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Harley-Davidson Developing New, Liquid-Cooled Models for Adventure and Naked Segments (with video)

Prototype 2020 Harley-Davidson Pan America

Harley Davidson has announced a big push into new market segments with modular liquid-cooled engines. Sixteen new bikes will utilize the new 60° v-twins in displacements of 500cc, 750cc, 975cc, and 1250cc. These will be DOHC designs, so expect modern, competitive levels of horsepower and torque.

Pictured are a couple of prototypes shown by Harley of a new adventure model called the Pan America, displacing 1250cc, as well as a Streetfighter displacing 975cc. Harley expects these to be introduced as 2020 models.

Harley also emphasized the importance of electric models in its future. Pictured near the bottom of this article is the 2019 LiveWire. An entire “family of products” in the EV category will range all the way down to bicycles.

“Traditional” cruiser models will continue to be developed. Here is a summary from Harley-Davidson of its future plans, followed by a video:

It’s a fast-changing world with new consumer demands. Alongside our existing loyal riders, we will lead the next revolution of two-wheeled freedom to inspire future riders who have yet to even think about the thrill of riding.

Prototype 2020 Harley-Davidson Pan America

NEW PRODUCTS

We are planning our most comprehensive lineup of motorcycles. Highlights include:

  • Extending the company’s leadership in heavyweight motorcycles by continuing to develop improved, more technologically-advanced Touring and Cruiser motorcycles that will keep existing Harley-Davidson riders engaged and riding longer.
  • Introducing a new modular 500cc to 1250cc middleweight platform of motorcycles that spans three distinct product spaces and four displacements, starting with the company’s first Adventure Touring motorcycle, the Harley-Davidson™ Pan America™ 1250, a 1250cc Custom model and a 975cc Streetfighter model, all of which are planned to launch beginning in 2020. Additional models to broaden coverage in these product spaces will follow through 2022.
  • Developing a more accessible, small-displacement (250cc to 500cc) motorcycle for Asia emerging markets through a planned strategic alliance with a manufacturer in Asia.  This new product and broader distribution is intended to fuel Harley-Davidson’s customer access and growth in India, one of the largest, fastest growing markets in the world, and other Asia markets.
  • Leading the electric motorcycle market by launching Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorcycle, LiveWire™, in 2019 — the first in a broad, no-clutch “twist and go” portfolio of electric two-wheelers designed to establish the company as the leader in the electrification of the sport. LiveWire will be followed by additional models through 2022 to broaden the portfolio with lighter, smaller and even more accessible product options to inspire new riders with new ways to ride.

Prototype 2020 Harley-Davidson Streetfighter

BROADER ACCESS

We plan to advance our market delivery approach and meet today’s customer needs by:

  • Creating high-engagement customer experiences across all retail channels – including improving and expanding the company’s global digital capabilities by evolving the Harley-Davidson.com experience to integrate with and enhance the dealership retail experience for existing and new customers.
  • Establishing strategic alliances with global leading e-commerce providers to extend access to Harley-Davidson to a pool of millions of potential new customers.
  •  New retail formats — including smaller, urban storefronts globally to expose the brand to urban populations and drive sales of the expanded Harley-Davidson product portfolio and expand international apparel distribution.

Prototype 2020 Harley-Davidson Streetfighter

STRONGER DEALERS

Our world-class dealer network is an integral part of the company’s accelerated strategy and critical to overall success. We will implement a performance framework to significantly enhance the strength of the dealer network and the customer experience, enabling the best-performing and most entrepreneurial dealers to drive innovation and success for themselves and Harley-Davidson — while providing the premium customer experience the brand is known for across an increasingly diverse product and customer base.

2019 Harley-Davidson LiveWire


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241 Comments

  1. Buzzard says:

    I’ve ridden Japanese bikes for years. harley riders gave me”Crap” all the time. It was bad, yet I drag raced them and kicked their butts ALL the time. In 2003 I purchased a Harley Fatboy and truly enjoyed it. Different horsepower, ride etc. Fun and I still had 3 other Japanese bikes. They all have a different application. In reading the different comments it’s sad people can have a opinion about something they know nothing about. Times have changed the Harley riders wave to me no matter what bike I’m on. Oh by the way they have gotten smart and where Full-Face helmets. Now they’re trying to adapt to current market demands. If you LOVE 2 wheels give them a chance! Thank You!

  2. MrD says:

    Hmmm…these look a lot like Buell concepts to me, perhaps if H-D worked with him a little better, they could have had a chunk of these markets already. That being said, I like the looks of these. The Pan-America is an interesting looking rig. I wonder if it will get the 500 & 750 treatment. I wish them luck.

  3. Cyclemotorist says:

    I think they should consider adopting B-King style exhaust for the Pan Am.

  4. Tom K. says:

    Been thinking about this. It “may” be that these new models aren’t even really intended for U.S. consumption. Sure, they’ll be sold here, since the dealer network already exists, but the intent by HD may not be to set the US market on fire with these. The Rest of the World, however? Harley is popular across the globe not because of the technological superiority or price point of their machines – they are selling well outside the U.S. because of the allure of the brand, which rolls “USA / Outlaw / History / Cool” all into one product – and to be honest, this is their formula for success even within the U.S.A. Kind of similar to the “Jeep” brand, which is probably worth as much as the rest of FCA put together. And just as Jeep is able to sell products that have deviated greatly from the Wrangler, maybe Harley feels its brand is strong enough to do the same thing with genres other than its traditional cruiser lineup. If Coca-Cola brings a new product to market, people are much more willing to try it relative to a new offering by “Fizzy Pop Inc.”. It’s all about the Brand, Baby, which is worth more to HD than all its factories put together.

    My brother-in-law told me once that “If you throw enough poop at the wall, some of it’s going to stick”. Rather than “Going Quietly Into the Good Night”, HD is going to do something, even if it’s wrong. Same thing with electric motorcycles. Bold moves, whether it pays off or not will be in history books that won’t be written for another twenty years or so.

  5. Jammer97 says:

    Too little Too late! Their trying to follow other manufacturers into segments that are already saturated with the best bikes money can buy. Their going to have to sell them really cheap cause an aged out old HOG rider isn’t going to buy one and theres not enough young people interested in their cruisers to maintain their market share. Good for them for trying. However, their dealerships are abysmal. Ya I ride a Harley. It had the main countershaft bearing go out. Ya I boneheaded it and ran it with the belt too tight. Anyway, the service manager told me that they don’t do those kinda repairs here. So I found an independant shop to get it done. Their service is just a bunch of EFFin chrome swappers.

  6. Anonymous says:

    I can see Harley being the leader in electric bikes in the future, shocking! Even if HD didn’t make much money selling these bikes, it would go a long way in changing their image. Next biker movie “A/C Rider”.

    • b says:

      Anon, I just don’t see what you are see’in. Maybe I’m smoking the wrong rope/dope.
      Their E-bike looks like a top-coil ‘fridge from the ’30’s.

  7. Kent says:

    “world-class dealer network”

    Which word is this dealer network on? Not Earth.
    The dealer network is what’s helping to kill Harley. It needs to be flushed and started over, but that’s not going to happen.

    How much crap does a guy get for wanting a Sportster (a 45 horsepower, 600 pound “girl’s bike”). Do you really think those same Neanderthals will be able to sell me a dual sport?

    The attitude in HD dealerships is toxic, and has to change. I just don’t see it happening.

  8. Anonymous says:

    I’ll give them credit for trying something new and the Streetfighter looks pretty nice. Their old base is aging out. Let their designers and engineers stretch their legs a bit, throw some new designs out there and maybe something will stick with the younger folks.

    I grew up thinking Cadillacs were slow land barges for retirees and now I drive a CTS and love it. Smart companies can change.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Nobody is gonna cross shop a Beemer GS with a bike that makes more heat and noise than power.

  10. kjazz says:

    The streetfighter looks pretty good as does the Livewire, but the Adventure bike…PanAmerica…. gawd….they should slap “Buick” on it. This is like the devolution of motorcycling….

    But then I think to myself, well, I believe in “Form Follows Function”….so even if it is the ugliest thing to ever come off an assembly line, if it works well…. then more power to Harley for trying.

    But it really does look like an abortive attempt at mating a Harley with a Buick….yuck.

    • Zuki says:

      Pan Am with a bit of 1969 Riviera styling DNA? Hell yes! I simply don’t understand when it’s so blatantly obvious to even the most casual observer how ugly the GS is. I think you’re confusing the Pan Am and Buick for ‘BMW GS and Edsel’.

  11. Grover says:

    I do believe Harley’s attempt at going in a new direction will be difficult as they tend to operate in a vacuum where only HD’s exist. They’ll need to match performance, price and quality, something they’ve never done before AFAIK. If they do it right they will be successful. If not, they will probably scratch their collective heads in bewilderment and cry, “why doesn’t anyone want to buy our poor performing, overpriced slugs?” I’m hoping that they get out and see what the competition is and build a competitive product.

  12. MartyV says:

    SOOO many negative remarks. They have made some good changes in their line up with last years bikes, and they seem to be trying to change with the times. I wish them luck.

    • Joe T. says:

      Good for them! I hope they FINALLY have enough vision and courage to join the real motorcycling world. They need to close an old dealership for each new one they open. Their retail stores (dealerships) only know how to sell a ‘HOG.’ Look at Buell, MV Agusta, the Sportster, and the V-Rod.

      Again, I wish them well and hope they are truly serious.

      Joe T.

    • Kent says:

      Wish them luck? They bought MV for $100 million dollars, and sold it a year later for ONE dollar. They owned Buell and closed it without even trying to sell it.
      The dealerships treat people like crap, unless you’re a “biker”. Sadly for them, I’m a motorcyclist, not a biker.

      OK, so let’s say that they come up with some fantastic bikes. Where are they going to sell them? How are you going to get guys like me into the dealership that treated them like crap for *decades*?

      I see a lot of negative comments from people who have experience in a HD showroom. You reap what you sew, sorry to say.

