Harley-Davidson Sprint

It’s that time again, folks! That wonderful time of the year when some manufacturers start teasing, and some start releasing, new models! It’s one of my favorite times of the year!

2026 Harley-Davidson Sprint

I haven’t heard much yet, but I just read that Harley-Davidson is about to release info on an all-new entry-level motorcycle, that harkens back to a previous time in their history. The new bike is set to be called the “Sprint”, after the popular model that they introduced in the early 1960s, after partnering with then, Italian manufacturer Aermacchi. 

These days, many people whine about the MoCo’s affiliations with other manufacturers building motorcycles for them, such as the Street 500 and 750 models, originally built in Bawal, India and primarily intended for the Middle Eastern market, or the all-new X350 and X500, built in China and primarily intended for the Asian market. But, our beloved Milwaukee, USA purveyor of fine motorcycles has not betrayed it’s American roots, far from it. They are a corporation that is surviving in a very challenging market… and they have been doing so since 1903. The reality is- survival is ugly sometimes. It often demands unconventional and, sometimes unpleasant, acts to be carried out, in order to be able to live, and in this case- produce motorcycles, another day. For example- guy that got trapped by a boulder while hiking and had to sever his own arm to be able to live another day. While I’m not suggesting that H-D cut off an appendage, here… I am saying that sometimes, in order to survive a struggling market, it requires a partnership that may not be the most popular with it’s traditional customer base. If, however, the partnership expands the customer base… and the company can survive another year, or five years, or a hundred years, then it was worth it. 

Beginning in the 1960’s, Harley-Davidson partnered with several companies, three of which in particular brought the MoCo through some of their  toughest times and helped them survive when many other American motorcycle companies were failing: Aermacchi and their small displacement motorcycles helped expand the Harley-Davidson name plate into the European markets and helped form a love for  Milwaukee steel overseas, that still exists to this day; Tomahawk Boats ushered in a new era of design possibilities and manufacturing facilities that gave us things like the Boat Tail Super Glide, hard side saddlebags, tour packs, and fairings for the immensely popular Electra Glides, Tour (and later, Road) Glides; and of course, the American Machine and Foundry company, quite literally, saved the MoCo from financial ruin. While none of these were probably very popular at the time, all served the greater purpose of helping this American institution survive and that, my friends, is the name of the game because once a company shuts down, if it ever does come back, it will never be the same as it once was. 

The Bike

Currently, there’s very little information about the new Sprint, except that it is supposed to be revealed to dealers this fall, but what we do know for now, is that it is expected be a small displacement, inexpensive and entry-level motorcycle. There’s still no word on where it will be built, but I suspect it will be manufactured overseas initially, or perhaps, built in the US of A, with parts imported from overseas plants. 

What I find interesting though, is I’ve heard so many people already bashing it, and bashing the MoCo for building an “entry-level” bike. Just yesterday, I saw a social media influencer (who I typically agree with on a lot of points), bashing the MoCo over the new Sprint and saying that all “we” want is a “new EVO” engine because the “EVO was the best engine ever built by Harley-Davidson.” The EVO was a good engine, sure… but ”the best”? I don’t think so, not by a long shot. Every engine that H-D has made through the years was the best, until it was replaced by something better. The Knuckle was better than the Flathead, the Pan was better than the Knuck, the EVO was better than the Pan and, yes… I’m gonna say it… the Twin Cam was better than the EVO… and I know that I’m about to get bashed for that one, but it’s true- I’d take a late model TC96 or TC103 over an EVO any day. BUT! Before anyone decides to start roasting me for MY opinion, let me remind you that everyone has their own opinions based on their own experiences… mine are no different. I’ve gotten great performance (and no oil leaks) out of the 5 different Twin Cams I’ve owned, while I had two different buddies that had “late model” EVO’s that coudn’t keep a seal between the jugs and the crankcase. Now, before anyone says, “well Mr. MotoWriter, why does S&S Cycles build so many EVO clones, then?” My simple answer is this- because 1. The patent ran out and they can, 2. They’ve had a chance to fix the problems and get it dialed in properly (I never said it wasn’t a good platform for a great engine) and, 3. They also make updated versions of the Knuckle, Pan, Shovel and M-8. One could argue that the reason they don’t build a Twin Cam, is because the stock H-D TC is already dialed in, easier to get and significantly less expensive than the others. 

As for the Milwaukee 8- I have a first generation M-8 107 on my Road King Special, and a 96” Twin Cam on my Dyna Street Bob… I’ve also had a couple of late model 103” Twin Cams and an early model 96”  and I will honestly say that, in my very humble opinion, the M-8 is a superior engine to the Twin Cam. I’ve heard horror stories about the first gen 107” M-8’s having issues with oil sumping, cam chest and oil pump failures and, maybe I’m just lucky or perhaps it hasn’t happened yet, but mine has not given me any issues with any of those components (like I said, not yet, anyway). Maybe it’s because I ride it like I own it, and like I am the one that is responsible for paying for it when it breaks, or maybe, I have just gotten lucky, I don’t know… but regardless, my opinions are based on my experiences, so I’m willing to acknowledge that others may be (and apparently are) very passionate about theirs, based on their experiences.

Regardless of where your opinion lands, I’ll disagree with my guy on the ole interweb socials and say that, while I’m not in the market for an entry-level, small displacement motorcycle- I think it’s great that the MoCo is thinking about their future survival and making adjustments to get new riders into the sport, and hopefully making some of them passionate loyalists to the brand so that hopefully, it will carry them through the tough times. 

What is “Entry-Level” anyway?

Easy- entry-level can be quantified in two words: size and price. Let’s face it- motorcycles are, inherently, dangerous and, in order to get someone on a motorcycle for the first time, you need to have a machine that isn’t too powerful, heavy and intimidating. Pricing is also incredibly important, as well, because you don’t want to have the perfect machine, but make it so expensive that it can’t be bought by someone who is just getting into the sport, especially when the competition is fierce in this segment. 

