You know, there was a time from about '79 to '82 that Willie G. and Louie Netz could take the same basic 4 speed swingarm frame and Shovelhead engine,. and come up with 6-8 completely unique Harley Big Twin models to choose from. Same thing in the Sportster lineup.
I personally thought the ability of both of those guys to pull that styling coup off year after year back then, was responsible for the MoCo being able to sustain itself, and make it to the "Buyback" era. But this......
I personally thought the ability of both of those guys to pull that styling coup off year after year back then, was responsible for the MoCo being able to sustain itself, and make it to the "Buyback" era. But this......
Let's forget about the fact that guys have been putting 16" front wheels on Sportys for decades, and nobody has bought an Exile wide front tire kit/bike for at least 10 years, but a Sporty with 150x16's front and rear????
This Sportster "48" has all the styling elan of a Little Oscar cooler, and I'll bet the handling on this bike will be akin to a wheelbarrow full of concrete. I'm sorry, to you Willie G., and your "Design Dept.".........
9 comments:
Well put, thanks for the laugh! I needed that..
H-D started put fat rear tires on bikes just around the time that skinny was coming back.
When I saw this with the 16 up front I thought, There goes Harley again, doing something when it's just about all played out.
If you're going to bring back the 2.1 gal. peanut tank, shouldn't you put a skinny fork and wheel up front like all the younger guys (they are trying to market to), are doing?
I forgot to say, What's with 48?
Not sure what the 48 is for, have heard it's because of the '48 125cc tank tank size and shape, but the best one I heard was "Buy it for $10,000. sell it for $4800. two years later"
$10K for a Sportster is insanity.
oops.
I like it...
The 48 part comes from the fact the peanut tank was first seen on a Harley in 1948.
Looks like some of the customs from Deus ex machina.
Here's the secret:
The Sposta doesn't make enough power to require a 150 meat on the back: that's just on there for "style." The "slammed" look is stupid, & puts the lame twin rear shox into a falling rate leverage situation.
So, un-slamming the thing & putting 130 skins on front & rear means you'll improve the handling a boatload, have decent suspension (always a Harley weak point), and with the same size tires front & rear you can run a reversed rear tire up front and when the rear squares off & the front tire triangulates, you can just swap tires end for end & go another few thousand miles before needing to buy replacements. The ultimate commuter machine!
yea, as if HD has EVER been bought for its superior handeling! If you want a bike thats put together correctly... buy a ducati. If your looking for estetic. HD all the way. I build bikes and I preffer low and loud for my bar hopper thats why I bought the 48. If I want handeling I ride my Thruxton. As far as what "in or out of style" you guys are a bunch of pansies. Just ride what you dig and make it yours.
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