[Jeff in Kentucky]

I just saw a TV show about this motorcycle. It has an aluminum frame made in Maryland USA, and a Hyosung 650cc engine made in South Korea with 80 horsepower, Ohlins shocks and Brembo brakes, for $8,000. It only seats one. It is probably a good second bike. Here is the company web site:

http://www.fischer1.com/Fischer_motorcycles.htm

[briderdt]

…we really need a REAL American motorcycle.

Sorry, to me HD (and all the custom chopper makers) doesn’t count.

I’m a bit sad that they’re using a Hyosung engine, though. I like the look of the bike. Seems to be priced a little higher than the competition (especially considering the Hyosung engine). The Suzuki SV650S seems to be the direct competition for this one, which is, what, a good $1K lower… with a much better after-market.

Much as I’d like to see this one FINALLY make it (I’ve watched it for well over 18 months), I have my doubts.

[ranette]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but to say that Harley Davidson is not a REAL American motorcycle is a ridiculous statement. If you had said that “we really need a REAL American sportsbike” I don’t think anyone would have disagreed with you, but there’s no way I can let your initial statement go unchallenged.

I don’t currently ride a Harley, and probably never will. It doesn’t suit my personal taste, however, they are certainly American and if they aren’t motorcycles, what exactly are they? Are Ninjas motorcycles but Vulcans something different? You seem to feel that cruisers are not motorcycles, something that I, definitely not a cruiser rider, would have to disagree with.

Interesting article I read last night that probably prompted me to react to briderdt’s initial comment, http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-reviews/harley-davidson-road-glide-custom/

[Jeff in Kentucky]

Adding the Ohlins back shock and Brembo brakes to a Suzuki would cost more than $1,000. You can also add a passenger seat and pegs to this bike for about $250. Some people will buy one just to have a unique bike partly made in the US. They were going to put a Rotax engine in it made in Austria, but apparently Aprilia got the engines instead.

So far, no multimillionaire has put up the funding to build a new affordable brand of motorcycle engines in the US, like for new Triumphs in England since 1990, and Triumph recently built a factory in Singapore to lower costs.

[briderdt]

It was mostly a tongue-in-cheek profession of my love for sport bikes. As in “sport bikes are the only REAL bikes.”

Yes, I know HD’s racing heritage, and that they really are the ONLY US mass-producing motorcycle company. Just not my cup-o-tea.

[IBA270]

motors…let’s see what they do. You may or may not know that MUCH of the big four count on Korean production of parts…not all are entirely “made in Japan”. Brembo and Ohlins are MUCH more than $1K. Depending on the fork internals, the shock alone will cost you $1K. Brakes, retail, another grand…

[JackTrade]

Apparently, Erik is still working for HD, in some capacity (in addition to his own Buell Racing firm), so I’m hoping that means some of his innovative thinking will find its way onto HD products in the not-too-distant future.

The new XR1200 is a step in the right direction in my view.

[ranette]

I had picked up the current issue of Cycleworld, a good portion of it dealt with the demise of Buell. The articles seemed pretty informed and I don’t remember any mention of Erik still having any input on HD products. They ripped out his heart and spat on his soul; I can’t imagine that he’d have anything to do with them. Hope you’re right though.

[eon]

But I thought you might appreciate this
https://bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/forum/forum/3836/honest-hd-commercial

[briderdt]

…are “Optional”. It comes standard with a Brembo MASTER CYLINDER. It actually doesn’t mention what the standard calipers are.

[JackTrade]

Thanks Eon…great stuff there. I love the “flaming skull edition” bit.

The Buell & HD press releases at the time of Buell’s demise indicated that Erik would continue to work with Harley, at least for a time. It seemed to hint at some Buell engineering popping up on future Harleys.

While he did start another company, it uses bikes (the 1125s and I think XB12 Firebolts) and parts he’s licensing from HD…so he’s with them until he can either re-acquire his intellectual property, or create new bikes/parts on his own.

[eternal05]

…it’s carbureted? I mean I know they’re using the GT650R engine, so it makes sense, but if I’m going to buy a sportbike that looks like that, it’d better be injected.

But I have to say, that’s a pretty damn good-looking $8000 bike.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

The Fischer has dual Mikuni 39mm carbs from Japan (maybe outsourced from South Korea), which will also limit the sales. Compared to a Suzuki Gladius or Kawasaki Versys, it has more horsepower, sportbike clip on handlebars and a back shock worth an extra $1,000, so the price is in the ballpark.

I like the Harley XR-1200, but paying $10,800 for 90 horsepower requires a buyer who just focuses on the name on the gas tank, and the history of the Harley XR-750 that was very fast and very unreliable. Evel’s most famous early jumps were with a Triumph Bonneville- only later did Harley pay him to ride their flat tracker, as seen in this photo:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/us/01knievel.html?ex=1354165200&en=e67995cdeb230696&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

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