  13. Magnus says:

    I’m not a Harley rider. I’ve tried a couple but didn’t like the power to weight ratio. These new offerings are more interesting than another take on the sportster or big twin To all the nay sayers, at least H-D is offering real bikes for us to look at, most new offerings aren’t even real. Everyone wants super bike power and handling for under $5 grand but reality is good quality costs money. Oh, and by the way, there is no such thing as a pretty ADV bike, that’s an oxymoron.

  14. HS1... says:

    I’ve pretty much disliked HD since I started riding in the early 70’s. Rude customers on the road (this seems to be improving, though), the rotten tariff, the damn noise pollution, the accountants dressed like land pirates thing, the marketing of 37 flavors of the same platform, the endless rolling roadblocks, the company has always left me beyond cold. However, these new bikes all seem like legitimate attempts at changing. I’ll wait for specs and ride reviews before I criticize or compliment them.

  15. HalfBaked says:

    The cynical, petty and condescending remarks made by many commenters are absolutely disgusting as they gleefully predict the demise of Harley Davidson with depraved indifference toward what that will mean for thousands of hard working Americans.

    • Kent says:

      Cynical, petty and condescending?
      How many years does a company and their customers treat you like crap before you write them off? I’ve been on a motorcycle for for 45 years, and have never had a good experience in a HD dealership (except for one guy who I talked Buells with) and very few positive experiences with HD riders.

      I’ve wanted an American bike in my garage for decades, but there’s *nothing* out there I care about. Now I’m supposed to forget 45 years of BS from Harley and stand in line to buy a bike?

      I put the blame for extremely loud pipes squarely on HD. The dealerships sell and install illegally loud pipes, they advertise and project the “”outlaw biker” image which is all about FREE_DUMB!!! and loud pipes. Now I have to hear that crap 20 times a day, and I live 1/4 mile from the road.

      Sorry, but I will NEVER forgive HD for the noise pollution that have encouraged.

      • SmokinRZ says:

        I’ve been riding almost 50 years. I couldn’t have said it nicer. They even fostered the attitude with sons of anarchy. Rot in Hell HD

  16. Anonymous says:

    The engine cases alone look to be 50-100pounds more than motorcycles they will be competing against. I wish them luck, but the only category they will win in comparison tests is styling. Which means that they will ultimately fail in attracting new clientele IMO. Price will probably be somewhere in the stratosphere too.

    • tuskerdu says:

      I don’t see the Pan winning any styling contests. Horrible.

      • Zuki says:

        Based on a couple of pictures you’ve come to that conclusion? Interesting that by judging two pictures you believe the engine cases alone are 50 to 100 lbs heavier than competitive motorcycles, and you have absolutely no knowledge on the performance aspects to conclude any other comparisons either.

        The Pan Am would win a styling contest if I were judging it. I think it’s very cleanly styled for an ADV bike.

        • Anonymous says:

          Both of these bikes look like Miatas with Corvette motors. I’ll be reaaallly surprised if the Pan Am is within 100 pounds of a BMW GS. If I was a betting man, I’d bet it’s closer to 200 more

          • Fast2win says:

            Get your wallet out

          • Selecter says:

            This is, without a doubt, the stupidest thing I’ve read on MD’s comments in quite some time. And that’s a tall order.

            BMW’s claimed ready-to-ride wet weight for the basic R-12-GS these days is 538 lbs.

            A 638-lb. wet H-D would make it the heaviest ADV bike in the class by about 30 lbs. – heavier than the porky Tenere, Tiger, Stelvio, and VFR, all of which are about 600 lbs., fully-fueled. That wouldn’t be all that much of a surprise in itself…

            A 738-lb. wet weight for the Dirt Glide would make it weigh more than a Heritage Classic. This is, as I opined previously, is flat friggin’ stupid.

          • Anonymous says:

            Talk is cheap. Harley has never been able to match horsepower/weight figures of its competitors, unless we’re talking about drag racing or cruisers, lol.

            This bike will be around 100 pounds heavier than a Beemer GS. That’s a deal breaker for the demographic they’re targeting.

          • Zuki says:

            I hate feeding a troll but your “Miata with Corvette motors” comment makes absolutely no sense. The small-block V8 is both compact and light and, if so desired, fits inside the Miata engine bay with room to spare. The hood closes and nobody would be the wiser of what is under the hood.

            You apparently know more than anyone else does about these new HD designs. Yeah, talk is cheap so I say you just seem scared the Pan Am will be better than the GS you fawn about. And really, if I were in the market for an new ADV bike (I already own a VFR-X) I wouldn’t (and didn’t) shop the GS at all because it’s too damned ugly. I wouldn’t care how good it is or not. I’d definitely be taking a serious look at the Pan Am based on looks alone. I believe the performance aspects of these new bikes will be very competitive.

          • Anonymous says:

            Aparently Harley is scared, otherwise we would be talking about a new cruiser and not an adventure bike.

            Im not trying to be a hater, just brutally honest. That’s how motorcycles are judged when people put function before form.. Brutally honest.

            By your own admission, you’re a Harley fan through and through. No offence, but they didn’t design an adventure bike to sell to the Harley faithful. They designed it to appeal to “weight-weenies” who buy “performance” bikes.

          • Zuki says:

            When did I say I’m a Harley fan, through and through? Nope. Yes I’ve liked a few Sportster models over the years. I like the Roadster they have now. Not the others so much. I’ve never owned an HD. I owned two Buells and loved them. Hated the HD dealer experience. I don’t like the stereotypical Harley attitude of everything else is junk. The HD attitude pisses me off. Your attitude towards HD is the same. I’m rooting for HD to succeed, and I’m applauding the change. You know squat about the function of these bikes and act as if you know. You’re an arm chair weenie hiding behind a screen that thinks they know everything about anything and everyone. You think you have a clue but you don’t.

          • Zuki says:

            Harley fan through and through you say to a person that just said they own a Honda? I own and have owned numerous vintage and contemporary Japanese motorcycles (a Suzuki fiend if you didn’t guess), and have never owned a Harley-Davidson. I did own two Buells and loved them, but not the dealer experience. I will admit I do like the HD Roadster. My last V-twin motorcycle I owned was a ’07 SV1000S. I do hope HD succeeds in their new endeavor branching out. I like what I like and cruisers typically aren’t it.

          • Anonymous says:

            Harleys are overweight, underpowered, overpriced, and they run hot. Go cry to your mom if my opinions offend you, I don’t care.

          • Zuki says:

            I agree they are overweight, under-powered, overpriced, and run hot. These new models will more than likely address these issues or it’s all for nothing. They definitely have big work to do on the dealership front as well. All I’m saying is you’re jumping the gun with assumptions of performance. These new models are a polar shift for HD.

        • Onto says:

          I hope they don’t change its looks just because of some silly comments from people who overreact when they see something new. When the Pan Am is out and about the people who don’t like it will soon change their mind.

          • Bart says:

            When it jumps Cesar’s Palace fountain successfully like Pastrama did last week with an Indian I will believe.

          • Zuki says:

            I agree, Onto. And I’m not even a Harley-Davidson fan. I hope they succeed in their new endeavor.

        • tuskerdu says:

          Take it easy, just an initial impression.

  17. fred says:

    Trail Glide

  18. PR says:

    Gee, why all the negativity? Everyone not riding a Harley criticizes it for bikes that are under-engineered and static and derivative, but when H-D tries to break out and try something new people get rattled. I say good for Harley and good for those of us who ride. More competition and choices can’t be a bad thing. After 8 motorcycles from the Japanese Big Four I got a Triumph and I’m thrilled. I like that Streetfighter (which seems like the old Yamaha MT-01 not sold in the US.) The adventure bike doesn’t move me but I’m not looking for an ADV anyway. Let’s see what the engineers can do when they’re given a challenge and something to inspire them to do great work.

  19. rider33 says:

    how, where, or why they got here really doesn’t matter any more, what matters is what they choose to do about it. I’d say they are back in the game. Maybe only a few will actually take off but it’s an educated gamble and for once a bold one. I’m glad to see it and don’t intend to judge the offerings until I have a chance to ride them.

  20. Patdep says:

    H-D are late in a new game for them . By the time they fix teething problems with their new power plants as usually happens and it takes 3 to 5 years , 2025 will deliver a road worthy motorbike?

  21. XR650Lover says:

    I used to root for an American company to make compelling motorcycles that would interest me and other “riders” who don’t want to take on the Pirate of Milwaukee fashion and the HOG mindset. The dismissal of Buell allowed gangrene to set in the foundations of the company and now they are splashing water from a mud puddle hoping the cure is in there somewhere.

    In the case of the Pan America, everything below the tank looks like a merger of Indian and Triumph which is not necessarily a bad thing. Whoever penned the Street Fighter should have their butts kicked by the designers of the Ducati Diavel. If they wanted to break into the other markets, a 500cc v-twin might as well made out of unobtanium. Their first move should have been the acquisition of a passport. They would would have discovered that the common denominator is a single cylinder motorcycle of 300cc or less.

    In South America, a 250cc/300cc bike represents the upper displacement strata. The vast majority of two wheeled transportation seems to be under 200cc and well spread between traditional motorcycles and scooters. If HD wanted to make a successful move into international markets, a single cylinder 250 adventure styled bike would have sold like crazy (IMHO).

    The less said about that excremental headlight situation the better.

  22. Mac Mitchel says:

    While I commend Harley for finally having the corporate courage to break out of their cruiser stereotype, it’s going to be an uphill battle. Harley’s problem is an industry-wide problem. Demographics and costs are working against them. Millennials aren’t interested in riding, and can’t afford a $15,000 to $20,000 dollar motorcycle anyway, which is what all these new models are going to cost, even if they are manufactured overseas. The middle class is shrinking in this country, and there aren’t enough upper class millennials that ride to expand Harley Davidsons market, no matter what kind of bikes they introduce. Harley says it wants to create 2 million more riders…well, unless they intend to give the rider training away for free, good luck with that. The reality is Harley Davidsons sales will continue to shrink until some equlibrium point is reached. They are in no danger of going out of business, but the days of making and selling 300,000 plus motorcycles is over. Look at Ford, Chrysler and GM sales numbers. Their heyday was decades ago. It will be the same for Harley Davidson.

