In the previous issue of HD, editor Brumby threw down the gauntlet to the Motor Company to meet the challenge of the new Indian Challenger. He succinctly said the “chassis-mounted fairing is the central element of the whole bike” while the Indian PowerPlus 108 V-twin engine “defines this bike.” From what I’ve seen and read I have to say that the Indian Challenger is the complete package … exactly what I was thinking Harley-Davidson has to release as its next generation bagger. Nothing less will see Harley losing its perch as the touring King of the Mountain.

My daughter and son-in-law who live in Scotland surprised my wife and me while we were visiting by taking us to The Davidson Legacy at Netherton Cottage, Aberlemno, Angus, Scotland. There we were given a personal tour by Mike Sinclair of the restored family home of blacksmith Sandy Davidson who with his wife Margaret and their six children emigrated to America in 1857.

Tell me, what motor company this year reported the following: 

1.  A profit; 2. Returned dividends to its shareholders; 3. Increased sales to the 18 to 34 age group; 4. Meeting its goal of releasing 100 new models in 10 years; 5. Lost over $1.2aud billion; 6. Has been caught in the industry’s diesel cheating scandal to the tune of $2.5aud billon; 7. Spent $1.6aud billion replacing airbags; 8. Won the last nine years in its highest level of racing; 9. Is falling behind in releasing new models; and 10. Its annual sales are down 5 per cent? 

The “Black World” of Harley-Davidson secrets is behind the walls of the 370,000 square-foot Willie G Davidson Product Development Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ten years ago, a youngster right out of design school began work with the Motor Company just like another kid did in 1963. And we know how well that turned out.