Topic: mini pigs will fly

[bikerbart]

so, Harley finally got it. They are going to build a 500 and 750 cc version of the V rod, liquid cooled and all. I am shocked to be honest. Its about time they realized that a 900 cc 650 lb 44 hp bike is not a beginner bike , or 'Girls' bike.

[JeffSTL]

I'm not sure why, but I got a little excited and hopeful when I saw your post.  I can't understand what they are doing. This is the best they could do?  It still has the super low Harley seat and raked forks...UGLY.  To top it off, it is being built in India and still costs $7000-$8000. Yet another reason to not support that company. I'd much rather buy a Royal Enfield.

[Don R]

 Indiana maybe, but who am I to quibble? Mine are all Japanese.

[JeffSTL]

The cycle world article said Bawal, India. The point being, this American company could produce them here and provide good paying jobs for Americans, but they (like most corporations) could give a #$%* less.

[Raul CB750K1]

Think globally.... the world economy is not ripe for 18K behemoths....

I rented a V-rod for a full day and put 400 miles on it. I had a hard time putting the full footplant on the pegs! It was made for taller people than I am.

I have no use for a V-rod, but a smaller bike, nimble enough to move through city traffic but powerful enough to not let you down on the highway, priced like an sportster but with a more radical look, that's something there must be some market for.

What if it is built in India? Many hardcore harley fans doesn't consider the V-rod a real Harley anyway, as the engine was designed by Porsche. So, what's wrong with trying to build a cheaper bike to appeal some new customers? The Harley T-shirts are not made in US either and I don't read any complaint about it.... :-)

[JeffSTL]

It's not particularly about a product being made in the US or not. An example, You obviously have never lived in the "cotton belt." The Carlolinas used to be a textiles powerhouse providing a lot of decent paying jobs. The companies decided to move production offshore, not because they needed lower cost labor to compete, but so they could pad their profits by taking advantage of people in impoverished countries. The shirts cost the same, profits up. General Motors wasn't satisfied making $5Billion in profits, so they close plants in Michigan and move them to Mexico so they can make an extra billon. Cheaper labor, price of the car goes up. I think that any American company that takes a job from here and sends it somewhere else should be taxed out the ass to bring the product back in. Wonder what kind of wages Harley is paying workers in India? I would feel ok with it if I knew they were making a comfortable living, but I suspect they are not.

[ekpent]

They are not really building it for the American market per say anyways probably. They will dribble in a few over here just because they may want to compete a little in that price point and size but they are looking more for sales in other countries like India for example that have mostly smaller size machines that are used for serious daily transportation and other chores. Smaller bikes are a huge market in other parts of the world.

[martin99]

When Royal Enfields started being made in India, quality control went down the pan. I have owned both genuine Redbridge UK Bullets and Indian ones. My last was a 1996 Indian - not that old. Not a single panel matched, paint was thin and bubbling with rust, and the chrome was terrible. Harley might have shot themselves in the foot, methinks.

[Bankerdanny]

I had no issues with the quality of my 2002 Enfield.

And is it really fair to use a 17 year old example to measure quality today? How good was the quality on the typical domestic car in 1996? How about Hyundai? The quality of the Korean imports is light years ahead of where it was then.

[martin99]

I had no issues with the quality of my 2002 Enfield.

And is it really fair to use a 17 year old example to measure quality today? How good was the quality on the typical domestic car in 1996? How about Hyundai? The quality of the Korean imports is light years ahead of where it was then.

Perhaps it isn't fair, no. It's good to hear your 2002 model is ok. I was thinking more about the fact that the original UK ones of the '60s were better built than those being produced in India 30 years later. Of course, things may have moved on whereas I probably haven't

[simon#42]

the quality of the new enfields isn't that bad , it seems to be a sign of the times though to keep costs down triumph bonneville's are made in malaysia and all of the bmw twin and most of the four cylinder engines have been made in china for years . to be honest i would rather pay a bit more and have an english triumph , a german bmw and an american harley .

[bikerbart]

Imagine the money they would make if they remade the XR750.

[Duke McDukiedook]

I had no issues with the quality of my 2002 Enfield.

And is it really fair to use a 17 year old example to measure quality today? How good was the quality on the typical domestic car in 1996? How about Hyundai? The quality of the Korean imports is light years ahead of where it was then.

Perhaps it isn't fair, no. It's good to hear your 2002 model is ok. I was thinking more about the fact that the original UK ones of the '60s were better built than those being produced in India 30 years later. Of course, things may have moved on whereas I probably haven't

You could say that about damn near anything made back in the 50's, 60's and even the 70's. Built to last, usually overengineered on purpose.

[Damfino]

I heard this morning that the new bikes would be produced in Kansas City.   


EDIT: Here's the story...

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/11/06/4602128/harleys-kansas-city-plant-to-build.html

[Duke McDukiedook]

The key word being assembled?

[Bankerdanny]

I think nostalgia over quality in the 50's and 60's is a bit overstated, particularly British cars and bikes. Overengineered? Sure, I'll buy that, but high quality? I don't know.

[bikerbart]

My good friend stopped by with his newish 72 . Wow , the paint , the bike in general. If I were to get a new Harley, thats what I would get. very Sweet. The metal flake reminded me of the carnival rides in the 70's, very cool . Almost converted me. Almost.