    • Tom K. says:

      Excellent analysis, Mac. The problem is that HD wants to keep their stock price where it is when they are selling 300,000 bikes a year (350,000 worldwide in 2006, only chart I could find easily). They were making money when they were selling what, 70,000 units in 1990? So, they are in no danger of bankruptcy. But once you grow, it’s darned hard to shrink, the worst thing you can do to a billionaire is to make them a millionaire, the pain is too much to bear, LOL.

      I cannot in good conscience wish for the failure of an American company that employs thousands of American workers. But Harley has deserved a comeuppance for a long time with their corporate, dealer and customer attitudes. Maybe they should publicly apologize for their arrogance vis-a-vis William Wallace’s terms at Stirling Bridge (per the movie, anyway).

  23. carl says:

    You want to know how well these will sell?? How often do you see a harley 500 or 750? Nice boat anchors.

    • blitz11 says:

      I see one every day – my wife has one. To her, it’s the greatest bike on the planet. It needed a few mods (had to redesign the clutch lever/perch to make the reach reasonable – not sure what they were thinking), but it’s the right size for her, makes enough power for her (the 500 – it will cruise at 80 mph on Montana interstate when we have to ride interstate), and it runs every time she asks it. To her – perfect.

      That being said, she’s in the minority. i’ve yet to see another on the road.

  24. Cowboy says:

    I applaud HD’s attempt to shake up their designs. But it seems to me they are trying to reinvent the wheel. They already made one of the best looking motorcycles ever built, the XR 750. Build that bike, as a 750, a 1000, and a 1200. Keep them light, keep them inexpensive, keep them simple.

    Why do you think the entire motorcycle world is frothing over the Indian FTR 1200? They built the Harley that Harley should have built; and in fact, already had.

    Cowboy

  25. BILL D says:

    I can’t see how this idea can pan out. Buell was put off by itself. And then axed. The dealers could not understand the Buell bikes or their appeal. How are the dealers going to integrate a line of bikes that are at odds with the company’s decades of public persona?

  26. DonC says:

    Kudos to H-D for opening up new channels for potential customers. I was never interested in their air cooled bikes but these new streetfighter and adventure bikes have my attention. And the electric bicycles look very nice as well.
    I applaud them for taking on the challenge. We all gain when new exciting models come to market regardless of the brand.

  27. Davester says:

    Interesting that HD is so desperate. They should have not axed Buell but that is all behind us now. I ride KTM Adventure bikes, very nicely made and great to ride. This HD Streetfighter looks interesting. If they make it a fire breather (like the KTM Super Duke R) I could become interested. I’ve always wanted an American made bike but I want something that performs at the top of the heap not old, outdated looks and performance. If these new bikes are under powered…HD will fail miserably……again. HD should dump a whole bunch of their entrenched execs and engineers and bring in fresh blood that couldn’t care less about building tractors. Come on HD make us want your bikes. And don’t be so stuck up!!!! Oh, and their Adventure prototype looks too much like an existing Harley (Kind of ugly) Would not buy.

    • paquo says:

      that streetfighter looks like it would compete with some very capable bikes-790 duke,1290 duke, various monsters, speed triple, yamaha fz09 etc. The chances of that motor making 130 horsepower or the bike being a competitive weight are slim. Still i like the looks of it and while i despise harley i do root for an american company that makes good bikes not pigs

  28. Davester says:

    Interesting that HD is so desperate. They should have not axed Buell but that is all behind us now. I ride KTM Adventure bikes, very nicely made and great to ride. This HD Streetfighter looks interesting (looks just like Ducati Diavel). If they make it a fire breather (like the KTM Super Duke R) I could become interested. I’ve always wanted an American made bike but I want something that performs at the top of the heap not old, outdated looks and performance. If these new bikes are under powered…HD will fail miserably……again. HD should dump a whole bunch of their entrenched execs and engineers and bring in fresh blood that couldn’t care less about building tractors. Come on HD make us want your bikes. And don’t be so stuck up!!!! Oh, and their Adventure prototype looks too much like an existing Harley (Kind of ugly) Would not buy.

  29. 2dogsfkn says:

    I would like to see HD make an electric scooter.

  30. LarryC says:

    Harley’s painted themselves into a corner. They’ve built bikes for “bikers” (as opposed to motorcyclists) and their chosen clientele simply aren’t interested in serious motorcycles. “Motorcyclists” (as opposed to bikers) have so little faith in Harley as a company that many won’t even set foot inside a dealership.

    I think Harley would have built broader spectrum bikes long ago if they had any idea how to market them. The local Harley dealer once stuck a toe into the water and took on BMW, Ducati, Guzzi, and MV. Almost a dream line-up. How can you lose with choice like that?

    They promptly exiled all those brands into a tiny room off the main showroom. They hired no one that knew one whit about any of them. They were excellent and making you feel like a pariah if you went to look at any. Test rides were nonexistent. The sales staff was so used to selling bikes “the Harley way” (“I’ll see if I can get you on the list.”) that I suppose they thought the bikes should sell themselves. I once inquired about the price of an F800GS BMW and the sales dude couldn’t even find the price! Told me I could find it on the internet. True story! I will NEVER go back in that dealership…not that I have reason to since they tanked with all those “furrin” brands.

    So yeah, good luck with that. It’s gonna be an uphill battle. It’s hard to see how Harley’s going about this from an organizational standpoint. The dealerships are the weak link. All new franchises with motivated owners and knowledgeable sales staff with a giant buffer zone from the biker mentality seems mandatory. The company needs to remember nobody wants a “Dyna Wide Glide GS.”

    Incidentally, I was parts manager for a Honda/Harley dealership (also known as an Oil/Water dealership) clear back in the 1980s and the problem was obvious even then. Most local Harley riders wouldn’t even come in the shop for fear of cooties. The Harley sales rep was a super nice guy who was frustrated the the company couldn’t break into more conventional markets. It’s not gotten better.

  31. I am going to speak heresy now:
    It seems that all of the cars being made now have a CVT.
    I would like HD to look into putting one on some of the bikes and trikes as an option.
    THAT would be something new that could draw a new buyer.

  32. John says:

    No other brand gets these many comments and HD haters. HD employs Americans who work hard and want a future. OBTW, ride what you like, the more people on two wheels the better! LOVE your brand and WHY would any real motorcyclist HATE a brand..Were you forced off the road by a gang of Sportster riding hooligans? Please answer that question. URAL gets more favorable comments…I mostly agree with Snake’s comments, but the “prototype” styling of the Pan America does look like my vacuum cleaner.

    • Bart says:

      Was never forced off the road by Sportsters, but did witness a bunch of porkbikers run off an easy left-hander in the Black Hills at Sturgis. They just zoned and all followed the lead into the forest!

      PS: the Pan Am reminds me of the hood on a Monkey Wards riding lawn mower.

    • bmidd says:

      You asked. “WHY would any real motorcyclist HATE a brand…” Ask any group of Harley riders who look down their noses at EVERY other brand that isn’t a Harley, that same question.
      There’s your answer.

  33. titu says:

    To those commenting on the looks:
    Why any modern KTM is better looking than the Pan America?
    Or the GS series for that matter?

    t.

    • Bart says:

      Because the KTM’s haul ass and really perform on the gas, bumps, corners and brakes. That has a major effect on how they look to those who have pushed them (like me). HD has not thrown anything over that bar (yet.)

      Not holding my breath in their behalf, they have to show they got the goods.

  34. Eric S says:

    New bikes are needed but so is an image / culture overhaul which could prove to be much harder. Most Harley dealers have an attitude that’s very dismissive of anybody or any bike that’s doesn’t fit their image of a biker. THAT is Harley’s big problem.

    Coming up with new bikes won’t matter if the dealers won’t embrace new riders and image.

    • sliphorn says:

      ====

      Yup!

      —–

    • paquo says:

      If they are good enough bikes people will hold there noses and just deal with it now and then. I despise everything harley but i would ride one of those street fighters around, it looks like a nice bike. Who knows maybe after a few years they won’t be such complete diks

  35. WSHart says:

    Letting Buell back into HD help “design” new Harleys is right up there with allowing Ness back into Polaris to “create” new Indians. WTF?

    Talk about a scalping…FTN. Self-flagellating Buellists seem to really want company at the whipping block.

  36. Jose Barreira says:

    All very nice. But the bottom line is; Will they rust and metal decay like most HD’s…???

    • Tom K. says:

      Not sure what you’re talking about – if it’s one thing that Harleys have had going for them, is that they are very “rebuildable”, with great paint and plating’s from the factory. There are “thousands” of Harleys that are forty, fifty, sixty and more years old still on the road. Most of the imported bikes from the 70’s on up have been crushed and re-made into Toyotas. I’m much more wowed by a pristine H-2 than I am a pristine shovelhead, even though both came from the same general era. Harley’s problem has always been that they worshiped at the alter of “Yesterday’s technology at tomorrow’s prices”.

  37. Simon Badock says:

    Waste of time, there is nothing new here, others have already done it! Harley just doing what’s already out there and putting “Harley” on the tank for twice the price and weight . Good luck.

  38. Simon Badock says:

    Waste of time, there is nothing new here, others have already done it! Harley just doing what’s already out there and putting “Harley” on the tank for twice the price. Good luck.

  39. Gerry says:

    I really liked the streetfighter till I saw the front end. Ewwww. What is with the headlight being so low. I’ll wait to see the Indian flat tracker.

  40. EZMark says:

    I hope one of these new engines is a 750 with some horsepower so they can put it on the dirt track and give Indian some competition.

  41. Jim says:

    The Pan Am looks like it was designed in India. The motor in the “Streefighter” is less displacement?!

  42. Hilarious Buell retread minus the originality. This is even more pathetic than if HD just made a serious effort to improve their cruisers. Expect the Himalaya to be more fun and reliable at a fraction of the price. Eric has to be laughing his ass off at this point…

  43. TwinDog says:

    The HD dealerships are going to sink the ship as soon as HD gets away from the dock. Even though the HD attitude sold bikes for all these years, that same bad boy attitude may very well keep things from moving forward. Keep the Halloween crowd at their current HD dealer locations, but sell the new line-up of HD bikes alongside KTM’s, Honda’s, Kawasaki’s and Suzuki’s at modern dealerships and get these new models far away from the attitude, then they may have a chance. Uphill fight for them.

