Hello Harley

Well, it depends on the bike line, actually.
The "Dyna" line (now defunct,) was "cheapened" about 2012.
The "FL" line, about 2014
The "Softie" line? About 2012.
The "Sportster" line, ironically, seems to be the "best built" using good quality parts, still.
I don't really have information regarding the "Street" series.

And yes, you are correct about using cheaper parts as a cost per unit savings. While this doesn't bode well for the MOCO's future, the board/stockholders won't care as they aren't in it for any longhaul time frame. (Get in, get it, then get OUT.) Sad to see a viable company being taken like the AMF days...
For the record~
I've bought 3 new HD's over the years. (1995,1996,2016.)
Had the 1995 for 21 years and a quarter million miles. Probably still running great.
Had the 1996 for 5 years, and about 11,000 miles. This one IS still running great.
Had the 2016 for 4 years, and 21,000 miles. This one has had MAJOR mechanical problems since 6400 miles. (I sawed the rear wheel in half by grenade d wheel bearings...) Then grenade d the compensator at 20,600 miles.)

Done with HD's experimentation of substandard parts. (But, they DO look beautiful in the showroom.) Just don't ride 'em...

 

This one actualy looks really nice, (besides the forward mount controlls) maybe theres light at the end of the tunnel.

https://www.rideapart.com/news/457534/harley-virtually-confirms-custom-1250/.

 

Its nice looking but it needs mid controls I think. It wouldn't be a touring bike in that rider position so the mids would work, the forward controls are good for a bar hopper like my 82 wide glide

 

Agreed, no forward controlls.
On my sprotster 48 moved the controlls to mid controlls before I ever rode it..
This new harley in theory is going to have a lot more performance, 140 hp moto,r modern frame etc, mid controlls are a must.
Still compared to the "bronx" and "cafe racer" this bike actualy looks good and inspired without being a throwback.
Looks even nicer than the indian FTR, that bike being a bit plain once you look at it up close.

This new harley gives me hope.

 

You may want to install some brakes on it, you know - just in case stopping interests you. <g>

 

I have a 2017 Road Glide Special customized with Ohlins suspension and a Corbin seat, plus many other things I did to it. I'm not into bling and show, I set it up for ride quality and comfort. i have to say, I enjoy it - and its been less problematic than the many BMW's I've had in the garage. The factory suspension is junk, and so is the seat. Fix those and you get a pretty decent ride. It's fun - and motorcycles should be fun. This is my 43rd motorcycle over fifty-one years. I used to race 'em, now at age 66 I just like to cruize.


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Now if they build this I'll camp outside a dealer to get one and I dont like to camp!

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"Headlight, tail light, turn signals, 3 disc brakes and a starter....Done."

 

Sat in my stock seat for 900 mile days a few times and zero complaints. It is dead now and going for another stock seat. Agree on Olins. SFPD tossed their BMWs years ago because of so many issues. Went back to Harley and the entire motor division kissed Willie Browns feet for it.

 

Not super inspiring

“Harley-Davidson appointed Artie Starrs, head of sports-entertainment company Topgolf, to be its new president and chief executive officer.”

 

Interesting

 

The ONLY way Harley makes it is if they buy Ducati, fire their CEO, and spend serious money to develop cool motorcycle design with a coalition to develop modern “motorcycle cool culture” somehow. Maybe hire McKinsey.

 

lol

have fun in Sturgis, buttercup

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they purchased burll and destroyed it.

the owned MV and made a mess of it.

as with Boeing the more needs to change entirely. They are a visionless company run by finance and MBA’sany of whom if they do ride only started doing so when they joined Harley.

 

maybe the best thing is for them to go out of business

 

At worst they will slowly dissipate over time they have too much scale to go out of buisness. Even if they went bust there is a lot of value there.

their last plan was to go woke build ore expensive bikes with more orioles s for greater margin.

theme guy thinks he’ll crack it witha 6k bike. It’s all
MBA playbook.

meanwhike triumph rose from the dead led by one man with a passion for bikes and ahead for business

in the same timeframe Harley halved its global sales destroyed buell (which had a cult following when they bought it) and went on to acquire mv invest fortunes there and then bail because it was not their core business or something.

they still do the aircooled by win thing for boomers, that’s a lock.

so much potential and so much wasted $
That’s your “professional” board run company.

 

5 years later no fear of having to camp