Rumors of some popular models being discontinued for 2014

[Garry in AZ]

I have heard from a dealer that several popular bikes will not be offered in 2014. Apparently, there are significant changes in the works for the baggers, and coupled with old tooling, and other issues, Harley is not going to offer the following models for 2014:

R1200X™
FXS Softail® Blackline®
FLHTC Electra Glide® Classic
FLTRX Road Glide® Custom
FLTRU Road Glide® Ultra (Discontinued in North America only)
FLHRC Road King® Classic

Road Glides, evidently they are taking a year off and redoing that whole series. Expect a water cooled heads version in 2015. I don't think anyone knows for sure what's going to happen until the show in August, but the above changes have been confirmed by several sources.
Garry

[Rags722]

Well, if there is no FLHTC, I don't even have to bother stopping in to say hi for a year.

[Dennis The Menace]

Blackline going away, already?  Okay, no surprise there really.  Kind of a redundant model IMO.

I would think the Electra standard would have sold enough to not face the ax, but maybe the FLHX killed it.  Lots of em out there.  No suprise on the RKC, it was really redundant.

[rbabos]

Sounds like a buch of bs to increase sales of current models. Dealers are kept in the dark until the meeting, just like the rest of us.
Ron

[04 SE Deuce]

R1200X™
FXS Softail® Blackline®
FLHTC Electra Glide® Classic
FLTRX Road Glide® Custom
FLTRU Road Glide® Ultra (Discontinued in North America only)
FLHRC Road King® Classic
Garry [/color][/b]

The first one on the list R1200X is that suppose to be XR1200X I'm pretty sure those went away last year in the US.  Makes me question the validity of the information.   Rick

[Bigs]

Rumor I just heard was that in 2015 the CVO's will have 120ci as well as the trikes.    Didn't hear anything about water cooling but it might happen.
   Bigs

[FSG]

more than just rumors

In a  continual  effort ............., Harley-Davidson  Motor Company  annually reviews the array of motorcycle models offered in each of their key markets. During this review, they strive to:
1.  Optimize the number of Customer choices available
2.  Reduce duplication in product offerings
3.  Reflect marketplace dynamics
4.  Reduce model complexity on the showroom floor

as a result of their most recent review, Harley-Davidson is discontinuing  the  following motorcycles. The models listed below will no longer be in production, beginning with model year 2014.

Discontinued in all global markets
  XR 1200X™
  FXS Softail Blackline™
  FLHTC Electra Glide Classic
  FLTRX Road Glide Custom
  FLTRU Road Glide Ultra

Discontinued in North America (US & Canada) only
  FLHRC Road King Classic

Discontinued in International markets (Latin America, Asia/Pacific, and Europe/Middle East/Africa) only
  FLHR Road King


Discontinuation Details for the XR 1200X™, Softail Blackline™, and Electra Glide Classic Models

Consistent with the criteria above and after a review of market sales trends, it has been  decided to discontinue these models.


Discontinuation Details for the Road Glide Model for Model Year 2014

Both Road Glide models are being discontinued for model year 2014 to undergo planned design refreshes; during this time, needed updates to the manufacturing processes currently being used to produce these models will be made. For example, the fairing tooling for this model is at the end of its usable life, so during the discontinued timeframe the design will be updated and the manufacturing equipment will be retooled. Making both design and build changes during this time will enable Harley-Davidson to more quickly reintroduce a more innovative and better-than-ever Road Glide model  for your  Touring  Customers. Additional information on the reintroduction of the Road Glide model will be shared at the 2013 Annual Dealer Meeting.


Discontinuation Details for the Road King Models

Over the past few years,  Harley-Davidson has been monitoring Road King and Road King Classic  model sales, and has sought input from Retailers regarding whether both of these models were needed in their lineup. Considering recent sales trends, they have decided to discontinue the Road King Classic  model  in North America including Canada. In international markets, not including Canada, where the Road King Classic model outsells the Road King model, they will be discontinuing the Road King model.