  44. Anonymous says:

    To my old eyes, the Streetfighter bears a remarkable resemblance to the Yamaha MT-01.

    • Zuki says:

      Slightly I guess but with what is likely a much better engine and minus the hideous under tail mufflers. I see it more like a better-looking Suzuki GSX-S1000 in V-twin form.

    • Tim says:

      The street fighter reminds me a bit of a Ducati Diavel.

      • Dave says:

        While I see similar styling cues, I would assign ownership of them to HD and not Ducati, even if Duc’s bike has been in production for a few years. They made no secret of their goal to attract American cruiser customers with that model.

        As for “looking like”? I just don’t see that. The Diavel is an entirely different shape and proportion. An entirely different bike.

        I’m interested to see how it looks in street legal trim (fenders, plate-mounts, etc.). I still think the best looking of the new naked bikes is the new Honda. That thing makes my mouth leak a little bit.

        • Zuki says:

          I don’t get why people keep saying it’s a Diavel copycat, either. Like you said, they are entirely different motorcycles, besides the obviously forward pegs on the Diavel.

    • Roadkill says:

      I agree I owned one and loved it!

  45. Elam Blacktree says:

    After reading the financial papers, Harley will spend about $800 million in R&D money to bring these bikes to market. The big question is: Will they be able to recoup that investment? With the amount of riders on the decline, I don’t see how. With the amount of money H-D has been bleeding the last few years all it will take is another big recession and the company will go into Chapter 11. I hope that doesn’t happen. If they can make the ADV bike not weigh 600 pounds, they might have a chance. Why not a modern version of the XR750, with DOHC, a plain bearing bottom end and hydraulic valves? Only needs 60 bhp, IMO. An adventure version of that would be irresistible.

    • Gary says:

      From Harley’s website:

      “the company plans to fund it entirely through comprehensive cost reduction and reallocation of previously planned investment and resources including operating investment through 2022 of $450 to $550 million and capital investment through 2022 of $225 to $275 million. In total, the company plans More Roads to Harley-Davidson to generate more than $1 billion of incremental annual revenue in 2022 as compared to 2017”

      So that’s a ~$250 million capital investment and ~$500 million in cost reduction and “in-kind” investments. An additional $1 billion of revenue, on top of their 2017 sales of $4.5 billion, seems like a reasonable investment, especially if it brings them to new markets and brings conquest customers.

      I’m no Harley fan-boy (I’ve never owned one) but I would like to see a company with such an interesting past survive.

  46. carl says:

    Waste of time, there is nothing new here, others have already done it! Harley just doing what’s already out there and putting “Harley” on the tank for twice the price. Good luck.

    • Jeremy in TX says:

      EVERYONE is doing what is already out there, so why not? What would you expect them to do? They’ve tried “nothing” for too long.

      Perhaps they could create a category that doesn’t exist yet, but why? That rarely ever works out. Extremely risky, and what would that magical unicorn be? And how big of a market would it even potentially constitute considering that the two non-cruiser categories that are most popular with buyers right now are the sporty standards and the adventure segment?

      The designs look uniquely their own, and they are taking a shot at some pretty hot segments right now, segments and riding cultures so far outside of their current element it’s almost unfathomable. BMW is the only other manufacturer that’s tried anything like this in recent years. Admittedly, the transformation wasn’t as drastic for BMW, but it worked out well for them.

      The fact that HD already seems to have put quite a bit of thought into this implies that they also have an idea where these machines need to be from a price and performance perspective as well. I applaud them.

    • Charleetho says:

      Did they announce the prices? Or are you taking out your rear?

  47. blitz11 says:

    Jeepers. I go on a two-day motorcycle ride with the missus, and i come back to this!

    1. Good for H-D. It’s not like the engineers are incompetent. They’ve been hog-tied (pun intended) by marketing. if you let them design and build, i am sure that they can come up with a decent range of bikes. These look good for a prototype. They’ll look different when they make it to production.

    2. The missus and I left Bozeman yesterday, rode the Beartooth pass, Chief Joseph Highway, stayed in Cody, WY, then today rode into the east entrance of Yellowstone, through the park, then back home. 90% of the bikes we saw out are H-D. i did see a couple of new softails, but most the bikes are touring models. Everyone with whom i speak still loves the H-D.

    3. You see the bandits. It ain’t me. But, at least they are out riding. Can’t criticize them for that. Most of them wave back to me.

    4. i was riding my Super Tenere, and my wife was riding her H-D street 500. She has 16,000 miles on it, and not a single problem. Recall, sure, but every first-year bike is going to have issues. I did the valves at 15K miles, and all we in spec. She loves the bike. 4K miles per year is big for her. She was never a H-D person, but when the street came out, she liked the look and liked the seat height/weight/quiet exhaust.

    Fit/finish isn’t great, but she doesn’t care. it looks OK to her, starts every time, and it’s never let her down. she can roll 80 MPH on the slab (in Montana, you sometimes don’t have a choice), and it doesn’t complain.

    She’d buy the street-tracker looking bike in a second if it were 750cc. I might buy one, too.

    5. The new bikes aren’t for the faithful – they’re for the rest of us. I’m 6’4″ tall with a 38″ inseam, and i can’t ride a softtail or a touring bike. Too small. The ADV bike might be what i need.

    6. H-D realizes that they have a revenue problem, and a customer problem. They can either roll over, or take action. I, for one, applaud the action. I’d rather seem them try with new models and markets. KTM moved into street bikes, and that worked for them. This might work for H-D.

    I say, “good luck.” I’ll go ride them when they come out.

    • ABQ says:

      Awesome ride that you took. Wish I was there.

      • blitz11 says:

        Yeah, it was a great couple of days. I’ve been busy with a “hot job” at work, and had been burning the candle at both ends. Nice to get away for a couple of days. The ride from Cody to the east entrance was spectacular. Nice geology.

  48. Snake says:

    Wow. If you take all the animosity, preconceived notions and legacy hatred in the replies, and put them all into a single bottle, you’d have a truly weapons-grade device there.

    So many of you won’t even BOTHER to give someone a chance to change, or to come out with something new. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think many of you do NOT have that opinion when the product is imported, and that’s not me being super-hyper USA nationalist (I don’t, and have never, owned a HD product). Triumph was a dog by the 1970’s, but a lot of people gave the new Triumph a chance and look where they are today. Guzzi was down and out, then outside investment came, the quality and design was tightened up, and many Guzzis are now either desired or outright hits (Griso SE, V7). Ducati was also down by the 1970’s, then they came out with the Monster series and that funding allowed them to take off. Even BMW was staid and considered old fashioned, which the K bikes didn’t do enough to remedy, then the Oilheads and the S-series came out – woops, move out of the way!!

    So now it’s HD’s turn. Too bad, we’ll never ever consider you.

    How gracious of you!

    Anyway, the streetfighter looks really promising! The Pan America shows…that HD is still leaning a bit too backwards, the fairing’s design hurts my soul but from the side view I now realise that they are (actually! o.O) trying to channel their Road Glide DNA into the thing.

    Bad choice, dudes. It only makes it look like something from a wanna-be Mad Max movie. Ouch.

    HD is trying here, trying for new ideas, new markets and new riders. How about giving them a chance to prove – or disprove – themselves before you go all nuclear on them?

  49. downgoesfraser says:

    Like everbody else, just keep throwing stuff at the wall and see if it sticks.

  50. Jeremy in TX says:

    I have to wonder how the dealerships will handle this reinvention.

    I remember going to several dealerships over the years when the Buell XB series was in production because I was pretty interested in the Lightings. I had a pretty good experience with a dealership in Massachusetts when I lived in that area and the XB9S first came out. They had some on the floor, had a demo to test ride, and there was a guy dedicated to selling Buells who seemed pretty knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the brand.

    I went to other dealerships maybe three times in other states as I moved around. Sales people new nothing about the bikes. On each instance, I was told that I would be much happier with a Dyna or a Sportster. True story.

    HD was big into selling the “leather and tassle” lifestyle (I mean no offense by that label), and dealership employees were all in. They showed almost an animosity not only towards other brands, but other types of motorcycles as well.

    They are going to need new blood.

    • Rich says:

      I had a similar experience. I was interested in a Buell Ulysses. Test rode one when the Buell Demo truck was at the dealer, but later when I went back and pulled into the lot on my Triumph Tiger they acted like I shot their dog! I remember the grand opening at this dealership and they had a Honda that people could pay to take a whack at with a sledge hammer. I would love to buy American, but it will be an Indian when they come out with the right bike.

  51. Jim says:

    I applaud HD for their efforts here and I especially like the new streetfighter which I would really like to see the specs on. Obviously, they understand their tried and true demographic is aging out of the market and they need to attract new demographics to survive including the European market. None of these bikes is designed for what most of us recognize as their core customer. Those riders continue to move to the trike market as they age. I would still like to see HD roll out a serious XR750 or XR1200 street-tracker design similar to what Indian may be doing with their Scout FTR1200 (see http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2017/11/does-indians-scout-ftr1200-custom-point-to-a-future-production-model-with-video/).

  52. Tank says:

    I bet these things will be made overseas. Either way I’m not interested, HD has alienated me and a lot of others a long time ago. Chain these boat anchors to the last legs of your business and take a long walk off a short pier.

    • Tom K. says:

      Exactly what I was thinking, Harley turned off a lot of motorcyclists with their “chrome consultants”, intentionally keeping production numbers well under demand, and playing Judas to Buell. Now that they’re sucking wind, they want to embrace what they’ve always derided? It would be truly ironic if they built them in Taiwan (or mainland China) after so many years of the faithful screaming “Riceburner!”. HD made its own bed, and my guess is it’s going to get lumpier as time goes on.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3ceb5OVG7k

  53. Kent says:

    I think most of these new models look like they are “me too” machines.

    Give me a big single…a cylinder that looks like it was swiped from an old panhead. Modern suspension but a retro look. High sidepipe, scrambler-style. An accessory catalog of off-road protective pieces. Painted tank like an XR 750. Priced at under $9500. A unique bike.

    • Gary says:

      Maybe the V-Twins, but the the e-bikes, they are as original as they can be. The more I look at that scrambler concept, the more I think “please build it”.

