Will Brangelina be taking the freshly ordered TLE rig or the Triglide on the honeymoon?
They could haul all the kids in a Watsonian outfit. lol
Lonnie
Hack'n - 7/27/2010 7:20 AM
Will Brangelina be taking the freshly ordered TLE rig or the Triglide on the honeymoon?
They could haul all the kids in a Watsonian outfit. lolLonnie
Their Watsonian would, no doubt, be air-conditioned.
Still no link to the possible cessation of Harley-Davidson sidecar production.
🙂
I see the TLE is still listed in the Police/Fire Special Editions and could get no response from the Motor Co's Consumer Support group in regards to this.
The word from the local Harley shop is no more orders will be taken for sidecars but they say no official notice is available to the public in regards to this.
Maybe they'll switch to trailers for the Trikes so the returning Boomer generation can have some carrying space.
One thing's for certain, the last 2010 models will be instant classics and older models will appreciate in value.
Lonnie
Hack'n - 7/27/2010 10:01 AM
I see the TLE is still listed in the Police/Fire Special Editions and could get no response from the Motor Co's Consumer Support group in regards to this.
The word from the local Harley shop is no more orders will be taken for sidecars but they say no official notice is available to the public in regards to this.
Maybe they'll switch to trailers for the Trikes so the returning Boomer generation can have some carrying space.
One thing's for certain, the last 2010 models will be instant classics and older models will appreciate in value.Lonnie
Yep, it's the law of supply and demand.
I wonder if the failure to take further orders is only a local option?
Why would a dealer who has sold sidecars pass on a $10K plus sale if they were available?
Doesn't make sense unless there is no availability.
L.
Hack'n - 7/27/2010 4:54 PM
Why would a dealer who has sold sidecars pass on a $10K plus sale if they were available?
Doesn't make sense unless there is no availability.L.
It's hard to say...the sidecars were always sold on an order basis in recent years. So the only availability was when an order was placed. They are made at Tomahawk, WI.
I will be visiting my local dealer tomorrow morning for a demo ride on a new Harley-Davidson Trike. I will know more about the possible cessaton of production after I speak to the owner, whom I've known for a long time.
I was under the impression that Liberty used portions of the Harley-Davidson mounting system for the FL's. If they do go out of production, Liberty will have to start making all of their own mounts.
By the way, does Liberty still require welding a mounting boss on the frame below the front of the seat for an FLH Harley? I have the mounting instructions for the Liberty on an FL Harley and they showed that. Also, the seat had to be cut at that point per the instructions. That was for the fourth mounting point isn't used by Harley-Davidson for their sidecar mounts.
gnm109 - 7/27/2010 4:12 PM
Hack'n - 7/27/2010 10:01 AM I see the TLE is still listed in the Police/Fire Special Editions and could get no response from the Motor Co's Consumer Support group in regards to this. The word from the local Harley shop is no more orders will be taken for sidecars but they say no official notice is available to the public in regards to this. Maybe they'll switch to trailers for the Trikes so the returning Boomer generation can have some carrying space. One thing's for certain, the last 2010 models will be instant classics and older models will appreciate in value. Lonnie
Yep, it's the law of supply and demand. I wonder if the failure to take further orders is only a local option?
GNM109
Maybe try asking a dealer in your area to see what they say about this? My bike needs to be inspected and I will be going thursday this week I will ask them then.
I posted the link to the police and fire special editions page in an earlier post only because it would seem that if true, they would have pulled that off the internet
One dealer in western New York that I go to has mentioned it for a little over a year now that it has been a bit of discussion among a few people at the annual dealer meeting the last couple years because of the declining sales in sidecars and it was mentioned that they may be discontinued.
But in all honesty $10.000 is a lot of cash to shell out for something that the latest improvement was switching from drum to disc about 12 years ago' I personally don't want to see them go I even strongly considered one when I bought the 01 roadglide but they need to keep up with the times to demand that kind of cash.
Oh, I went with a California Friendship3.........those people don't make sidecars anymore either
hdrghack - 7/27/2010 5:16 PM
Maybe try asking a dealer in your area to see what they say about this? My bike needs to be inspected and I will be going thursday this week I will ask them then.I posted the link to the police and fire special editions page in an earlier post only because it would seem that if true, they would have pulled that off the internet
One dealer in western New York that I go to has mentioned it for a little over a year now that it has been a bit of discussion among a few people at the annual dealer meeting the last couple years because of the declining sales in sidecars and it was mentioned that they may be discontinued.
