I guess it's all over...

[letusbuyyourcar]

I know enough to be dangerous. My wife however is the GM of a Harley Dealership and has been a GM in the industry for over 25 Years, so yeah I know enough. I do not disagree with your original premise. What you are noticing is you are getting old and many of the things that hold fond memories for you are also getting old.
The allure of a bad ass loud and obnoxious Harley still tugs at my heart strings. It reminds me of an old saying.. I'm not as good as I once was, but I am as good once as I ever was. You know you're getting old when 25 year olds look like 16 year olds in your minds eye.

It's a little of what you said but also a lot of people compromising standards. When I worked at the port of Brunswick there were Jaguar SUVs and Maserati SUVs. I had to move some of them from A to B. That's not what Jag or Maserati was supposed to be. Like a Porsche sedan... Man please! If you wanna go fast in a German sedan you get a 5 or 7 series BMW. But at the end of the day I now find myself in that demographic that has no input at all. Worst part is I ai t even 50 yet.

 

[Constitution Hour]

Why is it few have realized the Green New Deal is right on time for the New way of thinking? The smart money is on electric. I say smart not because the technology is so awesome or that it will change our energy consumption or save the Planet. I say it because it is the TREND and when half the Globe or more is pushing the narrative it would be wise to invest in it even if you would never buy it yourself.

 

[Constitution Hour]

Harley-Davidsons are an expensive way to turn gas into noise without making any horsepower. By making them electric they just killed the nostalgia factor and probably alienated the few customers they have left.

The acceleration is pretty impressive though, I'll give them that. let's see the technology advance to a point where they can build a bike that is lighter than a 600cc inline-4 supersport

Horse power? You can't be serious. Show me a Jap Bike that can turn in a 215 mph 1/4 mile run. Do you know why Harley was not around for the majority of the NHRA motorcycle racing? They were too large (displacement) the jap Bikes were averaging 160-185 1/4 mile speeds. Yes they have more HP but lower torque and smaller displacement. I have seen Harleys run 24 mph 1/4 mile @ 5400 rpm I have owned many motorcycles and as I said before I loved them all. Jap bikes are fun and quick, Harleys are fun and fast. There is a difference. Horse power vs torque, top end vs acceleration.

 

[DirtySouth]

Horse power? You can't be serious. Show me a Jap Bike that can turn in a 215 mph 1/4 mile run. Do you know why Harley was not around for the majority of the NHRA motorcycle racing? They were too large (displacement) the jap Bikes were averaging 160-185 1/4 mile speeds.

What does a stock Harley of your choosing run in a quarter mile?

 

[Constitution Hour]

What does a stock Harley of your choosing run in a quarter mile?

Who said anything about "stock".
I can't remember the last time I owned anything that was stock.

 

[streetroc]

Horse power? You can't be serious. Show me a Jap Bike that can turn in a 215 mph 1/4 mile run. Do you know why Harley was not around for the majority of the NHRA motorcycle racing? They were too large (displacement) the jap Bikes were averaging 160-185 1/4 mile speeds. Yes they have more HP but lower torque and smaller displacement. I have seen Harleys run 24 mph 1/4 mile @ 5400 rpm I have owned many motorcycles and as I said before I loved them all. Jap bikes are fun and quick, Harleys are fun and fast. There is a difference. Horse power vs torque, top end vs acceleration.

When was the last time a Harley rider stood on the podium at the Isle of Man TT?

 

[Constitution Hour]

It's a little of what you said but also a lot of people compromising standards. When I worked at the port of Brunswick there were Jaguar SUVs and Maserati SUVs. I had to move some of them from A to B. That's not what Jag or Maserati was supposed to be. Like a Porsche sedan... Man please! If you wanna go fast in a German sedan you get a 5 or 7 series BMW. But at the end of the day I now find myself in that demographic that has no input at all. Worst part is I ai t even 50 yet.

Trends my friend, trends. I agree with your premise "read sentiment".
Hell the majority of German cars have gone 4cyl turbo, another "trend" and all of it is IMHO trending towards Electric under the misguided idealism of saving the Planet. I will be dead before it comes to that and I'm ok with that.

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

Trends my friend, trends. I agree with your premise "read sentiment".
Hell the majority of German cars have gone 4cyl turbo, another "trend" and all of it is IMHO trending towards Electric under the misguided idealism of saving the Planet. I will be dead before it comes to that and I'm ok with that.

I don't mind the cars going to 4 cylinder turbo if they have it worked out right. Many years ago I read that Germany charged you for your tags by engine displacement as much as year and value. So having a turbo 4 made sense. And I never ever looked at a diesel powered car until I worked at an independent VW/Audi shop back in 06/07. Those TDI cars are the only VWs I would own.

 

[Constitution Hour]

When was the last time a Harley rider stood on the podium at the Isle of Man TT?

When was last time I gave two ****s what the Europeans think? I'll take never for $500 Alex.
The point, at least in part of the originalposter was how all things American , traditional real manly American are fading into wussyfied Soy boy electric bull****. I tend to agree with him. Then again as I pointed out it is a trend.
Sorry if I offended your Manly crotch rocket adoration. That **** is a young mans game. Each to their own.

 

[DirtySouth]

Who said anything about "stock".
I can't remember the last time I owned anything that was stock.

So a Harley can be made "fast" if you rebuild it and throw a bunch of cash at it. I understand now.