to an aging traditional core of loyalist. It's very important for them to introduce different genres of bikes early before their core settles in and becomes intolerant of anything viewed as non-traditional in their eyes. I think Indian appeals to a more open minded customer base. I'd certainly consider buying an Indian before Harley, mostly because I really don't identify with the Harley image/stigma. Also the Consumer Reports reliability ratings put Indian & Victory well above Harley in that respect.

It's funny you guys mention Indian. They are flogging the competition on the flat track circuit. https://www.americanflattrack.com/results/default

And anyone with an AMA racing license can buy one ready to race:



How is Harley going to compete with a much more reliable bike at half the price. And you can walk into a local Indian dealership, purchase this bike today, and ride home on it. It needs some protection but at least it's ready to ride.

https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/ftr-rally/



The Pan America is still nothing more than internet rumor. There is not one dealership in the world that has one on the floor ready to sell. As far as I'm concerned the bike is a myth for the consumer.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/future-vehicles/pan-america.html?source_cd=SEM_Retention_PPC&_cr=ppc|GOOGLE|Future_Pan-Am_Brand_E|Pan-Am|harley pan america&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhojzBRC3ARIsAGtNtHX-F7hSYF8kkRSWsk3zi0PTrw_K0DM65YO_MTMWfvNdITIF2OmaJP8aAsq8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Checkswrecks]

Launch is scheduled for Feb 22, 2021.

2024 Adventure Touring Motorcycles

Adventure Touring motorcycles at Harley-Davidson will add excitement to your life. Explore your favorite trails or hit the roads on our off-road motorcycles.

www.harley-davidson.com

and

Harley-Davidson's Pan America Officially Lands On Feb 22

Trust me when I say that I was pretty bummed to hear Harley’s new management had decided to ax the streetfighter-style Bronx from the brand’s future plans. That burn was only salved by the fact that the wicked dual-sport Pan America is still planned for launch next year. The Motor Company is...

jalopnik.com

Article about Jason Momoa and his love for bikes:

Where the Wild Stomped In, A New Mini-doc by Jason Momoa on his Love of Motorcycles

Jason Momoa loves his Harley. Released on Father's Day, in his new min-documentary, in partnership with Harley-Davidson, Momoa narrates his story and shares his passion, his family and his first ride. And now, at age 40, he builds his first knucklehead with the help of a few friends. It's a...

eatsleepride.com

 

[Sierra1]

Wow. . . . that has got to be one of the fugliest bikes I have ever seen. I can't put my finger on it, but it reminds me of something. Maybe an old, upright vacuum cleaner. Also, I wish I was a celebrity, and turn my love of motorcycling into a money making venture. I know it sounds like sour grapes, but I didn't even know he rode one.

 

[gunslinger_006]

I feel like no one on a tenere forum can talk shit about how ugly a bike looks...


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[Sierra1]

Dude. . . . I will agree that the T-12 is no prom queen, but that thing is next level ugly. Maybe a beak would help.

 

[gunslinger_006]

Dude. . . . I will agree that the T-12 is no prom queen, but that thing is next level ugly. Maybe a beak would help.

I agree it looks like an angry vacuum cleaner.

I...think i like how totally ugly it is. Its growing on me.


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[PhilPhilippines]

Picture this, after a 100+ years these dealers have never experienced a big muddy mess rolling in the shop, and it to be ‘expected’.
They have delt with highway dirt, but not BDR “dirt” lol

I wonder what most of these Harley techs are thinking when this big dirt machine rolled up in there rack? Lol

Someone recently posted what great luck he has had with his Tenere. I don’t remember the mileage exactly but his Tenere was about 100K, he had another bike with like 300K and his Harley with 200K. Something like that. Someone asked him if he has the same great luck with the Harley, his response made me crack the hell up. I wish I knew where that was so I could re post it. He goes on to respond to the question (in a funny way IMOP) about all the parts that failed, broke, cracked, fell off going down the high way, Etc. I think he said they had stopped excepting his extended warranty because there where so many issues. It was funny and classic.
This is an extremely competitive market with many awesome machines. If Harley comes in with this hokey-pokey “it might last 30K miles” BS, they are going to have there ass handed to them in a big way from this segment.
Good luck to them, I think more the better. This is just a game they are not ready for unless they step it WAY up !

In the 1250GS post IIRC. Was funny and honest.

 

[PhilPhilippines]

Dude. . . . I will agree that the T-12 is no prom queen, but that thing is next level ugly. Maybe a beak would help.

.....and wings, and flying south for the winter...?