Harley did it again?
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3,415 Posts
Re: And why they COULD
My understanding is they make money on cruisers and finnancing, and loose money on sportbikes, and that the sportbike market is all about prestige for them.
I'm glad Harley is making money, why would anyone be against an American company, paying union wages and bennies, and sourcing most of there parts in the US.
My understanding is they make money on cruisers and finnancing, and loose money on sportbikes, and that the sportbike market is all about prestige for them.
I'm glad Harley is making money, why would anyone be against an American company, paying union wages and bennies, and sourcing most of there parts in the US.
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1,754 Posts
Re: This don't hurt.
I'm so with you on this one. Pam Anderson strikes me as a skanky cartoon with too much make up. And probably a walking test tube. Put her under a microscope and I'm frightend at the thought of what you might find.
Of course, this could be totally wrong, and Halle Berry or C.Z. Jones could also be major carriers (after all, C.Z.J. did marry Michael Douglas, one of the biggest sleezes on the left coast), but they certainly strike a more classy and appealing impression.
I'm so with you on this one. Pam Anderson strikes me as a skanky cartoon with too much make up. And probably a walking test tube. Put her under a microscope and I'm frightend at the thought of what you might find.
Of course, this could be totally wrong, and Halle Berry or C.Z. Jones could also be major carriers (after all, C.Z.J. did marry Michael Douglas, one of the biggest sleezes on the left coast), but they certainly strike a more classy and appealing impression.
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5,447 Posts
Re: Hawgs
I see this whole Harley "renaissance" as a kind of cultural amnesia. Harley almost tanked a few decades ago, by producing an inferior, dated product. Somehow, through a kind of reverse-logic, it became the bike of choice for a certain brand of rider. And you can be sure, that "brand" of rider, knew one end of a wrench from the other.
As other (read that Japanese) brands became more and more attuned to US needs, Harleys percentage of the market shrank. Hence the 30% import tariffs on any bike 750cc and over, back in "the bad old days" at Harley. Remembering how bad they were, I think, is the hardest part for anyone in my age bracket, to forget. Not to mention, a used hog in fair, to poor shape was a relatively cheap item, back in them thar days.
Now, Harley Davidson is selling pretty much the same product (albeit with Japanese parts), but to a different group of rider, nostalgic in intent, but for the most part vacuous in mechanical ability. A small percent of people who buy new Harleys, actually work on them. Maybe change a sparkplug, but no major stuff, like splitting cases. Take it to the dealer. And when it gets old and faded, sell it, and buy a new one.
This Harley rebirth is to me, a kind of insidious look at the way our culture, as a nation, is headed. Where looks are accepted over substance. Glitz over function. And no one works on anything, or knows how anything works.
Where nostalgia is canned, and sold, like soup.
BTW, I'd have three Harleys, if I could buy a thrashed one for around $750.00 again.
I see this whole Harley "renaissance" as a kind of cultural amnesia. Harley almost tanked a few decades ago, by producing an inferior, dated product. Somehow, through a kind of reverse-logic, it became the bike of choice for a certain brand of rider. And you can be sure, that "brand" of rider, knew one end of a wrench from the other.
As other (read that Japanese) brands became more and more attuned to US needs, Harleys percentage of the market shrank. Hence the 30% import tariffs on any bike 750cc and over, back in "the bad old days" at Harley. Remembering how bad they were, I think, is the hardest part for anyone in my age bracket, to forget. Not to mention, a used hog in fair, to poor shape was a relatively cheap item, back in them thar days.
Now, Harley Davidson is selling pretty much the same product (albeit with Japanese parts), but to a different group of rider, nostalgic in intent, but for the most part vacuous in mechanical ability. A small percent of people who buy new Harleys, actually work on them. Maybe change a sparkplug, but no major stuff, like splitting cases. Take it to the dealer. And when it gets old and faded, sell it, and buy a new one.
This Harley rebirth is to me, a kind of insidious look at the way our culture, as a nation, is headed. Where looks are accepted over substance. Glitz over function. And no one works on anything, or knows how anything works.
Where nostalgia is canned, and sold, like soup.
BTW, I'd have three Harleys, if I could buy a thrashed one for around $750.00 again.
Re: Hawgs
all that chrome on those 50s cadillacs were pure function. looks over substance is nothing new here.
The folks at harley must've figured out more people liked riding instead of wrenching.
the irony of my situation is that i have to wrench on my old honda and not the new harley.boohoo
all that chrome on those 50s cadillacs were pure function. looks over substance is nothing new here.
The folks at harley must've figured out more people liked riding instead of wrenching.
the irony of my situation is that i have to wrench on my old honda and not the new harley.boohoo
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5,447 Posts
Re: Yamaha MT01
By about 1920, every configuration of piston type engine had been tested. Sleeve-valves, double over head cam, desmo, 5 valve heads.
Rotary valves, etc..etc...Look at thr Frontiac Ford, DOHC, 4 Valve per cylinder Model T based engines (how the Chevrolet Bros. got started).
By about 1920, every configuration of piston type engine had been tested. Sleeve-valves, double over head cam, desmo, 5 valve heads.
Rotary valves, etc..etc...Look at thr Frontiac Ford, DOHC, 4 Valve per cylinder Model T based engines (how the Chevrolet Bros. got started).
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