TK4
Well-known member
Tubeless spoked rims - welcome to the 21st century.
2026 Harley
- Thread starter TK4
- Start date
Glenn/RZ500
Well-known member
That's the point. Every time they try to modernize anything, their core freaks out. It seems like the only path for HD is following the old white guys to their grave.
Glenn/RZ500
Well-known member
That`s for sure a `26 Heritage paint job. They have a sh*t ton of modern tech on them but retain the classic style, the average buyers age must be around 50+. I don`t know how they get away from the jam they`re in, I thought the Pan-Am series might have turned things somewhat but dealers have lots of them in inventory, new and used. The Street series flopped, never got a chance to develop and the V-Rod never caught on and even now parts supply is dodgy and they seem to sit forever on the used market. New bikes, 25`s and 24`s are discounted and have extended warranty and reasonable-ish finance and lifetime oil changes. Looks like Trump has severely soured global purchases outside America not to mention the big initial buy in. I hope they find a way.
The flagship/heavyweight ADV bike market demographic is very much a "buy-whatever's-on-this-month's-magazine-cover".
I have friends who trade in their bikes every few months and their buying decision is pretty much based on whatever the moto press/YouTube videos are currently hyping up. One buddy who did pick up the Pan America when it first debuted, he traded in his brand new 1290 Super Adventure R for it. He later traded the PA in for a R1300GS when that hit the market (and the magazine covers). The PA had less than 1000 kms on it. Wasn't even broken in. He currently rides a R1300GS Adventure...
At the price point these bikes are selling at, they are primarily a status symbol. What makes a model successful over the long run is if you can garner repeat business from owners trading in their older models for the next version. Happens with GS owners. Happens with traditional HD owners. Didn't happen for Pan America owners...
No knock against the Pan America. I think my bike, the DesertX, is also a flavour-of-the-month kind of bike. I just happened to buy it when it was well "out of flavour" and will probably keep it longer than most DDX owners will.
I see most sport bikes the same, not much difference in styling
