Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes 2008 Harleys

They have a new Softail model out called the Rocker. Now what woman in their right mind would sit on this perch? First thing that came to my mind when seeing this pic was the honey bucket in the cargo bay of a C-130.

Check out the Fat Bob. Twin headlights, Hmm I wonder where that idea came from ?

Did you see on Harley's site that the passenger pad folds away under the main seat? That's kind of cool, and I'm sure who ever is buying this isn't planning on having someone back there much.

Hope it doesnt fold away while someone important is sitting on it...that could be embarrasing/painful/expensive. Had a look on HDforum and it still looks wrong with the pad removed. On a positive note 2008 looks like its getting some "WD40" style polishing rather than chrome ...and a sculpted oil bag...sweet

or R3...

I wonder if those fat bob duals would mount on our bikes. I like that look.

And who did Triumph copy? Or is it your contention that Triumph did that first?

Dual headlights have been around for quite awhile.I had a clown give me crap about the passenger peg mounts on my SM saying it was intended to copy the Harley tool box. I was quick to point out that that toll box was a copy of the one Triumph used in the 30s,maybe 20s I forget exactly when they started using it.

Not too impressed with any of the changes I see on this years line up. Looks like the harley designers and marketing guys spent too much time looking at other brands.

But the one I do still like and could even see a used one in the barn would be an orange and black sporty nightster.

Any mention of them finally bringing that cool as all getout XR1200 Sportster into the States, Derek? I could never understand their reasoning behind the initial rollout of that bike being in Europe of all places.

(yeah, Europe...that "bastion of flattrack racing"!!! Go figure, huh?!)

Looks pretty cool for a Harley

I don't think they've even started putting out the XR1200 in Europe as planned. Word on the XL forum is there's nothing about the XR on any of the Euro Harley sites.

If you think we beat to death the rumor mill about the 1500cc Triumph, you should see the thread on the XL forum about that XR1200. It's 87 pages long.

Last I heard the bike might have just a regular 1200 Sportster motor in it, and that would kill it for me. But if it had the new Buell 1125 Rotax engine, hmmmm....

I'm not a harley basher....let's make that clear. I like all bikes.

HOWEVER, that soft tail "rocker" missed the boat imho. I think it's HD who is take'n on the role of "wanna be" here. It looks like a poor attempt at being an occ custom. I think the brushed alluminum look is nice on the cheaper version but other then that-

Maybe they still remember the sales record of the XR750.

Just found this news item dated today, but it's from MCN which may or may not be reliable.

XR1200 gets go ahead for production:

"We are delighted to announce that the XR 1200 will go into production in Spring 2008, having worked closely with our colleagues in the U.S. to create a great handling, high performance Harley-Davidson street bike that looks great and is fun to ride. Feedback from European customers and the motorcycle media has been overwhelmingly positive so we think the XR 1200 will be well received in Europe."

"The best bit is that Harley expects the bike to cost no more than £6000 when it arrives in the UK - less than a supersport 600."

I think Japan Inc. brought out dual headlights first in the big touring bikes then moved them to the sport bikes. Not sure either.

The rocket looks pretty good with them though.

That Harley with that whatever it is on the back just looks silly! Remember the fender skirts on the Indian we would just rip off and throw away. Thats what will happen to that little deal People will buy the bike and then make it look like a bike.

Some of the first Harley Twincams had 2 headlights back in the 20's.

Now that HD has a bike called rocker, will they revive the Topper scooter and call it the mod?

Mate of mine just bought the new lowrider. I nearly fell over. He is selling his new beemmer. I told him I thought he was a serious rider!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've had bummers and the OL just traded in her Lowrider. The Lowrider had more power than the R90/s and was a lot more comfortable to ride. I'm thinking your mate got tired of the nosebleeds you get from climbing up on the BMW seat too quickly.

I'd like to know who is coming up with those stupid names. I'd be embarassed to say, "yeah, that's the Rocker", particularly if it was in line of site. Those designers must be ashamed to cash their paycheck on that mess.

I like a lot about the "Nightster" (yeah, also stupid) but sat on one last week. That thing is tiny. Bet there was only 5" between my knee and elbow. No way I could ride that for more than an hour. The dished seat pushes you way up into the tank. Seems built for a tiny person or lady. In fact it was a girls bike I sat on, guess it works for her. I'd lose that can-of-ham air cleaner fast.

The Nightster is a good bike for the kid who wants a night Train but is too short on experience and cash for a bike that big. The equivalent Vrod is almost good looking too. With the blacked out frame, you can hardly see how badly the airbox cover fits. And, they have a proper headlight, something the rest of the line should have.

I'm same height as you. But, the R90/S and R75/5 that I owned had sidestands that were soft to the point of being useless. On the centre stand, it was necessary to scramble up the side of the bike to get on. Prior to those 2, I had been riding low slung hardtail Triumphs and Harleys that you could just walk up from behind and sit down. Another thing I didn't like about the BMW is that the rearset footpegs would give me leg cramps. They could have done something about this when they made the inline 3 and 4, but they kept them too far back.

Saw a bright yellow one of those yesterday on my way home from Nelson Rat Raid.. didn't much care for it really

just my 2 cents

Trev