What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s happening… Why should you want to know? If you have been paying attention to the Motor Company news you have heard a lot of stuff but not many facts. In the previous issue of HD, I said you gotta know your history. Well, read below for a short history of Harley repeating itself today with its response to the Great Recession and now Covid-19.

In over 20 years of writing for HEAVY DUTY Magazine, this is the first time that I’ve written about the big picture rather than focusing on Harleys. So bear with me while I give you my educated guess about the
short-term future…

Perfect 20-20 hindsight doesn’t guarantee perfect 2020 foresight. Last year was a year that Harley basically held its hand close to its chest and only rolled out new colours, needed improvements and cost-saving measures including the five deleted items on the touring range.

Basically, Harley stuck to its 2018 timeline of More Roads with 100 new bikes in the next 10 years. 

In the previous issue of HD, editor Brumby threw down the gauntlet to the Motor Company to meet the challenge of the new Indian Challenger. He succinctly said the “chassis-mounted fairing is the central element of the whole bike” while the Indian PowerPlus 108 V-twin engine “defines this bike.” From what I’ve seen and read I have to say that the Indian Challenger is the complete package … exactly what I was thinking Harley-Davidson has to release as its next generation bagger. Nothing less will see Harley losing its perch as the touring King of the Mountain.

My daughter and son-in-law who live in Scotland surprised my wife and me while we were visiting by taking us to The Davidson Legacy at Netherton Cottage, Aberlemno, Angus, Scotland. There we were given a personal tour by Mike Sinclair of the restored family home of blacksmith Sandy Davidson who with his wife Margaret and their six children emigrated to America in 1857.

Tell me, what motor company this year reported the following: 

1.  A profit; 2. Returned dividends to its shareholders; 3. Increased sales to the 18 to 34 age group; 4. Meeting its goal of releasing 100 new models in 10 years; 5. Lost over $1.2aud billion; 6. Has been caught in the industry’s diesel cheating scandal to the tune of $2.5aud billon; 7. Spent $1.6aud billion replacing airbags; 8. Won the last nine years in its highest level of racing; 9. Is falling behind in releasing new models; and 10. Its annual sales are down 5 per cent? 

The “Black World” of Harley-Davidson secrets is behind the walls of the 370,000 square-foot Willie G Davidson Product Development Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ten years ago, a youngster right out of design school began work with the Motor Company just like another kid did in 1963. And we know how well that turned out.

In the Heavy Duty issue 163, I mis-spoke when I said about Harley’s 2020 new models that the next big one will be the “Sportster” replacement. I now think I should have said the “V-Rod” replacement. If it had been a snake I would have stepped on it and it would have bitten me.

The big news at Harley-Davidson is that there is no news at all except for the scary pricing of the 2020 LiveWire. All we know of importance is the US$29,799 price and its performance with a top speed of 110mph (182kph) and zero to 60mph in 3.5 seconds. About the same as my Stage 1, 107cid Street Glide Special. And the LiveWire only has a range of 110miles/180kms under ideal city riding conditions, essentially needing regenerative braking to help recharge the battery. Its USA release will be at the Harley Dealer Meeting before the Milwaukee Rally on 29 August 2019.

The year that Harley introduced its first factory custom the FX Super Glide. It was the marriage of the FL Big Twin and the XL Sportster. Only 4700 were sold while the Sportster itself sold 10,000. I can hear then all the traditional Harley owners saying how much they hated the rear fender with its foreign café racer style. That said the Super Glide FX was the father of all the FX’s that we know and love.