Harley-Davidson Bagger Trend Killed The Cruiser (No Ones Laughing Now)

Harley-Davidson bagger models have taken over everything these days. It's hard to believe there was a time no one wanted a heavy touring Harley to cruise around town on. Harley-Davidson cruiser models have all but almost disappeared from the local bike nights and bar scenes, the parking lot is pretty much all Harley-Davidson baggers these days. If you ride a cruiser to bike night it might even be hard to find your bike in the sea of large Harley touring bikes out there. The custom bagger scene may have come and gone but the Harley-Davidson bagger models still remain insanely popular today.

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Motorcycle: 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200CP (Sportster 1200 Custom)

Custom Parts Installed:
Screamin' Eagle Heavy Breather air cleaner
Harley-Davidson Reach Seat
Harley-Davidson Chrome and Rubber Collection grips
Drag Specialties Offset Clevis Footpeg Conversion Kit
Aftermarket Detachable Back Rest
Harley-Davidson Air Flow timing cover
Harley-Davidson Air Flow clutch cover
Screamin' Eagle spark plug wires
Screamin' Eagle spark plugs
Flipped Down Stock Mirrors

Motorcycle: 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X (Sportster Forty-Eight)

Custom Parts installed:
Harley-Davidson Factory Security System
Screamin' Eagle Exteme Billed Air Cleaner (Black)
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Foot Pegs
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Grips
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Shifter Peg
Screamin' Eagle spark plug wires

[GixxerFoo]

What do you think of the Harley-Davidson bagger trend? Do you feel it's killed off the basic cruiser market?

[jd]

I did it backwards. I started out on a used RK police bike. When I sold it I went to the cruiser, and that's all I've ridden since. I don't crush miles anymore, just do day trips or morning rides in the mountains. I want simplicity on my bike. No ride modes, ABS, info screen, stereo's, heck I don't even care to have a tachometer. Just be connected to my bike and road. I love listening to how my motor is running. Just tuned in to the bike and not blasting music. I'm not a fan of those giant front wheel stretched baggers dragging the road. All show no go. Just gonna be me and my Fatboy till I am no more. Great topic and video GixxerFoo!

[p.s]

My wife and I are both 70. I ride a 2010 FXDC Superglide (no shield, bags, warm grips or tunes). Wife rides a 2015 Sportster 48 Special also (no shield, bags or crap) We are doing a 21 day trip across Canada again this year. I dont buy that getting old thing. Ive always called baggers "geezer glides".

[Jeff-ttyt]

Been riding cruisers all my life and recently while on a day trip I switched my wide glide with a friend’s street glide because he kept telling me how great it was. At 57 years old I figured at some point that’s the direction I would have to go due to age and fatigue. It gave me the same feeling as riding a school bus. Not bashing the baggers but just didn’t have the same feeling I’d grown to love on bikes without all the bells and whistles. Give me a naked cruiser any day, I may have to rest more frequently as I get older but that’s fine with me. 8:09

[ellwoodwolf]

Young man walks into a Harley dealership. " I would like a Harley, what do you have in the 10k range" salesman turns and tells him "get lost, i don't even have a womans bike at 10k" man looks over at the motorcycle near the front of the entrance " how much is that one ?" "It's 49, 599$ son, I do have a whole lot of 50$ dollar t-shirts for you to choose from" .... Man leaves and goes and gets a faster, lighter, more agile, cheaper Japanese motorcycle.

Harley is just dying a slow death, t-shirts can't carry a motorcycle brand forever.

[zackadams]

I grew up thinking choppers were too extra and baggers were “old man bikes”. Watching Arnold and Sylvester Stallone riding cruisers in their movies, I really wanted a cruiser. It’s still my bike of choice at 33 years old today.

[vics]

That's why I like my Road King Classic-- cruise and tour.

[samslade]

Trends happen in "Cycles." Back in the 60s only old men and cops rode something with saddlebags. We chopped everything else. Then we got older and our butts and backs started hurting so we started looking for bikes that weren't all cut up. The next generation comes along in the 90s and they want "cool". So they buy choppers. Ten years later their butts and backs start hurting so they started looking for something more comfortable. I imagine that another 10 years from now you'll start seeing choppers again.

[jamessouthworth]

I think the touring bike thing blew up because everyone wants to keep up with the Joneses and talking down on bikes that cost less than theirs. It's a flex. There's a certain segment of Harley owners that are more concerned about flashing money than riding.

[williambanks]

Trends mean squat. Dumped my dyna for a road glide and it has been the best decision ever. Put the tour pack on when needed or ride without and have a bit of storage. Reality is, ride what you love and trends be damned…

[SheldonBrown]

I’ve never had a touring bike, or even a windshield. I’ve been riding for 40 years. Now I have a 2022 114 street Bob. Mainly I love day trips. I only take some water, some chewing tobacco, a usb charger for my phone, a hat and a pair of sunglasses, which all fit nicely in my tank bag or swingarm saddlebag. Don’t need all that storage space slowing the bike down. And I feel Part of the adventure is, getting a bug in the face occasionally. Hahaha

[brianbayowski]

During the chopper craze, I bought a Road King Classic (discontinued). During the bagger craze, I picked up a hard candy Sportster 72 (discontinued) and a Dyna Low Rider (discontinued). Keeping all three! Fads are for followers! 👌

[carlafisher]

I've always felt that the road king was the best motorcycle for the money. They are comfortable to ride long distance and has storage. Remove the windshield and you got as cruiser.

[frankmarkovcijr]

At 63 still ride my Sportster with a windshield and top box. Had her 25 years and see no need to change. Bike is heavy enough for me don't need 200 more lbs to deal with.

[JeffMarken]

Choppers 4 ever! Still have my 1st, a 51 Pan chopper that I bought in 1983 for $2400. It's seen a few small changes, and a rebuild..but after 3 trips to Sturgis(956 miles) I got a bagger in 1991. Sold it and got a 93 FLHTP that I've customized..no fairing, solo seat, and a small old tour pack for the dog.
It ain't yours, till you build it yourself!

[txsviking]

I don't care much for baggers. A full size touring bike would be my option for the long hauls. But I'll never give up my DYNA for cruising.

[lakeithlewis]

I believe the idea of Harley owners aging is true. Sportster riders are now cruiser riders. The cruiser riders are now bagger riders. The bagger riders are now trike riders. The cruiser to baggers are 30 to 50 and the baggers to trikes are 51 to 70 or whatever. Point is no one is coming off of the rev motor line-up to get on a cruiser which pales in comparison in performance. So I believe we are at a stand-still in search of a group to occupy the cruiser line-up in the next 10 years

[zackweber]

I'm 35 and have an 07 R1 and an 08 Ultra Classic... paid around 5k for each and am able to experience either extreme whenever I want! The real answer is have more than 1 bike!

[shanerose]

I got a roadking, and I rarely see other roadkings on the road. It's all streetglide, roadglide. Love my roadking!

[MaineiacSean]

I've been running around town on my 2022 Road King Special all day today and I loved every minute of it. I just got my Road King last week after 2 years on my Sportster1200.

I dont like fairings . Don't want a stereo . Road King Special is my dream bike..rode with no windscreen and no face protection all day. Got some bugs in the face.... worth it.