The new Sprint is expected to be around $6,000 US and I think that is spectacular. People won’t buy what they can’t afford anymore. When I bought my first new H-D, I was in my mid 30’s and, at the time, I honestly never thought I’d be able to buy a Harley-Davidson at all, much less a brand new Road King Classic. It was expensive and, in all reality, I probably shouldn’t have bought it because there were times that I struggled to pay the note, but it was worth it to me (and my lovely wife supported it, wholeheartedly), so I took the leap and did it. This new generation is different though- these kids now are very money-conscious and they are very conservative in the way they spend their money. I would venture to guess that the MoCo loses hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in potential new riders, because of the costs and availability of their machines. Not that a solid and sustained resale value is a bad thing- it’s not, however, by comparison, a new rider looking at the offerings in dealerships and in the used markets, could be easily put off of H-D by the prices alone. For example, a large displacement Japanese bike, like the Yamaha Stratoliner or the Honda VTX1800 can be had for under $6,000 used, compared to a used Harley-Davidson Road King or Street Glide that will cost you easily over $10,000 for the same or similar year models. That is because the import bikes simply don’t hold their value like the Harley’s do. Those are typical prices of large, heavyweight bikes, too… their smaller counterparts can be had for even less, where the smaller H-D’s are still pretty expensive. For example- a 2006 Yamaha V-Star 650, which is a very easy bike to ride, can be had for around $1,500, compared to a 2006 H-D Sportster 883 that is selling for around $3,000. Again, that’s the difference between resale values- and, while that’s a good thing for H-D owners, it’s not so great for the MoCo when you consider that most new riders will almost always opt for the cheaper bikes. And before you argue that comparing used bikes to new bikes is like comparing apples to oranges, I’ll remind you that the least expensive new Harley-Davidson in the current lineup, the Nightster, is priced at $9,999 before dealer fees, where the comparable Yamaha Bolt R-Spec, is sitting a clean $1,000 less, at $8,999. Does a grand make a difference to someone like me? Right now- not really… when I was first starting out- absolutely. Currently, Yamaha’s lowest priced “cruiser style” motorcycle is the V-Star 250 at $4,799… so, if H-D can enter the market with a bike with double that displacement, but not double that price, I think it’s a strong move for Milwaukee.

The fact remains that this new generation is looking at the overall value for their dollar and, let’s be honest, why would a young, new, rider buy a 2008 Road King for $9,500, when they could buy a 2008 Roadliner for $4,500? After all, the 2008 ‘Liner has a 113 ci engine compared to the 2008 ‘King’s 96 ci mill. It’s a dollar for displacement disparity that favors the Japanese bike. Brand loyalty is often born with a first motorcycle, too… so getting someone into the culture of Harley-Davidson is imperative to gaining them as a lifelong customer. Don’t believe me? How many H-D loyalists started out on one of those very early single cylinder bikes (like the Hummer or the original Sprint), or more currently, on a Sportster? The EVO Sportster is probably the most popular motorcycle ever built by Harley-Davidson if you go by how long it was made, and total units sold (and are still sold in the used sector, today). The EVO Sporty used to be very affordable, with many of the basic models selling for close to- you guessed it- the $6,000 mark, so it’s my belief that this new Sprint’s pricing is right on par with being a, potentially, very successful offering for Harley-Davidson. 

Final thoughts

Hopefully this new bike is well-built, has the American soul  of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, performs well and, unlike the failed Street models, is reliable and well designed. I think one of the biggest reasons the Streets failed so miserably, isn’t because they were small displacement and low priced, but rather, because of the design. They didn’t look like a Harley, they didn’t sound like a Harley and they were not well made, at all. While ole Jochen is out, and this new bike was developed and designed under his leadership, hopefully, it is more than just a re-badged Chinese bike (like the X-440 trainer bikes), and better than the absolutely awful Street that was born, and built, under former CEO, Matt Levatich’s leadership.

For now, we’ll just have to wait and see, though. As for me, I am choosing to be optimistic about the new Sprint. I’m hoping to see a new single cylinder, fuel injected cruiser (or maybe even a sportier version for the kids that like to go zoomy-zoomy), a sharp, distinctly American design, and more importantly- very well built, with high quality components.

Until then… Ride safe and make good choices, MotoReaders!

Well, This Won’t Look Good On My Resume’

As I get closer to finishing the current chapter in this book that is my life, I have begun the process of looking into what lies ahead for the ole’ MotoWriter. 

Now, if you’re a regular MotoReader, you know that it’s been a while since I posted anything. If you’re new to the site, you might discover that along with motorcycle-centric content, I also pepper in some life advice and do my best to send good vibes out to the world in hopes of encouraging my readers to live their best lives while being good, decent humans. 

Whichever is the case, don’t worry… I don’t have any plans of shutting down my site or putting down my metaphorical pen. After all these years of sending my words into the world via the internet, I’ve realized that, at least a few, folks like you around the world actually seem somewhat interested in what I have to say. With my little site recently reaching over 100,000 views world wide, I realize that even in my temporary absence, my loyal MotoReaders are still checking in. I appreciate you, and it’s an honor for me to be able to have a few moments of your very valuable time… so thank you, and worry not- the MotoWriter will remain in this story, and may actually get a larger part.

With all that said, let’s get down to the aforementioned resume’ comment. While I love writing this blog, it only pays in satisfaction, and I can’t pay my bills with that, so I’ve been seeking out my next payin’ gig. 

In my current career path, I’ve learned so very much, have achieved several goals and I have, hopefully, succeeded in helping some folks. I’ve dedicated nearly half of my life to making this world a little better place. I doubt that I’ll ever have the same level of job satisfaction in any other career, but every chapter must end, before a new one can begin and the sun must set, before it can rise again. Nighttime brings rest to the world, and the new day brings forth new opportunities to begin fresh. 

I’ve been intrigued by motorcycles for as long as I can remember. I’m fascinated by the diversity in the types of machines, the types of people and the bond that we all share. Being a “motorcycle person” trumps all other characteristics. Details like race, ethnicity, sex and any and all the other identifiers that our current world assigns to every one of us, become secondary to the distinct characteristic of “motorcyclist” or “biker.” Please excuse my language  for a moment… but I fu**in’ love that! 

It’s with this passion that I started writing for Harley-Davidson Forums and why I eventually started writing this blog. I have been a lifelong fan of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and, have been a loyal rider of these iconic machines for over 15 years, after I finally reached a point in my life, when I could actually afford to buy one. I’ve been to Milwaukee and I’ve stood where Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson stood. I’ve walked the same halls on Juneau Avenue, that generations of blue collar American workers designed and built these beautiful, soul inspiring, freedom machines. I’ve learned to work on them in the same classrooms where better mechanics learned to do the same and I’ve experienced the camaraderie of being a part of a worldwide collective of enthusiasts.

To hear that this company, this brand, this iconic representation of the great American culture is in such dire straits… is tragic. Harley-Davidson has endured through financial troubles, tariffs, embargoes, ruthless competition, poor leadership, misguided CEOs and more than a few bad designs, for over 120 years. Each time, however, the MoCo has been able to pull itself up and out of the tough times, by leaning hard on it’s most important assets- it’s loyal owners and followers.

