The Gold Wing made Harley Davidson take a reality look at itself.

[CUDA]

I was all exited about getting a Ducati, they look special, then I went for a ride with some friends and they said what about wind protection and that windshield that goes up 7 inches (spoiled)with a push of a button, shaft drive, storage ... I was not expecting them to burst my bubble, stock almost 700lb will turn 127mph in 10.5 seconds and after 5 mph very nimble the ZX14 and the ZG14 share many parts, It's my last ride, It will break 90 in second gear.

[JPEROG]

I have a Ducati V4 Multistrada that is 170 hp and has great wind protection via its adjustable screen. I also have an 1100 S Hypermotard which does not offer the wind protection but is an absolute hoot to ride. Bikes are like boats, you will never find one that checks all of the boxes so you need to have multiples and they take up way less room. I pulled the K1600B out this morning and did all of my daily errands with it "such a nice piece with stereo and total comfort--its like the tri-toon of bikes". I am ready to take it on a long run soon.

Joe

[CUDA]

Joe you have more Toys than anyone... You win

[99fxst99]

I stumbled onto the movie "Fastest indian" the other night, a really cool film firmly based in true events. I highly recommend it.

[Lake X Kid]

I stumbled onto the movie "Fastest indian" the other night, a really cool film firmly based in true events. I highly recommend it.

The real life story of Burt Monroe and his speed record attempts.

[Lake X Kid]

4 days of two wheel racing, the annual Burt Monro Challenge in New Zealand.

[David]

Will Harley-Davidson's Pan America Adventure Bike Save the Company? (autoweek.com)

Will the Pan America save Harley?

In recent years things have been particularly tough, with sales steadily declining each year, tumbling 46 percent from what they were at their most-recent peak. Worldwide sales were 270,000 in 2014 but slid to just 180,000 last year. In the pandemic year of 2020 Harley was slapped with ginourmous tariffs for its European sales (just like the protective tariffs Harley asked for and got from the US government in 1983), laid off 700 employees worldwide, let go of its CEO, brought in a new guy from tennis shoe maker Puma, and announced yet another five-year plan to profitability.

[CUDA]

Looks like a serious bike, that's the big market now.

[JPEROG]

I stumbled onto the movie "Fastest indian" the other night, a really cool film firmly based in true events. I highly recommend it.

I am NOT a movie person but I have watched it no less then 20 times. 100% agree that its a classic.

Joe

[JPEROG]

Will Harley-Davidson's Pan America Adventure Bike Save the Company? (autoweek.com)

Will the Pan America save Harley?

In recent years things have been particularly tough, with sales steadily declining each year, tumbling 46 percent from what they were at their most-recent peak. Worldwide sales were 270,000 in 2014 but slid to just 180,000 last year. In the pandemic year of 2020 Harley was slapped with ginourmous tariffs for its European sales (just like the protective tariffs Harley asked for and got from the US government in 1983), laid off 700 employees worldwide, let go of its CEO, brought in a new guy from tennis shoe maker Puma, and announced yet another five-year plan to profitability.

BMW has owned that market segment for a long time with the GS 1250 (BMW riders are very loyal to this segment). The second bike that comes to mind if you are looking at these is the new Mutistrada V-4 Ducati (170 hp and very, very, very refined).-I have 3,000 miles on mine but its a nice bike. They also have to compete against KTM with their 1290 (175 hp and again a very refined bike). I don't ride mine very often but it revs just about as fast as anything that I have ever had. Harley has their work cut out for them at that price point to break into a small segment of advanced dual sport riders-I wish them success. I have been invited to go on an Alaska bike adventure tour with the BMW GS guys but have not done it up to this point "on the bucket list". Z06 Man and I are talking about going to Bonneville this year...

Joe

[JPEROG]

Joe you have more Toys than anyone... You win

Jim,

Its not a contest by any means but the more things you get exposed to, the more you appreciate the high points that each one offers. My preference has always gravitated towards the performance aspect and being different then the average.

I grew up with boats, motorcycles, and snowmobiles being my passion (I will never be able to re-pay my dad for the exposure he offered me as a kid along with the desire and work ethic that he helped me create from within). Not much has changed except for the fact that I now get to enjoy all of them with my son and wish that my dad could be part of it other then watching from the sidelines at this point. I have been very fortunate to have a decent understanding of economics and the free enterprise system opportunity that every American has been able to operate within (I sure hope it doesn't continue on the path I see it being pushed down today). We are very blessed and very thankful for what we have been offered. Part of our duty now is to teach others, offer guidance, give exposure and help to the young people around us so that all we have enjoyed continues.

Get out and ride, there is no time to kill....at the end of the day, all we have is the memories that we create-

Joe