Harley Introduces New Water-Cooled 500 & 750 V-Twins - the Revolution X Models

[Dallara]

~


Now here's something rather unexpected... Harley-Davidson introducing new water-cooled 500cc and 750cc V-twin models - the Revolution X series.

http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2013/11/04/breaking-news-harley-davidson-reveals-the-street-750-and-street-500-on-an-all-new-platform-part-1/

More here:

http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2013/11/04/new-harley-davidson-street-750-and-street-500-first-known-details-part-2/

http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2013/11/05/harley-davidson-street-750-and-500-reveal-in-milan-the-video-part-3/

http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2013/11/05/harley-davidson-street-750-and-500-motorcycles-the-street-is-where-i-live-part-4/

http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2013/11/05/harley-davidson-street-750-and-500-3-street-custom-concepts-part-5/

Be interesting to see where this goes for Harley...

Dallara



~

 

[~TABASCO~]

I've been reading the articles on Cyril blog... tons of comments so far... Very interesting on having a bike built in India, that looks like a Honda/Yamaha, that is an "official" Harley ridden here in the US and passed off as a 'real' Harley... I guess it is in name and engineering. Wonder what there other Harley friends are going to say..... LOL

 

[Yamaguy55]

The guy that has a shop around the corner from my house that does my yearly inspections is a hard core Harley guy. I was discussing the new liquid cooled models this fall, I thought he was going to have a heart attack on the spot. It is hard to get true believers to change those beliefs. He thought it was past sacrilege and blasphemy, all rolled into one.

 

[autoteach]

and, correction, built in Kansas city

 

[Dallara]

and, correction, built in Kansas city

Look carefully... US models will be "ASSEMBLED" in Kansas City, MO. The engines and most all of the components of the bike will be manufactured in Indian and other Southeast Asian countries.

Just FYI.

Dallara


~

 

[autoteach]

that would be what I consider built. Globally sourced components is how I would describe where it all comes from. Just my worthless opinion. Anyway, it will be interesting to see what comes of these, as I believe that they were an after thought to bring here.

 

[snuffcityrider]

Might be a good candidate for that "cafe" look. Needs a bigger radiator though.... ???

 

[True Grip]

Harley has had a hard time attracting young riders. Cost is probably the biggest problem. These bike will be a lot cheaper than the fat road bob glide classics. I know several Harley riders who sons can only afford the metric cruiser. Guys may be able to get their wives on these if the geometry is good. I doubt it will be a big seller here but maybe in other markets. The Harley guys I know (bro in law) are more inclusive than high school girls.

 

[dcstrom]

that would be what I consider built. Globally sourced components is how I would describe where it all comes from. Just my worthless opinion. Anyway, it will be interesting to see what comes of these, as I believe that they were an after thought to bring here.

Depends what they mean by "assembled" and "built". I would bet the engines come fully assembled, for example, then they "build" the bikes in Kansas by attaching all the "globally sourced" components to the frame.

 

[offcamber]

Now they can leak water and oil ::025:: ::025:: ::025:: ::025:: ::025::


Sorry had to be said....


I doubt this will attract newer younger buyers....they will be priced to high for most young riders. The Japanese bikes will still be more attractive for young and or entry level buyers. Better price and better reliability record.

 

[troll]

Now they can leak water and oil ::025:: ::025:: ::025:: ::025:: ::025::

Sorry had to be said....

: guess you haven't been around newer Harleys... my 08 dyna superglide didn't leak a drop of anything, not even the fork seals. . now back in the day my 47 and 68 left an oil slick where ever they went.

 

[redneckK20]

: guess you haven't been around newer Harleys... my 08 dyna superglide didn't leak a drop of anything, not even the fork seals. . now back in the day my 47 and 68 left an oil slick where ever they went.

Funny, I had a friend working at a Harley dealer that told me he had multiple '12s and 13's come in for oil leak diag months after purchase...

Assembled in KC doesn't mean shit. It just means american's are torquing all the bolts. Harley is taking a step in the right direction liquid cooling their new bikes. These new models will sell like hotcakes if they keep the retail prices low enough.

 

[kmac]

Anyone who thinks that their fat glide bob is all American made has never had it apart....forks are Showa, made in Japan, batteries, starter motors, and alternators or some of those components are often Asian made. Much of them are made here in the USA, but not all of it.

India is nothing new. Some of the BMW parts and even whole motors are made in India and KTM is partly owned by Bajaj now AND SURELY using some India made parts to save costs and keep them competitive with other brands.

 

[troll]

Anyone who thinks that their fat glide bob is all American made has never had it apart....forks are Showa, made in Japan, batteries, starter motors, and alternators or some of those components are often Asian made. Much of them are made here in the USA, but not all of it.

India is nothing new. Some of the BMW parts and even whole motors are made in India and KTM is partly owned by Bajaj now AND SURELY using some India made parts to save costs and keep them competitive with other brands.