Over the past several years, however, the leaders of our beloved Motorcycle company have made some grave mistakes… and they are just now starting to feel the affects of those poor decisions. So, at risk of losing any hopes of putting “Harley-Davidson Motor Company” as an employer on my resume’… I’m putting this out there for the world, and more specifically- the executives at Harley-Davidson to hopefully read:

YOU’VE LOST TOUCH WITH US

You allowed DEI and the “woke” culture to rust the iron of Harley-Davidson’s foundation. The “woke” culture and DEI practices are like salt on the roads of Wisconsin in winter. It helps to clear the path and expose what’s underneath, but the long term affects are rust and corrosion on the frames of your motorcycles that will eventually destroy the most crucial part that holds it all together. 

Like salt on the roads- “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” practices aren’t bad… but it must be done in moderation. I can tell you, that very few people actually care about how someone else is living their personal lives. The world we live in today is quite possibly the most inclusive that it’s ever been… that is, except for those among us who thrive on division- the people that dress and act bizarre, then get offended by others who react to their bizarreness; the people that get triggered by the lyrics from an old Christmas song from 50+ years ago, but then blast the most vulgar, misogynistic, lyrics from their car stereo, while driving past public parks and playgrounds.

When celebrities speak up and give their opinions on things… I just shake my head and ask WHO CARES WHAT THEY THINK? No offense to any of them, but why does the opinion of an actor, singer, dancer, etc… matter more than that of the guy that takes your order at your favorite restaurant, or the girl that makes your coffee in the morning? Because they can act? Or sing? Or dance? Or because they are wealthy? The simple answer is, their opinion doesn’t matter any more than yours… it’s just that you, or we as a collective society, seem to need some “publicly backed” validation for our own opinions. We have become a society of sheep… afraid of our own judgement. We feel like if Jim Carrey or Keanu Reeves shares our view on something, then it somehow carries more clout. It’s a ridiculous concept. Especially considering we don’t know who these people truly are, or even share similar lifestyles. I like a lot of both of these guys movies and have followed them for several years, but they don’t live the same life as me, and I’m guessing, most of you. I’m not saying they haven’t struggled financially, but I am saying that when they were starting their careers, living in their cars, waiting tables or playing hockey, nobody gave a damn about their opinion. It wasn’t until they became famous that everybody wants to know what they think about politics, religion, fashion or whatever. Keanu Reeves is a motorcycle guy… that’s about the only thing that he and I probably have in common… and our opinion on those are probably drastically different, by looking at the designs (and prices) of his Arch Motorcycles. 

Every company, every person for that matter, should try to practice diversity, equity and inclusion habits- recognizing the differences in people and appreciating the fact that our differences are what make us unique; treating each other fairly and not allowing personal prejudices and biases from affecting how we treat one another; and including people that are different from us to take part in the creation of advancement of a common goal, is something that good people, and good companies, do. But, like any good concept- someone put a title on it, claimed it as their own, new concept, and then started forcing extremist ideas down the throats of everyone, calling it “DEI.” The world got shamed into not being “woke.” Companies rushed to become “culturally sensitive” and the more they worked to change their “company cultures” and buy into this fabricated concept that someone else was selling to them, the more they lost. 

The fact is, that prior to the “DEI” initiatives, mandates and “woke” culture… the MoCo employed people of different races, sexual orientations, religious backgrounds, cultural backgrounds and, I’ll be willing to bet, that the vast majority of them worked well together, got along, got paid the same and felt that their diversity made them a strong workforce, felt that they were treated the same and felt included at their jobs. It wasn’t until someone from HR heard about this “new program” called “DEI”, that they started paying for the pamphlets, buying the programs and paying the DEI speakers to come in and tell people that they didn’t get along, because the DEI peddlers hadn’t “fixed them yet.” Yes, yes… DEI was being sold and the corporate hogs were buying. They forgot about the most important component of their companies… their people.

Harley-Davidson jumped into the DEI pool without floaties, and in doing so, allowed the company executives to drown the company in guilt-driven, detrimental behaviors, practices and policies. Policies, practices and behaviors that are contradictory to their core demographic of hard working, diverse, God and County loving Americans, and a whole world full of people who love, admire and respect the American culture. In trying to satisfy the DEI push into their brand, it backfired in the worst of ways- thousands of the brands most loyal enthusiasts felt insulted. Not because they were bigots, but because Jochen and his cronies insinuated that they were and shamed them for not falling for the “woke” political agenda that they were trying to force on them. 

To make matters worse- Jochen’s goal of making Harley-Davidson a “premium” brand… was inherently stupid and has cost the MoCo millions of dollars in sales. Harley-Davidson was already a premium brand… it had a diverse lineup of motorcycles that appealed to a large group of riders, and even though they were priced high, they were still (somewhat) attainable. Jochen’s goal, which has started to come to fruition, was to make them so expensive that only the elite (like him) could buy them. The MoCo execs chopped the lineup, focused on a few top-tier bikes and slowly raised the prices until they started becoming unattainable for the working class folks that have been buying and riding them for over 120 years. Honestly folks… I paid $35k for my wife’s SUV five years ago… and nearly $25k for my Road King Special, almost 10 years ago. Those numbers were, and are still, ridiculous, and they’ve only gotten worse as of the past few years. How can a motorcycle cost as much as a car? That is simply poor business practices. 

Then, to make matters worse, the boneheads decided to cut the entry and mid level models out of the lineup. The Evo powered Sportsters could be had for way less than $10k, and there were several models to choose from, that fit almost any rider’s style. The next up, and first to be killed off, was the mid-range, next step, Dyna family of big twins. Powerful, tight, fun motorcycles that were a bit bigger and added a few more options for the rider looking to step up a bit. Great motorcycles, but someone at H-D corporate decided that to would be a good financial decision to take a popular, good selling, item off the menu altogether. So, the decision was then made to take away a few popular options from the Softail lineup, but then rename a few Softails with Dyna names… and hope that no one noticed that they were paying more money… just to have a cool name like “Lowrider” or “Fat Bob” on their Softail. So, since the Dyna family (that consisted of several models to satisfy the desires of the diverse styles and personalities of Harley-Davidson big twin enthusiasts) had been cut, the obvious choice would be to add to the Softail lineup to make up the difference, right? Nope. The decision was made to cut popular models from the lineup, instead. The lineup of Softails consisted of a couple of models that carried Dyna names (Lowrider, Lowrider S, Fat Bob and Street Bob), and a Softail Standard (which was, and is, basically the same bike as the Softail Street Bob) the Heritage Softail, the Breakout and the Fat Boy. 