But in all honesty $10.000 is a lot of cash to shell out for something that the latest improvement was switching from drum to disc about 12 years ago' I personally don't want to see them go I even strongly considered one when I bought the 01 roadglide but they need to keep up with the times to demand that kind of cash.
Oh, I went with a California Friendship3.........those people don't make sidecars anymore either
The Ultra Model Harley Sidecar is approximately $10,000. The Standard TLE is around $7,300. There was at least one other improvement to the Harley sidecar since 2002 which I guess you ddin't notice. The two standoffs were converted to back-to-back left and right threads to permit adjustments to toe-in without removing the two large 3/4" mounting bolts as before. That's really a nice change, too. If you had an older Harley sidecar as I did, you would appreciate that change greatly.
What other improvements would you think shoud be added? Perhaps an ashtray and a cup holder? Maybe a TV?
While we are on the topic, the only thing that the Harley sidecar lacks in comparison to other similar units would be a swing arm on the frame. It's debatable whether that is an advantage or not. I prefer a stiffer frame in a corner.
I don't want to start an argument with the Harley-Haters here but I like my Harley sidecar just the way it is. It's really a PITN to come over here and constantly have the Harley sidecar berated and run down. For heaven's sake. If you don't like a particular product, don't buy it.
If you look back over my more than 1,000 posts here, you will not find one where I criticized someone else's choice of product. When I constantly hear this stuff, I feel that my time here is growing short..........It's not even sticking up for Harley, either. They don't need my help. It's only that it makes someone feel as if they have made a stupid purchase.
I go back a long way with HD and I'm not about to start riding or buying something else now.
Happy Trails.
The Ultra Model Harley Sidecar is approximately $10,000. The Standard TLE is around $7,300.
>Well,with all the items I had added to the roadglide guess this would have put me in the $10.000 club I weighed the pluses and minuses of each and spent MY $$$$$ same as you, I look at it as like buying a Goulding sidecar in the earlier years when I could have bought a HD sidecar<
There was at least one other improvement to the Harley sidecar since 2002 which I guess you ddin't notice. The two standoffs were converted to back-to-back left and right threads to permit adjustments to toe-in without removing the two large 3/4" mounting bolts as before. That's really a nice change, too.
>yes I was aware of that but I forgot about it granted it is nice<
If you had an older Harley sidecar as I did, you would appreciate that change greatly.
>Yes I did a early 60's hooked to a 72 flh but never took it off, when it was time to do maintance as in adjusting points or other things I removed the 3 front bolts of the body and raised it with a strap and rope works pretty slick learned it from an old timer that use to work at Robinsons HD in Detroit<
What other improvements would you think shoud be added? Perhaps an ashtrasy and a cup holder? Maybe a TV?
>Well I quit smoking,a cup holder honestly might be considered and as for a tv I gotta be honest with you GNM I burst out laughing when I read that part see My daughter had one in the cal3 seems my sisters thought it was sad for a little girl to travel around the eastern part of the country with only a cd player and the younger sister bought her a tiny tv with a 3 inch screen it did work a bit on a couple channels we still have it<
While we are on the topic, the only thing that the Harley sidecar lacks in comparison to other similar units would be a swing arm on the frame. It's debatable whether that is an advantage or not. I prefer a stiffer frame in a corner.
> that is what makes EACH of us different, what I may like you and others may think it doesn't work or a waist of time I don't see many sidecar rigs that are the same do you? no I am pretty sure you don't I know that I don't<
I don't want to start an argument with the Harley-Haters here but I like my Harley sidecar just the way it is. It's really a PITN to come over here and constantly have the Harley sidecar berated and run down. For heaven's sake. If you don't like a particular product, don't buy it.
> No arguments with me I do like them I like the looks and style BUT > I < also have my dislikes to, first is the cost I honestly compaired it to others dollar for dollar that is all I did, like I said in an earlier post I did honestly consider a HD sidecar priced it with the bike the whole nine yards, I was out to " update" my ride hell the roadglide is the first bike that I have owned that DOESN'T have a kick starter ,among other things I jumped a motor class from a shovel head to twincam but....sometimes I wish that I kept the flh rig.<
If you look back over my more than 1,000 posts here, you will not find one where I criticized someone else's choice of product. When I constantly hear this stuff, I feel that my time here is growing short..........It's not even sticking up for Harley, either. They don't need my help. It's only that it makes someone feel as if they have made a stupid purchase.