I'm thinkin that is why they are not the big leakers they used to be...

 

[Buelligan]

I'm thinking this is a step in the right direction for Hardley.
They haven't really had anything to attract younger buyers since they shutdown the Buell factory.
The Blast was the closest thing they had for entry level riders, and with the shutdown, they lost that.
They tried attracting new riders by slamming the sportster down low, so they could reach the ground, thereby ruining the only real model they had, that actually made decent HP, and could handle :-(
I've had sportsters through the years, and they were great bikes. Obviously, by my name, you can tell I like Buells, IMHO they are some of the best handling bikes made. Easily the best American made sport bike
I also own a 2001 Hardley superglide sport. A 600 lb pig, with a 1450cc engine that makes a whopping 64HP at the crank :-(
But...
It IS the best handling Hardley that can be found at this time. I believe Hardley has discontinued the FXDX model due to low sales.
With it's fully adjustable SHOWA suspension, I can ride it pretty hard before dragging anything, and it hasn't leaked a drop of oil in 21,000 miles. Not bad Often, while riding it, I'm reminded of my last sportster, and wish Hardley would come out with a new sportster model with fully adjustable suspension that works, and isn't a pig like the failed XR1200.
I'm not caught up in all the buy American, built in America crap. When I buy, I want something that does what I want it to do, ad where it comes from is not really that important. I've found that Japanese machines tend to be of much higher quality, and better engineered than American products. (Sorry guys) just my opinion.

This "new" watered cooled line, 500 and 750cc bikes should entice new buyers simply because of the brand.
I'm not sure if the big four even make cruisers that small anymore, do they? It's funny, I look at the specs for the 750. I think it makes more HP than my 88" sport glide :-(
Hard core Hardley enthusiasts, dislike the Vrod, and it's water cooling. Doesn't matter that it makes well over 100HP. It's not a "true" Hardley. I wonder what they think of the new dresser with water cooled heads. Is that no longer a Hardley?
They can hate all they want, I think the new water coolers are a step in the right direction.
I can already hear the hardcore guys calling them 'women's Hardleys'. :-(

 

[FDhog]

Hey guys!
Harley has no problems selling bikes. I don't think they really care who buys their bikes. They have had a liquid cooled V-Rod for years. Moderately priced and aimed towards the younger guys. Yeah the big bikes cost a lot, but no body seems to care. The msrp on my RK was $19,700. The msrp on my Super 10 was $14,700?
Some of the 2014 Baggers are partially liquid cooled. Some like it, some don't.
Yeah, Harley people are a different breed, but I'd rather hang with them than a bunch of Beemers.
I started out 42 yrs ago riding Suzukis and Kaws, switched over to HD, and now own both. A 2011 Road King and a new 2013 Super 10.
I like both of them as they both serve different purposes.
As for where their bikes are made. It's an American Co. Yeah parts come from all over, and so do everyone else's.
I might get comments about my Super 10 from my HD buddies, but I bought it for me, not for them.

 

[snakebitten]

Re: Harley Introduces New Water-Cooled 500 & 750 V-Twins - the Revolution X Models

I've rented a Harley a couple of times. It was the right bike for what I wanted on those occasions. Renting is perfect for me. Why buy a 25,000 bike that I can ride for a couple of hundred bucks?

Rented an S10 in Australia. Worth every penny.
Rented scooters and monsters in Italy.
Might rent a GS someday just to scratch the itch.

I might join in on some of the lighter brand jokes, but I like almost every bike I've ever seen. Haven't ever gotten off of one and thought it sucked. 2-wheels is hard to make not-fun.

 

[Combo]

I've rented a Harley a couple of times. It was the right bike for what I wanted on those occasions. Renting is perfect for me. Why buy a 25,000 bike that I can ride for a couple of hundred bucks?

Rented an S10 in Australia. Worth every penny.
Rented scooters and monsters in Italy.
Might rent a GS someday just to scratch the itch.

I might join in on some of the lighter brand jokes, but I like almost every bike I've ever seen. Haven't ever gotten off of one and thought it sucked. 2-wheels is hard to make not-fun.

Snake, you said it.................. who cares what it looks like or what it can do. If it has two wheels and a motor you will find out what it can do for you and after that you don't care what brand or what it looks like. it's a motorcycle. ::013::

 

[FDhog]

Hey, I rented scooters and mopeds in the Islands that I had a blast on.
Couldn't agree more.

 

[snakebitten]

Re: Harley Introduces New Water-Cooled 500 & 750 V-Twins - the Revolution X Models

I spent less than 30 seconds on this "motorcycle" in 1967. All I knew was you twist the grip. I did just that, and experienced the most powerful force of my 9 young years on earth. Until I came to, I had ridden straight through an old 6' cedar fence.

My big brother never let me ride it again. Not with the engine running, anyways. But I was changed for life. And have gone to bed dreaming of riding tomorrow ever since.

No motorcycle made has more power than that Blue Yamaha.