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| Motorcycle Message Board - Motorcycle USA > MotorcycleUSA.com! > Bike Reviews > 2008 Harley-Davidsons - First Ride | Forum Quick Jump
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Harley1
Forum Moderator
      
Date Joined Dec 2006
Total Posts : 247
| Posted 8/13/2007 9:35 AM (GMT -8) |   | | Harley-Davidson has been busy preparing for 2008. Highlights include the release of three new models, new Brembo brakes, ABS on its Touring, VRSC and CVO models, bigger engines in the V-Rods and the continuing construction of a world-class museum in Milwaukee. Speak out about the 2008 Harley-Davidson First Rides article here in the forum. | | Back to Top | | |
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jimmihaffa
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2004
Total Posts : 217
| Posted 8/13/2007 11:15 AM (GMT -8) | | It's a fantastic line-up from Harley. If I was in the market for a bike, I wouldn't know which Harley I'd want most. Visually, they all have great appeal so I'd definitely want a spin and think long and hard about which bike I could live with. The Night Rod is just this side of Mad Max, I love it. The Fat Bob and Sportster Nightster are really nice additions. I'd recommend the latter to lady friends. The Rocker isn't my cup of tea, but I'm sure it will appeal to some, although I'm not sure it's going to be the hot seller the gee whiz appeal of it might suggest...could be wrong there though it might blow everything away sales-wise. My favorite though is still the Softail custom, hopefully thats my next bike. | | Back to Top | | |
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HogWild
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2006
Total Posts : 5123
| Posted 8/14/2007 3:10 AM (GMT -8) | | | As usual the Sporty gets snubbed with little mention of any really big news. Instead they bring up the lack of Sportster on the tank. The last time the MoCo had Sportster on the tank was before they went to rubber mounted engines so this is nothing new, What is new is the dropping of the peanut tank for the R model which owners have cried about since 2004. The 3.3 gallon tank just wasn't cutting it and the conversion was costing close to $800. For 2008, the 1200R model will now have the 4.5 gallon tank right from the factory. Another issue owners have had is the poor quality rear shocks which bottom out when the are on the highest setting and still 100 pounds off the GVWR. No changes there so owners will still be faced with an upgrade that costs $300 or more depending on how you go. One thing is certain, after 50 years the Sporty is still a load of fun to ride.... | | Back to Top | | |
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jboland
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2007
Total Posts : 90
| Posted 8/14/2007 9:23 AM (GMT -8) | | | The new bikes look okay. I really like the improvements to the touring line and the V-Rods. I'm sad to see three of my favorite big twin models get the axe - the Springer Classic, the Wide Glide, and the Softail Standard. Sure, you can still get a Springer or a Wide Glide in duded-up CVO/limited edition form, but its not the same thing. I'm particularly shocked by the loss of the Softail Standard, the one Softail that a regular guy could afford and then customize however he wants - the proverbial "blank slate". Now all the models in the Softail line are so narrowly focused and none are particularly affordable; it's solidified the Softail line as the showboats for RUBs. As for the Sportsters, well, its sort of goofy to think that people don't know that a Sportster is a Harley Davidson, thus necessitating changing the name on the tank. But, whatever. The Nighster made a big slash earlier this year. I'm not sure what other new Sportster models they could have introduced for the new model year that would be better than that. The chassis and drivetrain are not in need of an update yet, though I expect 6-speed tranny's are in the works for sometime in the future. The next changes they make will probably be more emissions-related tinkering and, judging by the heat problems with the TC96's, I'm not sure that's such a good thing for Sportster devotees. | | Back to Top | | |
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Harley1
Forum Moderator
Date Joined Dec 2006
Total Posts : 247
| Posted 8/14/2007 9:25 AM (GMT -8) | | Hey, HogWild. Didn't mean to disappoint with my limited coverage of the Sporty, but I'm obligated to focus more on what's new for 2008 and out of the various Harley families, the Sportster's spec sheet reads pretty much the same. Believe me, during the press intro, every time a journo threw a leg over the Nightster, Roadster or Custom they had a smile on their face. It was the one bike that everybody had a little fun on, burning some tires or doing old-school Evel Knievel-style wheelies on.
Bikes slated to for the new tank graphics are the XL 883, 883L, 883C, 1200R and the 1200C.
The Nighster continues to sport the 3.3-gallon fuel tank. It has new slash-cut chrome staggered mufflers. It's quick and agile and a blast to ride, even when I got caught on it in a big thunderstorm while riding back into Baltimore during the press intro. I got soaked head to toe, but the bike held fast for me even when the highway was covered with almost an inch of water from the deluge.
The XL 883 and XL 883L continue to sport the classic peanut fuel tank. H-D uses the larger 4.5-gallon tank on the 1200s for obvious reasons. The XL1200 R was a hot-ticket item during the intro. The Roadster's dirt-track handlebars are a sweet variation over the other models. With its black 13-spoke cast aluminum wheels and black powder-coated engine, it's a sharp looking combo that's quick off the line and holds a good line in turns. Made me want to find the nearest dirt track.
