Motorcycling

After a morning ride on Sunday, I was perusing motorcycle sites on line and came across this article about Harley-Davidson.  More specifically, about the future of the MoCo.

While by no means an economics expert, I found the points (some of which were commented upon by readers) about demographics interesting.  I came away with the main question being why someone buys a H-D instead of another brand?  

Image surely plays a significant role.  From Hollister in 1947 to today, the image of a Harley-Davidson rider is both unique and iconic in my view.  It would be hard to envision all the patch clubs riding anything but Harleys, which definitely points to image and all it conveys.

Separate from demographics and image is the cost issue, with which I can’t argue.  When lusting for a new ride, the hankering is for a touring bike like the H-D Streetglide.  

That means lots of money.  And similar to automobiles, the depreciation in the first two years is significant.  For grins and giggles, I checked out local shops and Cycletrader for "pre-owned" 2017s and they are out there at a decently discounted rate (compared to new).  According to one of the PGR bubbas with whom I ride missions, there are guys who buy a new H-D, make the Run for the Wall and Rolling Thunder, return, and then sell the bike.  Not a lot different from those who buy a bike and leave it parked in the garage, all clean and shiny.  

But looking at it from almost any angle, a new H-D is still an expensive ride.  (Made vastly more expensive in California by the significant sales tax.)

What the article does not fully cover is the type of riding one does.  If just looking for a street bike or cruiser for running around town, there are certainly multiple brands and bikes from which to choose.  But if interested in multiple day road trips, the number of viable options shrinks rather rapidly.  The knowledgeable and experienced rider will look to a touring bike.  I’d argue that means one of these primary choices: H-D, Indian, Honda, or BMW.  And all have high price points, in part because of the comforts (fairings, radios, etc.).  Long distance riders might also look at these adventure touring secondary choices: KTM, Ducati, and BMW.  

In my musings and research, I admit to looking at the Ducati Multistrada S, particularly after encountering one at a PGR mission.  

Its rider told me he switched from a H-D and hasn’t looked back.  More power (152 hp), lighter weight (wet weight 518 lbs), liquid cooled, and decent gear hauling capability.  However, it’s MSRP ($20,295) is comparable to the H-D Streetglide ($20,999) and beats the H-D Road King ($18,999).  

In the same Adventure Touring category is the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure with a MSRP of $18,895:  125 hp, 580 lbs, and air/liquid cooled.  

So, the costs of adventure touring bikes are comparable to a Road King or Streetglide, while lighter and providing more power.  

Then there is the new, soon-to-appear BMW K1600 B (for bagger).  

At a basic MSRP of $19,995, it puts out 160 hp and weighs 741 lbs: more powerful and lighter than both the Road King and Streetglide.

But looking back at the adventure touring options, with bikes making more power and weighing less, if interested in multi-day road trips, why choose a Harley-Davidson?

One important aspect for me is seat height, which needs to be low enough to enable standing flat footed when stopped, particularly when riding two up.  The Road King and Streetglide have seat heights just over 26 inches, while the Ducati Multistrada comes in over 32 inches and the BMW R 1200 GS at over 33 inches, though an option brings it down to 31.5 inches, still about five inches higher than the Harleys.  Next is the riding position, with the more comfortable feet forward controls on the H-D, compared to the bent knee positions on the Ducati and BMW.  Another critical factor is whether the rider plans on riding two up, taking into consideration passenger position and comfort, plus center of balance factors.  Though not having test ridden an adventure touring bike, a quick look reveals that with a rider and passenger, the combination will produce a much higher center of gravity and be far more top heavy than the aforementioned H-D bikes.

Of course, there is no doubt engine sound certainly plays into the decision as well.  Nothing quite matches the muscularity of the distinctive V-twin rumble emanating from a well tuned Harley with an aftermarket exhaust.  

And least we forget the importance of image, with its implied life style and visual statement of an American V-twin, and Harley-Davidson in particular.  The H-D iconic visual statement speaks loudly of our uniquely American freedoms, punctuated by the rumble of its exhaust.  And the freedom of association with like minded folks, which is perhaps best illustrated by the various rallies and rides, of which the Black Hills Motorcycle Rally, aka Sturgis, is king and at which H-D dominates.  

That is the tilting point for me.  The adventure touring bikes are certainly fine machines, performing excellently in their segment of motorcycling, just as do the BMW and Honda touring bikes.  But nothing says American freedom and conveys its image like a Harley-Davidson.  Sure, they are heavier and do not put out as much stock horsepower.  But they have lower seat heights and sound so much more muscular, and are better for two up riding.  At comparable costs, the choice is easy.   

Anyway, Sunday morning musings about motorcycles.