You may be saying, “OK MotoWriter, but what about the touring lineup?” Well… they cut it too. Incredibly popular models like the standard Road King, the Electraglide standard, Road Glide and the Electraglide were eventually severed from the lineup, and replaced with their more expensive counterparts- the Road King Special, The Ultra Classic Electraglide and the Road Glide Ultra… all of which will, after paying for tax, title, dealer set-up, freight, the sales manager’s lunch, the store manager’s bonus and the dealership’s power bill for that day, will set you back nearly $35k… yes… as much as you could get a nice, mid-range SUV for. 

Jochen’s plan to price Harley-Davidson out of business is really starting to take shape now. 

Oh, but what about the Sportster and the Pan America? Well I didn’t forget about them. The new Rev Max Sportster S and Nightster models seem to be pretty nice bikes. The Nightster is fun to ride, but it’s small… and starting at $10k for the base model and $12k for the “Special” which only offers slightly different styling, it isn’t a bad choice for a new rider that wants a Harley-Davidson… however, it’s Indian competitors give it a helluva run for it’s money, with a few models, and engine sizes, to choose from… all starting at the same price. As for the Sportster S… I’m sorry to those who like this bike, but at $15,999, it is terribly overpriced. In all fairness, I haven’t actually ridden one, I’ve only sat on one at the dealership, but after throwing a leg over it, I didn’t want to ride it… and for me, that is saying a lot, because I always want to ride a motorcycle… especially a new one that I haven’t ridden before. I do like the Pan America and while I think that they are priced a little high compared to their competitors, we will often pay a little extra for a brand we love and a well-established dealer network… call it the “Harley tax.”

Although the Pan America does create a new market of buyers and enthusiasts from the ADV crowd, that’s a niche group- not an entry, or mid, level market. The guys buying ADVs are older, middle to upper class riders who, while they can go off-road, will most likely buy these bikes for their upright riding positions, softer suspensions and more forgiving riding traits. The MoCo needs to focus on the younger guys and gals… the mid twenties to upper thirties folks that want fun, fast bikes that have some suspension, but are cool and still a little hardcore. Something that can be bought, built and customized for less than $15k. They need something to build off of, too… something like a comfortable entry level bike that they can get for $6-8k, then after a few years, trade in for the next size up for a few extra thousand. 

And as for the DEI bull crap- newsflash folks- motorcycle riders are the most diverse, equitable and inclusive group of people out there. Have you ever been to a bike night, seen groups of riders pass each other on the roads or been to a major bike event? People of every race, ethnicity, sex, social and economic background and sexual orientation are out there, waving at each other as they pass, talking to each other about their bikes, sharing stories from the road and donating their hard-earned money on good causes. Bikers and motorcyclists don’t need to be lectured about diversity, equity and inclusion… they need to be supported by the brands they love and spend their hard-earned money on. 

I know that Harley-Davidson is searching for it’s next CEO… and if the MoCo wants to hire a smart, down to earth, blue collar, guy that, with some good old fashioned common sense and American pride, will get the company back on track… I’ll be available for a very reasonable salary… but I won’t hold my breath, waiting for their call.

120th Anniversary Lineup… my thoughts

 

Harley-Davidson’s 120th Anniversary lineup… Boom or Bust?

Well MotoReaders… there it is, your “new” bikes for what could arguably be one of the most significant anniversaries in Harley-Davidson’s history. So, the question is, did they knock it out of the park, or did they strike out? If there are any H-D execs reading this (which I hope so, but sorta doubt) this next part is directed to you- if this is all you have in your trick bag, I’ll be honest- I’m sorely disappointed. 

The bikes

The paint is gorgeous, the bikes are boring. Sorry, but they are. You guys had a great opportunity to introduce some really cool machines, but it feels like you just phoned it in. The only “new” model is the Road Glide trike and, as a younger old guy, or an older young guy (depending on how you want to look at it), I’m still young enough to handle a two wheeler, but “established” enough to afford a bigger touring bike, so for me… another trike is just plain boring. I’ll keep my 2017 Road King Special (especially now that I have fixed all the things you guys fell short on with that one). You “brought back” the Breakout? Ugh. The only bike that has even garnered a second look from me is the Nightster Special, but that one isn’t even a new model for ‘23. To make matters worse- the “Special” still sports the 975cc mill for 2023. Why not put the 1250 RevMax engine from the Sportster S in the Nightster Special? What exactly is “special” about the Special, anyway? Black paint and a quarter fairing (that was on the previous year model)? Come on… we, your customers, deserve better.

Jochen, are you listening?

Jochen, buddy… listen to me for a minute, I know you want the best for the MoCo, so do I. That’s why I’m offering this advice for free- bring back a twin shock, big twin powered line- yes, I’m talking about the Dyna, for 2023. Do you want to get some loyal H-D customers back? Give them a ground-pounding, M-8 powered bruiser. Something loud, powerful and highly customizable. Something that is raw, fast, classic and true to the H-D spirit. The Softail line is great, but we all know that the LowRider, the Fat Bob and the Street Bob are supposed to be Dynas. They were born as Dynas and they died as Dynas in 2017. These new Softail versions are best described as "Dyna tribute" bikes, for no reason other that to just keep the names alive and we all know it. 

Do you want me to buy a new bike? Offer me an M-8 powered Wide Glide. A true, twin shock frame with mini-ape handlebars and a tall sissy bar. Build it with an old-school ducktail rear fender, and offer a sick, diamond stitched king and queen seat in the P&A catalog. Bring back the Super Glide and spin some variants off of that like Willie G did back in the day. THAT would be an exciting lineup. While we’re talking about "come back" bikes… let’s talk about the Breakout for a second. When you wanted to bring back a discontinued Softail model, your best idea was to bring back... the Breakout? Not the Deluxe? What? Really? There is so much you could do with the Deluxe in terms of trim and customization. While I’m at it… what idiot said it would be a good idea to kill off the Road King? Has it ever crossed your minds that, not everyone is into the blacked out Specials? Personally, I happen to love my FLHRXS, but I know that not everyone does. There is a significant amount of people in the H-D market that want the classic, chromed out, do-it-all machine that is the Road King. A bike that has Touring DNA mixed with cruiser styling at a, somewhat, reasonable price tag. Enough of that… y’all probably aren’t reading this anyway. If you want to hear more, have your people call my people. 

Am I being too critical?

