| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
I know Superbike Planet isn't a favorite website here, but they make an interesting analysis between BMW's current Superbike effort, and Harley's failed VR1000 effort. A premonition of things to come? Looks like Harley hasn't changed any from those days either: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/May/100505monz abmw.htm | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
It's almost insulting to BMW to compare it with the VR1000 effort  A big difference to the VR effort is that there is also the FIM Superstock 1000 series - BMW have 3 wins from 3 so far  I didn't realise Tardozzi had moved to the BMW team. Very cool, and I think a win isn't too far away. | ||
| Charlie_zulu |
"Harley would dispute accepted basic facts of physics for hours"   | ||
| Jaimec |
All you have to do is read Court and Dave's book to know what the VR1000 COULD have been, but Harley was too damned stupid to think "outside of the box." The more things change, the more they stay the same. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
f hd | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Sometimes stupid hurts. Unfortunately, stupid's probably going to take down a 107 year company. Imagine, though, all the good minds freed from the control of HD now able to pursue other opportunities. | ||
| Court |
Everytime Harley-Davidson decided they wanted to "think outside the box" . . . they assigned a group of folks to carry out the mission . . . from within the box. One of the greatest Buell stories I have involves a box and Rich Teerlink (Google him) at the grand opening of the new Buell Research and Development Facility in 1998. | ||
| Jaimec |
Harley posted a 71% decrease in sales? BMW just posted a 21% INCREASE. Due to what? All together now: S P O R T B I K E S ! | ||
| Strokizator |
They're selling boatloads of GS's, both 800 & 1200. I also wonder if they're losing money on every sportbike they sell. Seems like you get an awful lot for the little they're charging. | ||
| Jaimec |
Didn't Harley once have a bike in that big trailie market too? Hmmmmm... | ||
| Strato9r |
I was extremely impressed by the BMW machines that I saw at the Calgary bike show in January, and again last week when I visited SouthWest Motorrad in Kelowna. Sweet, traditional air cooled twins in several great configurations. 800cc liquid cooled parallel twin bikes that are well thought out in Standard, Streetfigher and GS versions. 150+ horsepower touring rockets or naked 180+ hp sledgehammers that leave no doubt that these machines come from the same country that brought you such technological icons as the Stuka divebomber and Luger handgun. Dirt bikes. AND, if that weren't enough, that S1000RR, which fits me reeeeeeeely well. BMW's tradition isn't about building bikes that look like they were built in the fifties, but that doesn't stop the R1200R from being one of the best looking standards I've ever seen; a modern air cooled twin motorcycle upholding a tradition of quality and pride. No lifestyle required. This is with no disrespect to Harley Davidson motorcycles at all. They are great machines, especially when you consider that in most cases, they have to perform to a modern standard, yet appear to have just rolled out of the past. Maybe, (aside from questionable management of late), that is the biggest problem that H-D faces. So much has been put into the marketing of a lifestyle, that the concept of producing modern, efficient motorcycles that attract the attention of the portion of riders NOT interested in a "lifesyle" is something to be avoided. I just hope it all works out for H-D in the end. It would be a shame to see such a great brand run aground by poor management. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Triumph seems to me the only non-Japanese manufacturer that has managed to pull off the combo of "lifestyle" motorcycles and modern bikes without it seeming to be a contradiction. | ||
| Gunut75 |
I agree Chili. Triumph and BMW battle for a close second when it comes to my preference in bikes. We all know what #1 is!  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
If I had money, I'd be buying a Speed Triple today. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
I'd like to see 1190RR vs the S1000 on the track. Have a feeling the 1190 would eat the beemer like fresh bratwurst. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
The 1190 may very well beat the S1000 on the track, but it's not really a fair comparison when you consider price and availability. Is there a single market category BMW doesn't have a bike for? | ||
| Hootowl |
Trials? | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
BMW said a few years ago they wanted to be in every part of the motorcycle market and be successful, or something along those lines. I didn't really believe it until they brought out the G450X enduro, then the S1000RR reinforced their commitment to me. So they do touring, sport-touring, sport, naked, dual sport, adventure, enduro and there's the C1 scooter too. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Oh, and I'd love a Speed Triple  The Street Triple looks pretty cool too, never ridden one though. | ||
| Skiaddict |
So they do touring, sport-touring, sport, naked, dual sport, adventure, enduro and there's the C1 scooter too. But no more cruisers. Hmm. Maybe they know something HD doesn't? | ||
| M2statz |
+1 Chili-"Oh, and I'd love a Speed Triple The Street Triple looks pretty cool too, never ridden one though." I have ridden one and if weren't for my Buell, think that I would be on a Speed Triple! | ||
| Jaimec |
Ducati's done a damned good job of promoting a lifestyle and a brand too, ya know. And, by sticking to trellis frames and desmodromic valves, they've also been able to successfully hang on to the past as well as attract the new, younger buyer. Wonder how they do that? Oh yeah! THEY BUILD SPORT BIKES!!! | ||
| Spiderman |
 | ||
| Jaimec |
Somewhere (maybe even on BadWeb) someone pointed out that Harley's "Nostalgia Marketing" doesn't work when "Nostalgia" for the current motorcycle-buying generation consists of the Honda CB750K and Kawasaki Z-1... | ||
| Iman501 |
If I had money, I'd be buying a Speed Triple today. ive decided that will be my next bike! | ||
| Trackdad |
Court, I Googled Rich Teerlink and read the reviews and such.... now, how about that great story. Greg aka Trackdad/PigsyeBBQ |
