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08-20-2013, 09:23 AM | #32 |
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Also LED headlights stock, ABS integrated braking, etc etc. Sounds like some great upgrades that would make me consider a Harley (if I ever had $30K laying around). They are finally stepping up to the features that make bikes safer and more user friendly. I used to like Harley's before they became the popular bike for lawyers and accountants. Now the price is way too high for a bike that is antiquated.
These updates are long overdue if Harley wants to remain a serious contender. By serious contender, I mean a bike builder who actually builds bikes that are high quality... not just popular. Lets be honest, Harley makes a quality bike... but the only reason they have high sales is because of brand marketing. Harley is not vastly superior in terms of technology or price... its all brand image and buying into the "mystique" that is Harley. All those accountants and lawyers know they are boring and vanilla... so they think if they buy a Harley then they will instantly be exciting just cause they are on a Harley. That turned me off to Harley... very expensive, old technology and arrogant owners. People that own a Harley just to say they own a Harley. People that wear Harley shirts everywhere, cause thats all they own. God bless H-D for being able to create such a brand driven image and sucker people into paying a fortune to wrap themselves in everything Harley... its just not for me. |
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08-20-2013, 09:31 AM | #33 |
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Looks like the radiator is leaking Mike!
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I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005 |
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08-20-2013, 09:37 AM | #34 |
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I wonder when Yamaha is going to step up to the plate with a new Venture ?
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08-20-2013, 09:46 AM | #35 |
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I was told last evening by a dealer that the Venture is going to be discontinued.
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08-20-2013, 10:07 AM | #36 |
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Not a big surprise.
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Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08|Custer '09|Cortez '10|Crescent City '11|Kanab '12|Antlers '12|Estes Park '13|Antlers '13|Orofino '14|The Dalles '17 |
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08-20-2013, 10:45 AM | #37 |
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It was the butt of jokes even at the Yamaha dealer!
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Mike "GIBBY" Gibson Osceola, WI VBA # 1279 2011 National Rally 2012 NCR Rally 2012 Antlers Rally 2013 National Rally 2013 Antlers Rally 2014 NC/SC Rally 2014 Antlers Rally 2015 VRA/VBA Rally 2016 NCR Rally 2016 Antlers Rally 2017 Antlers Rally 2018 NC/SC Rally 2018 Antlers Rally 2019 Antlers Rally 2020 Antlers Rally 2022 Antlers Rally 2023 Antlers Rally 2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited 2022 Indian Roadmaster |
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08-20-2013, 10:52 AM | #38 |
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I wonder what Yamaha is going o do with all the leftover cassette decks? I guess throw them on the pile with the 8-track players.
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Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08|Custer '09|Cortez '10|Crescent City '11|Kanab '12|Antlers '12|Estes Park '13|Antlers '13|Orofino '14|The Dalles '17 |
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08-20-2013, 02:16 PM | #39 | |
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Quote:
Overall, I am not crazy about the color choices. The "whiskey" color is somewhat appealing though, if for no other reason than its name.
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"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417 |
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08-20-2013, 02:51 PM | #40 |
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I agree they are not a strong offering. I usually don't go for it, but the black seems to fit the lines of the bike well. I like the blue too.
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08-20-2013, 07:55 PM | #41 |
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Went to Kutter Harley in Janesville, WI to see the what they had of the new '14's.
They only had the three I mentioned, but one was already sold. The two left (on the floor) were Limited's. One was whiskey and black (or whatever color that is); and a blue one with graphics. I like the whiskey color bike better. Having an Ultra, the design changes stood out quite blatantly to me. These bikes really look great regarding their paint, fitment, and chrome. All latches and brackets are substantial and rock-solid. All latches open with one hand now. The new fairing is different in size, shape, and contour. They had two next to each other for comparison. I like the new look. Better for wind-flow they claim. The radiator is concealed extremely well within the lowers; though you can see it if you simply look. The lowers are wider now; but remain in scale to the bike and fairing -- however that is mostly because of the change in size and shape of the fairing. The Limited is lighter by around 20-25 pounds than previously; however it was my opinion the bike's front-end felt heavier to turn; although not by much. Several people were making the similar comment. One person thought maybe the new fork-neck and bearing design might be part of the difference and that it might start to turn easier once ridden a bit. Either way... we noticed a slight difference there. The trunk, while it holds more, is an entirely new design... flatter, wider and longer. Clearly this was done so the saddle-bags can open the opposite way from previous years. The seat appears bigger; especially the passenger area where it is more noticeable. The rear turn signals are integrated into the trunks LED lighting... so no more turn signal bar by the license plate. Looks a lot cleaner now. Front signals are bullets (LED's as all of the lights are now), which look better than the old light bar they had. Again, much cleaner design. The brackets holding the bullets and fog-lights looks considerable stronger and thicker now. Good clean look and design -- a good improvement. While there are more comments I could make, I will stop with that. In my opinion, if the water-cooling system works as planned... I believe Harley is back in the game with the new tourer design changes. The Limited I liked was sticker-priced at $27,994 (not including tax, title, and license). I told the salesman, who I knew, he would have to wait a bit for me to come around to that price. He said to wait until the dust settled a bit and that they would be more willing to deal later when it starts getting colder. I asked him how much colder does it need to get... hell just froze-over with a water-cooled Harley introduced... he just laughed. Personally, I am tempted to wait one more year... This year is a test-year for HD... I can just tell. Do not know what, but I believe next year, some additional things are going to happen to the line-up. Who knows...
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"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
Last edited by glwilson; 08-21-2013 at 07:08 PM.
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08-20-2013, 08:07 PM | #42 |
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Great review Greg, but I was expecting you to have one sitting in the garage. I am very disappointed
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08-20-2013, 08:37 PM | #43 |
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Nice write up, Mr. Wilson. I am going to try to make it down to Chandler HD this weekend to take a look for myself. I am NOT in the market for a new bike, at least for this year.
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Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08|Custer '09|Cortez '10|Crescent City '11|Kanab '12|Antlers '12|Estes Park '13|Antlers '13|Orofino '14|The Dalles '17 |
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08-20-2013, 09:45 PM | #44 | ||
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Location: North Central Illinois
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Quote:
The one I liked will likely sell fast. It garnered the most attention on the floor. I think my friend was giving me friendly, but good advice to wait a bit... at least until the initial fervor settles-down. Likely will be on my '09 over labor-day weekend's ride. On another note; many tell me to sell my bike outright; however I have to consider taxes on a new bike. In WI and IL, taxes on a new purchase are based on the actual money paid... not on the total price. In other words, if the difference to be paid is $10,000 after trade-in, I pay taxes on the $10k; not the full $28k. That can make a difference in the overall cost; and requires one to figure how much more they would get by selling outright. I have to do some math on this. Quote:
I know most looking at them had positive reactions once they saw them and began to discover all the changes. If there was any negative comments, it related to the paint colors (and they only had two on display). Most of those comments were from the women... oddly enough.
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"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417 |
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08-20-2013, 10:14 PM | #45 |
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I will head back to my dealer Friday. They had 17 coming in this week. Sales manager said to come by and test ride one. I'm not in the market either, just curious. But who knows? Its only money.
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