What do you, my MotoReaders, think? Am I off base here? Am I being too harsh with the Milwaukee Crew? Look, I’m not trying to be an ass… it’s just frustrating to see wasted opportunities. I’m usually the first to admit that I’m no expert. Hell, I’m just some random guy that pays a few bucks a year for a web address so that I can share my thoughts with whoever is out there that might want to read them. I’m not making any money from my blog and I’m not making any money on my YouTube channel. Nobody is compensating me for mentioning their products or creating an occasional video. No, this blog and those videos on my YT channel are a labor of love and it’s from that love where this post is coming from. 

By the numbers

I have always been a huge fan of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. Even before I bought my first one in 2009, I always loved them. As a kid, I can remember sitting in the back seat of my parent’s car, looking out the window and seeing them running down the highways. Those loud, raucous machines usually had some bearded, leather clad dudes riding them and I remember thinking how cool the bikes looked, blazing down the asphalt. When I talk about missed opportunities, I’m talking about this company that has such a rich heritage emblazoned on so many of our memories, slowing killing itself off by not staying true to itself. Harley-Davidson was never intended to be a “luxury” brand. It was never intended to be a brand that only the rich could afford. H-D was a brand that anyone could afford. Blue collar guys could go to their local dealership and buy a brand new motorcycle. Jochen and his boys need to return to that ethos. I’m not saying they need to build cheap, junky bikes just to stay competitive in the market, far from it. I’m saying that $20 grand for a basic, cruiser motorcycle is a bit ridiculous. For example, check out these numbers:

120th Anniversary (2023) prices, versus the 110th Anniversary (2013) prices.

• Nightster- $13,500 (Iron 883- $8,000)
• Nightster Special- $15,000 (Forty Eight- $10,600)
• Softail Street Bob- $16,600 (Dyna Street Bob-$13,000)
• Fat Boy- $20,200 ($17,000)
• Heritage Classic- $21,200 ($17,600)
• Street Glide- $22,000 ($19,800)
• Road King Special- $24,000 ($19,900 for a Road King Classic)
• Ultra Limited- $29,800 ($24,200)

I won’t even list the obscene prices of the CVOs or the Trikes. Don’t get me wrong, I understand how inflation works and I also recognize that I chose a ten year gap to compare my prices, but let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment- the entry level Harley price increased by over $5,000 in only ten years! Want a more recent comparison? Fine, I can play that game, too. The Iron 883 in 2017 only had a price tag of $8,950 that’s less than a one thousand dollar increase. The 2017 Street Bob (the last year of the Dyna) only saw an increase of a paltry $850 bucks, for a MSRP of $13,850 and the Ultra Limited sat on the showroom floor for $27,000. Those are 2017 price tags and even then, they were astronomical for a lot of blue collar folks, but at least they were somewhat attainable with the right credit score and a bit of financial planning. 

You get what you pay for... or, do you?

Look, I’d probably be a little less critical of the prices if I hadn’t seen, first hand, questionable quality in my own $22k (2017 price) Road King Special. Parts falling off, rust on fasteners and mirror stems and so on. It might have been a different story if my bike was a yard bird (you know, a bike that is parked outside all the time), but it’s been garage kept since I rode it off the showroom floor. Yeah, I’ve ridden in rain on it, but that definitely isn’t a common occurrence and it gets washed and waxed regularly, so there’s really no explanation for those issues other than sub-par finishing or just piss-poor design. Only time will tell if the finishes and designs of the new  bikes hold up better than my 2017 has. For Jochen’s sake, I really hope they do, too because his idea of making Harley-Davidson a “luxury” brand might just be the death blow if they don’t. I’ll tell you something else, too- if the design team doesn’t come up with something fresh, and do it soon, then H-D might just be losing a few more customers to its competitors. The MoCo needs to remember that they are no longer the only kids on the block and they're also just barely, if at all, still the most popular. Now that the family from Springfield has come back and bought the house next door- those kids are starting to get more and more attention. Then there are the kids from the United Kingdom, those other kids from Germany and let’s not forget about the kids from Britain (the ones that moved to India)… and then there are all the kids from Japan that have been there for decades, building high quality, extremely dependable and very affordable machines. The toughest part for H-D here is, they used to have one thing that all the others didn’t- a high quality product that was attainable by the very people that designed, engineered and built them, right here in the good old U S of A. Over the years though, quality has gone down, while prices have gone up. I don't care what business you're in... that combination is always a recipe for disaster.

Final thoughts

It's still only the beginning of the year and Jochen has already teased that more new models are on the way for this 120th anniversary year. I'm hopeful that there will actually be something new, cool and fresh that I can get excited about because, honestly, I haven't stepped foot in an H-D dealership in quite a long time. That is a far cry from just a few years ago when I was able to come up with some reason or another to go see what was new on the showroom floor at least a few times a year. Hell, my local dealership knew me so well that they were trying to recruit me for their team because not only did I give them a lot of my business, I also brought them a lot of business through my referrals. While I'm disappointed on the 120th Anniversary's launch, I'm still hopeful that the MoCo can pull a few rabbits out of their hats and make me want to come in and take a test ride. After all, one really fun part of being a motorcycle enthusiast is the process of buying a new bike, and I still have enough room in my garage for one or two more. I'm not saying that I'm in the market for another new motorcycle, but if a real, twin shock, big twin Wide Glide was to make a come back, I might be inclined to run over to the dealership on my way to the bank. 

Ride safe and make good choices, MotoReaders! 

New 2023 Harley-Davidson Lineup

What will the MoCo's 120th Anniversary year bring us, and what will it take away?

It's that time again, folks... Harley-Davidson has reached another year in business and, under the latest management team, it looks like we are in for some new models being added, and some classic favorites being taken away.

I'm not going to waste time by speculating on what may be introduced on January 18th, nor am I going to speculate on what we may gain or lose throughout this year. I will, however, look at what we currently know and I'll offer my thoughts on that. Let's get right to it...

The death of the Sportster

Now, I know that H-D has continued the Sportster lineage with the new water-cooled RevMax powered models, but we all know these new bikes are Sportys only in name- they share nothing with their predecessors. The Sportster as we know it, is dead for 2023. The EPA has finally won another round in their fight against the air-cooled machines that we love so dearly. While I don't hate the new water-cooled Nightster (will it make a comeback for 2023?), I personally think the new Sportster S is hideous. I'm sure it's fast and agile, but it looks like some hybrid compilation of German, Japanese and British designs, all mashed up in a single bike. The only thing "Harley-Davidson" about that bike is the name. The Nightster, on the other hand... while it shares the same DNA, at least looks like a Harley. The fake gas tank/air box is a turn off for me, though. Interestingly enough... in perusing the H-D website this morning, I didn't see it on the lineup. Did the MoCo nix the new Nightster already, or are they simply going to put some lipstick on the little pig and re-introduce it as a new model for '23 (with a higher price tag, no doubt)? I suppose we'll see in a week or so.