[04 SE Deuce]

Makes more sense,  only 1 model being discontinued in North America,  when your selfish it's hard to think globally.  Rick

[Coyote]

Makes more sense,  only 1 model being discontinued in North America,  when your selfish it's hard to think globally.  Rick

I don't think you read that correctly. The US is part of all global markets

[Jaycee1964]

I sure hope they bring back the Road Glide.

[04 SE Deuce]

Coyote,  I see your point,  glanced over it too fast.  I saw the XR1200X listed under all global markets...we didn't have an XR1200X,  it was discontinued last year.  That threw me off.  Rick

Means the XR1200X is discontinued in all global markets that it was still available in...kind of corn-fusing.

[Powerglides]

The XR1200X was discontinued in most markets. For 2013 it is still availabe in Brazil and North Africa.

[Molly]

FXST was discontinued in the US too I understand. Still available here though assembed in Brazil. Some touring bikes now assembled in India too I understand.

I've had a beer so cannot guarantee any of the above.... 

[88b]

Sounds like a buch of bs to increase sales of current models. Dealers are kept in the dark until the meeting, just like the rest of us.
Ron

That would make sense to me, not doubting what FSG posted, but if HD said good morning to me I'd have to go outside and check 
It couldn't possibly be they have a large stock of some models ?

[Snuff™]

more than just rumors...

...Making both design and build changes during this time will enable Harley-Davidson to more quickly reintroduce a more innovative and better-than-ever Road Glide model  for your  Touring  Customers...

Wait...Does this make your guy's Road Glides obsolete or collector's items?   

[troop]

Kinda nice I don't see denim black FLHT's every where I go

[hd06myway]

I'd like to see the Softail line redone, too many versions of the FatBoy & Hertiage, bring back the Springer front end and a poor man's Breakout style model would be very cool... I've heard rumors of a redo of the Softail line.  The Blackline is a nice bike but not something that would have stayed around more than a few model years... a new reinvented Softail Custom is highly needed... not every one is a full bagger afecinado.... some of us still like style and flare... what a Harley is and should be..

[Scooterfish]

Dennis " I would think the Electra standard would have sold enough to not face the ax,"

I think that was the problem. They cut out the lower price/ lower profit model forcing sales to the Street Glide,Ultra & new Ultra Limited. I remember in the hey day (pre 07) any Electra standard on the show room floor had $5000 of bling added on.

[ChromeWhore]

Sounds like a buch of bs to increase sales of current models. Dealers are kept in the dark until the meeting, just like the rest of us.
Ron

That would make sense to me, not doubting what FSG posted, but if HD said good morning to me I'd have to go outside and check 
It couldn't possibly be they have a large stock of some models ?

   

Nobody frickin knows. I would say that Coyote has solid knowledge and tends to carry more weight in my mind.

Meanwhile, I'm gonna go outside to see if it really is morning... 

CW

[Superheat9]

Interesting. I wonder why they dropped the FLHR that comes standard with cruse?

JMHO but the classic looks better.

Maybe all they should carry is a FLHTS.... charge for the upgrades and labor to install.  NOT

[Geezer_Glider]

So the only two bat wings will be the ultra and ultra limited? That seems odd. Must think everyone has big bucks! Won't this mean less accessory sales?
R Meyer

[sneakypete]

Harley is no doubt eliminating some models in order to sell a stock pile of other models.
Depending on the customer response they get over the next couple of years will determine whither they bring back
any of the models they intend to cut.
They will respond to customer demand, remember they did a similar move back when they limited the production of the EVO.
There by increasing demand. Then flooded the market with twin cams. pete

[wholehog]

OH BOY....now my 04 RKC will be worth more than the Anniversery models   

[hd06myway]

They're dropping those FLH's to make room for the water heads! 

[Rags722]

Read into it what you want, but I see  bikes WITHOUT lowers (FLT/FLH series) on the chopping block.  Now, why would you get rid of all the bikes without lowers in the touring class?  Could it be you keep all the bikes WITH lowers to hide something..... like a radiator.   

If my memory is correct, when the TC was introduced, it showed up in the first year in the FLH/FLT line first.  Could a water cooled head or water cooled motor be in our future?