  54. Motorhead says:

    If the target audience is riders in their teens, twenties, thirties, and if that group grew up with Legos and Minecraft video games (which they did), then these designs will slip right into their brains and trigger their pleasure receptors. Immediately. Product placement in a couple adventure movies, keep the weight down, reliability up, and they have a winner.

    • Bart says:

      The problem with teens and twenties riders will be payments and insurance. Insurance often prices the younger demographic out of the new bike/performance market.

      Maybe some of the 3/4 billion bucks should go into R & D on that problem.

      As mentioned down-thread, now its 85% about weight/performance/reliability with these kind of bikes. The sizzle has to be in the saddle, not the tassels.

      I wish them luck, they may not get a second at-bat. But the Pan-Am bike is going to need to ditch the Monkey Ward lawnmower hood front end. Either that or paint ’em green and sell ’em at John Deere dealerships.

  55. Bud says:

    Does that motor have screwed-on beauty covers on the heads?

  56. TwinDog says:

    I know HD is watching sites like MD. Mr. Harley and Co., if you really want to attempt to go in this direction, swallow your pride, and see if Mr. Buell will even think about coming back on board again. I’ve owned three Buells, and the last place I ever wanted to go, was into a HD dealership. Absolute loons. You need to really change things at the dealer level also. It very well may be too little too late for you. You need a real forward thinker with engineering prowess and real focus, not someone grasping at straws to be able to continue to sell HD underwear. Good luck.

    • Mark says:

      I know what you’re saying. Years ago I went to a HD dealership in California to see if I could rent a Buell while I was on vacation. They didn’t rent them (only the HD) but the Buells were jammed into the back of the shop behind the tee shirt racks. They were dusty. The salesman didn’t know a thing about them. If I were Eric Buell I would tell HD where to stick it and laugh and dance with delight at Harley’s well deserved demise. To this day I still try to buy American whenever possible but I will never own a Harley Davidson product.

      • TwinDog says:

        Yep. The Buells I had were bulletproof. The last one I sold about a month ago had 51,000 miles on it and was perfect in every way. Handled like a dream when set up correctly. After 30 years of street bikes, I went to the dark side and just bought a Africa Twin Adventure Sport. Getting my off-road sea legs now. A different animal for sure for me, but drinking coffee on a dirt road in the mountains at 8,000 feet, it’s getting to be pretty cool. Just picked up a Garmin. Bye bye honey, see ya later today!

  57. takehikes says:

    Sat on my first HD as a child over 60 years ago, owned plenty. Critical of them pretty much always for their shortcomings. I give them credit here, they are trying. WAY late but if they can break away from the heritage nonsense and build great bikes they will sell.

  58. Frank says:

    More choices? Always good. These bikes are at least as nice looking as any others in their respective categories, and better looking than some….the street fighter in particular.

    • Dave says:

      More choices are good if there’s enough demand. If not, everything shrinks back until there are fewer choices than before.

      I hope HD has done enough research to be sure there’s a market for these products.

  59. RD350 says:

    I applaud Harley for moving forward … now they just have to get it right. Light weight and quality suspension/brakes would be a good start. People will gladly buy American if the product is competitive .. I know I will.
    P.S. I say scrap the Adv Bike idea and build a classic XR750 rep street tracker instead.

  60. Vrooom says:

    If this is 525 lbs., 125 hp, with at least 8″ of suspension travel it will likely sell. However I fear it meets none of those criteria. 700 lbs., 85 hp and 5″ of travel will likely sell to only their existing market. Buell tried this with an adventure bike, never forget coming across two guys riding them on the side of the Dempster highway, one with a torn belt.

    • Montana says:

      Couldn’t agree more.
      But don’t abandon your styling Harley, it’s your biggest selling point. Instead of making it look like a transformer toy, make it resemble a Fat Boy. Now you’ve got a functional machine that stays true to your heritage.

  61. My2Cents says:

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I own a first generation DL650 and find it to be a good looking motorcycle and greater than the sum of it’s parts. I applaud Harley-Davidson for searching new markets but I think the Adventure Motorcycle segment is tapped out with entries from almost all manufacturers, growth is limited by age and fitness. I believe many riders currently on ATM’s will gravitate to cruisers once age and the appreciation for lower CG become a factor. Harley-Davidson should concentrate on making their motorcycles less demanding to service and go with single unit construction on the current cruiser format.

  62. MikeG says:

    Styling is subjective, but I think most agree the Streetfighter gets a lot of things right and the Pan America looks a bit square-edged. Whatever….what will make these bikes popular is if they actually WORK, because when you step out of the cruiser genre, function takes on a much greater importance (85% ?) As far as the Pan American having Whirlpool styling cues, I can’t say I’ve been too stirred by the styling of any so-called adventure bike. If it’s actually engineered well, the styling will grow on its owners.

    I wish them well, as an American, just as I’m sure Brits rooted for Triumph and Italians root for Ducati. I currently have a Suzuki and a Harley in the stable….maybe the Streetfighter replaces my old SV at some point? If it functions well, I’d certainly be open to it, since I’d always been intrigued by the Buells but just wasn’t in the market for a toy during their short availability period.

  63. Denny says:

    Granted the V is not the best concept (as many pointed out – heat to legs and cost to make), the Motor Company is stuck. It has to do something new and they know that. It just cannot make lot more logical parallel twins/ triples as Yamaha and Honda does, because it would not be Harley. Let’s wish them luck; they will need it – big time!

    • Charleetho says:

      Yeah. V-twin engines have totally failed Ducati and KTM.
      I was pleased to see 60 degree angle. Its a angle for smoothness and packaging.

  64. Motorcycle Enthusiast says:

    As an owner and fan of American motorcycles for over 4 decades and someone who wants the industry to continue to prosper, I applaud Harley Davidson for finally moving past the ‘motorcycle as lifestyle’ mentality and back to a company that produces machines for all enthusiasts, like they did in the long past. I honestly hoped Polaris/Victory/indian would do this first, as they were a clean sheet company. But good on HD for jumping ahead.

    Now as someone with a moderate length inseam, I hope you don’t need a stepladder to get on the Pan American. Why these companies need to build a great all round bike with good gas capacity, comfortable ergonomics and high tech drivelines only to perch it all on a 12″ high suspension is beyond me. Read any RTW reports from people on the big BMWs, KTMs, S10S and their ilk and you find even the 6ft plus crowd struggle to handle these top heavy bikes on some terrain. Plus, I’ll wager most of these bikes don’t see much more than the occasional dirt road anyway. Come on Harley, nows your chance to give us average size folks access to a serious do-all motorcycle.

  65. GT08 says:

    Is it crash bar on the front of the Pan Am or TOW bar ???

    The Livewire will have same autonomy as every other Harley. 2 mile to go pose on main street !

  66. oldjohn1951 says:

    Step out of the comfort zone??? Hell yes! That Pan-America is going to open up a whole new market for HD as long as the price isn’t too far in the stratosphere. They’re taking a huge gamble with the styling but this time I hope they succeed. While I’ve never been a a cheerleader for HD, this time I say, “Go Get ‘Em!”

    • Mark says:

      No way an adv bike will work with the HD crowd. First off they’ll have to scrap their bandannas and chaps and brain buckets for real protective gear. And no HD rider can be complete without his angry scowl (which you can’t see under the full face helmet). Plus the bike will have to be reliable, none of this shaking off parts in the wilderness.

      • Jeremy in TX says:

        They aren’t trying for the bandana faithful. They are trying to find new customers.

        In any case, a lot of people I know that have an HD in the garage also have something else – Ducati, KTM, etc. I think plenty of HD customers will be interested.

        • 58_pan says:

          I’m one of those people with an HD in the garage (2 to be exact) and a KTM 990 Adventure R next to them…we aren’t all racist LOL

  67. Anonymous says:

    Now how am I going to look real cool, piss people off, and be intimidating on one of those?????? It didn’t work with AMF and it won’t work now.

    • Mark says:

      Easy, dont wear anything under your chaps. When you hang off the bike dragging knee in the tight corners it’ll be quite the show from behind. From the front too, I would imagine.

  68. Curly says:

    The bikes on first look seem pretty good and up to date. What I believe will make or break them is price. The Japanese makers tried hard to own the American Big Twin Cruiser market for three decades and basically gave up trying to sell those bikes for Japanese money. Harley will find out that they can’t sell Japanese bikes for Harley money.

    • Fast2win says:

      The target is BMWs GS not Africa Twin or Tenere. Cheaper choices will be available. Why would Harley try to undercut Japanese prices?

      • Curly says:

        That’s just it isn’t it? They can’t sell these models for Japanese prices. They will try to sell for Harley prices and that will fail.

        • Jeremy in TX says:

          I think HD is perfectly capable of producing and selling these bikes at competitive prices. They have some margin leaders that HD sells for stratospheric prices, but they are selling exclusivity along with the bike. They have many models that sell for what I consider to be decent prices given the level of fit and finish.

          These will be premium bikes I’m sure, but so are all the European bikes. I’m wagering that pricing will be in line.

  69. ed says:

    It’s about time!!!!!!!!!!!! Now as long as the Dealer network doesn’t torpedo it like the Buell, Vrod and Street line there just may be promise for growing the brand.
    The hardcore dirt bag culture of wanna be bad ass is dying. They served Harley well but younger buyers want not only some thing that looks badass but IS BADASS and performs on all levels. I hope this works, I have been in the business many years and made a fortune fixing Harleys, hanging chrome and building motors. The wave has broke on the beach and although HD isn’t going away its customer base is dying. Over the past few years I have been actively chasing the youngsters on metrics to ensure my continued success. Now its time to retrain the dealer network if this is the direction they are going.

  70. Auphliam says:

    I like how every HD or Indian article is polluted with comments from the squid brigade calling cruiser owners posers…then when HD finally steps out of their comfort zone and designs some real, purposeful bikes, all the complaints are about the looks HAHAHA. Hypocrite much?

    • Mike says:

      For years HD has ignored cries from the sportbike crowd including the termination of Buell. Now they are desperately trying to hold their head above water and is reaching out to the sporting rider. Screw them, I’m enjoying their struggle. I bet these things will be built overseas.