>sometimes and I mean sometimes, this includes me what we read or write is taken the wrong way it was intended I have done it and I am shure that you and others have to, Now as to your time here or any where else, only you make those decisions personally I would see it as a loss for your knowlege of the later model sidecars and parts needed to fit them<
I go back a long way with HD and I'm not about to start riding or buying something else now. Happy Trails.
Well me to.........but I love the older stuff a lot better! Now to get back on topic,let me know what your dealer has to say about this and I will let you know what mine says,again like I said I would hate to see them go.
hdrghack - 7/28/2010 4:01 AM
The Ultra Model Harley Sidecar is approximately $10,000. The Standard TLE is around $7,300.
>Well,with all the items I had added to the roadglide guess this would have put me in the $10.000 club I weighed the pluses and minuses of each and spent MY $$$$$ same as you, I look at it as like buying a Goulding sidecar in the earlier years when I could have bought a HD sidecar<
There was at least one other improvement to the Harley sidecar since 2002 which I guess you ddin't notice. The two standoffs were converted to back-to-back left and right threads to permit adjustments to toe-in without removing the two large 3/4" mounting bolts as before. That's really a nice change, too.
>yes I was aware of that but I forgot about it granted it is nice<
If you had an older Harley sidecar as I did, you would appreciate that change greatly.
>Yes I did a early 60's hooked to a 72 flh but never took it off, when it was time to do maintance as in adjusting points or other things I removed the 3 front bolts of the body and raised it with a strap and rope works pretty slick learned it from an old timer that use to work at Robinsons HD in Detroit<
What other improvements would you think shoud be added? Perhaps an ashtrasy and a cup holder? Maybe a TV?
>Well I quit smoking,a cup holder honestly might be considered and as for a tv I gotta be honest with you GNM I burst out laughing when I read that part see My daughter had one in the cal3 seems my sisters thought it was sad for a little girl to travel around the eastern part of the country with only a cd player and the younger sister bought her a tiny tv with a 3 inch screen it did work a bit on a couple channels we still have it<
While we are on the topic, the only thing that the Harley sidecar lacks in comparison to other similar units would be a swing arm on the frame. It's debatable whether that is an advantage or not. I prefer a stiffer frame in a corner.
> that is what makes EACH of us different, what I may like you and others may think it doesn't work or a waist of time I don't see many sidecar rigs that are the same do you? no I am pretty sure you don't I know that I don't<
I don't want to start an argument with the Harley-Haters here but I like my Harley sidecar just the way it is. It's really a PITN to come over here and constantly have the Harley sidecar berated and run down. For heaven's sake. If you don't like a particular product, don't buy it.
> No arguments with me I do like them I like the looks and style BUT > I < also have my dislikes to, first is the cost I honestly compaired it to others dollar for dollar that is all I did, like I said in an earlier post I did honestly consider a HD sidecar priced it with the bike the whole nine yards, I was out to " update" my ride hell the roadglide is the first bike that I have owned that DOESN'T have a kick starter ,among other things I jumped a motor class from a shovel head to twincam but....sometimes I wish that I kept the flh rig.<
If you look back over my more than 1,000 posts here, you will not find one where I criticized someone else's choice of product. When I constantly hear this stuff, I feel that my time here is growing short..........It's not even sticking up for Harley, either. They don't need my help. It's only that it makes someone feel as if they have made a stupid purchase.
>sometimes and I mean sometimes, this includes me what we read or write is taken the wrong way it was intended I have done it and I am shure that you and others have to, Now as to your time here or any where else, only you make those decisions personally I would see it as a loss for your knowlege of the later model sidecars and parts needed to fit them<
I go back a long way with HD and I'm not about to start riding or buying something else now. Happy Trails.
Well me to.........but I love the older stuff a lot better! Now to get back on topic,let me know what your dealer has to say about this and I will let you know what mine says,again like I said I would hate to see them go.
I will be back here this afternoon with more information on the sidecar matter at Harley-Davidson. Personally, from my experience, I would think that they could simiply keep the ability to build them and sell them only on order as they do now. They don't keep them in stock anyway. They are cusom built to order as to paint choices and to match the VIN Number of the motorcycle. If they had them in stock on the floor, the odds are the paint wuold be wrong for the particular buyer. Liberty does the same thing for their customers.
As to the trikes, they are gorgeous but definitely out of my price range. I will also know more about them when I get back from the dealer this afternoon. The manager there knows that I'm not going to purchase one but he wants me to experience one for a demonstration so that I can tell others about it. I'm happy to do this and he will also tell me what he knows about the sidecars.
Happy Trails.
