Harley-Davidson to launch first electric motorcycle within 18 months, but KC plant to close

bizjournals.com ^ | 1/30/2018 | Patrick Leary

[rktman]

Well, that should reduce the intimidation factor about 120 db. ;-)

[ConservativeWarrior]

As well as the annoying factor by about 95%.

[JoSixChip]

Maybe if they weren’t charging $25k for a bike that is more plastic then steal. I have a 2004 Heritage, it is bullet prof, but some of the components are obviously as cheep as they could get away with. Though about buying a new one, but it was unbelievably cheaply made and was $25k for the base model.

[FatherofFive]

They should add a small gas motor to make the noise!

[robroys woman]

Remember that publicity stunt where they tried to trademark the “potato, potato” sound?

[rktman]

Nah, just a couple of 15” subwoofers mounted with a sound track ready to scare some seniors at a moments notice. They could make them look like saddle bags.

[SERKIT]

Most of the battery life will be taken up by a 300 Watt sound system, emulating the roar of a blown muffler, plus the classic idle sound, “potato, potato, potato, potato”...

[rktman]

;-)

[aimhigh]

I’m not surprised to see a plant close. Too many cell phones out there. Getting too dangerous to ride.

[beergarden]

My neighbor has a lot of bikes. He told me he prefers Triumph and Indian, and that Harleys are mostly made in India. Triumph is now made in Ga. and actually British. The BRit president of Triumph relocated to Ga. after he fell in love with an American woman.

[Myrddin]

I have 8 bikes in the garage. A 2008 XL1200R (Sporty Roadster) and a 2009 FXDF (Fat Bob) in the group. Not likely to purchase another Harley. The current ones will last as long as I want to ride. The Yamaha bikes include a 2007 Roadliner (full bagger arrangement) and a 2008 TW200 Dual Sport. I'm contemplating trading the TW200 in on a 2018 SR400. The TW200 only has 669 miles. I just never have time to get out in the dirt to ride it. The SR400 would be a fine thumper for making a cruise to Idaho Falls. The Kawasakis include a 2009 Versys (20,000 miles). Great freeway bike. Great for twisties. The 2012 VN900 is a nice little cruiser. My youngest son was riding it for a time. The other two bikes belong to my wife. Twist and go. BV500 Maxi scooter and a Honda CTX700. The CTX gets 61 MPG. The SR400 gets 66 MPG. A nice pairing for cruising the local roads.

My Fat Bob is really my long distance touring bike. It's the right engine and seat configuration for long trip. 5 gallon gas tank. 49.8 MPG on the last 1900 mile round trip.

[DoughtyOne]

Got that right. You have to wonder about the long term exposure to that noise and what it would do to someone’s hearing too. (the rider)

[Myrddin]

My last British bike was a BSA BX50 500cc thumper. Very cool bike. I sold it before I got married in 1978 as I had nowhere to ride it anymore. Not street legal, so I had to push it a mile to the trail head. It was an awesome bike. Starting it was a tenuous chore. Vigorous pressing of the primer button on the carb, then a very carefully coordinated use of the compression release and kickstarter. Do it wrong and you go over the handlebars. The SR400 I'm considering from Yamaha is fuel injected. Has a sight glass on the valve cam to properly position the piston. Kickstart only. Should be simple to start.

[Hugh the Scot]

Amen.

I ride year round. Riding through town has become a terrifying experience. Literally every other vehicle you pass has the head-down, phone-in-her-lap texting chick at the wheel...

Somewhere back in my lizard brain, I know those same people are out on the two-lane, but for some reason riding through town scares me more.

[Starstruck]

I was buying a used car last week. There was a Harley in the showroom. I was looking at it and my wife said you are 70 years old. Right. Now that I’m able to afford one I’m too old to ride it.

[Newbomb Turk]

I have pretty much given up riding my softtail. Everyone is staring at their crotch and not watching the road.

It was bad enough before cell phones.

[zeugma]

I have pretty much given up riding my softtail. Everyone is staring at their crotch and not watching the road. It was bad enough before cell phones.

Who wants to live forever? I just try to be extra vigilant. I look at crossing roads even closer than I used to.

[rktman]

🏍💨. I know the feeling. 😹

[refermech]

It will still have that tooka tooka sound track...

[rktman]

👹