      • Auphliam says:

        Well, if there’s anything the sport bike crowd is good at, it’s crying. Witness the endless ridiculousness in these comments…including your own.

  71. Mick says:

    I wonder where the engines are coming from. They look a bit wide in the photos. But at least they are less ugly than the V-Rod engine. Harley has never been an engine design powerhouse. And now they are going up against some companies who truly are. They have better have done their homework.

    The engines look like they have a long stroke. If so they would probably be a little low on horsepower. That wouldn’t matter if they made sweet low end torque.

    Unfortunately, far too many buyers think that good power is a big number.

    Hopefully the bikes won’t be fifty pounds or more heavier than the competition.

    Finally. I think that it is a big mistake for them to have put way too much BMW in the tail section of the Pan and way too much Ducati on the front of the street fighter. Harley fans has been complaining about others copying the Harley design since complaining was invented. And here you have some clear examples of Harley doing the same thing.

    • Ron says:

      Harley didn’t design the V-Rod motor, Porsche did. Aprilia, BMW and KTM outsourced most of their new engine tech to Rotax as did Buell before their final demise.

      • Jeremy in TX says:

        Porsche engineered the Vrod engine. They didn’t design it. HD speced the aesthetics which is why the engine was significantly bigger and heavier than it needed to be… It had to “look” right.

  72. MattG says:

    I look at the Pan American, and what I see is 20% Streethawk (80’s television) and 80% Mad Max. The front fairing desperately needs work. It looks too much like they damaged the original and then tossed grandmas breadbox on there to make due with until the real parts show up. At least Harley has finally decided to get out of their comfort zone, and possibly open the door to previously non-Harley people.

  73. Cedric Parkinson says:

    I try not to look in the toilet but these five examples are pretty close to that. They definitely need some help.

  74. Onto says:

    Hello……… the idiots are at it again. “It’s ugly, it’s ugly, it’s ugly, it’s ugly.” That’s not my opinion, but what some are saying. I got out a buyers guide and looked at the adventure bikes of 1000cc and more. In my opinion this is the second best looking in its category. My favourite is the Africa Twin, which is rather plain looking, but purposeful. If you want ugly, buy a BMW R1200GS. It looks like something somebody knocked up from pieces of scrap metal from behind the farm shed.

    Who are these people complaining about this bike’s looks? Are you actually interested in buying an adventure bike, or are you complaining because it’s not as pretty as your sports bike? Do you want an adventure bike so you can just park it in your garage, look at it and think about how pretty it is? Do you want to ride it up the street so others can say how pretty it is? Or do you want to ride it long distances so you can see how pretty the world is?

    • guu says:

      “If you want ugly, buy a BMW R1200GS” Its also the market leader by far. So ugly sells. It’s predecessors in the 80’s were purposeful, simple, off-road capable – and didn’t sell.

      “My favourite is the Africa Twin, which is rather plain looking, but purposeful”, “Are you actually interested in buying an adventure bike, or are you complaining because it’s not as pretty as your sports bike? Do you want an adventure bike so you can just park it in your garage, look at it and think about how pretty it is? Do you want to ride it up the street so others can say how pretty it is? Or do you want to ride it long distances so you can see how pretty the world is?”

      The most capable bike is also the most purposeful looking and pretty? Imagine that!

      Most people don’t want, need or use the adventure capabilities, they don’t care about pretty or purposeful. They want the image, manly, rugged looks on a decent street bike. This H-D seems to have it.

      • Zuki says:

        I agree the BMW GS is the ugly duck in the ADV bike segment. The Pan America has a clean & handsome style – in my eyes a rugged & chiseled-look not unlike a Chevy Blazer or Ford Bronco, which suits an American ADV bike perfectly. I’ll even go as far to say a Star Wars look that I think is cool. I really like it. It’s polarizing like the now classic original Suzuki Katana. Maybe I’m weird for making that connection, I don’t care. I think the Pan Am ties with the VFR1200X as best-looking ADV bike tho, but I’m biased as a proud owner of a 2016 pearl black VFR-X. The VFR is an absolutely stunning machine in real life. I imagine the Pan Am will have a similar commanding presence.

        • Hot Dog says:

          I thought I was the only one to love my VFR-X. I agree with you all the way. It has warp drive, can be packed like a mule and is reliable as a stone. I also have a 36″ inseam so I can handle the high seat.

          If the PanAm has a light weight, low seat and lots of torque, it could be a home run.

          • Zuki says:

            Yeah, I hope HD does well with these new models. Too many people are spec-sheet zealots or one-look naysayers it seems.

            The VFR-X is awesome! I have a 34″ inseam so the seat height doesn’t bother me, either. It is on the heavier side in the adventure class but it’s not noticed once moving. In my opinion the weight is actually a good thing for stability and cross wind resistance, providing a more relaxing ride. It certainly has plenty of power to move… deceptively quick with the DCT. I believe it’s been discontinued in all markets so the States got it for ’16 and ’17 only, which is quite a shame. The Africa Twin stole the limelight but the VFR is the superior road bike out of the two (and more attractive:)

  75. Mitar says:

    If this is what the Prototype 2020 Harley-Davidson Streetfighter will ACTUALLY look like…. I am 100% going to buy one. Well done HD

    • PatrickD says:

      Or you could just buy a Ducati Diavel now, as they’re pretty much identical-looking.

      • paquo says:

        street fighter looks more like a mini diavel.It will undoubtedly have far less power and it looks physically smaller. The diavel seems absurd to me, the harley looks a bit more manageable. Just pictures though.

  76. Anonymous says:

    Anybody have remark that we always say Harley owners
    never Harley rider ???

  77. Brimoto says:

    Wow, I’m glad i’m buzzed. where to start…
    WTF???? I’m so glad they have a clue.
    But!! who let that fairing past the first draft?
    They have been beating that Harley horse for so long ,that they don’t remember what a dirt track 750 looks like???
    Here you have the worlds biggest buget to do your homework, and you turn if this?
    At this rate we’ll all be on Chinese knock offs, till they outlaw bikes for being non combatable in modern traffic…
    Look to classic lines, beauty is so simple… I want to see air between that frame, I want at least 100 Hp, I want under 480lb.
    Use your dirt track template. then let your creativity run wild!

  78. Grover says:

    Harley could enjoy a resurgence in sales if they begin to cater to the non-harley crowd. They can keep producing the big air-cooled twins but focus more on the target market for the new offerings . I believe price, quality and dealer support along with competitive performing motorcycles will determine their success. A weakness in any one area will just add a couple more nails to a coffin that is already hovering above the grave. The Street Fighter looks like it will be a winner if the performance isn’t too far off the mark. The Adventure bike is just plain old hideous.

    • Dave says:

      They’ll need their dealers to remake themselves, too. A big part of the reason Buell never reached the promise land was that they tried to sell them in Harley dealerships. Sport bikers didn’t want to shop there and HD guys didn’t want to sell sport bikes.

      All adv bikes are hideous. This one is at least very uniquely hideous. I think it’ll sell.

      • Ron says:

        Yeah, that. Harley’s dealer network should be their biggest asset in selling these new bikes. What other manufacturer’s dealerships will pull your bike into service at 10:00 AM on a Sunday morning and have you back on the road by 11:00. Without an appointment, hundreds of miles from home and feed you breakfast to boot? Yes, I have had that experience. If the dealers will extend that kind of service to the new generation bikes they can’t lose.

        • Dave says:

          They must first attract and retain a new customer that they’re not used to interfacing with. It’s harder than it sounds for a passion business like motorcycle dealerships. I really hope they can do it this time.

  79. Crunchy says:

    As for the Pan-America, I’m not interested in buying the Pontiac Aztek of motorcycles. Harley truly is their own worst enemy.

  80. Denis says:

    Speaking as a Harley rider for the last 22 years, I hardly know where to begin after looking at all of this, including the video. I am almost speechless but I have two questions to throw out there for your discussion enjoyment. Were the V-Rod and the Buell bikes brought out too soon? And…is it possible for Harley-Davidson to be an “everything for everybody” brand? Borrowing from a scene in “The Wizard of Oz”, I’m afraid the crystal ball has gone dark.

  81. todd says:

    The say their modular engine goes down to 500cc but nowhere do they mention a bike being powered by one. I think a 500 and 750 along the lines of Husqvarna’s 401 and 701 (lightweight/high performance with good styling to boot) would do wonders for the brand.

  82. CrazyJoe says:

    And there I was expecting an update on the sporster engine. You know liquid cooled with fake cooling fins and fake carburetors. But no they’re not only coming out with a Scout slayer but a slayer of air cooled Ducati’s. They said I was crazy when I told them it was only a matter of time.

    Are the going to do away with the Sporster like they did the Dyna? Two of the most customized bikes ever built. This are getting interesting.

    I don’t think it will satisfy the naysayers. They want a total revision every year. Harley best selling point has been nothing changes making t easy to fix. It seems being American made another selling point is history.

  83. Rhinestone Kawboy says:

    Well, it’s just about time, in fact, way past time that Harley got off their dead a** and started to make something new and not a warmed over cruiser. I’ve been saying for years that Harley had to do something like this because their core “faithful” were dying off. I guess it just took them to see that they just might end up a memory if they didn’t get on the stick. I’m sure Indian had a little something to do with it too, and don’t think that Indian may not have more up it’s corporate sleeve as well. The faithful (those that are left) will still have their models to cherish, but the rest of us want modern high performance bikes. And Harley, just another side note here, don’t think that all the new models have to be V-twins either, many of us would rather have 3, or 4 cylinder for some models also.

  84. johnny ro says:

    I applaud Harley.

    Super Tenere aside, on the Pan American styling:

    -Add a double length pyramid plastics “fenda extenda” to the pan America. Haha no add a real fender for another USD$0.25? per bike cost. I do not like mud on my power plant or its cooling system. Retrieve from archives please.

    -Remove the headlight nacelle and pop on a 7 inch chrome bucket with LED emitter. Make it 12 inches. With a tough front lense.

    -Offer 90-10 OEM tires along with knobbies. Give an easy product range. Add OEM as-delivered tuning bandwidth.

