Harley woes - good news for Thailand

[canthai55]

Your taste - your choice.

Let people decide. No need to chuck S--t at any rider - on any bike

 

[Anythingleft?]

Your taste - your choice.
Let people decide. No need to chuck S--t at any rider - on any bike
 

Very true...
Long gone are the days of being a biker and everyone acknowledging each other, those days faded out over 20 years ago in the UK. It's pretty much just a status symbol and has been for a very long time which I find very sad as I just love bikes not how much somebody paid for it

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[fordguy61mi]

I'm still in the states for a few more years until I retire, but I've got a 2012 Ultra Limited that cost me $28,000 after all the mods I did on it, and I don't plan to by another. Way too expensive.

[canthai55]

My eye - since the late 60's - the ultimate in looks.

Practical ? No way. Easy to ride - No.

But Beautiful ...

 

 

[thaiguzzi]

19 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

You would be surprised how many attention seeking, wannabe tough guys, both expats and Thais would go for it just to build their ego.

 

By far the worst and least safe brand in the world. Surprised they lasted this long anyway.

Yawn...

Advrider; 131 pages and counting on the latest mess up by the Mighty BMW GS.

Never heard of a front end collapsing on an HD. Strange that, innit?

 

2 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

 

Out of those 75%, at least 50% willing to learn off-roading, the reason they bought the bike at first place.

 

Perhaps you didn't know, GS is not exclusively off-road bike, there is such thing called DUAL PURPOSE motorcycle, look it up.

 

It takes you places which are off limits to conventional sport / touring bikes or HD relics.

 

To ride a HD you don't even need a skill, gramps can do it.

 

And thanks for the link, an example how BMW does things: creating awareness, performing free inspection and parts replacements.

 

Still the safest and most technologically advanced motorcycle brand.

Yawn 2.0...

Jeez these BMW fanboys really do get their knickers in a twist don't they.

All pray and on your knees to the GS altar of my m/c is the greatest in ze world.

Possibly because they are pi$$ed at how much they've spent on their "investment". When in reality an AT for half the price is a better bike with less "safety" issues and is more "technologically advanced".

Oh and if i wanted to learn off road it certainly would not be on a GS1200. Could not think of anything worse. 'cept maybe a full dress Electra Glide with knobbly tyres...

[thaiguzzi]

9 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

My eye - since the late 60's - the ultimate in looks.

Practical ? No way. Easy to ride - No.

But Beautiful ...

 

 

Never liked Peter's bike, Capt. America.

Dennis's bike was much better.

More practical and based more realistically on what was being modified at the time.

[tomwct]

I use to own quite a bit of  Harley Stock (HD), but my financial consultant sold it, but I still enjoy reading about the company. Milleniums, "snowflakes", aren't interested in motorcycles like the previous generations. They spend their money on burritos and avocado at the trendy fast food shops. They also don't buy homes. They don't worry about tomorrow because they will be taken care of buy their parents and the government. Most have huge student loans with degrees that don't help them get jobs or well

paying jobs. So Harley has no new market in the states and must go where the markets are. I was in Buri Ram a few weeks ago and they have a huge Ducati Motorcycle Dealership there the size of a car dealership, so someone is buying their bikes. Thailand maybe a great market for Harley, if they do open a factory here.

Edited July 23, 2017 by tomwct

[Grubster]

I am hoping they build them here for domestic use only, no exports. Like Ford and Chevy. I can still buy a Ford truck in the US that is much nicer than one built here for a lot less than here. I think Harleys would likely cost more than in the US but much cheaper than the tariff added made in US you can buy here.

[Grubster]

8 hours ago, canthai55 said:

My eye - since the late 60's - the ultimate in looks.

Practical ? No way. Easy to ride - No.

But Beautiful ...

 

 

Harleys are very easy to ride, the sit very comfortably close to the ground. If you are referring to those handlebars I agree they would not be for me.

[BMW Overlander]

8 hours ago, thaiguzzi said:

Yawn...

Advrider; 131 pages and counting on the latest mess up by the Mighty BMW GS.

Never heard of a front end collapsing on an HD. Strange that, innit?

 

Yawn 2.0...

Jeez these BMW fanboys really do get their knickers in a twist don't they.

All pray and on your knees to the GS altar of my m/c is the greatest in ze world.

Possibly because they are pi$$ed at how much they've spent on their "investment". When in reality an AT for half the price is a better bike with less "safety" issues and is more "technologically advanced".

Oh and if i wanted to learn off road it certainly would not be on a GS1200. Could not think of anything worse. 'cept maybe a full dress Electra Glide with knobbly tyres...

 

Yawn 3.0 give up on this keyboard warrior. Once you get privilege to ride one of these you will know what I am talking about. Go ahead, register 3rd user name to get your irrelevant point across.

Edited July 23, 2017 by BMW Overlander

[BMW Overlander]

10 hours ago, canthai55 said:

All well and good - you like BMW. Others do not share your choice of motorcycle.

And to state that no skill is required to ride a HD shows you have never ridden one for any length of time, or never ridden a fast one.

It takes skill to ride any motorcycle.