The Softail Lineup

It appears, from all I've read (which admittedly, isn't much) that the Softail lineup remains mostly the same. I wish they'd bring back the Deluxe, but at this point, it feels like H-D is going away from their tried and true classic designs in favor of the "power cruiser" designs that I thought we had finally started moving away from a few years ago. Bikes like the Honda VTX1800F, the Suzuki M109, the H-D V-Rod and the Kawasaki MeanStreak (just to name a few) were all terrible designs, in my opinion. With drag-style bars, forward controls, and high output engines cradled in cruiser-based frames...they were/are uncomfortable to ride and their engine performance was limited by their screwy frame geometry. While not a "power cruiser" by design, the venerable Wide Glide was put to pasture in 2017 when H-D foolishly killed off the Dyna line and, the closest thing they offered to the styling, was the... ugh... the Softail Breakout. What an awful bike it was. With a ridiculous riding position and a rear tire that made the bike look as if the designers were stuck in the early 2000's chopper trend, the bike was simply horrendous. Well, much to my dismay, it looks like H-D is going to be bringing that one back in '23. We're getting the new Softail that nobody wants... brilliant. Geesh!

The Touring Lineup

What can I say so far... it looks like the execs at H-D have finally lost their ever-lovin' minds. From what I've seen... they have removed their number one, absolute best, Touring bike from their 2023 lineup. The Road King is currently (as of this morning) no longer listed on the website and all the rumblings I've heard (again, admittedly... that's not much) is that the Road King has been discontinued. What the actual f**k!?! 

Has Harley-Davidson's executives inadvertently hired a corporate assassin with CEO Jochen Zeitz?? Who in Milwaukee has lost their fool minds? The Road King is the quintessential big twin Harley-Davidson! 

So let me re-cap so far... the Evo Sportster, the Sportster inspired RevMax Nightster and the Road King are all absent on the '23 lineup.  

Now, from the limited research I've done, it looks like H-D is going to offer a "new" bike in the Icons collection... with the model designation of "FLHFB"... which is the old designation for the Electra Glide Highway King of the golden, olden, days (think, mid 1960's) before the Road King (FLHR) was actually introduced. Now, for those MotoReaders that are unfamiliar with the Road King's history... let me give you a quick recap: 

The FLH line originated a long time ago in H-D history, and the "Glide" names were added with each new addition of a particular upgrade. For example, the first FLH had a hardtail frame, a springer front suspension and kick start. When H-D added hydraulic front suspension, the FLH earned the name, "Hydra Glide." The addition of a rear swingarm and rear suspension earned it the title, "Duo Glide." Once the engineers perfected the electric start, the FLH earned the name that we all know now, the "Electra Glide." The Electra Glide didn't actually get that iconic batwing fairing until 1969. Back then, the batwing fairing was, basically, just an outer fairing mounted to the forks. As these things tend to do, the batwing that we all know (and most people love) evolved over the next few decades until it became what it is today. Most of you may know all this already, but what you may not know, is that in 1989, H-D introduced the Electra Glide Sport... an FLH Electra Glide without a fairing (again). The bike was popular enough that it was offered for a few years before H-D's marketing team decided to rename it, you guessed it- The Road King, for the 1994 model year. 

The Road King has been an extremely popular machine since it's "official" birth in 1994 and has become a favorite of guys like me, who want a bike big enough to handle any road trip that we can throw at it, while still maintaining that cruiser DNA for riding down the Main Street on a Friday night. It is, in my humble opinion, one of the best Harley-Davidson motorcycles ever made. So, you may be asking why, if it's so great, is H-D apparently pulling it from the lineup? Easy... this is nothing more than a marketing scheme. Smoke and mirrors. Increase demand by decreasing availability. For '23, if someone wants a brand new "Road King"... they'll have to either get a Road King Special (the FLHRXS with a price tag of +/- $24k) or get the "new" ElectraGlide Highway King (the FLHFB) which, as an "Icon Collection" bike, will probably be a "limited edition" and have an MSRP of close to, or over, $30k. I happen to love my 2017 Road King Special, but I will be the first to admit that, compared to my other Road Kings (both of which were Classics-FLHRC), the machine is way overpriced. It's gorgeous, but corners were cut in the quality (see my long term review video here) and, in order for me to be able to ride it comfortably, I had to replace the poorly designed stock "mini-ape" handlebars. I finally have my bike all dialed in for my needs, so I won't be shopping for a new Road King anytime soon, but for someone looking to upgrade their current ride to all the glory that is the Road King... 2023 may not be their year to do it.

A new bike for the Riding Academy?

One more new bike being offered by H-D will be the Chinese-built X350RA. A small displacement, parallel twin motorcycle, that is being targeted for the overseas markets (and of course, the H-D Riding Academy). While many H-D purists may find this to be one of the most offensive things I've written on my little corner of the interweb, I will politely stay neutral about it... at least for now.

We all saw the shit-show that was the "Street" bikes that were built in India under the H-D moniker. The XG500 and XG750 were pure garbage. If you own one... let  me say that, I'm sorry. I'm not sorry if I've offended you, I'm sorry that you bought one. It's a Harley by name only. In the beginning, I heard some great things about the engines and I actually wrote a few slideshows for H-D Forums about folks modifying the bikes into some really cool customs, but as of recently, I've heard nothing but bad stories about them. Problems like, the brake systems having catastrophic failures and the transmissions randomly slipping between gears. I'm sure that these problems, along with the painfully dismal sales of these bikes, were the driving forces that ultimately led H-D to dump them (a smart move on H-D's part, to be sure). The Streets were (sort of) intended to be a stepping stone bike for new riders. Here in the U.S. of A., they were initially introduced as Riding Academy bikes. H-D recognized that their smallest bikes at the time, the 883 Sportsters, were still a bit too powerful, loud, heavy and torquey for a brand new rider, so they needed an underpowered, small and inexpensive bike to train new riders on. Enter the Street 500. A perfect-ish bike for the job. Too bad it was a piece of crap in terms of quality. So, here we are in 2023... the XG's are gone, but H-D is still running their Riding Academy classes and, as such, they still need a small displacement bike that won't be too intimidating for the faint of heart. 

