What's Your Opinion???

What do you think?





Kevin

Too much stuff to break and cost too many $$$ to repair. I don't want anything I cannot get parts for and repair myself. I'm not a fan of the latest and greatest anything, I'm not fond of the new Goldwing either.
The software is written by humans who can make mistakes and cause something to malfunction, how many times have you taken an update on your computer only to have the update cause an problem?
The infotainment center is really not a new thing it has been tried before see post# 9555 here: https://triketalk.com/threads/one-of-a-kind.46151/page-319
All this new technology is going to create is throw away items.

So are bikes going to be like Windows ? Supported for 10 years then no more updates? Sorry you have to buy a new one

Just like plug in EVs, take it in for a fix and get ready for 'shock'. That big old battery goes, you're EV is probably ready for the junk yard dog.

My friends 2019 trike is having issues with his radio, the two external amps are blown. Harley wants $500 apiece for the amps, he can buy a plug and play radio for $800. When I was looking for a second bike, I knew I wanted a carbureted bike so after several months of searching I found my 2002 Road King. No BCM,ECM linked brakes or anything that will get expensive.

I look at my '76 FXE and then at my '18 FLRT and just laugh. My prediction: more sophistication but less complication. Less wiring and more use of pull and replace self diagnostic "modules ". I mean if Elon can come up with a returning rocket booster that parks itself HD can come up with and eliminate the battery-regulater- rectifier circle jerk.

Boy I really regret selling my 2004 Road King Custom after watching this video.

A friend of mine , a died in the wool BMW rider has learned ,after much back and forth with his dealer . His bike is out of warranty and will cost as much to repair it as it is worth on the market.

Lesson learned , sell bikes while still in warranty .

You heard my opinion in the video...and I think Devin's conclusion may end up being spot on...
In the future people will not be buying the electronic laden used bikes at near the rate that they are currently buying non electronic laden used bikes.

This will result in more new bike sales for the Motor Company than they would have otherwise had.

Of course, these computer laden bikes also have more appeal to those raised with a Smartphone in their hand.

See video below that has info on what HD is doing to appeal to new HD buyers.




Kevin

I think it is possible as these bikes age you might see something happen along the lines of what happened with 3D printers. with 3D printers in an effort to improve print quality and ease of use upgrades become available in the aftermarket allowing someone to pull out the original electronics and replace them with an upgraded unit.

I could foresee someone making interactive programmable control modules and HMI screens to replace the "aging" electronics in these bikes, a generic ECU that can be adapted for a v-twin or 4 cylinder or a 6 cylinder Goldwing is doable even today. it will happen when there are enough bikes sitting around with toasted screens to make it profitable for someone to produce. custom shops will be taking old bikes, rebuilding the engine replacing computer modules and making custom screens to fit the rider's taste. replacing the electronics will get to be just like a custom paint job.

that sort of thing is already happening in the hot rod industry with the high tech 4 cylinder crowd.
but for me I will stick with my mid 90's GL1500s with the high tech upgrade of a Bluetooth adaptor feeding my phone music into the sound system.