H-D plans an adventure tourer for 2020

jadmt

ignore button user
LOL all the things you hated are what made Harley's the great American motorcycle..I firmly believe when they tried moving into the modern era is when they lost a major market share..40 plus years on a Harley.. probably a million miles and my next ride will be a Victory or Indian..
Something about old iron that stirs the soul.
 

MTVR

Well-known member
We visited the MV Agusta factory, located on the shores of Lake Varese in northern Italy, before we puchased my MV Agusta F3 800.

And if owning a Harley-Davidson is like having Rosie O'Donnell as a wife, then riding a hand-built Italian exotic like the F3 is like keeping an Italian supermodel as a mistress.

The F3 was the last motorcycle designed by the late Massimo Tamburini, "The Michelangelo of Motorcycles", and has been voted as the most beautiful motorcycle ever designed.

And riding it is like sex on wheels. Inappropriate sex on wheels. It handles better than any motorcycle I've ever ridden. The sound from the reverse-rotation 13,500 rpm inline triple exhaling through it's titanium pipe organ exhaust is more Italian than any V12 Lamborghini. It just tingles. People talk about "character", but this motorcycle moves me in a way that no other motorcycle ever has.

 
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Mike W.

Well-known member
We visited the MV Agusta factory, located on the shores of Lake Varese in northern Italy, before we puchased my MV Agusta F3 800. And if owning a Harley-Davidson is like having Rosie O'Donnell as a wife, then riding a hand-built Italian exotic like the F3 is like keeping an Italian supermodel as a mistress.

The F3 was the last motorcycle designed by the late Massimo Tamburini, "The Michaelangelo of Motorcycles", and has been voted as the most beautiful motorcycle ever designed.

And riding it is like sex on wheels. Inappropriate sex on wheels. It handles better than any motorcycle I've ever ridden. The sound from it's titanium pipe organ exhaust is more Italian than any V12 Lamborghini. It just tingles. People talk about "character", but this motorcycle moves me in a way that no other motorcycle ever has.

I get those same goose bumps when I walk out in the back shed and toss the dusty canvas cover off my 1978 Harley FXE..I admire the chrome and rust..I stare deeply at the dripping oil..( I can tell by the puddle if I need to add a few drops) I shiver when I unplug the battery tender..and I pray when turn the key and hope she rumbles to life..Kick starting it sucks..does anyone remember a Kickstarter?

She's no super model but has been one hell of a companion for 42 years and about 250,000 miles..I might even paint her again someday..
 

MTVR

Well-known member
I get those same goose bumps when I walk out in the back shed and toss the dusty canvas cover off my 1978 Harley FXE..I admire the chrome and rust..I stare deeply at the dripping oil..( I can tell by the puddle if I need to add a few drops) I shiver when I unplug the battery tender..and I pray when turn the key and hope she rumbles to life..Kick starting it sucks..does anyone remember a Kickstarter?

She's no super model but has been one hell of a companion for 42 years and about 250,000 miles..I might even paint her again someday..

Isn't that right ********** dab in the middle of the AMF era?
 
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Mike W.

Well-known member
Isn't that right ********** dab in the middle of the AMG era?
Next to last year..and it's never leaked as bad as people think.. LOL. It's went through 5 complete rebuilds over the years and is still my favorite toy..
 

MTVR

Well-known member
Hey, I just found this:

At a press conference late Monday, the CEO of Johnson Marine, makers of Johnson outboard marine engines and other recreational equipment, unveiled a new line of heavyweight cruiser style motorcycles designed to compete head to head with industry leader Harley-Davidson.

Peter Long, Johnson brands marketing manager said, "We have studied the market and determined that Harley, while highly successful, has narrowly missed the mark when targeting motorcycle buyers". Long added, "We at Johnson are convinced that our product hits the target
dead center and promises to draw sales away from Harley-Davidson in a way no other motorcycle has been able to accomplish".

The new line of bikes, marketed under the name Big Johnson Motorcycles, will, according to Long, deliver what Harley has only promised. "Our research show that this, a Big Johnson, is what Harley buyers are really after". At the unveiling of the new line Monday, several current Harley owners agreed. "When I bought my Harley, what I really needed was a Big Johnson," said one Harley owner." But I see now that riding a Harley is no replacement for having a Big Johnson."

Manager Long also said that his company would follow the lead of Harley-Davidson and cash in on a huge market for non-motorcycle related products. "We realize that not every guy can have a Big Johnson," said Long, "But image is very important to people. If they don't have a Big Johnson, they at least want to project the image of having one."

Asked if he anticipated Big Johnsons showing up in the hands of Harley owners, Long said it was unlikely. "I just don't see the need to have a Harley if you have a Big Johnson," he said. "And I can't imagine someone who spends all their resources to acquire a Harley having a Big Johnson. I think it boils down to this - You either have a Harley, or you have a Big Johnson, but you are not likely to have both." "Given the choice," said Long, "I think most guys will opt for the Big Johnson."

Another force driving sales for the company will come from women. A survey of the wives and girlfriends of nearly 1,000 potential motorcycle buyers indicates less than 5% would approve of their partner spending $15,000 on a Harley Davidson. But, when asked if they would be willing to pay the same amount of money to get their partner a Big Johnson, nearly 4 out 5 thought that would be money well spent.

One female present at the product unveiling was quoted as saying, "There is no way I will let Lonnie drop 15 grand on another one of those Harleys, but 15 grand to get him a Big Johnson? Well, that's something we could both enjoy, and it's something he really needs."
 

Todd n Natalie

OverCamper
Bumping this one back up. Now that they've been out a while anyone have any experience with the Pan-American?
Better yet anyone have any experience with one and a GS and or Tiger? Curious how they'd compare.

Looking through these old posts, def a few people that we don't see here anymore.....
 

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