Enter the new X350RA. A lot of folks are probably cringing at the mere thought of it being made in... gasp... China, but I'd venture to bet that most of you fine folks are reading this on your Chinese made computer or smart phone. I may be a little biased (or would it be... unbiased?) these days, since I've recently added a small-bore motorcycle to my garage with the purchase of an American made Janus Halcyon (read more about that here) which is powered by a Chinese built CG250 engine. Say what you will about the Chinese, but many of their products are top-quality. Sure, not everything is worth the materials they're made with, but many of their products are and the Janus' little single cylinder, 229cc powerplant starts up every time and it runs smoother than a sewing machine. The bike is an absolute delight to ride, too... but that's a story for a different day. Today, I'm talking about the partnership between Harley-Davidson and the Qianjiang Motorcycle Company. With H-D bringing these little bikes to their Riding Academy, you can bet that they will be on showroom floors before the end of the year. After all, new riders are, naturally, going to want to buy what they learned how to ride on. Before you get too offended by the MoCo's latest partnership with a foreign company, let me point out that H-D has been doing this for decades. Does the Italian company Aermacchi ring a bell? If you know any of your H-D history, you know that H-D bought approximately half of Aermacchi's stock in the 1960's and that Aermacchi produced several of their single cylinder (and a few two-cylinder), small-bore, motorcycles with Harley-Davidson badges, all the way through the 1970's before H-D was purchased by AMF (again, that's a story for another day).

I actually have high hopes for the Chinese built H-D X350s. Apparently, Qianjiang is a formidable company in the Asian motorcycle market, building a variety of high-quality, small bore motorcycles for their customer base. I suppose that only time will tell, though. Hopefully, the partnership with QJ won't find the Chinese company building the entire lineup of H-D bikes, though because that would be a sad day for American workers. I also suspect that H-D's marketing team will probably suggest a retail price of the X350 on par with Jochen's "premium brand" business model for H-D, and it will most likely be way overpriced. Just to give you an idea, QJ's website shows most of their bikes coming in around the $2,500- $3,000 range and I seriously doubt that the execs at H-D aer going to allow any bike with the famous Bar and Shield logo to be sold with such a humble price tag. After all, Jochen's plan for the MoCo is to, apparently, make H-D motorcycles unattainable for the working class people that have been riding them since 1903. 

My final thoughts

To wrap this up today, I'll just leave you with these thoughts to ponder. If H-D does offer something new and fresh for 2023, I really hope that they make some attempt to make it reliable and affordable. If the latter (affordability) doesn't fit into the current CEO's business model, I at least hope that the damn things are built with higher quality materials and workmanship than they have been for the past several years. I also hope that the MoCo starts thinking about their future existence in the current global motorcycle market, because some of the decisions coming out of Milwaukee these past few years have been questionable, at best. I get that Federal emissions standards are constricting much of what we have always known in the motorcycling world, but damn, there's no Federal guidelines that are making them build ugly, watered down versions, or worse- overpriced versions, of their previous machines. The decision to kill off the Dyna line may have been driven by emissions, or even by financial, restrictions... but the decision to re-use the Dyna names on Softails was just lazy marketing. Seriously... no one could have come up with a new name for the Softail Street Bob or the Low Rider? You also can't tell me that designing a new twin-shock frame for the Milwaukee 8 engine was such a crazy idea... not after they designed these new RevMax powered bikes (the Nightster, Sportster S and Pan America). 

Whatever we see come out of Milwaukee in the coming weeks and months, I really hope that it is good, because my most recent desire to buy a new bike has been satisfied by my most recent purchase out of Goshen, Indiana. Between my new Janus, my Road King Special and, of course, my Dyna Street Bob, I don't see myself going to the local H-D dealer for any reason other than to visit my son.

With that- Happy New Year everyone! May 2023 bring you new opportunities for happiness, prosperity and good health!

Ride safe and make good choices, MotoReaders!

PRODUCT REVIEW! Road King Special Handlebar UPGRADE!

Product Review- KST Kustom's 12" StraightJacket bars

If you watched the long-term review of my 2017 Harley-Davidson Road King Special that I did on my YouTube channel, you will no doubt know that my biggest point of contention with this motorcycle was the absolutely awful handlebars that the MoCo installed on this, otherwise fantastic, machine. I don't claim to be a great video blogger, hell, I don't claim to be a great blogger... but I do consider myself to be an extremely fair and impartial judge of motorcycles, moto-gear and moto-parts. It's in that fair and impartial judgement that I try to bring you good folks- my devoted readers- some insight and some, hopefully, helpful information to help you decide on what to spend your hard-earned dough on. So, if you've dropped a stack of Benjamins on a Road King Special and you are tired of the pinched wrists and numb fingers from those stock bars, keep reading because this review might just help you decide.

Now, without further adieu, let's talk about these bars!

KST Kustoms- company background

KST Kustoms is based right here in the good ole' US of A, operating in the sweet southern air of Bremen, Georgia. According to their website, they build their handlebars in a 21,000 square foot facility using over 30 years of experience in the motorcycle industry dealing with several major manufacturers, to include Harley-Davidson, Victory and Indian. Why is that important, you might ask? Well, simply put, they understand the importance of high quality parts with premium finishes and high grade materials. In other words, you aren't likely to buy anything from this company that is going to bend, twist or corrode.

Google Earth view of KST Enterprises 21k sq ft facility

Another interesting note from their website is that they "strive to exceed" their customer's expectations with a "commitment of respect and honesty." Well then, color me intrigued. Those aren't values commonly seen in many of the companies we deal with these days. The folks over at KST, Brett Kent and Ret Tolleson, also claim to design their handlebars "to maximize handling and minimize fatigue all while looking aesthetically pleasing." If you watched my video review all the way through, you probably noticed that I spent an unfortunate amount of time complaining about the bars on my beloved Road King Special because, while the finish was nice, the shape was awful. My fingers would go numb, my hands would hurt and my wrists would get cramps from the angle of the grips. I also noted that one of the most significant things that attracted me to this bike was the appearance- it is an absolutely beautiful motorcycle- so putting a set of cheap, crappy handlebars on it was simply not an option for me. Being a working man, though, spending a thousand bucks on bars wasn't an option either. There is always a middle ground and that's what I found with these bars. 

Opening the box

My first impression of opening the box was pretty basic- a big, more or less, empty box with a set of very well wrapped bars in it. I don't need much more than that. The bars were wrapped from tip to tip, with nowhere for any of those pesky scratches to get in. The label was attached to the bars and the wiring was attached to the label- simple, basic and to the point. I liked it. Not sure if you need the wiring extensions? No problem, their website explains what you need for your particular bike. If you still want to make sure, just shoot Ret a message and he'll tell you exactly what you need for your bike. If you have a 2017 and up Road King Special, though- you can take my word for it- you only need the wiring extensions and KST sells them for $35. Your stock hydraulic brake and clutch hoses are long enough.

