By Jonathan Welsh
- Harley-Davidson
- A 2014 Harley-Davidson touring model.
Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson is known for turning out bikes that have essentially stayed the same for years or even decades. But now, feeling the squeeze of competition and in need of a new, younger crop of buyers, the company is making big changes.
Harley unveiled its lineup of coming 2014 models during its summer dealer meeting in Denver. The rollout included a redesign of its touring motorcycles including the Road King, Street Glide, Street Glide Special, Electra Glide Ultra Classic, Ultra Limited and Tri Glide Ultra.
The company said the new line is the result of a broad product-development program called Project Rushmore, which focused on improving the bikes based on requests, comments and other feedback from customers. Harley also said the bikes represent the biggest launch of new models in its 110-year history.
“Project Rushmore has been touched by thousands of people, most of them being our customers and our employees,” said Scott Habegger, Harley-Davidson’s director of motorcycle planning. “The voice of the customer is represented not just up front, but throughout the process,” he said.
That process included formal focus groups and events like motorcycle shows and music festivals, and simply chatting with customers “sitting on the next stool at a diner,” Habegger said.
Harley-Davidson boosted power, improved braking and changed the styling of the new bikes. The makeover also includes practical improvements like brighter headlights and a system called Reflex that links the bike’s front and rear brakes, making them work together to improve safety even when the rider applies only the front or rear brake. The bikes also have anti-lock brakes.
For power the touring bikes use the high-output Twin Cam 103 two-cylinder engine. In a move borrowed from car makers Harley added “infotainment” systems that includes voice recognition and a touchscreen for controlling music, navigation and phone communication.
While Harley-Davidson continues to dominate the market for large, long-distance touring bikes, it is under increasing pressure from a growing number of competitors including Honda Motor Co., BMW AG, Ducati and Triumph.
Lewis, are you changing just the oil in the tank, or are you draining the plug under the motor also ?
Can anybody tell me when Harley is going to solve the oil problem. You know, the one where you change
the oil and 16 oz’s of dirty oil stays in the motor only to get recycled in the clean oil. Harley has known
about that for years and has done nothing about it. And that is as sad as it gets my friends.
BMW GS 110 000 km Very reliable Had to repair the driveshaft and ABS sold it in 2007
Brand new Harley Davidson Roadking 2007 96cu inch 88 000km. I ride 80 kms every day in heavy traffic any weather. The Roadking cuts through traffic much quicker through the traffic than most other bikes – coukd be the rider?. The Harley has not given ANY problems as yet. no mechanical, electronic or electrical faults. In RSA we ride yearound. Love the sound and looks of any Bike. Like the Ducati’s never owned one!!
Will never buy anything else than a Harley. But please yourself and really enjoy what you ride. You paid for it you’ve got ride it. AS the saying goes”IF I HAVE TO EXPLAIN YOU WON’T UNDERSTAND. Enjoy your wheels.
I have eight bikes which 3 are Harley’s I have them all BMW,Ducati, Honda they all are special and have their own individual qualities. I recently had to choose which bike to ride cross country. 32 day and 9000 miles I chose my Harley because of a couple of reasons. One you have more seating positions on the hd and Gwen your in the saddle for 12-14 hours a day it makes a big difference. Second if your going to Sturgis. It’s probably better to fit in out of a million bikes hd has 98% of the group. And you just don’t see people complain they are just flat proud. Hd is the only bike on the market that u can truly customize to fit you. I love bikes all of them. But hd I would have to say just builds a bike that will last the test of time.
The new fairing looks AWESOME. The “infotainment ” screen and function is excellent. I will be interested in trading in my older FLHTC