I went to the Harley dealer today and rode both a Trike and a Softail Springer. The trike has very easy steering. They have it set up so that there is almost no effort at all to turn it. That causes it to oversteer somewhat but a steering damper could clear that up.
Both the Trike and the Softail have certainly got a lot of power. They are also very smooth. The reverse works well on the Trike but is a little abrupt. They need to slow down the motor powering it. It is controlled by two switches: One will arm the reverse only when the machine is in neutral with the motor idling. Then when you press on the other switch, the reverse engages. Nice.
Regarding sidecars, the dealer said that he's aware that Harley-Davidson isn't advertising sidecars anymore. He didn't have the data handy on the 2011 model year when I was there which would have told us definitively. He will call me and let me know.
At any rate, he has not seen any specific information that stated that HD was no longer building sidecars. The best way to find out would be to order one.
Well I just got back from the dealer the two people I wanted to see are gone on vacation but I did speak to a new guy in the sales department he didn't seem to want to offer any information when I asked him about sidecars,he only offered to give me some info on trikes which he says are more safer than a sidecar, I asked him if I could order a sidecar and his reply was I would need to see the sales manager who is on Vacation about sidecars..........gonna be intresting how long this one lasts.
But the best part was when I went back out side to leave after they inspected my bike, there were some people looking over the sidecar gave a couple rides in the parking lot and let some others set in the hack passed out a couple magazines and mentioned sidecar.com and isok I am pretty sure that we may have a sidecarist or two the one lady mentioned that she didn,t like setting on the trike but loved setting in the sidecar..........keep in mind I still need to scrub some of the Vermont some bugs off.
I will try again in another week when they come back
hdrghack - 7/29/2010 4:14 PM
Well I just got back from the dealer the two people I wanted to see are gone on vacation but I did speak to a new guy in the sales department he didn't seem to want to offer any information when I asked him about sidecars,he only offered to give me some info on trikes which he says are more safer than a sidecar, I asked him if I could order a sidecar and his reply was I would need to see the sales manager who is on Vacation about sidecars..........gonna be intresting how long this one lasts.
But the best part was when I went back out side to leave after they inspected my bike, there were some people looking over the sidecar gave a couple rides in the parking lot and let some others set in the hack passed out a couple magazines and mentioned sidecar.com and isok I am pretty sure that we may have a sidecarist or two the one lady mentioned that she didn,t like setting on the trike but loved setting in the sidecar..........keep in mind I still need to scrub some of the Vermont some bugs off.
I will try again in another week when they come back
AFAIK, Harley has not been advretising sidecars for some years. So far, I think the status quo is in effect. When I ordered my sidecar, it took calls to four dealers before I even found one who knew the correct price. It wasn't easy.
The problem is compounded by the fact that the dealers lack product knowledge on sidecars. They have always been there, just not pushed or marketed properly and there is apparently no training done in sidecars.
So, there's really no reason for HD to come out and say that they aren't going to make them anymore. The demand is so low nowadays that in a few years, the problem will take care of itself. They also make other fiberglass products in the same factory AFAIK so it's just one less product to worry about. They have been special ordered for many years now. The only ones you see at a dealer are usually from deals where the financing failed or someone had buyer's remorse and backed out of the deal before picking the rig up.
In any case, it appears that the trikes are gong to be a good seller for the MoCo.
Hey guys, why not leave the text acronyms for the Gen Zero sites. Us geezers on the site work better with old school english.
I finally got "As far as I know" but it took a lot longer for the "I love German Shepards" bit to get decoded a while back.
And to think that back in the forties I was a candidate for cryptographers schooling at Langley, VA
Times do change, don't they. The old farts didn't dig our jive then either. The squares weren't hip! Crazy man, crazy. Wha's happenin' Dadio?
Ain't nothin' to it.
Lonnie
Hack'n - 7/29/2010 4:41 PM
Hey guys, why not leave the text acronyms for the Gen Zero sites. Us geezers on the site work better with old school english.
I finally got "As far as I know" but it took a lot longer for the "I love German Shepards" bit to get decoded a while back.
And to think that back in the forties I was a candidate for cryptographers schooling at Langley, VA
Times do change, don't they. The old farts didn't dig our jive then either. The squares weren't hip! Crazy man, crazy. Wha's happenin' Dadio?
Ain't nothin' to it.Lonnie
I was not aware that any here are "acronymically challenged". I shall be more careful in the future in order not to inflame your sensitivities. Have you noticed that I have not used any contractions in writing this? ........LOL...(oh, there I go again. )
