What is Harley doing?

[Thanantos]

Of course i was making some sweeping generalities about South Park's audience. There will always be exceptions of which i'm included. I'm 37 and I watch, but none of my peers do.

And yes, you can buy HD's for less (I was exaggerating obviously), but what do you get? An $8000 883 which equates to essentially a beginners bike?

The fact is I see VERY few people under 40 riding HD's (I don't ever remember seeing anyone under 30, but they're probably out there) and I imagine the cost alone is a huge limiting factor. Add to that the bang for buck and HD's dead in the water.

I also realize that HD is going after the younger crowd with their Dark Custom blog, etc. I am sure they'd love nothing more than to capture a younger audience just like everybody that wants to sell something, but until they can make competitively priced bikes I don't see it happening.

[Thanantos]

Also, I would love to see Harley succeed. I'm all for union made American products, but it seems they are caught in a similar loop that the auto co's were.

They would like to sell less expensive, efficient motorcycles (and capture that younger audience), but the big ones pay the bills.

Dropping Buell did not help, not that the dealership attitude toward Buell did. I went into my local dealer a few years ago and as I looked at the pretty Dyna's I was swarmed with sales people. When I asked about Buell they pointed to a far off corner where hidden by clothing racks were the Buell's. No sales people followed me there. It was like I was walking into no man's land.

[Terrytori]

Originally Posted by Thanantos

And yes, you can buy HD's for less (I was exaggerating obviously), but what do you get? An $8000 883 which equates to essentially a beginners bike?

.

Hmm... after 46 years of riding, i should probably consider stepping away from the beginner scoots.

[Thanantos]

Originally Posted by Terrytori

Hmm... after 46 years of riding, i should probably consider stepping away from the beginner scoots.

Very cool bikes, no question, but you have to admit you are the exception not the rule.

In fact I bet if you knew nothing of motorcycles and went into your local HD dealer you would be pushed away from that $8000 883 and told specifically that it is a beginner's bike or a girl's bike.

EDIT: Something tells me you have a bit more than $8000 invested in those machines.

[ragtoplvr]

I don't have a picture BUT yesterday I did see 2 XR1200 riders that were young (20's) at a gas station even in most of the gear., they were leaving as I pulled in. Both bikes were not stock, loud, and one looked to have non-stock rear shocks. SO that bike is getting some interest with the younger demographic.

Rod

[NJ-Brett]

The only Harley I would own is an older pre rubber mount, pre FI sportster.
I HAVE a 2009 1200 with 4700 miles on it for sale, for $6500.00, not a bad price for a like new bike with extra's.
Too small and heavy and low for my tastes, but nice on the road.
You can get big ones cheap if you look around, not sure about the brand holding their value....I paid $9000.00 for my leftover 2009, put shocks, seat, etc on it and its not selling for $6500.......
If that is holding its value, whats the ones that don't hold there value like???

[Thanantos]

BTW, just looked it up. The 883 is about 50 hp at about 600lbs wet @ $8000.00

The Suzuki GS500F is 47hp at 396lbs dry (with a windshield and fairing) @ $5200.00

[Kbetts]

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

The only Harley I would own is an older pre rubber mount, pre FI sportster.
I HAVE a 2009 1200 with 4700 miles on it for sale, for $6500.00, not a bad price for a like new bike with extra's.
Too small and heavy and low for my tastes, but nice on the road.
You can get big ones cheap if you look around, not sure about the brand holding their value....I paid $9000.00 for my leftover 2009, put shocks, seat, etc on it and its not selling for $6500.......
If that is holding its value, whats the ones that don't hold there value like???

It's a conundrum......supply and demand.....demand falls and supply goes up and prices fall..... can't have it both ways. As the market grows or contracts HD will build more or fewer bikes, usually lagging the market by a good bit. Your 1200 is effected by used 96ci coming on the market like the one I bought.


Truth is, the dollar has fallen by well over 30% so import bike prices have risen where Harley has had to keep the price flat or lower. Would you rather have a $15K Kawasaki Concours 14 or a Harley Street Glide for 17K? Which do you think will hold it's value better?

Hey, it's just money. Go for a nice ride on your 1200 and I bet you'll be glad you still have it.

