Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Harley-Davidson Livewire

Fine.

The 650 then.

I wonder if that time includes always burning the headlights?

She's been riding for a couple of years, but never got her license. This year I told her she had to get it to ride on the highway, so she skipped class for 3 days to take the H-D MSF course. They took it on brand new street 500s. When it was over she said the course was fun but hated that underpowered bike. We are actually going to look at an 883 sportster for her, as she's more old school.

Of course it does you stupid fugk.

Probably. LEDs don't use that much power. Can't turn the lights off.

A SPORTSTER?

Barf.

Glad you can spend time with your kids though.

Fugk. Are we boycotting electric motorcycles?

That thing is fuggin’ sweet!

What a joke...

It's for the best. The torque would probably jerk the bike right out from under some folks.

5 minute video. How long does the battery last?

They’ve been trying to sell “practical” motorcycles for a long time, since before the 650 Honda SilverWing at least. The latest attempt is the Bergman (??). Sales of these various incarnations have always been flat.

The thing I have against the 883 is that it’s geared lower than the 1200 in every gear, seems like it’d be sort of busy at highway speeds.

For short runs to the grocery store or easy commuter purposes, maybe.. For anyone that actually RIDES (as in: 200-600 miles/day or a long, 5-10 day trip) they're about as worthless as a screen door on a submarine.. Range + time to charge = severe limitations..

IMHO HD should concentrate on what they do best - and stay away from any such electric bike..

I can see no reason to get an 883, when a 1200 on the same platform, is available. Had a 1200 2007 Sportster. Nice bike, inexpensive to operate, entertaining. Currently on a 2009 Lowrider. Still adjusting! Figured I was done going fast. Spent a whole bunch of years dragging knees. The cops didn't use to be so para-military then. Electric cars really haven't caught on yet, primarily due to range limitations and down time. Run out of gas on a ride, you're up and running in a relatively short ride. Electric? I guess you have to go back later and collect it.

Agreed. The goose that laid the golden egg, our generation, is passing away, meanwhile I feel for all the dealers who were compelled to invest in those friggin’ Harley superstores.

In the eyes of the public Harleys ironically have become “old fat guy bikes”, if they can keep their roots alive, eventually they will be rediscovered.

Right now when I step into a Harley mall I see Sportsters and “Streets”, both too small for all-day passengers, then it jumps up to friggin 800+lb motorized sofas that most folks couldn’t pick up by themselves if they fell over. I wish there were a range of bikes in between.

Most damning in my mind tho is that the dealerships will not work on bikes over a certain age, proof-positive IMHO that Harley has lost its soul.

OR just pay attention to battery charge level and not try to go farther than you have the electrons for. Even gas bikes have fuel gauges now. And my 2009 HD softail even has a miles remaining countdown display - they can do the same thing with battery state.

HD actually has added several models to that 'mid-range' area over the last couple years.. And more and more younger riders are gravitating to those - at least, that's what I see when I drop in to the biggest dealer in the area (St. Paul HD). I had an HD Switchback for about three years. Smaller, lighter, but rode pretty rough (Dyna suspension).. Traded it last year for a Street Glide. MUCHO better (full touring suspension).. But then I tend to ride anywhere from 100-300 miles/day when the weather permits and I don't get tired/stiff from its use..

That's not limited to HD.. Few dealers will work with any bike over 12-15 years old, if for no other reason than parts may not be available.. That's the main reason I sold my '87 Kawasaki Voyager 1300-6 after 18 years of solid, reliable operation.. I knew that if something finally gave way I'd not be able to get it fixed.. It was time to get rid of it.. Helluva bike, though...especially at that time..

600 miles a day is one helluva commute.

“Parts not available”?

For a Harley?

See, they sold their soul, lost their way, switched over to building disposable bikes, just like that other nation who’s name I won’t invoke just now.

Meanwhile it’s gotta be depressing to be an HD dealer; ya had to build a mall, clean used Harley’s are being sold at giveaway prices, your customer demographic is literally dying off, and first they were sending you “Streets” to sell, and now they’re gonna send you ebikes?

JMHO