Thursday, June 05, 2008

What's Wrong With These Guys?

So HD is producing the super-cool XR1200.

For Europeans.

Not us.

I am so pissed off.

See, if HD were to release that bike over here, I'd be first in line at the dealership. Well, ok, I'd probably wait a year and then get one.

All the same, there are a lot of American riders who would like to ride an American bike with a sporty attitude, but not a Buell.

I guess HD knows their market better than I do but, seriously guys, throw us a bone now and then. Get some young guys on a sporting, cheap Harley. Then when they're old guys they'll plunk down the cash for a big twin.

Well, at least I can still dream about the Street Triple. They're actually available here.

5 comments:

Mr. Motorcycle said...

I'm no marketing expert, but I think they are making a mistake by not selling them here in the U.S.

I know lots of people who don't ride Harley Davidson now, and don't want Buell that would likely cross brand lines into the Harley world if they did sell them in the U.S.

I kind of like them myself. Then again, I never met a motorcycle I didn't like. (O.K.) maybe a couple, but still respect them for what they are.

Chris Cope said...

Maybe I'll get one just to make you jealous. No, probably not.

Biker Betty said...

Boo on Harley Davidson!

Kano said...

I've got to admit after reading your post I had to go look up what you're talking about. You're right that XR1200 IS a cool looking machine! Maybe they are just test marketing it in Europe and will eventually sell it in the U.S.

I ride an XL1200C and will never move up to a big twin. Just can't justify paying double what I paid for my little Sportster and it's a little cheaper on gas too.

I think for HD to survive they will need to build and sell bikes like that XR1200 to appeal to the younger folks. With the price of gas these days and going up more every day that may need to do the unthinkable too. Imagine that, a Harley scooter!

Lucky said...

I think Harley is in a tight spot. Even when they WANT to innovate, their customers won't let them.

They're close to getting away with it with the XR1200 because if you're going to be old-school, you have to dig flat-trackers.

Also, an HD scooter is very thinkable. In fact, they built one for a while: The Topper, back in the 1960's.