SuzukiSavage.com - Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant

hotrod Senior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 326 NC Gender:	Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant Reply #15 - 06/21/19 at 20:17:58 I sold my 2011 Sportster 48. Now I don't have to chain my wallet to my pants anymore, also my hair is growing in much thicker since I no longer have to wear a rag on my head. People at rest stops talk to me as they assume that I don't have a attitude. Funny thing. I did like that bike.
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philthymike

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Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant
Reply #16 - 06/21/19 at 20:33:54

There's alot to like about some of their bikes. The big touring monsters have a practical use and are well thought out.

I have pretty long hair but I manage to not look outlawish so I'm frequently approached by random people wanting to talk to me at rest areas and parking garages etc.
I just think that motorcycling in this country gets a bad rap thanks to the old Harley badass mentality. I try to put it in a positive light when talking to strangers. Many people out there have always wanted to try it but didn't want to be seen as or noticed by 1%ers. Lots of silly preconceptions steer people away. It's a shame.

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MMRanch

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Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant
Reply #17 - 06/21/19 at 20:46:08

JOG

I suspect for every Harley with over 100k miles there is 100 with less than 10k miles just taking up garage space . Grin

From what I've seen ... very few bikes ever get over 100K miles on them. Harley or not.

my last Harley (883) had about 45K miles on it and had started weeping oil from both cylinders .
my last 4 cylinder (Kawasaki 750LTD) had a flopping cam-chain before 50K miles.
I got tired of most of them before they were wore-out.
my first Savage suffered from a warped head due to an error on my part.
my current S-40 only has almost 50K on it and except for the Cam-adjuster and some clutch work its been trouble free.

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« Last Edit: 06/22/19 at 08:48:54 by MMRanch »

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MMRanch Serious Thumper Offline Evil flourishes if Good Men do Nothing. Posts: 5836 LYNCHBURG TN Gender:	Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant Reply #18 - 06/21/19 at 22:36:26 Just found this on the Guzzi site : https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/motorcycles/harley-davidson-just-revealed-the... 338 cc Harley ! Stew , don't put money on that 400cc Kawasaki yet ! you might could have a Harley for the same money ?
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Dave

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Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant
Reply #19 - 06/22/19 at 03:21:45

MMRanch wrote on 06/21/19 at 22:36:26:

Just found this on the Guzzi site :

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/motorcycles/harley-davidson-just-revealed-the...

338 cc Harley !

Stew , don't put money on that 400cc Kawasaki yet ! you might could have a Harley for the same money ? Roll Eyes

From the looks of that photo......Harley is going to start building the Buell Blast again - but with a smaller engine size. Shocked

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MMRanch

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Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant
Reply #20 - 06/22/19 at 09:20:14

Ya , it looks like a single cylinder with two exhaust valves and exhaust pipes to match .

Do ya think it might be liquid cooled ?
I'm thinking Harley would need to maintain their low RPM - long stroke image at least as much as 338cc would allow .

You know what ? Didn't Harley make a 350cc single in the (1970 ?) that looked like an over grown Honda 65cc ? Huh

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Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant
Reply #21 - 06/22/19 at 11:05:09

MMRanch wrote on 06/22/19 at 09:20:14:

You know what ? Didn't Harley make a 350cc single in the (1970 ?) that looked like an over grown Honda 65cc ? Huh

Yep.....the Sprint. It also came in a 250cc size - but the 350 was more popular.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0115-201011/1969-harley-davidson-sprint-350/

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hotrod Senior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 326 NC Gender:	Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant Reply #22 - 06/22/19 at 11:37:02 I sold mine about 6 years ago for $800.00 They were made in Italy. :'(
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Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant
Reply #23 - 06/22/19 at 13:49:41

The birth of the Sportster saved the company some 50/60 years ago. I’ve been saying it for years “it’s only a matter of time” till it comes crashing down for their American market. A huge hint is when the pulled out all of the funding for Alta Motorcycles , causing Alta to close. A massive mistake they should have done a hostile takeover and then sold Altas under the H/D name. I find it hilarious that a huge company like H/D with all that money cant see the market is changing and not adapt and even build a electric bike that has no possible chance in this market. Dumb & Dumber ! Stupid is Stupid does ! You can’t fix Stupid ! And don’t blame the president while he didn’t help the situation he didn’t put H/D in this situation. After all we don’t ride looking at the front wheel , we are looking as far ahead as possible , but H/D is staring at their front wheel with no attempt of looking into their market futures !
My 2 cents worth , from a dumb mechanic. Grin

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Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant
Reply #24 - 06/22/19 at 15:32:55

Dave wrote on 06/22/19 at 11:05:09:

MMRanch wrote on 06/22/19 at 09:20:14:

You know what ? Didn't Harley make a 350cc single in the (1970 ?) that looked like an over grown Honda 65cc ? Huh

Yep.....the Sprint. It also came in a 250cc size - but the 350 was more popular.

They also imported some various 2 stroke singles over the years. The Baja 100, and the Sprints were replaced by a Spanish made 250 2 stroke. And there was the Shortster, I forget who made that one.

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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 18099 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant Reply #25 - 06/22/19 at 16:26:49 If Harley had made this......I might be riding one!
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LANCER Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Savage Beast Performance Parts Posts: 10665 Oklahoma Gender:	Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant Reply #26 - 06/22/19 at 17:28:07 Dave, the RYCA Sporty cafe kit would get you going in that direction. 😁
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Matchless G11 Senior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 451 Newfoundland NJ	Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant Reply #27 - 06/22/19 at 17:43:38 Dave wrote on 06/22/19 at 16:26:49: If Harley had made this......I might be riding one! http://i68.tinypic.com/1z557r6.jpg Harley did, the XR1200 The shame they killed it off. Give me a 1956 khk
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Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant
Reply #28 - 06/22/19 at 20:46:14

The new big HD's now run water cooled heads , they where always high torque /lower rpm/ long stroke motors ,now with fuel injection. It's to bad they invested in 30,000 dollar electric bikes , when there money could have been better invested in a clean burning diesel motor .All the basics exist ,except higher compression. ( and some brain cells)

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Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5103 Manteca , CA Gender:	Re: Harley Davidson struggling, closing KC plant Reply #29 - 06/22/19 at 23:16:17 Dave wrote on 06/22/19 at 16:26:49: If Harley had made this......I might be riding one! http://i68.tinypic.com/1z557r6.jpg They did , the CR1000
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