And why not? Most HD riders are over 55. HD needs to expand its market. They added a couple of smaller bikes this year and are test marketing an electric bike.
Harley has been quite successful at market segmentation with its big twins and Sportsters. For the serious distance rider like me, the FLH models are fabulous. For the bar hopper and commuters, the softtail models rule. The Road Kings fit the middle distance rider. The Sportsters are for the ladies and younger, entry-level riders.
The V-Rod and the Buell models didn’t work out very well because the competition had them beat from the beginning. Perhaps an early entry into the electric bike market will work out better.
For short distances, I ride a Stella Scooter and a Yamaha 2-stroke Zuma moped. They aren’t as fast as the new electric model, but they cost about 10% as much and I can park the Zuma at a bike rack. I think they are a better choice for urban short trips.
There is a growing market for “street fighter” models. The electric bike may fill that segment.
My Springer came with the “badlander” 9-inch seat and was cool for running the boulevard but open highway riding was brutal. Replaced it with a 16-inch saddle standard on the Heritage Softtail Classic and was able to ride more than 50 miles without having to get off and get the circulation back in my legs.
A long time friend with several Harleys rides from Rock Springs Wyoming to Denver to visit every year. We never ride together because our bikes are so different, as are our riding styles. I ride a 1994 Yamaha FZR-1000.
He offered to let me ride his new Harley. It is so different from what I am used to I declined. (I rode a Buell once and was most impressed - The seating position was similar to a sport bike) He rides without helmet or protective gear. I wear race bike gear or I won't get on a bike.
Different strokes for different folks. The young folks want 17,000 RPM sport bikes. Harley needs to explore new ideas.