And to my eye it must be aesthetically pleasing - something which to my taste can not be said for any BMW.

Ride what you like. Let others do the same. And the asinine comments help no one

 

I did ride quite few of theam, easy peasy. If and when HD or any other brand comes with top safety features and upstages the rest I will buy one for sure. Aesthetically pleasing was a deal-breaker when I was 17-22, these days performance, practicality and safety features is what matters. Hope this makes sense to you.

[canthai55]

Safety features ? If it has good brakes, handles well - those are safety features.

But the biggest one is between my ears. All the techno in the world is no match for experience.

And the lessons of the School of Hard Knocks.

But as I said - ride what you like.

And the last 6 words of your post above displays your arrogance and lack of respect to anyone not sharing your opinion. Which is what they are - not facts.

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, BMW Overlander said:

 

I did ride quite few of theam, easy peasy. If and when HD or any other brand comes with top safety features and upstages the rest I will buy one for sure. Aesthetically pleasing was a deal-breaker when I was 17-22, these days performance, practicality and safety features is what matters. Hope this makes sense to you.

Who's being keyboard warrior now    did you ever ride a Night Rod heavy but cool,.

 

I think this thread is for people in Thailand who like bikes getting an HD they like at a reasonable cost, HD & GS are bloody expensive here.

Edited July 23, 2017 by Kwasaki

[smotherb]

On 7/22/2017 at 11:38 AM, thaiguzzi said:

Audi.

Which is owned by VW.

Ducati is owned by VW and VW is willing to sell; Harley has shown interest,no deals confirmed

[Kwasaki]

15 hours ago, smotherb said:

Ducati is owned by VW and VW is willing to sell; Harley has shown interest,no deals confirmed

Precision in motorbikes is essential,  you are indirectly correct.  

 

Ducati has always been in a mess the 916 and passion saved it IMO and is owned by German automotive manufacturer Audi through its Italian subsidiary Lamborghini, which is owned by Volkswagen Group a public company.

 

As most things giant business corporations either save the day or kill em,  let's not go into UK motorcycle history    the previous Ducati owner was Investindustrial,  it's had 7 owners since 1985. 

 

Ducati is the only motorcycle company Audi owns but it did grab a bit of Suzuki at one time but had to give it back. .

I'm Interested in motorcycle history.  This is a good read. 

https://www.wired.com/2012/04/audi-buys-ducati/

Edited July 24, 2017 by Kwasaki

[sebastion]

Harley Davidson will do what Ford did to car companies like Volvo. Buy it, strip all the patents and ip and dump the brand.
It's the American way to innovate.

Let's hope HD don't get their hands on it.

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[Kwasaki]

56 minutes ago, sebastion said:

Harley Davidson will do what Ford did to car companies like Volvo. Buy it, strip all the patents and ip and dump the brand.
It's the American way to innovate.

Let's hope HD don't get their hands on it.

Yeah Buell comes to mind,  l guess MV were lucky sort of. 

[thaiguzzi]

22 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

 

Yawn 3.0 give up on this keyboard warrior. Once you get privilege to ride one of these you will know what I am talking about. Go ahead, register 3rd user name to get your irrelevant point across.

You just don't get it do you?

"Privilege"??? What a condescending arrogant word used by a typical 1200GS snob.

I don't want to be privileged to ride one. I have no interest whatsoever in riding or owning a 1200GS.

The 800GS parallel twin looks a fair bit more practical ie lighter.

Don't get me wrong i like my older 70's early 80's air cooled boxers. The R90S is an iconic motorcycle. I even quite like (ish) the R Nine T range. Sort of.

I mis worded my previous post,

i can off road, i have a 33 y/o 250 trials bike that will take me places and do stuff a CRF250l/WR250 cannot. Let alone a 1200GS. It weighs 85 kgs.

I have a 38 y/o 830cc Triumph that i use as a local TT bike (tavern to tavern) and a quick hop across a provincial border, nice day's ride. It weighs less than 165 kgs.

I have a 28 y/o 950cc Moto Guzzi that will take me to the 4 corners of this pleasant land in relative comfort and a hassle free trip.

I don't need a 1200GS, nor do i want one. Ever.

[smotherb]

7 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Precision in motorbikes is essential,  you are indirectly correct.  

 

Ducati has always been in a mess the 916 and passion saved it IMO and is owned by German automotive manufacturer Audi through its Italian subsidiary Lamborghini, which is owned by Volkswagen Group a public company.

 

As most things giant business corporations either save the day or kill em,  let's not go into UK motorcycle history    the previous Ducati owner was Investindustrial,  it's had 7 owners since 1985. 

 

Ducati is the only motorcycle company Audi owns but it did grab a bit of Suzuki at one time but had to give it back. .

I'm Interested in motorcycle history.  This is a good read. 

https://www.wired.com/2012/04/audi-buys-ducati/

Audi is owned by VW group and VW group owns Ducati

 

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/company-insights/090816/top-7-companies-owned-volkswagen-vw.asp?lgl=rira-baseline-vertical

[Kwasaki]

1 minute ago, smotherb said:

Audi is owned by VW group and VW group owns Ducati

 

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/company-insights/090816/top-7-companies-owned-volkswagen-vw.asp?lgl=rira-baseline-vertical

OK you don't like the business history aspect, no worries. 

