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I'm not a big fairing guy or big fender kind of guy so I'd do some mods there but it is a pretty bike. Those hardcases in back look better than most.

cb360 wrote:I'm not a big fairing guy or big fender kind of guy

Well, that explains your zest for the Sportster I do believe! My buddy is the same way. He likes the shorty, retro chopper look with as few body parts as possible. Nothing wrong with that. I'd like to have a full-fairing in early spring and in the fall, but for summer riding I am happy to go sans shield and helmet. Just as soon as I can afford two bikes.....

Yep. I've never ridden a Sportster that I remember though and if I did it was long, long ago - I just like the look. At this point I don't do a lot of highway riding so I don't need a fairing. I'm sure that if I start touring I'll want a fairing. I'll just make sure it's the detachable kind.

"Give Buell a 150 horsepower, liquid cooled V-twin. Compete and win!"



"You stated that Ducati did just that, and lost. Perhaps HD realise the futility of another V-twin spotsbike up against the Japanese manufacturers ability to produce
superior machines. Just a thought."

HD has been in much better financial shape than Ducati for the past ten years or so. Pound for pound the most profitable motorcycle company in the world. Buell brings bleeding edge engineering and design to the table -- except in the engine category.

HD/Buell are a decent engine away from competing in Superbike, if not Moto GP. Time to step up to the plate. The future of this brand cannot rely on nostalgia and mid life crisis.

Besides, I want America to compete for the win. Dan Gurney, Mario Andretti, that sort of thing. Astronauts stepping on new ground instead of scraping caulking off the bottom of space barges.

PhilD9er wrote:The future of this brand cannot rely on nostalgia and mid life crisis.

And don't think Harley doesn't realise this, which is why the whole V-Rod idea came about. But for the next approx 10 years there will still be enough of the "mid life crisis" market around to keep producing aircooled v-twins with outdated styling. Simply put, Harley will build what the customers want and judging by the amount of new leftover V-Rods and Buells I've seen gathering dust in dealerships here in Ontario, people are not ready for a quantum leap in styling and technology just yet.

The one fly in Harley's ointment is ever tightening EPA regs; pretty soon it will be impossible for them to build an air cooled engine that meets with noise and emissions levels.

Emissions regs will catch up, but why play some end game strategy? True, the V-Rod is a harbinger, perhaps. But I think Harley is way out of touch with the motorcycling community overall.

Billions in profits through the nineties, slowing the production line down to keep prices high. Buell enters the fold, but is there a real commitment there? We'll see what happens in the next few years.

Gummiente wrote:......and judging by the amount of new leftover V-Rods and Buells I've seen gathering dust in dealerships here in Ontario....

Here in KC they ran out of Buells about 2 months before the 2006 announcement, and they cannot keep a Street Rod in stock. None have ever seen the showroom floor. They were sold before they were uncrated.

DustyJacket wrote:Here in KC they ran out of Buells about 2 months before the 2006 announcement, and they cannot keep a Street Rod in stock. None have ever seen the showroom floor. They were sold before they were uncrated.

I guess it depends on what area you're in, then. I'd LIKE to see more Buells and V-Rods out on the roads here but for some reason the preferred rides are Japanese sportbikes and, of course, cruisers.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get a chance. I am somewhat used to it now and a bit more relaxed when riding.

Still enjoying the comments from young ladies in cars I pass...

I can't wait to Test a STREET-ROD.

I'm not into the V-Rod styling much, but I love the S-R look.

I know H-D's are costly but I never count pennies while I'm thinking with my heart! (& not thru my accountants brain.) Life is toooo short to worry about the 'dreaded coin'....

Some people treat money a bit to seriously. Every now & then it's Great Fun to just....LASH out & SPEND!!