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Harley-Davidson introduces electric motorcycle
Tri-City Herald ^ | June 19, 2014 | By M.L. JOHNSON Associated Press

Posted on 06/19/2014 8:12:03 AM PDT by shotgun

Excerpt:

Harley-Davidson will unveil its first electric motorcycle next week, and President Matt Levatich said he expects the company known for its big touring bikes and iconic brand to become a leader in developing technology and standards for electric vehicles

Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2014/06/19/3026587/harley-davidson-introduces-electric.html?sp=/99/915/#storylink=cpy


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
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To: Avid Coug

Felons? I think the vast majority of Harley riders are dentists and accountants. Who else can afford a $25,000+ motorcycle.


41 posted on 06/19/2014 9:19:46 AM PDT by CodeToad (Arm Up! They Are!)
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To: shotgun

Nice looking, but half of the mystique of the Harley is the sweet unmistakable sound it makes going down the road. How many more accidents will there be when people don’t hear you coming?


42 posted on 06/19/2014 9:20:32 AM PDT by Mike Darancette (Do The Math)
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To: CodeToad

“Imagine what those knuckleheads will say of an electric bike”

They can call it the “Coal Glide”


43 posted on 06/19/2014 9:38:18 AM PDT by RS_Rider (I hate Illinois Nazis)
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To: CodeToad
The typical Harley owner is a 50 year old, successful dentist. I find that most of the riders that visit the local dealerships are over 50 and successful in some field.

I have 8 bikes in the garage. Two Harley, two Yamaha, two Kawasaki, one Honda, one Piaggio. My wife is the "outlier" with the Piaggio BV500 and Honda CTX700NDE. She prefers an automatic.

There is talk today of gas prices leaping to $11/gallon. That's going to make my trip home to Pocatello (900 miles) a very expensive proposition in the F150 get 16 MPG. My Fat Bob get 38 to 49 MPG depending on the mix of city/highway driving. The Kawasaki Versys delivers a consistent 53 MPG on 91 octane premium gas. My wife's CTX700NDE delivers 61 MPG on 87 octane regular gas.

For in-town commutes to/from work, the electric bikes would be viable. I only go 7 miles to work. I would have to take the Fat Bob to make the 900 mile trek home. I've done that in two days. Pretty rugged up I-15 with the trip trailer UPS rigs going 80 MPH.

44 posted on 06/19/2014 9:38:18 AM PDT by Myrddin
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To: shotgun

No one wants one,it doesn’t make any noise,these idiots who ride these things only are interested in drawing attention to their pathetic selves,no noise no sale


45 posted on 06/19/2014 10:03:43 AM PDT by ballplayer
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To: CodeToad

There are plenty of V-rods out there, and I don’t know of a dealership that refused to sell bikes of any kind. Hell some people bitched about fuel injection too, but they were outliers just like those that bitched about the V-Rod.


46 posted on 06/19/2014 10:05:51 AM PDT by Durus (You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality. Ayn Rand)
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To: shotgun
With no need to shift gears, the slim, sporty bike can go from 0 to 60 mph in about 4 seconds.

That's pretty good. With 130 mile range it would make a rocket commuter bike.

47 posted on 06/19/2014 10:18:12 AM PDT by Flick Lives ("I can't believe it's not Fascism!")
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To: shotgun

Put a couple speakers on the back and require the idiot in my neighborhood to turn the volume knob up and down a few times at the stop sign in front of my house to keep it running. Harleys would be fine if they could just fix the problem of riders needing to rev them at every stop sign or traffic light.


48 posted on 06/19/2014 10:19:35 AM PDT by KarlInOhio (Republican amnesty supporters don't care whether their own homes are called mansions or haciendas.)
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To: shotgun
Good thing I searched before posting this. I can see the appeal for some of an electric commuter bike. It's gonna have to do more than a hundred miles before something like this would work for me. A hundred miles will barely get me out of Texas.

HD has had to go water cooled on their big bikes thanks to the EPA idiots. Not surprised by this at all. Coal powered motorcycles... it's the future!

49 posted on 06/19/2014 10:36:21 AM PDT by zeugma (It is time for us to start playing cowboys and muslims for real now.)
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To: shotgun

Victory Motorcycles — the best mass production bikes made in America.

I have a Victory Hammer. It’s a fantastic motorcycle!


50 posted on 06/19/2014 10:48:06 AM PDT by 3Fingas (Sons and Daughters for Freedom and Rededication to the Principles of the U.S. Constitution)
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To: 3Fingas

I don’t ride on road, but I love my Polaris ATV mfg by the same parent company.


51 posted on 06/19/2014 10:49:06 AM PDT by nascarnation (Toxic Baraq Syndrome: hopefully infecting a Dem candidate near you)
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To: 3Fingas

They have a great styling too once they teamed with Arlen Ness.


52 posted on 06/19/2014 10:50:12 AM PDT by shotgun
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To: shotgun

The best thing about Victory is that their engine design and quality control is top notch. I have had zero problems with my 2008 model. You want to stand out from a crowd, get a victory. At this year’s ROT rally in Austin, I got lots of complements about my bike.


53 posted on 06/19/2014 10:52:47 AM PDT by 3Fingas (Sons and Daughters for Freedom and Rededication to the Principles of the U.S. Constitution)
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To: 3Fingas

I would say Indian is the best mass production bikes made in America.


54 posted on 06/19/2014 11:07:43 AM PDT by Durus (You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality. Ayn Rand)
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To: Mich Patriot
Maybe they can put a card in the spokes....or just make the noise with their mouth while they ride around.

"VROOOOOM VROOOOOOOOM"

55 posted on 06/19/2014 11:16:52 AM PDT by Manic_Episode (GOP = The Whig Party)
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To: shotgun

Special Forces have been using “stealth” electric motorcycles recently; this should give them an American-Made option.


56 posted on 06/19/2014 11:25:24 AM PDT by thejokker
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To: Durus

Also, owned by Polaris. :-D


57 posted on 06/19/2014 12:03:07 PM PDT by 3Fingas (Sons and Daughters for Freedom and Rededication to the Principles of the U.S. Constitution)
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To: martin_fierro

I remember when the “Block Head” Evolution engine came out in ‘84. The rumours leading up to the release of the new engine were that the Motor Company was bringing back the “Knuckle Head” that had been superseded in 1948.

Some Harley riders are ridiculous Luddites.


58 posted on 06/19/2014 12:24:03 PM PDT by Chuckster (The longer I live the less I care about what you think.)
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To: 3Fingas
True ;)

Polaris is doing some great work. I love the new Indian engine design.

59 posted on 06/19/2014 12:51:13 PM PDT by Durus (You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality. Ayn Rand)
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To: ballplayer
these idiots who ride these things only are interested in drawing attention to their pathetic selves

Hey, whatchu talkin' 'bout?

60 posted on 06/19/2014 1:38:57 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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