    I look forward to more on the Harley survival strategy and wish them well.

    They should bring the strategic tiddlers to the US, in 400cc version. Beware pricing pressures.

  85. Reginald Van Blunt says:

    SHOCK ! ! ! Keep it light and ergonomic right. MORE SHOCK ! ! !

  86. Tank says:

    Maybe electric motorcycles is what saves HD.

    • Reginald Van Blunt says:

      The HD is the only electric that looks to me like a motorcycle. They still need to get the foot pegs near the crankshaft or at least the clutch. Yup.

  87. Reginald Van Blunt says:

    SHOCKING ! Where did they find the massive quantity of modern thinking HD employees all of a sudden ? Is it a whole new division or subsidiary ? Well GOOD for them ! Now, it will all float or sink on 1 and 1/2 things. WEIGHT and prices. This should be the new paradigm for all things motorcycle – LESS WEIGHT, affordable, LESS WEIGHT, sensible ergonomics and LESS WEIGHT. No more easy ride cool, or sex with a football. You Go Harley and everybody else. AMAZING ! Whoda thunk !

  88. Rapier says:

    I think there was a Czechoslovakian bike in the 50’s that has a headlight/front end like that adventure bike. I can’t quite put my finger on the name.

    Nothing says timeless design like consumer products from behind the Iron Curtain in the 50’s.

  89. TimC says:

    Wah wah wha waaaa WHAT

    Whoah. I guess H-D finally figured out repeating the same thing over and over again finally done wore out.

    I can’t say these look great (and the best shot at not looking horrid would be the streetfighter one though it looks like TOO BIG A HEAVY MOTOR ON THAT PIG) but good grief, I simply never would have guessed any of this.

    • bmidd says:

      It’s a 975cc engine, it’s not that big. It might actually mean the bike is normal sized.

  90. Greg says:

    Maybe if they had continued to support Buell, they would already have competitive products in these categories. Too bad. It will take years to refine these!

  91. ze says:

    Good news, hope to try both one day… The streetfighter has a really cool design.

  92. bmidd says:

    I can’t wait to see the streetfighter with forward controls and ape hangers.

  93. tyg says:

    I think the Streetfighter is a home run; sounds unanimous above. I like it. Even the pegs are in a reasonable spot. It does seems… a bit thick. Like, really thick – almost monolithic right behind the front wheel.

    The LiveWire looks like someone shoe-horned a tractor engine into a motorcycle. That huge almost featureless box doesn’t do much for me… but it looks downright sexy once you look at that Pan America. W. T. H.? The front end is atrocious! I think we finally got used to beaks – luckily we won’t have to get used to robot-pug-face since HD is hardly in a position of domination in this market segment!

  94. Anonymous says:

    I think the Streetfighter is a home run; sounds unanimous above. I like it. Even the pegs are in a reasonable spot. It does seems… a bit thick. Like, really thick – almost monolithic right behind the front wheel.

    The LiveWire looks like someone shoe-horned a tractor engine into a motorcycle. That huge almost featureless box doesn’t do much for me… but it looks downright sexy once you look at that Pan America. W. T. H.? The front end is atrocious! I think we finally got used to beaks – luckily we won’t have to get used to robot-pug-face since HD is hardly in a position of domination in this market segment!

  95. Dean says:

    The Pan America is butt ugly. There is no denying it. The Streetfighter looks okay. It’s too bad they are 10 years late with the watercooled engine. If only they had let Erik have it way back when…I will be keeping my Buell Ulysses and Lightning. It is good to see some new ideas from Harley, but I am still pissed at them for killing the V-rod. I wanted one!

  96. Provologna says:

    The “Streetfighter” looks at least interesting. Seems to share design cues with Yamaha’s MT-01, and that’s not a bad thing. It looks really heavy.

    Re. the Adventure bike: looks like weight shall rival my old ’00 BMW R1150GS, 589 lbs with a full tank. If the horizontal headlight and the cowl to which it fastens was only ugly it would be and improvement, but it’s beyond ugly. It’s the worst design cue from a 50s electric toaster or some type of Flash Gordon effect. Hideous.

    With all due respect to H-D employees, for whom I have no animosity: maybe the sooner this H-D creature dies the better.

    • Hot Dog says:

      I thought the same thing about the Streetfighter looking like a MT-01.

      The Pan America does look like a heavy one but hopefully Harley did their homework.

      I like the looks of the PanAm, it looks like a squinty eyed reptile. I hope they do well.

      But and this is a BIG BUT, will the “Faithful” buy it?

      • TF says:

        The faithful HD owners won’t buy it and neither will the faithful Ducati, KTM, BMW, Triumph, etc. owners.

        The “streetfighter” looks like a cool alternative to the Diavel. If it has similar power and weight it could steal some of the relatively small market share.

        The adventure bike looks like a 800 pound Lego motorcycle.

        • CromoSapien says:

          Diaval owner here, I doubt very siriously it will be in the same league. I am extatic about them exploring other categories, cruisers are so boring.

      • Fast2win says:

        No, most of the faithful will not buy it. But others will. Harley should have done this 15 years ago. They needed something big, Indian is coming with their new FTR platform and it could be very formidable. More of these bike are coming. It’s an American Renaissance and you can thank Indian for it.

  97. Tommy D says:

    I applaud the electric bikes to mainstream. I do think that this has a future. BUT not in competing with general use motorcycles. I’d love to see pricing go down to the 5-6K mark and see if it can grab market share from ICE bikes at entry level for urban use. Those make sense. Also what would make sense is selling upscale, serviceable, dirt and mini-bikes much like the Honda Cubs did for the kids of the 60’s and 70’s. Think of the grandpa’s buying stuff like that for their grand kids. Not re-badged Razor crap but really high quality Alta developed stuff that won’t break and is serviceable. Develop riders with this stuff. This could work well with an H-D sales and service behind it. Seriously can H-D do with electric bikes what Honda did with the Cub and SuperCub? I think they could.

  98. chris says:

    I just turned 60 years old and have been riding since I was 13, and it is great to FINALLY see Harley enter different categories ,And if that street fighter look’s as good as the picture ,there will be one parked in my garage next to my KTM dirt bike and my EBR. 1190SX , Buell Firebolt and Harley XR 1200X. GREAT TO SEE .

  99. Randall says:

    This is amazing and good news for all motorcyclists. Can hardly believe HD finally got their head out of their screaming eagle exhaust pipe. Agree with Zuki, Dave, and Tommy. Can’t wait to see what actually appears in showrooms. MAGA. Eric is just shaking his head.

  100. redbirds says:

    Refreshing to see HD take a new tack. I’ve never owned or wanted a HD in 50 years riding but one of these could change my mind.

  101. redbirdacres@gmail.com says:

    Refreshing to see Harley take this tack. I’ve never wanted a HD in my 50+ years riding but one of these might change my mind.

  102. TwinDog says:

    Boy, that streetfighter looks like a v-rod powered Buell – who would have ever thought of that??!
    Hey Erik, we sure miss ya.
    All the best.

  103. skortch says:

    This is the biggest news from Harley in… forever? Not being a cruiser guy but having always wanted to buy American, it’s nice to finally have models that appeal to my riding preferences. I prefer performance to lifestyle for my bikes, on- and off- road.

    The 975 Streetfighter strikes closest, though a 750 (or maybe 975) Pan America might do the trick. For the latter I’d like a 60/40 street to dirt ratio but I have a feeling that even the lighter models will be in the 90/10 range. I’m open to being happily surprised, though. It certainly doesn’t have to be a dirt monster but it would be nice to be able to handle some moderate off-road mountain passes and jeep trails mixed in with the pavement.

    Styling-wise, the Streetfighter looks pretty damn good as-is. The Pan America looks like an odd assemblage of Royal Enfield Himalayan, 1st gen Ducati Multistrada goiter, and some other oddness. Not the best design yet but there is still time to refine that prototype and I laud them for at least trying.

    All-in-all, very welcome news from HD and I hope it works out for them.

  104. Samy says:

    so mad at Harley right now. for the 10 years i’ve owned my 1200GS, its been the ugliest bike on the road. for me it was a badge of honor.

    but now, i don’t see how anything can top the HD Pan-Am-uglier

    • mechanicus says:

      I was gonna say, they put the requisite arse-up-in-the-air upholstered board seat without passenger space like all of y’all like, but left off the beak. Why not go all the way?

  105. Tim says:

    Wow, this is a first. Lots of favorable comments aimed at Harley on this website. It just goes to show that readers of this site have had nothing personal against Harley, other than the slow old school cruisers. It’s about time they woke up to the fact that the bulk of their loyal followers are winding down their riding days, and they need to diversify a bit. This can only be a good thing for American motorcycling. Too bad they sold MV Augusta back for a dollar, they wouldn’t have had to be starting over from scratch designing sport bikes. I actually like the look of the street fighter. Even the adventure bike is nice looking except for that fairing. With a slight redesign of that fairing, this could be a very cool looking bike.

  106. Jeremy in TX says:

    It’s a brave, new world!

    Good on them. I think the designs are bold and original as well. I hope that they understand that performance and weight are important factors outside of the cruiser market. I’m sure they do if they’ve come this far with the concepts. They look a bit porky, but then they could also be designed to look that way as opposed to actually being significantly heavier than their competition.

    Not sure what they did to the Livewire design, but the original looked a lot better.

    What a gutsy and monumental paradigm shift for H-D. They have my respect and best wishes moving forward.

  107. randy says:

    is it april 1st??? Harley re-invents Buell???The streetfighter should have the 1250cc engine.

  108. Ericstraordinary says:

    I can see this being a bit of a conundrum for H-D. Many Harley “purists” will likely turn their noses up at these bikes simply for being something other than air-cooled cruisers. The rest of us will closely scrutinise these bikes based on the collective experiences we have had with bikes well-established in their respective categories. It will be difficult competing against genre-defining bikes from Triumph, BMW and Ducati.

    The Streetfighter is actually a very handsome bike in my opinion and if done right, might make for an excellent bike to ride. The biggest factors for many of us will be price, weight and the dealership experience.

    • joe b says:

      I would love to see a heads up test between the street fighter and a superduke… more giggling.

      • Ericstraordinary says:

        LOL.

