Harley copying Kawasaki?

nomadwest · 09-09-2010, 08:52 PM

In 2009 Harley completely redesigned all their touring fleet. The frame was beefed up and changed to a 2 piece cradle design to make them more stable at high speed. The left rear exhaust was routed under and behind the transmission kind of like ours. They put a wider swing arm and wider rear tire on kind of like ours. Anyone else had that thought?

wheelie · 09-09-2010, 08:56 PM

Yup

Loafer · 09-09-2010, 09:16 PM

I don't follow what HD does. So I say: What have they been waiting for? They could have made the best bikes on the planet. But their agenda always seems to go in another direction. People want to purchase those things. When I ask what they liked about it, that made them want to buy it. They usually say something like I've always like that style over that style, or it was the color. They have no idea that different bikes, are for different reasons. They buy a bar hopper and get a new seat, highway pegs, change the handlebars, put saddlebags on, add something else. 2 to 3 thousand dollars later they trade it in because they want a touring bike. They don't know what they are doing.
I have a cousin who has every clothing accessory available, are you listening Rich? He has bought three HD's in 8 years. He put an average of $5,000.00 of accessories on each one. He finally sold everything HD and bought a BMW K1200s says he threw to much money away foolishly. That he should have decided what kind of riding he wanted to do. And then looked for the bike to fill his needs.
That's how HD has stayed in business, they are very smart.

**Top Cat** · 09-09-2010, 10:39 PM

loafer, what happene to your sig pic? It is not showing.

AlabamaNomadRider · 09-09-2010, 11:30 PM

I never go looking at Harley's so I haven't seen it.

Loafer · 09-10-2010, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

loafer, what happene to your sig pic? It is not showing.

I thought I was taking up too much space. And I'm looking for a different avatar. :)

**Top Cat** · 09-10-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loafer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

loafer, what happene to your sig pic? It is not showing.

I thought I was taking up too much space. And I'm looking for a different avatar. :)

Yeah, I worry about that with my sig pics too, NOT!

Loafer · 09-10-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

Quote:

Originally Posted by loafer

I thought I was taking up too much space. And I'm looking for a different avatar. :)

Yeah, I worry about that with my sig pics too, NOT!

Just trying to be frugal, I guess....

Dave · 09-10-2010, 10:41 AM

And all this time I've riding a just a cheap knock-off?

skiman · 09-10-2010, 11:12 PM

Ever wonder why HD can't build bike that matches the Japanese bike on price the US car makers have no problem doing it.

Loafer · 09-11-2010, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiman

Ever wonder why HD can't build bike that matches the Japanese bike on price the US car makers have no problem doing it.

The sheep make it so easy for them, they don't have to. :)

**glwilson** · 09-11-2010, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

And all this time I've riding a just a cheap knock-off?

blowndodge · 09-11-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

And all this time I've riding a just a cheap knock-off?

Not really! It's been back to the dealer many times! that doesn't qualify as "cheap" in a Nomad book!

You ride a high priced unreliable "knock-off" so don't forget it!

yoda · 09-11-2010, 10:11 AM

I don't really see HD copying Kawasaki. The engine is still air cooled, the switchgear is different, the tranny uses a separate oil tank, etc. I do see that Kawasaki seems to be taking on some HD cues, like a belt drive vs shaft, and the seat extending over the tank, for example.
I guess I never thought of one manufacturer making improvements that others used as "copying".

Dave · 09-11-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Not really! It's been back to the dealer many times! that doesn't qualify as "cheap" in a Nomad book!

Just doing my part in helping to stimulate the economy by creating jobs.

09-09-2010, 08:52 PM	#1
nomadwest Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Otis Orchards, Washington Posts: 161	Harley copying Kawasaki? In 2009 Harley completely redesigned all their touring fleet. The frame was beefed up and changed to a 2 piece cradle design to make them more stable at high speed. The left rear exhaust was routed under and behind the transmission kind of like ours. They put a wider swing arm and wider rear tire on kind of like ours. Anyone else had that thought? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

09-09-2010, 08:56 PM	#2
wheelie Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Neoga, IL Posts: 433	Harley copying Kawasaki? Yup __________________ You never slow down you never grow old VBA #656 Black 2007 1600 Nomad
	0

09-09-2010, 09:16 PM	#3
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	Harley copying Kawasaki? I don't follow what HD does. So I say: What have they been waiting for? They could have made the best bikes on the planet. But their agenda always seems to go in another direction. People want to purchase those things. When I ask what they liked about it, that made them want to buy it. They usually say something like I've always like that style over that style, or it was the color. They have no idea that different bikes, are for different reasons. They buy a bar hopper and get a new seat, highway pegs, change the handlebars, put saddlebags on, add something else. 2 to 3 thousand dollars later they trade it in because they want a touring bike. They don't know what they are doing. I have a cousin who has every clothing accessory available, are you listening Rich? He has bought three HD's in 8 years. He put an average of $5,000.00 of accessories on each one. He finally sold everything HD and bought a BMW K1200s says he threw to much money away foolishly. That he should have decided what kind of riding he wanted to do. And then looked for the bike to fill his needs. That's how HD has stayed in business, they are very smart. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
	0

09-09-2010, 10:39 PM	#4
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Harley copying Kawasaki? loafer, what happene to your sig pic? It is not showing. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
	0

09-09-2010, 11:30 PM	#5
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Harley copying Kawasaki? I never go looking at Harley's so I haven't seen it. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

09-10-2010, 10:41 AM	#9
Dave Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Itchycoo Park Posts: 3,422	Harley copying Kawasaki? And all this time I've riding a just a cheap knock-off?
	0

09-10-2010, 11:12 PM	#10
skiman Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Nashville,NC Posts: 782	Harley copying Kawasaki? Ever wonder why HD can't build bike that matches the Japanese bike on price the US car makers have no problem doing it. __________________ 2002 Nomad 1500 FI 12" buckhorn apes Chuckster air kit Mustang seat and fender bib Avon Venom tires 2 right side Harley mufflers the quiet side. TFI fuel control Progressive 430 shocks 430-4213B (Best Mod to the bike I've made) Progressive fork springs (See Above) Kuryakyn grips A touch of chrome farkles Reckless fairing color match 2 tone paint. Kenwood deck with Polk 5 1/4" speakers. 2007 GSX1250 Stock for now
	0

09-11-2010, 10:11 AM	#14
yoda Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 432	Harley copying Kawasaki? I don't really see HD copying Kawasaki. The engine is still air cooled, the switchgear is different, the tranny uses a separate oil tank, etc. I do see that Kawasaki seems to be taking on some HD cues, like a belt drive vs shaft, and the seat extending over the tank, for example. I guess I never thought of one manufacturer making improvements that others used as "copying". __________________ I used to be indecisive, but now I am not so sure... Yoda VBA #01311 SCRC Chapter 289 07 Nomad
	0

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New Kawasaki?	oledawg	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	24	05-24-2011 07:08 AM
New to Kawasaki	yumajb	New Member Introductions	31	08-27-2010 11:06 AM
Kawasaki belt	krt	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	18	06-06-2009 07:25 AM
Kawasaki Vs. Harley	schoeney	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	14	01-14-2009 01:19 PM
What I would like for Kawasaki to do.......	trip	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	20	12-14-2007 12:29 AM