[cardoctor1]

been hearing the b.s. that hd riders are getting older yes its true but everybody is getting older which means that 20 something crotchrock rider is getting older also. buell was a big mistake for harley the crowd they are trying to sell to wants cruisers. just like when bmw came out with a cruiser a few yrs ago. how did that work out.hd sale are up from last yr and their product gets better every yr. if you can afford 8g's for a new 883 which has really become a cool bike. buy a used one. one of my old guys at work bought a used 883 for $3,500 .

[Boston_Sprint]

Originally Posted by JBSmith

"What they need to do is FIRST make more sporty bikes, not older classic badass bikes! I mean they tried with the XR 1200, but it still runs a Sportster motor, and is a bit pricey. Plus, it is under advertised, as I meet many who haven't even heard of such a bike. If they could drop the price and drop a V-Rod motor in, tune it, and show it smoking an R6 it JUST MIGHT draw some younger riders in! "

Great idea! Maybe start with a Sportster engine, then get a guy with real racing experience to build a trick chassis for it, set him up in a separate division to design and build them, and then sell it through Harley dealers...

Oh. Wait.

LOL..... they sold Erik down the river, I never saw a committed effort and by the time the real engines arrived it was deemed Too Late Dollar Short. I absolutely LOVE the look of the Ulysses -- it's beautiful to me at least -- but I'm friends with the head mechanic at Greater Boston Motorsports and he just said, "you don't want to go there."

It does remind me though to wrap a quick movie of some video I shot last year of a guy on the Rotax model on the highway. It was a little odd-looking but I still give it mad props.

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by Thanantos

The fact is I see VERY few people under 40 riding HD's (I don't ever remember seeing anyone under 30, but they're probably out there) and I imagine the cost alone is a huge limiting factor. Add to that the bang for buck and HD's dead in the water.

You are still showing that your knowledge about Harley Davidson motorcycles is very limited. I have sold 4 HD's to riders under 30 in the first week of this month alone. Without actually going back and graphing it out I would guess that about 40% of the bikes I have sold are to the 30- riders. (this may not be the case in all areas)

Originally Posted by Thanantos

Very cool bikes, no question, but you have to admit you are the exception not the rule.
In fact I bet if you knew nothing of motorcycles and went into your local HD dealer you would be pushed away from that $8000 883 and told specifically that it is a beginner's bike or a girl's bike.

This is simply not true. (at least not where I am) The 883 is a small bike but it is not a "girls bike" I would agree it is a good bike for beginners.

I lead people toward (not away from) Sportsters if this is the bike that best fit’s the rider and what they want to do then it is the bike they are guided to.

Why would you think that a customer would be guided away from buying the bike that best meets their needs?

Originally Posted by Thanantos

BTW, just looked it up. The 883 is about 50 hp at about 600lbs (560) wet @ $8000.00 <<<URBAN ASSAULT TORQUE MONSTER THAT MAKES YOU LOL (55 ft-lbs)

The Suzuki GS500F is 47hp at 439lbs empty (with a windshield and fairing) @ $5200.00 <<< CHEEP air cooled carbed Albeit capable commuter bike that needs to be wound up to even put a smile on your face and looses half its value the moment it leaves the lot and only has 29 ft·lbs of torque. Also 2009 was he last model year they brought to the US.
Colored text- DAKEZ

[Thanantos]

[QUOTE=DAKEZ;15932512]You are still showing that your knowledge about Harley Davidson motorcycles is very limited. I have sold 4 HD's to riders under 30 in the first week of this month alone. Without actually doing going back and graphing it out I would guess that about 40% of the bikes I have sold are to the 30- riders. (this may not be the case in all areas)




This is simply not true. (at least not where I am) The 883 is a small bike but it is not a "girls bike" I would agree it is a good bike for beginners.

I lead people toward (not away from) Sportsters. If this is the bike that best fit

[DAKEZ]

....................

[Boston_Sprint]

Originally Posted by ragtoplvr

I don't have a picture BUT yesterday I did see 2 XR1200 riders that were young (20's) at a gas station even in most of the gear., they were leaving as I pulled in. Both bikes were not stock, loud, and one looked to have non-stock rear shocks. SO that bike is getting some interest with the younger demographic.

Rod

Plenty of 20-somethings on some NICE Harleys I see them at the Harley store all the time, I love Harleys so I stop by from time to time. Love ALL bikes.

[KaHOnas]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

....................

I suppose he agrees with you. He decided to reiterate (read: quote) everything you said with no comments of his own. Well done, Dakez! You left him speechless.