Mike’s Typo

Have you every seen that deal?  Me neither.  But, you know, some sleezy car dealer (or motorcycle dealer, I guess) will figure out how to grab your attention with that.  It’s not rocket science.  Our old pal Chance pointed out a little trick that one of the local dealers used to do.  $199/mo for a new Caddy.  Wow!  I’d drive one of those for $199/mo.  But, wait, there must be a catch.  The down was huge.  Then there use to be the old leasing trick of pushing the residual to get the payments super low and the drive off to almost nothin’.  Gov stepped in and brought that practice to a hault - sort of.

“So, where is he going with this.”

Just here.  Our guys are doing a great job of figuring out how to get customers on new Harleys for the monthly payment they can handle and a down that they are comfortable with.  We’ve got three finance companies and lots (tons, really) of programs to choose from.  So.  Where other dealers can’t - we can.  Try us.

We’re not doing zero down with zero monthly payments, but we are getting really aggressive to move the great new 2009s we’ve got.  We’ve got a great selection of all the 2009s (did I mention that).  We’ve got more on the way - because we did a great job movin’ the 2008s out.  Here’s the deal.  This Thur, this Fri, this Sat, and even this Sun - we are going up to $3000 off MSRP on brand new 2009s.  That’s a heck of a deal that nobody else is going to offer.  Frankly, nobody has the 2009 inventory we do. So, through the close of business on Sunday, 9/7, you can save up to $3000 off MSRP.

So much about the new FLs.  Too much?  Naw.  Come on, this is good stuff.  And…  there’s one more thing.  My favorite new feature.  I love this.

You’re at a light.  Instead of blipping the throttle and annoying the hell out of everyone around you, now you just roll the throttle forward.  Presto.  Your rear cylinder shuts down.  Benefit: less heat.  Who said Harleys are low-tech.  This is high-tech, baby.  I love this feature.  You will too.

How sexy is that?  Ok, not very.  When you step back from the 2009 product launch and think about the “all new” FL touring bikes, it’s easy to get a bit blaze.  I mean who cares about a chassis change?  How excited did folks get when Ford changed their F-150 chassis?  Is it because you can’t see it?  Who knows.  But, you know what, there is an interesting story to be told about the new touring platform.  So.  Here’s my attempt at a summary of what I think is sexy about the all new FLs.

First, we gotta take a little trip down memory lane.  Engineers and execs alike got an earful at the 100th Anniversary celebration for a couple of things.  Remember Elton John?  Well they fixed that.  Saturday’s concert (this Saturday) is Springsteen.  So.  You gotta figure they heard the other chatter pretty clearly too.  Lots of long-haul riders at the 100th and they weren’t bashful about telling anyone that would listen what they wanted in a new FL.

Keep the style, but improve performance and comfort.  Since the 100th we’ve seen a list of great improvements to the FL models.  The Twin Cam 96/103/110 power plants; a super-smooth 6-speed cruise drive transmission; an isolated drive system; electronic throttle control; Brembo brakes; ABS; and a 6-gallon fuel capacity - just to hit the high points.  For 2009, the FLs get the last piece of the puzzle - a chassis that is literally new from the tires up.  Agility, responsiveness, and passenger comfort are the product of this new engineering.   I could rattle off a bunch of technical mumbo-jumbo, but that would just be wrong.  So.  Let’s keep this tactile.

So, I mentioned the exhaust.  Really this is a big thing.  Call it a 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust.  Kinda schitzo, if you ask me.  Can’t decide what it wants to be.  Benefit: reduced heat.  And, it looks cleaner!

Bigger wheels!  How about a 17″ for the front?  The rear wheel is a 16×5 now.  Benefit: handling and capacity (110 more lbs. of allowable GVWR and 10 more lbs. of crap you can pack).  Brand new tires.  They look great.  But, they’re totally redesigned as well.  Better life - 25% better.  Better handling.

