Harley Davidson Demo Day Experience

Couldn't all motorcycles be called a lifestyle?

No, some people just use motorcycles for transportation.
To me motorcycles are a hobby like sailing, hiking, ranching, building furniture, etc. but definitely not a lifestyle for me.

So only a lifestyle if you ride everyday rather than as leisure? A lot of HD's don't ride every day so they can't be a lifestyle.

Serious question- why is HD a lifestyle but a BMW GS (for example) isn't?

Why is being passionate about something a bad thing anyway?

Very true. It seems to me that HD is on the verge of a transformation. Hopefully the new 500 cc will live up to the company's build quality. If so, then they will start to actually offer a range of motorcycles and be able to break out of the old pot-bellied pirate box.

HD are currently in about the same position BMW was in the mid 80s, with several variants all based on the air head opposed twin. BMW had the brick, similar to the V-Rod, but it didn't catch on with the faithful. Now BMW offers a full range of bikes with all kinds of propulsion but they kept their soul. Ducati has branched out in the same way to a lesser degree with a range from hard core race bikes to sport/adventure, motard, muscle cruisers, and soon a scrambler. KTM is another example of a company that once only did dirt bikes but now offer a wide range but they kept their ready to race identity.

Now it's Harley's turn to grow up. Their engineers must be having a blast developing something actually new instead of another handlebar tassel or chrome do-dad. Their future looks bright. Electric Harley anyone?

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Why?? Why??

Here's a not so serious serious answer to your serious question.


A bunch of rugged individualists who dress up in vests and assless chaps are simply sheep. However, if another group of rugged individualists dress up in day-glo whale foreskin poopy suits, they are on an elevated plane of consciousness. Life is simply better on the Gelende Strasse. It's not a lifestyle. It's an exclusive club of adventure and flaming final drives. Liquid cooling only in the heads? A complete waste of time unless you fill the coolant reservoir with the distilled essence of Der Rhine mixed with a secret blend of glycol. Anything else is simply an attempt to squeeze some more life out of a dated twin cylinder design.

BMW an image? A lifestyle? How daft of you to even suggest such a thing. Were such things true... the very fabric of space and time would be ripped open in a fashion similar to if you actually managed to divide by zero.

Who knows?

http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/...davidson-profit-rises-as-u-s-demand-rebounds/

Per the 2012 Annual Report, motorcycle sales: 3,764,794 cost of motorcycles: 3,222,394 profit from motorcycle sales: 542,200

Parts & Accessories profit: 859,945
General Merchandise profit: 299,403

Just rode a 14 Ultra Classic and a CVO Ultra Classic. I really liked both. I liked both
some comments

The CVO Ultraclassic was over 36K:eek1 Not on my list. For a big girl, she can really dance. A very nice motorcycle. Liked the pipes, sounded like a motorcycle without making people cringe. Every option except air conditioning, sure that is coming soon.

The regular ulta also nice and it did not have the nav screen or as many knobs and buttons, I liked it better. But not as much power. So you would spend a little here.

Big downer. I don't want any touch nav screens on my bike. I am impressed. They are getting where they need to be. Brakes still suck on these heavy girls, but the ABS is MUCH improved. Just no stopping on a dime anything this heavy.'

EVERYONE needs to take faring design classes from HD BMW are you listening????

Indian. Rode the top of the line there. Wow. Nice, lots of power, not quite as good in the fit and finsh. Very nice and 5 year warranty. The engine idles very smooth, does not sound harley. I think this is a mistake, even I like the harley sound. Shifting is better. ABS and brakes slightly better, as expected since it is a little lighter. If these have good resale you have a contender. The faring was also very nice, just not quite as quiet as HD.

Still, I I were buying out of what was at the show, FJR would win. If they could lose that horrible wine I might have one. Oh well, I got used to the clatter of the beemer.

Rod

How does that compare to BMW?

Not sure what is wrong with companies making money on other things to get more people interested in the brand, whilst making profit for the shareholders, surely that is the responsibility of a publicly listed company. If they were going broke you would be bagging them out for that then.

I think it's good, I own H-D stock and it's made me a bunch of money so far. But, they don't really make their big money selling bikes, it's the parts and merchandise.

