No more Springers?
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Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
No more Springers?
I was looking at the Harley Davidson website the other day.
I noticed that there were not standard softails and no springers of any type.
Did I over look something or is this true. I know it maybe only for this year, but what is going on?
I noticed that there were not standard softails and no springers of any type.
Did I over look something or is this true. I know it maybe only for this year, but what is going on?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 1
From: Edgerton, WI
Springers arent really all that popular anymore. The suspension is harder to fine-tune.
Harley has really come on some hard times lately, so perhaps they are cutting back and only making the models that sell really well.
I know that Harley's sales were down a lot this year. A lot of people nowdays are buying import cruisers because of how much less expensive. Also, Victory has greatly improved their bikes and have come out with some very sweet bikes. A lot of people are switching to Victory because they are just as American as a Harley and because unlike Harley, Victory isnt afraid to make changes and come out with radical designs. You cant roll out the same bikes year after year and expect people to trade-up all the time.
Harley has really come on some hard times lately, so perhaps they are cutting back and only making the models that sell really well.
I know that Harley's sales were down a lot this year. A lot of people nowdays are buying import cruisers because of how much less expensive. Also, Victory has greatly improved their bikes and have come out with some very sweet bikes. A lot of people are switching to Victory because they are just as American as a Harley and because unlike Harley, Victory isnt afraid to make changes and come out with radical designs. You cant roll out the same bikes year after year and expect people to trade-up all the time.
Thread Starter
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Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
<a href="http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd215/khadma/?action=view¤t=DSC00208.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd215/khadma/DSC00208.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Here's my springer in progress.
I myself would buy an import cruiser. I am partial to Yamahas. The Warrior and Raider are my first cruiser choices.
Here's my springer in progress.
I myself would buy an import cruiser. I am partial to Yamahas. The Warrior and Raider are my first cruiser choices.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by Octane
I know that Harley's sales were down a lot this year. A lot of people nowdays are buying import cruisers because of how much less expensive. You cant roll out the same bikes year after year and expect people to trade-up all the time.
Thread Starter
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Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
BMW is high class, and very well built machines.
In fact, the Honolulu Police Dept dumped all the Harley patrol bikes because of death wobble proplems - as in serious accidents - with the Harleys.
Quess what the HPD rides now, you got it BMWs. I wish I could ride one - fully equipped PD version that is.
Harleys and choppers are slowly losing popularity around here. Sports bikes are gaining ground..
Too bad we don't have a race track any more, we need a place to wind up our engines and ride em like the were designed for.
In fact, the Honolulu Police Dept dumped all the Harley patrol bikes because of death wobble proplems - as in serious accidents - with the Harleys.
Quess what the HPD rides now, you got it BMWs. I wish I could ride one - fully equipped PD version that is.
Harleys and choppers are slowly losing popularity around here. Sports bikes are gaining ground..
Too bad we don't have a race track any more, we need a place to wind up our engines and ride em like the were designed for.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 42,085
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From: Lakewood, Ca.
Originally Posted by khadma
<a href="http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd215/khadma/?action=view¤t=DSC00208.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd215/khadma/DSC00208.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Here's my springer in progress.
I myself would buy an import cruiser. I am partial to Yamahas. The Warrior and Raider are my first cruiser choices.
Here's my springer in progress.
I myself would buy an import cruiser. I am partial to Yamahas. The Warrior and Raider are my first cruiser choices.
Thread Starter
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Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
yes, BDL 3 inch, suicide clutch/shifter, and 48 inch sissy bars. I'll get more pics up too.
It is a retro chopper based on the WLA-45.
It is a retro chopper based on the WLA-45.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Sweetwater Texas
Originally Posted by khadma
BMW is high class, and very well built machines.
As I tell people, I would rather take a 79 Ford 4x4 on 44 boggers with a great 460, over any import supercar.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Originally Posted by Dean88
As I tell people, I would rather take a 79 Ford 4x4 on 44 boggers with a great 460, over any import supercar.
Government Teat-sucker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Virginia Beach
That's a sweet springer you got. I can just imagine what it sounds like when you crack the throttle open! You are, however, a dying breed. Not many people (myself included) have the time, money or desire to build their own bikes from the ground up. I admire those that do, however.
Perhaps HD still has them, but you have to request one, and they'll build it for you. The Springer appeals to a certain type of rider and there just aren't that many of you. It would be simpler for them to build you one than it would to build too many and have to give them away.
Perhaps HD still has them, but you have to request one, and they'll build it for you. The Springer appeals to a certain type of rider and there just aren't that many of you. It would be simpler for them to build you one than it would to build too many and have to give them away.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
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From: Edgerton, WI
Originally Posted by Dean88
True, they are high class, but nothin sounds like a Harley
About 5 years ago, Harley tried to patent the sound of their engines. You know what happened? The judge laughed in their face and threw their case out.
The fact is that from the factory, Harleys are as quiet as any import cruiser. Its just that most Harley people put loud pipes on them. If you put loud pipes on a Honda or Yamaha cruiser, they would sound exactly like a Harley.
Ive always wanted a Buell, but in terms of cruisers, Im partial to Victory. They are just as American (and less Japanese) as a Harley, but their designs are much more radical and cutting-edge. A friend of mine got a new Victory Hammer last summer. He goes to a lot of biker rallies and goes on a lot of those charity rides. He's told me that everywhere he goes, he is almost constantly getting Harley people coming up to him, asking him about his bike and saying, "thats one sweet ride, I gotta trade my Harley in on one of those".
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 798
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From: Alma Arkansas
True, they are high class, but nothin sounds like a Harley
I always thought a John Deere B model with a rusted out muffler sounded pretty close.
It bugs me that Harley owners refer to thier engines as being V-twins. Techinicaly they are a two cylinder RADIAL. As they don't have a seperate throw of the crank for each piston but rather they use a master-and-articulating-rod assembly like aircraft engines.
http://www.aviation-history.com/engines/radial.htm
Thread Starter
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Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
Originally Posted by Dean88
True, they are high class, but nothin sounds like a Harley
As I tell people, I would rather take a 79 Ford 4x4 on 44 boggers with a great 460, over any import supercar.
As I tell people, I would rather take a 79 Ford 4x4 on 44 boggers with a great 460, over any import supercar.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by Octane
LOL...Ok, whatever. All big v-twins sound the same. Its not as if Harley's engines and exhaust are oh so special.
About 5 years ago, Harley tried to patent the sound of their engines.
About 5 years ago, Harley tried to patent the sound of their engines.
I like the sound of a stock Harley (pretty quiet) but most buyers have the mufflers replaced before they take delivery. I just ride my BMW and don't need earplugs.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
My understanding, and it could be completely wrong, is that you can still get a springer front end, but its a dealer installed accessory... At least thats what I had been told.
I ride an 89 Kawasaki 454LTD... inline twin, DOHC- thing runs like a bat outta h*** and pulls to 10 grand... It is as smooth as a sewing machine, and has great balance to boot. I sure would like a road king, but I could buy 3 of my bike for one road king. Besides- it's paid for!
I would ask a dealer about the springer though... maybe it can still be done?
Andy
I ride an 89 Kawasaki 454LTD... inline twin, DOHC- thing runs like a bat outta h*** and pulls to 10 grand... It is as smooth as a sewing machine, and has great balance to boot. I sure would like a road king, but I could buy 3 of my bike for one road king. Besides- it's paid for!
I would ask a dealer about the springer though... maybe it can still be done?
Andy
Last edited by andrewk; Jan 1, 2008 at 10:18 PM. Reason: grammar