And like all the other Harley lines, the Sportster is offered in a limited-production, serialized 105th anniversary edition. H-D is using both the XL 1200C and the XL1200L for the anniversary model. The two-tone copper and black paint scheme looks hot on this bike. The added chrome of the 1200C on the anniversary edition is the cherry on the sundae. It tops it off just right.Post Edited (Harley1) : 8/14/2007 5:36:37 PM GMT
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Desmolicious
Registered Member
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618
| Posted 8/14/2007 11:51 AM (GMT -8) | | | | |
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morganw
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 29
|  Posted 8/14/2007 5:45 PM (GMT -8) | | | Am I the only one that noticed the lack of the Street Rod in the 2008 lineup. It's true! Harley riders don't care about corners. | | Back to Top | | |
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HogWild
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2006
Total Posts : 5123
| Posted 8/14/2007 7:26 PM (GMT -8) | | Harley1 said...
Hey, HogWild. Didn't mean to disappoint with my limited coverage of the Sporty, but I'm obligated to focus more on what's new for 2008 and out of the various Harley families, the Sportster's spec sheet reads pretty much the same. Believe me, during the press intro, every time a journo threw a leg over the Nightster, Roadster or Custom they had a smile on their face. It was the one bike that everybody had a little fun on, burning some tires or doing old-school Evel Knievel-style wheelies on.
Bikes slated to for the new tank graphics are the XL 883, 883L, 883C, 1200R and the 1200C.
The Nighster continues to sport the 3.3-gallon fuel tank. It has new slash-cut chrome staggered mufflers. It's quick and agile and a blast to ride, even when I got caught on it in a big thunderstorm while riding back into Baltimore during the press intro. I got soaked head to toe, but the bike held fast for me even when the highway was covered with almost an inch of water from the deluge.
The XL 883 and XL 883L continue to sport the classic peanut fuel tank. H-D uses the larger 4.5-gallon tank on the 1200s for obvious reasons. The XL1200 R was a hot-ticket item during the intro. The Roadster's dirt-track handlebars are a sweet variation over the other models. With its black 13-spoke cast aluminum wheels and black powder-coated engine, it's a sharp looking combo that's quick off the line and holds a good line in turns. Made me want to find the nearest dirt track.
And like all the other Harley lines, the Sportster is offered in a limited-production, serialized 105th anniversary edition. H-D is using both the XL 1200C and the XL1200L for the anniversary model. The two-tone copper and black paint scheme looks hot on this bike. The added chrome of the 1200C on the anniversary edition is the cherry on the sundae. It tops it off just right.
Hey thanks H1 it's nice to see some down to earth stuff on the Sporty for a change. As an owner of the 1200R (2004) I've gone through the tank swap, S model suspension upgrade and of course the stage 1 upgrade. I too love the bars and every time I ride a C model I'm reminded just how much better they do feel. As you have said, the Roadster does hold a good line in a turn and it's even more positive with the addition of a race brace.
I wasn't too pleased with that off colored copper they have used for the 2008 LE units.
In regards to the Nightster, they can't keep them in stock around these parts and there are more than a few running around the area. To me, this is the bike they should have used as a platform for the 50th anniversary model. The bike has tremendous potential if you're looking to build.
In talking to more than a few owners of the FI models, it would appear they are having trouble making the fuel mileage or range of the carb models so I'm not sure what's up with that. In any flavor, the Sporty has a wide range of possibilities and the fun factor remains high for a bike that has been in production for 5 decades...
That's a nice looking C model but I'll stick with this Roadster...
Thanks again H1.....Post Edited (HogWild) : 8/15/2007 3:30:36 AM GMT
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Desmolicious
Registered Member
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618
| Posted 8/17/2007 10:12 AM (GMT -8) | |
ianisme said...
I don't buy into the whole dogged brand loyalty thing. If Harley built a superbike that appealed to me then I would buy it.
But they don't and never will. But what do you care? You just stated you're not brand loyal so just go and buy your superbike from one of the other mfgs.
Who is building superbikes right now? Oh, only:
Ducati, MV Agusta, Aprilia, Benelli, Triumph, Bimota, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, BMW, Buell.... But yer gonna hold yer breath until Harley makes one before you go shopping? Yah, right...
Børk! Børk! Børk! | | Back to Top | | |
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HogWild
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2006
Total Posts : 5123
| Posted 8/17/2007 8:10 PM (GMT -8) | | | | |
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morganw
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 29
| Posted 8/17/2007 9:04 PM (GMT -8) | | Desmolicious.
One of you waits is over 30 years ago.
Yamaha made an inline triple in 1976!!!!! | | Back to Top | | |
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