Alphabet Soup

ALPHABET SOUP


In this day and age of text messaging people using the phone have to be able to abbreviate and read abbreviations. This is not a new concept. Back in the dark ages when I started riding we had (and still do) some organizations that when you heard them you knew what they were. Like the FBI, DEA, ATF, DOT, CHP, and CIA. Usually when the USPS delivered a letter from one of these you figured it was BS.

But Harley riders have been dealing with lettering systems for many years. Again back when I started riding we could chose from an XLH or XLCH; an FX or FXE; an FL or FLH; a G or GE plus there were the lightweights SS350 and SX350 and a few more. Previous to them H-D had the UL, ULH, EL, WL, WLA, WR, XA, K, KH, KHK, KR, KHKK, etc., etc.

Now some of the lettering designations are almost as long as the models names. It starts out easy enough XL883, XL883S, XL1200, XL1200S and XR1200, they’re all Sportsters. The Dyna’s aren’t to bad either with FXD, FXDWG and FXDL. Trouble starts in the Softail models. You have the FXST, FXSTB, FXSTD, FXSTS, FLST, FLSTF, FLSTC, FLSTN, FXSTS, FXSTSB, FXSTSC, FLSTSB, and FLSTSC. Touring models go by FLHR, FLHS, FLHX, FLHP, FLHT, FLHTC, FLHTCSUI and FLT. The V-Rods get VRSC, VRSCA, VRSCB, VRSCD, VRSCR, VRSCSE, VRSCX and VRXSE.

As you can see you can go crazy just looking at the lettering, plus you can add more letters. When you order CVO bikes they get SE added on. Be sure to specify when you order a FXSTS. It could be a Softail Standard or a Softail Springer. BTW LOL (lots of luck).

Proves why most of us on these boards prefer their Harleys with four letters max.

Perhaps the MoCo could simplify the system; go back to the original 3 letters for the basic model then add a $ sign for every thousand bucks the upgrade costs.

I suspect this might be more understandable to the majority of Twinkie riders!

Proves why most of us on these boards prefer their Harleys with four letters max.

Perhaps the MoCo could simplify the system; go back to the original 3 letters for the basic model then add a $ sign for every thousand bucks the upgrade costs.

I suspect this might be more understandable to the majority of Twinkie riders!

Agreed, also about the Twin Scam riders

Because someone rides a new machine you call them names? I am sure those VL guys weren't about to step up to one of the new fancy OHV 61" models either. I love my old bikes. I also love touring this country on my FLHTCU.

Chris asked: "Because someone rides a new machine you call them names? "

"Dude" usually seems to fit.

....Cotten
I love touring with my D A T S U N.

Because someone rides a new machine you call them names? I am sure those VL guys weren't about to step up to one of the new fancy OHV 61" models either. I love mo old bikes. I also love touring this country on my FLHTCU.

Chris, check my sig, I love my 1200 Roadster too; modern rubbermount with a hint of the old XR1000 about it, that's why I sold my FLHS and bought it!

20 years experience in my own H-D club has taught me that guys who run the older stuff (45's when I started, Shovels now) tend to be more knowledgable and enthusiastic, and don't regard the bike as just a "cool" fashion accessory which is becoming more prevalent now, especially in Europe. I don't think you get this quite as much in the USA because the "Made in America" tag (however loosely nowadays) still counts for a lot.