Having people pay you to advertise your goods is a great skill. A lot like Huck Finn talking the kid into paying for being let to paint the fence.

Demo events are a good way to really get to know what they have to offer, even if the riding is structured. I wish more manufacturers would do them. I went to a BMW demo day and found out I don't care for any of their bikes. All too comfy and sedate for my tastes. Luckily it was held at a dealership that also sold KTM and he took me aside and gave me the keys to a 990. There I found a bike ready to play. You don't get that kind of data from a magazine or the internet.

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Show us.

*Tom Sawyer.

Which part do you want to see?

The facts son, just the facts. HD revenue breakdowns, you know parts and merchandise vs new bike sales. Like you said. Don't be coy.

You can use this service called google. You could also buy H-D stock and get the annual report which is filed with the FCC.

Thought so. I'll get right on that. Do you have any other ludicrous statements that you can't back up for us?

HARLEY-DAVIDSON POSTS SECOND-QUARTER 2013 EARNINGS, REVENUE AND RETAIL MOTORCYCLE SALES GROWTH
EPS Rises 13.1% for the Quarter to $1.21
Second-Quarter Worldwide Harley-Davidson Retail Motorcycle Sales Increase 5.2%
MILWAUKEE, July 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) second-quarter 2013 diluted earnings per share increased 13.1% on higher motorcycle shipments and continued gains in operating efficiencies, compared to the year-ago period. Second-quarter net income was $271.7 million on consolidated revenue of $1.79 billion, compared to net income of $247.3 million on consolidated revenue of $1.73 billion in the year-ago period. Second-quarter 2013 diluted earnings per share were $1.21, compared to $1.07 in the year-ago quarter.Through six months, Harley-Davidson net income was $495.9 million on consolidated revenue of $3.37 billion, compared to net income of $419.3 million on consolidated revenue of $3.16 billion in the year-ago period. Six-month 2013 diluted earnings per share were $2.20, compared to $1.81 in the year-ago period."Harley-Davidson again drove strong financial performance in the second quarter, reflecting the many improvements in operations we have made throughout the Company over the past few years as well as our brand strength globally," said Keith Wandell, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. "Our employees, dealers and suppliers continue to do an outstanding job, working as one team and moving in one direction, to deliver a great experience for our customers," Wandell said."During the second quarter, we completed our first year of seasonal surge production at York with great success. We also surpassed a milestone for international dealership growth. With the opening of a dealership in Salvador, Brazil on June 29th, we have added 104 dealerships outside the U.S. since late 2009, achieving our goal to add 100 to 150 international dealerships by the end of 2014," Wandell said. "Of course, all summer long we are celebrating our 110th anniversary with Harley-Davidson enthusiasts from around the world, including one of our biggest-ever international consumer events last month in Rome and the upcoming celebration in Milwaukee on Labor Day weekend. And less than a month from now, we will launch an exciting lineup of new 2014 motorcycles." Wandell said.Retail Harley-Davidson Motorcycle SalesDealers worldwide sold 90,193 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the second quarter of 2013, compared to 85,714 motorcycles in the year-ago quarter. In the U.S., dealers sold 58,241 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the quarter, up 4.4% compared to the year-ago period. In international markets, dealers sold 31,952 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the second quarter, compared to 29,953 motorcycles in the year-ago period, with unit sales up 12.3% in the Asia Pacific region, 1.0% in the EMEA region, 39.2% in the Latin America region, and 3.6% in Canada. Through six months, dealers sold 144,447 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles worldwide, compared to 145,391 motorcycles in the year-ago period, with retail unit sales up 11.9% in the Asia Pacific region, 22.8% in the Latin America region and 2.4% in Canada, and down 2.7% in the U.S. and 3.6% in the EMEA region, compared to the first half of 2012. The Company believes first-half U.S. retail sales were adversely impacted by a prolonged and abnormally cool and wet spring in 2013, compared to an abnormally early and warm spring in 2012.Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and Related Products Segment ResultsSecond-Quarter Results: Operating income from motorcycles and related products grew 15.5% to $357.7 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to operating income of $309.6 million in the year-ago period. Operating income in the quarter benefited from higher motorcycle shipments as the Company continued the implementation of seasonal surge motorcycle production, higher gross margin and lower restructuring expense, compared to the prior-year period.Revenue from motorcycles grew 4.2% to $1.27 billion, compared to revenue of $1.22 billion in the year-ago period. The Company shipped 84,606 motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide during the quarter, in line with shipment guidance and a 1.3% increase compared to shipments of 83,502 motorcycles in the year-ago period.Revenue from motorcycle parts and accessories was $269.6 million during the quarter, up 1.5%, and revenue from general merchandise, which includes MotorClothes® apparel and accessories, was $81.7 million, up 8.7%, compared to the year-ago period.Gross margin was 36.9% in the second quarter of 2013, compared to 35.9% in the second quarter of 2012. Second-quarter operating margin from motorcycles and related products was 21.9%, compared to operating margin of 19.7% in last year's second quarter. Six-Month Results: Through six months the Company shipped 159,828 motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide, an 8.2% increase compared to the year-ago period. Six-month revenue from motorcycles grew 9.4% to $2.43 billion, revenue from parts and accessories decreased 2.4% to $453.6 million and revenue from general merchandise increased 2.7% to $153.8 million, compared to the first six months of 2012. Gross margin through six months was 36.8% and operating margin was 20.8%, compared to 35.9% and 18.2% respectively in the year-ago period.Financial Services Segment ResultsOperating income from financial services was $74.2 million in the second quarter of 2013, a 9.5% decrease compared to operating income of $82.0 million in last year's second quarter, which benefited from the release of significant credit loss reserves. Financial services results also reflect higher net interest income on favorable cost of funds and lower operating expenses in the second quarter of 2013 compared to the prior-year period. Through six months, operating income from financial services was $145.7 million, compared to operating income of $149.3 million through six months in 2012.GuidanceHarley-Davidson continues to expect to ship 259,000 to 264,000 motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide in 2013. In the third quarter of 2013, the Company expects to ship 51,000 to 56,000 motorcycles, compared to shipments of 52,793 motorcycles in the year-ago period. The Company continues to expect full-year 2013 gross margin of 35.25% to 36.25%. The Company also continues to expect capital expenditures of $200 million to $220 million in 2013.Restructuring UpdateIn the second quarter, the Company recorded a restructuring benefit related to its decision to maintain a scaled-back operation at its New Castalloy wheels facility rather than completely exit the operation. During the quarter, the Company reversed previously expensed exit costs, resulting in a benefit to restructuring of $5.3 million, compared to a restructuring expense of $6.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Upon the expected completion of restructuring in 2013, Harley-Davidson now expects restructuring activities initiated since 2009 to result in one-time overall costs of approximately $485 million, including approximately $3 million in 2013. The Company continues to expect savings of approximately $305 million in 2013 from restructuring activities initiated since 2009, rising to annual ongoing savings of approximately $320 million beginning in 2014.Income Tax RateThrough six months, the Company's effective tax rate was 34.8%, compared to 35.3% in the year-ago period. The lower effective tax rate in the first half of 2013 was primarily driven by the retroactive reinstatement of the Research and Development Tax Credit with the enactment of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. The Company continues to expect its full-year 2013 effective tax rate to be approximately 34.8%.Cash FlowCash and marketable securities totaled $1.43 billion at the end of the second quarter, compared to $1.21 billion at the end of last year's second quarter. During the first six months of 2013, Harley-Davidson generated $389.7 million of cash from operating activities, compared to $288.2 million in the year-ago period. On a discretionary basis, the Company repurchased 3.5 million shares of Harley-Davidson, Inc. common stock during the first half of 2013 at a cost of $186 million. At the end of the second quarter of 2013, there were 12.2 million shares remaining on board-approved share repurchase authorizations.Company BackgroundHarley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides wholesale and retail financing, insurance, extended service and other protection plans and credit card programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and riders in the U.S., Canada and other select international markets. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at...

Per the 2012 Annual Report:

Motorcycle sales: 3,764,794
Cost of motorcycles: 3,222,394
Profit from motorcycle sales: 542,200

Parts & Accessories profit: 859,945
General Merchandise profit: 299,403

Doesn't get easier than that, but then again you may not understand it. If you want I could send you a PDF of the 2012 Annual report. Just give me your email address.