There are some great cosmetic changes as well.  How about that clean, fat rear fender?  Hangin’ over that 180 rear tire.  Don’t let the engineering hype fool you - the all new chassis cleaned up a lot of  little things that have lingered since the …well, the 50s.  A little form meets function here.  Or, is it function meets form - I always get confused.

Ok.  So.  To really talk about the new frame (all new) and swingarm, I’ve gotta get a bit techy.  I’m not even going to paraphrase - I’m just gonna steal the Milwaukee geeks’ words.

• The front-end geometry was altered with 18mm more trail to make the ride feel more responsive.
• To reduce powertrain vibration at idle, the new engine-mount system incorporates twin front isolators with a single tie link, and front and rear mounts tuned to balance chassis stiffness and engine isolation.

Where do they learn to talk like this?

• Wheelbase increased to 63.54 inches for greater highway comfort.
• The front and rear suspension has been recalibrated to match the dynamics of the new chassis.

Ok, my eyes are glazing over.  If your still with me.  Here is the kicker.  I’ve seen this new baby naked.  Sure is purdy.  I’d be happy to just have a frame sitting in my garage.  Ok.  Let the jokes about my saddle time start - go ahead.  I can take it.

There’s one way to figure out whether this hype is just a bunch of smoke - ride one of these new FLs.  You’ll be all smiles when you get off.  And, we’ve got demos in the store.  Come on down and take one for a spin this weekend.

Hey, if you’re visual - like me - you’ll wanna check out the video on this page.

Who’s racks up more FL miles?  Who’s worked ’til the wee-hours of the mornin’ with the Harley engineers on Police Road Kings?  Who’s tested every FL handling gizmo to hit the market?  Answer: Bob Davis.  Mr. Custom Shop to you.  So.  I asked Bobby to give me his impression of the all-new for 2-0-09 FL.  An hour later, he was still talking….

In the interest of brevity - well, I asked Bob if he’d drop me an email and give me his Top 10 of the new FL.  Comin’ at you straight.  Here it is.

#1  The Ride!  This new chassis really rides nice (understatement).  Noticeably stiffer with excellent rider feedback especially at higher speeds.

#2  Love the new exhaust system.  Looks like a 2 into 1 (my personal favorite design) from the side view but has the look (rear view) and function of a dual system.  The real benefit to this new exhaust system is the heat is directed away from the rider by not passing under the riders left leg.  Awesome!  And, it works.

#3  Frame design.  The frame is really stout.  Lots of cast members; a bolt on removable rear subframe section; wire harness neatly tucked away in several locations (easier service and cleaning); well thought through and laid out.  No wonder this thing rides as well as it does.

#4  Swingarm (rear fork in Harley terms).  The rear Fork has been re-designed to be considerably stiffer to handle the stress and load of the new frame and wider rear tire.

#5  Rear fender and saddlebag mounts.  The rear fender and saddlebag mounting brackets have been completely re-designed, the fender is obviously wider to accomodate the new wider rear tire and the saddlebag framework is much beefier than previous models which allows more load carrying capacity.

#6  Wheels.  New wheels and tires!  17″ front (most models) and a wider 16″ rear with brand new designed Dunlops.  More load carrying capacity and a better ride.  Promised longer life too.

#7  Engine and Transmission.  Although this has been out since 2007, the “new” 96ci engine combined with the 6 speed “cruise drive” transmission is well worth mentioning for those of you still riding ‘06 and older machines.  This engine has plenty of usable power, stock, and for those who just gotta have it all - my personal favorite upgrade is the “103ci” kit.  Street legal of course.

#8  Brakes.  The new Brembo brakes are great.  They offer excellent feedback and with the ABS option, superior stopping in all weather conditions.

#9  Fuel capacity.  This feature was new last year, but definately has to be mentioned.  A 6 gallon fuel tank which is a “must have” for all of you long distance travelers.

#10 Accessories.  As usual, Harley-Davidson has more and more “new” accessories available for there different models and for 2009 they have made some really nice features available for the Touring model family.  How about an integrated GPS/XM Radio combo from Garmin.  Zumo.  Check it out.