[smotherb]

Just now, Kwasaki said:

OK you don't like the business history aspect, no worries. 

Any business aspect is best told factually.

[jchfriis]

7 hours ago, sebastion said:

Harley Davidson will do what Ford did to car companies like Volvo. Buy it, strip all the patents and ip and dump the brand.
It's the American way to innovate.

Let's hope HD don't get their hands on it.

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Actually I think Ford didn't do too bad with Volvo. Volvo is alive and well and still making cars in Sweden and some other countries. They are now owned by a Chinese company.

 

GM on the other hand did what you said to SAAB cars. Stripped it, dumped it until it could not be salvaged.

[JonnyF]

Latest rumor is that KTM/Baja are interested in Ducati. I like KTM and think they are a much better fit for a brand like Ducati with their focus on racing and innovation. I'd worry that if HD bought them they'd focus too much on the Ducati image, branding and heritage rather than investing heavily in R&D and pushing the technology forward like KTM do. Hope this goes ahead.

 

http://www.drivespark.com/two-wheelers/2017/bajaj-ktm-ducati-partnership-final-stages-023119.html

[sebastion]

Yes they aren't doing badly but lost all their intellectual property. None of their safety patents were intact. Ford claimed them all and sold off the brand.
Now Volvo shares the Ford part bin which is contractual as part of the sale to Gheely.

Volvo today is full of crappy Ford parts that you see in common Ford Focus.
I looked at a V40 and whilst looking at the engine I saw Ford labelled radiator hose.

Ford made Volvo reliant on them.

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[AllanB]

Yes Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese and they will soon stop making proper cars.

 

I feel sorry for the kids in the future, I rode in a Prius once, like eating a vegan's lunch......wrapper.

[guzzi850m2]

On 7/22/2017 at 2:17 PM, bkkgriz said:

Have you looked into what it costs to get a motorcycle license in Japan? If you are interested, here is a link. Japan, the land of the rising sun and bureaucracy.

 

http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/4524

 

Thanks but I am only here for 2 month and I am out of here. Well don't get me wrong, I like it very much in Japan but this is only a temporary assignment, so trains will do.

.

[AllanB]

On 24/07/2017 at 10:48 AM, thaiguzzi said:

You just don't get it do you?

"Privilege"??? What a condescending arrogant word used by a typical 1200GS snob.

I don't want to be privileged to ride one. I have no interest whatsoever in riding or owning a 1200GS.

The 800GS parallel twin looks a fair bit more practical ie lighter.

Don't get me wrong i like my older 70's early 80's air cooled boxers. The R90S is an iconic motorcycle. I even quite like (ish) the R Nine T range. Sort of.

I mis worded my previous post,

i can off road, i have a 33 y/o 250 trials bike that will take me places and do stuff a CRF250l/WR250 cannot. Let alone a 1200GS. It weighs 85 kgs.

I have a 38 y/o 830cc Triumph that i use as a local TT bike (tavern to tavern) and a quick hop across a provincial border, nice day's ride. It weighs less than 165 kgs.

I have a 28 y/o 950cc Moto Guzzi that will take me to the 4 corners of this pleasant land in relative comfort and a hassle free trip.

I don't need a 1200GS, nor do i want one. Ever.

I don't remember who quoted the phrase "a big BMW with those galvanised garbage cans on the back" but a saw one yesterday, made me laugh, sometimes the nail gets hit square on the head. I saw it as I just finished an ice cream......and was sorely tempted.

 

The roads are full of them here, but I agree, I can't think of a bike I like less, I even get HDs.

 

I like the idea of that 165kg Triumph (830cc?), you have that in Thailand? That's about the weight of my new Vespa.

Edited August 5, 2017 by AllanB

[thaiguzzi]

7 hours ago, AllanB said:

I don't remember who quoted the phrase "a big BMW with those galvanised garbage cans on the back" but a saw one yesterday, made me laugh, sometimes the nail gets hit square on the head. I saw it as I just finished an ice cream......and was sorely tempted.

 

The roads are full of them here, but I agree, I can't think of a bike I like less, I even get HDs.

 

I like the idea of that 165kg Triumph (830cc?), you have that in Thailand? That's about the weight of my new Vespa.

[Kwasaki]

On 7/25/2017 at 8:45 AM, JonnyF said:

Latest rumor is that KTM/Baja are interested in Ducati. I like KTM and think they are a much better fit for a brand like Ducati with their focus on racing and innovation. I'd worry that if HD bought them they'd focus too much on the Ducati image, branding and heritage rather than investing heavily in R&D and pushing the technology forward like KTM do. Hope this goes ahead.

 

http://www.drivespark.com/two-wheelers/2017/bajaj-ktm-ducati-partnership-final-stages-023119.html

Another source :-

Volkswagen stated that they were going to review its portfolio of assets and brands.

However, the sale of Ducati is a switch in direction for the German owners, after Audi’s boss Rupert Stadler (who are owned by the Volkswagen group) confirmed to MCN that Ducati wouldn't be put up for sale.