Installation

These bars feel good and have a nice weight to them. They feel like a high-quality component. Installation was pretty straightforward- a few basic hand tools and a couple of beers paired up with some good music in the background for... ambience. But seriously, you just need to cover your tins with blankets to protect them from dings or scratches and take your time. You can always pay someone else to do it for you, but why would you? It's an easy job and you'll have the satisfaction of telling your wife (or husband) how much money you saved. One thing to note- when you are removing your brake and clutch assemblies, take a couple of plastic bags and bag them. The handles are great for suspending them up and out of the way, and the plastic makes sure that they don't inadvertently leak fluid onto your paint. This is a review, not a how-to, so I'll spare you the detailed steps, but basically it goes like this- remove the clutch and brake controls from the bars (DO NOT remove your hydraulic lines from the reservoirs), remove your headlight to get to the wiring behind it, remove the handlebar clamp cover and remove the clamp. Once you have your stock bars off, take it to your work bench and swap the hand controls over to the new bars. 

One thing to note- the largest of the plugs need to be removed from the wires. It's easy to do, (google it, if needed), but just make sure that you take note of which wires came out of which slots (the slots are numbered and the wires are color-coded). I used baling wire to fish the wiring through the new bars, but you can use whatever you have- just make sure it's strong enough to pull your wiring without breaking. Once you have your controls set up on your new bars, plug in the new wiring extensions and head back over to the bike. I left the protective wrapping on until I had them mounted and adjusted to the position that I wanted them in- no need to invite scratches to the party this early, after all. 

GET A Grip!

The stock Harley-Davidson grips are exactly what they need to be- functional and cheap so that there is no regrets about taking off a good quality part to replace it with something that looks or feels better. Grips, mirrors, pegs (or floorboards) and exhaust are the most common things to be replaced first on a motorcycle, so it's best that the MoCo doesn't put too much time and money into these particular items. I've always chosen Avon grips for my Road Kings and Biltwell grips for my Sportster and my Dynas. The Avons have durable rubber inserts over a really nice aluminum core with a beautiful finish that goes perfectly with the look and style of the elegantly refined, highway cruising, Road King. The Biltwells are inexpensive, soft and offer just the right amount of vibration dampening needed for those loud, shaky boulevard bruisers. I've owned three Road Kings and I've haven't been disappointed by Avon grips yet.

Mirror, MiRROR ON MY BIKE

Rusty stems on my stock mirrors

Talking about disappointment though- another point of contention with my Road King was the stock mirrors- the finish was truly despicable for a motorcycle that costs as much as a small car. The ironic part is, I actually like the factory Harley-Davidson mirrors. They have a unique, "Harley shape" and they have a great field of view. Most of the time, the finish on their stock mirrors is good, if not great, but for some reason, I guess my bike got the "Friday at 5 finish"- you know, the "it's almost quitting time, this is good enough" workmanship. Maybe they were just a bad batch or maybe some little road gremlins took a leak on them when my bike was parked, but either way- I wasn't about to keep these crusty, rusty pieces of crap on my flagship cruiser. Now, I'm not an uppity person. I don't require brand names or high price tags. I like what I like- functional components with a nice design. The better the price- the happier I am. 

When I found these mirrors on eBay, I kept a close eye on them. The seller claimed them to be new old stock "Kuryakyn Hex II" mirrors. I honestly didn't care who made them, I just liked the shape and the price- under $50. They came wrapped in bubble wrap and when I pulled them out, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality. They are all aluminum and have crystal clear glass. When I installed them, though... they didn't look right to me. There was just something funky that didn't set right, so I contemplated my next move- buy another set and shelf these, or make some kind of modification to them. I had an epiphany and decided to swap the mirror heads from one side to the other. The result was a much more aggressive look, that had a lower profile and a more streamlined shape. It was definitely the right thing to do. Whoever made these mirrors needs to be proud of their workmanship. They are well made with an aluminum body and aluminum stems. They have a clear field of vision and hold steady even on the worst roads I've found. Not bad for less than $50.

Final thoughts

The guys at  KST make some bold claims about their products and company and I'm here to tell you- they back them up. They are friendly, helpful and very responsive and the best part is, they deliver exactly what they promise- high quality parts with a great price and exceptional customer service. These bars are well designed and perfectly executed and best of all, they look like they were designed for this motorcycle. No more suffering with numb fingers and pinched wrists. The height on the 12" Straightjackets are perfect for my five foot, nine inch tall "dad-bod" and I've even noticed that they make the bike feel even more nimble than before, probably because of the additional leverage gained by the extra 3" in height. 

Look, I'm a simple guy. Harley-Davidson hit a homerun when they first introduced the Road King in 1994. It had everything that a rider could need, a big comfortable seat perched atop a big frame that was purpose-built to stand up to hours out on the open road. It had lockable saddlebags to keep your gear dry and secure and a basic, removable, windshield to keep most of the bugs and some of the rain off of you. Over the years, the engineers in Milwaukee refined that machine, over and over, making it more comfortable, more fuel efficient and more powerful. In 2017, they gave it a makeover to give it a more aggressive look and, in my humble opinion, they knocked it out of the park. I absolutely love this bike, but over the past twenty thousand miles, I've grown to despise the sorry excuse for handlebars that the Motor Company mounted on top of that majestic Hiawatha headlight. If anyone from the best damned motorcycle company in the world is reading this blog, I would strongly encourage them to give Brett and Ret at KST Kustoms a call about giving this badass bike an upgrade on the assembly line. In case they don't though, and you have a set of those awful, 9" tall atrocities that came stock on the FLHRXS, check out the products offered by KST. Place your order, grab your service manual, crack open a tasty beverage and get to work making your Road King Special, truly special.

Until next time, ride safe and make good choices, y'all... I've got some riding to do.

Stock grips are... well, stock grips- cheap and easy to replace

The new bars behind the stock H-D CVO Windsplitter windshield

Just a couple of upgrades from factory-
J.W. Speaker headlight, KST Kustoms
Straightjacket 12" bars, and some "mystery"
mirrors from eBay.

The new mirrors didn't look right to me...

...but with a simple swap of the mirror heads, I got the look I was going for.

Before and after, showing the height difference

These bars look good with the windscreen...

...and without.