You gotta ride one of these new bikes!

2-0-09 Springer CVO.  It’s on the floor.  Paint is outrageous.  The whole bike - a home run.  THIS IS A HEAD TURNER.  Think Tina Turner hair.  Ok.  Forget that.  You gotta see this bike.  My favorite.  The ‘rod louvers.  Kick ass.  Come see it.

BTW.  It’s blue, not purple.  These blobs mess up the colors every time.

Want another view?  Here you go.

How many times has Indian died and risen again?  Certainly this isn’t the second coming.  Third?  Fourth?  Who knows.  But, I’m sure tired of it.  I suppose it’s news.  The “new” Indian company is claiming 2009 models and they are showing pictures to back it up.  So, in the interest of covering the interesting and the absurd - you decide which - here is a link to the site.

Well, it’s July, so it’s time to start speculating what might be coming from Harley for model year 2009.  Did 2008 just fly by?  Model year that is.  We’ve still got a few months of the calendar year left.  Thank goodness, because I haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet.  Where did I get off track?

When Harley launched the XR1200 for “Europe Only,” dealers and the press alike bitched.  “Why can’t we have it in the States?”  That was the common refrain.  When you looked at it, there really wasn’t a good reason.  So.  Why not?  When?  How about model year 2009?  Maybe.

Click here to download the latest article aimed at wetting your appetite for this go-fast, curve-lovin’ sporty.

Wanna read our previous post on this bike, click here.

I’m not in this snowboard/skate scene.  Don’t know the lingo.  Don’t have the dexterity.  Got the Vans shoes though.  That’s a Santa Cruz thing.  But.  Came across this new hidden gem on the H-D site.  Some new Dark Custom raw stuff here.  Check out the Jeremy Jones section.  Interesting couple of bikes in there.  (Don’t know who Jeremy Jones is either.  And, no idea which one he is.)  I for one am loving some of these new Dark Custom bikes.  The Cross Bones, in particular, is a vintage bike with the appropriate amount of “no shit” attitude.  These bikes have gotten lots of attention and I’m starting to see them on the road.  We’ve got a couple of them on the floor, so if you haven’t seen one - another reason to stop in this weekend.

I understand many of you are glued to your Internet and have no time for TV. Or, perhaps you given up on the Giants, A’s, and Nascar - they’ve all sold out. Right? But, we didn’t want you to miss our latest commercial message - if for no other reason than it’s entertainment value.

It’s going to be another gorgeous weekend in Santa Cruz. And, we just uncrated a bunch of bikes that arrived yesterday. They’re being prep’d as we speak and will be on the floor for the weekend. Come down and check them out. There are some outrageous custom paint from Harley. There’s a new Cross Bones in Vivid Black - it looks fantastic. A few other gems in there too. So, swing by. We’d love to see you.

By the way. If you click-through to the commercial - you’re seeing it first. It doesn’t go live until this weekend. It’s fresh off the cutting-room floor!

Harley’s come out with a new battle cry and I, for one, think it’s pretty refreshing. Thanks in large part to my journalizm friends - we’re all full of FEAR, UNCERTAINTY & DOUBT. Guy I once new, they called him Chicken Little, was all about the sky’s fallin’. Last time I checked, it was still there. Shit happens. But look around, is it all bad? Check your reality. Our lives are pretty good. So what if gas is $4. Can’t afford milk? Drink beer - it’s still cheap. You ain’t lived ’til you’ve eaten Captain Crunch with beer watching the sunrise over some part of this beautiful land. Check out this link. I think Harley got it right. Live life. Now.

We’re ready to help you realize that dream. We’ve got up to $5,000 off a 2008 Big Twin right now. We’ve also got 3.99% APR financing. Come see us this weekend for the details. Legal beagles make us tell you that not everyone will qualify - “well hello Johnny, there’s an epiphany.” And, you can’t mash all our cool offers.

Oh, and hey - Thanks for giving us a great life.

We ride with you!

This message written under the influence …of common sense (and wonderful Harley propaganda).