        I think it would probably fare better against a 790 Duke that has had 150 lbs of lead attached to the engine and frame. But maybe we can give H-D the benefit of the doubt and hope that they have some people designing it that like to spend time riding Tuonos and Street Triples.

  109. wjf says:

    junk

  110. Auphliam says:

    How do you steal ALL the thunder away from the upcoming Indian FTR 1200 reveal? You pull back the curtains on a virtual overhaul, in both thinking and design, of the most iconic MoCo in the world. If they pull this off, it’s gonna be huge…conversely, so to will be the smoking hole in the ground if they fail.

    I dig it. All of it. I don’t see a single bike here I wouldn’t love taking out for a thrash.

    • Peter Harris says:

      I don’t know how you steal the thunder from the super sexy FTR 1200. Still don’t.

  111. Jose says:

    Calling Indian…[insert the sound of crickets here]

    • Fast2win says:

      Funny I hear drum beats so loud it sounds like thunder. Indian has the jump at the moment. The FTR will be here for 2019. And it’s just begun. Let the games begin.

  112. That Streetfighter is talking to me. There may be another Harley in the garage…

  113. Gary says:

    I like the look of the LiveWire. If HD come out with an electric bike with 100-150 miles of range, and price it right, they’ll have a winner.

    The 975 Streetfighter has a great profile, but dang it looks wide. I’ll hold judgement until I see more of it.

    The Pan America is just a mess.

    The LiveWire and Streetfighter could save the brand. HD may have to downsize, but moving towards a full-spectrum streetbike line is a good business decision. Missing from the line-up; entry level bikes don’t don’t ride and look like a bike that is meant to move up from (looking at you Buell Blast) as soon as possible.

    • joe b says:

      Good luck, at 230 volts it takes 3.5 hours to charge the 10k battery, and that will get you 53 mi. Think its going to be inexpensive… still giggling… there are no specifications on how heavy it will be. But, come’on, lets guess at 850lb.

      • Provologna says:

        H-D is pretty dumb, but even H-D isn’t so dumb to release something with specs that horrible (I hope).

      • clasqm says:

        That was indeed true on the *demo* model. With Zero pushing 150 miles of range on some models and Energica featuring level 2 charging, Harley would have to do something spectacular in this area. The charging time at household voltage is not a problem, because you do it overnight (Yes, I own an electric car) but then when you unplug, you must either have enough juice for a day’s fun or be able to recharge at a commercial charge point. Or, ideally, both. We’ll see what they come up with.

  114. DR007 says:

    I’m very impressed and now I would actually go look at a Harley. I love both the Streetfighter and the Pan American. This is what HD has needed for a very long time. This will hopefully lower their age demographics. And for the rest of us, get you kids riding so the motorcycle industry can survive!!

  115. Dino says:

    Harley has gotten better year after year with reliability of their traditional lines. No electric for me, but I am interested in looking at the streetfighter and other new models..

  116. Neil says:

    I’m really impressed. I’ve been riding for thirty something years but HD have never made a bike I’d want. Honestly I never thought they would take the bold moves they’d need to to survive but here they are. I’m not sure if I’d buy these as they are but for the first time I might. I’m also really impressed by the Livewire, the first really good looking electric motorbike.

  117. Tim says:

    It’s difficult for me to type this as my jaw is still on the floor.
    I’m not so concerned with esthetics of these proposed new models. These are pre-production units and lots can change before they start coming down the line.
    What has me started up is just the fact that HD has come up with all of these new models, assumed at so many previously unserviced (by HD) segments. I’ve never owned a Harley although I’ve always wished I could buy an American made bike. Cruisers have never worked for me – especially expensive, heavy and underpowered cruisers – and Motus is out of my tax bracket.
    Maybe there’s Hope after all.

  118. Dman says:

    I’m not a Harley fan, but I think this is a good start in re-inventing the product line. Not sure if it was Japan/Europe, or Indian, or just the sales decline, but it looks like Milwaukee is waking up. Good for them! And by the way, 60° is the way to go for a VTwin based on everything I know; a 90° VTwin really limits wheelbase and geometry optimization, and packaging. I own a Ducati and it’s far from perfect.

    • stuki says:

      90 is “the way” from an engine designers pov. But With modern, computerized design, it’s not THAT hard to balance almost anything, so 60 shouldn’t be some disaster. KTM uses oddball 75….

      I guess Harley “needs” a V in there, but almost regardless the angle, the biggest issue facing modern, big, transverse V engines, is heat from the rear cylinder’s exhaust port roasting the rider. Which will be particularly hard for Harley to deal with, as their tradition is one of long strokes and low seat heights. (The ‘Strom 1000 is the only modern non hot one I can think of, but that one is very oversquare, in a less than crazy tune, displaces only a bit over 1000 CCs, and doesn’t have a low seat…)

  119. Andrew says:

    If nothing changes, then nothing changes. Harley has been struggling right along with the other manufactures, and if they keep doing what they have, no doubt they will fail. This attempt at remaking who they are is their best shot at remaining a player in the market. Buell tried to get them to go this route long ago and H-D resisted. Can they pull it off remains to be seen, but I have to give them credit for swinging for the fences.

  120. Roadkill says:

    Good on ya HD ! Very cool that Adv bike looks great also street fighter.
    Looking forward to checking out the Livewire.
    So good to see see them changing there game up finally

  121. DCE says:

    Very interesting development, but price will determine success. I just wish they’d used a new 90-degree v-twin instead of a 60-degree. Better primary balance (smoother, less vibration), no need for counter balancers (less weight/complexity), and fewer competitors (like maybe 2 others besides Ducati).

    • Dave says:

      It could have “clocked” crankpins, like the narrow-V Honda VT/Hawk engine did but I could also see them working with a conventional crank to retain some of that signature HD “potato, potato” engine rhythm.

    • Tom R says:

      If it works well and goes like hell, who care about degrees and balancers.

      H-D has not been as asleep as many may have thought.

  122. Frank says:

    It’s good to finally see HD make something that is a new design for HD, and not just another modification on an old platform.

  123. Anonymous says:

    It’s good to finally see HD make something that is really a new design for HD, and not just another modification on an old platform.

  124. TwinDog says:

    They should give Erik a call. DUH Harley.

  125. yellowduck says:

    What’s that big metal bit that looks like a catalytic converter or maybe an oil sump under the electric bike? Seriously, what does that part do?

    I like the streetfighter. But isn’t that more or less what Buell was trying to do….

    • Annoyimouse says:

      That is the actually drive unit for the bike. I saw the original design being reviewed and ridden on Jay Leno’s Garage. The battery sits just above it but very low in the frame for a good center of gravity. Very cool machine and nice, turbine-like whine it makes when accelerating. This photo looks like a thoroughly updated version. The future has arrived. All these “prototypes” look great. Nice job HD!

    • Stuki says:

      Nothing wrong with doing what Buell was trying to do. Back when Harley, and their dealers, could mint money by simply adding some chrome to an old bike, it was perhaps understandable they preferred to stick to their own, competition free, area of the playground; rather than mix it up with the other kids like Erik was doing.

      But now, those days are over. And the entire Harley ecosystem is well aware of it. Bloody shame Erik is likely burned out by now, from being stuck fighting uphill ahead of his time for so long.

  126. red says:

    wow.. look at HD not going gentle into that good night. Good for them. All three are pretty cool looking. re: adv style, name one good looking adv-touring bike, they’re all ugly-ish, but this one is above average imo while keeping a harley look about it. I’m glad to see HD come out swinging instead of following the old playbook. (right into the ground)

    • Auphliam says:

      And no beak 🙂

      • Ericstraordinary says:

        From the front it is more like the snout of a robot hippopotamus. From the side it is like a bike for a grizzled cyborg cop from a made-for-TV 1970s sci-fi miniseries.

    • KenLee says:

      One good looking adv-touring bike? Africa Twin- voila! 🙂

  127. KTM Pilot says:

    For sure, ALL the Hardly-Ableson design team passed Butt Ugly 101. The adv “bike” is …… well……words just can’t describe it.

  128. davor says:

    Counter point- the Harley ADV bike brings the fixed fairing cruiser and blends it into an acceptable looking bike, less Dakar than the Africa Twin, but certainly on par with all these “ugly” ADV bikes.
    the Streetfighter is welcome if late to the party.
    and Livewire better stick with that name and not the rumored and retarded Revolution name

    the old dog is learning new tricks, a few good reviews and correct placement and H-D will not have trouble staying relevant.

  129. Neal says:

    Oh hell yeah, both bikes look awesome. I hope Harley shoots for prices closer to the Japanese than the Euro brands. And I hope Harley is figuring out how to avoid the mistakes of the Streets again, such as: ugly exposed wiring, exhaust routing making foot positions awkward, designing for lowest possible seat height to the detriment of platform flexibility

    • Neal says:

      Another thought: if HD can bring zero-maintenance belt drives and hydraulic valves to new categories, they will have a credible USP beyond the Harley brand.

  130. Rennie says:

    That adv maybe the ugliest bike ever designed. After that it’s all about weight. Harley motor weights seem to always break the design

    • j_cott says:

      Agreed. And, as typical, HD is exploring categories that everyone else entered decades ago. Hard for them to play competitively when everyone else has a 20 year head start. Maybe some day they’ll figure it out….

      • Dave says:

        Where should they start, then? They’re attempting to remake themselves and this looks like an amazing start for a company that has been so reluctant to change.

        The street fighter looks visually competitive with anything else out there, but it still looks like an American bike, instead of a japanese or european bike.They’re getting it figured out.

    • Zuki says:

      Ugliest bike ever designed? Really? It’s got a long line to get behind for that title. I’m not an HD diehard fan and I’m usually despising them for their lack of making anything but cruisers. My first reaction when seeing the Pan America was surprise and first thought is it’s a good-looking adventure bike, with unique styling that sets it apart. I applaud HD for finally realizing they need to branch out and are making an effort.

    • Motoman says:

      Sorry Rennie, gotta agree with Dave and Zuki

    • Tommy D says:

      If I hold my thumb over the front headlight cowl I really like the look. Take my thumb away and I shake my head. It’s too heavy on the Road Glide styling.

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