Build it H-D, Customers will come with $$$ !
The Wisconsin-based company said it is launching by 2020 a new platform of 500 cc to 1250 cc middleweight bikes and an even smaller bike for emerging markets in Asia.
"We're going to be doubling down on existing products. We're going to invest in an all-new middleweight platform, which is a modular chassis and a very core engine technology to go in three dramatically different spaces: adventure touring, custom and street fighter," Levatich said in a wide-ranging interview with CNBC's Morgan Brennan.
Great catch John, AKA RF_R_US ! Yea, so how many of us have been harping on this modular middleweight formula to be the next bike to help save H-D ? Maybe they listened ? Or more likely they finally gave in to reality. This actually was used to revive Triumph, same 3 Cylinder basic engine, different cam profiles, exhaust, frame, running gear and visual finish for a cruiser, sport touring and "street fighter" road race style bike, it worked. Only then a decade later did they re-invent the Bonneville, did it right, fine tuned it and it succeeded. It works to help build up the base, but can also create separate bikes great in their own right but sharing a basic engine. H-D has always done this with their engines, but never in such different types of bikes. Hopefully they are listening - all here on the site should offer their suggestions here to H-D to prevent them from doing a Face Book sized Face Plant. Here's mine -
The engine MUST be excellent, and REVO bulletproof. Just take basic 1250 REVO design, add a 1/4 to 3/8 stroke, optimized cam profiles for the model, add a Friggin' 6th gear, & you got it ! DO NOT create another pushrod 20K mile cam box failure, "heritage" half watercooled separate transmission turd. Top notch modern or don't bother.
Offer each style of bike in two levels of trim, one standard lower cost production to bring in new buyers and one upscale trim with better paint, suspension, brakes ( CVO like but without the 40K price ) for those of us that have been around, value such things and will pay for it. Or even buy the basic trim level bike, & pick your favorite trim level upgrades - better seat & windshield, or better brakes & suspension, premium paint till your wallet runs out. Make it FUN to buy the bike !, haggle and A$$ wipe, vulture circling sales Dick free. :banghead:
I could go on but you get the idea. Gotta get back to work to make sure I keep that $ 25K + burning a hole in my account ready to hand over to H-D if they do this right. Do it RIGHT H-D ! :blahblah:
