News Gets Worse for Harley

[RinconRyder]

Good points all here.

I think part of what makes the H-D hard to swallow is there are few companies that are viewed as so “American” to the core as they are and few products with such loyalty. This just feels worse and I’ve never even ridden or owned one.

The millennial problem isn’t just monetary or a flooded market it’s also, and this comment is Calif. biased so I’d be curious as to what parents/grandparents across the rest of the US see, but kids just don’t get outside in the same way as we did 50+ years ago due to electronics delivering life to you now so getting out to seek adventure just doesn’t seem to exist in the same way.

Just rambling here but but the next generation is just doing something else.

I think your comment on not getting outside as 50 years ago is spot on. Not only the cost of doing so but the crowded conditions of our major highways and in some cases lack of maintenance makes touring not nearly as satisfying as back in mid-century. During the 60's and 70's I used to take weekend and vacation rides all over the place. There are very, very few of those nice rides left. One of my three boys does ride his crotch rocket every chance he gets but no interest by the others.

 

[LeftCoast]

Should have also mentioned with the number of cars on the road and distracted drivers we also, ok me, are not encouraging my kids to ride at all. Especially in urban Ca.

Cylcling isn’t the only casualty though. I’ve mentioned Boy Scout enrollment being down in another thread and my father in law is an avid fly fisherman and he said youth just aren’t filling the pipeline and learning which is causing rod, reel, fly makers and tour operators etc. a lot of concern.

Circle of of life I guess but I have a lot of good memories of all these things.

 

[Kiry]

My SO and I discuss HD quite a bit off and on. We're both fascinated by economic trends. We both agree that HD is trying to attract a market that cannot afford it. Their new line of expensive bikes may have been released a just a tad too late to keep the big company at the same rate it has been. I know when I was looking at bikes, and gear, HD was just too expensive at the time for me.
Now Indian is doing well, yet they have a similar line, I suspect because they haven't over expanded or/and invested in much brick and mortar in retail.

The other thing that HD has going against them, is their image. That rough and rowdy, nose up to anyone outside a HD biker mentality isn't exactly inviting. I get image is important, but sometimes it can work against you.

Both of these reasons is why when my SO's 23 yr old son was getting his first "new" bike, he did not look hard into HDs. He had zero interest in the image and he wanted the biggest bang for his $$. He ended up getting a Yahama Raider. Which is perfect for him.

 

[LeftCoast]

My SO and I discuss HD quite a bit off and on. We're both fascinated by economic trends. We both agree that HD is trying to attract a market that cannot afford it. Their new line of expensive bikes may have been released a just a tad too late to keep the big company at the same rate it has been. I know when I was looking at bikes, and gear, HD was just too expensive at the time for me.
Now Indian is doing well, yet they have a similar line, I suspect because they haven't over expanded or/and invested in much brick and mortar in retail.

The other thing that HD has going against them, is their image. That rough and rowdy, nose up to anyone outside a HD biker mentality isn't exactly inviting. I get image is important, but sometimes it can work against you.

Both of these reasons is why when my SO's 23 yr old son was getting his first "new" bike, he did not look hard into HDs. He had zero interest in the image and he wanted the biggest bang for his $$. He ended up getting a Yahama Raider. Which is perfect for him.

Just reminded me a friend of my brothers just bought a Triumph for about 10k I think. Beautiful bike, few frills, but classic lines. Don’t think he considered a Harley either.

As for image you are right too, I think that does come into it.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Can I blame the Russians?

 

[2dogs]

HD stores.....

Been in an HD store lately? HD stores are all turning to a clothing stores just like Eddy Bouer. Used to be you could find sporting goods hardware in Eddy Bouer but no longer. And, none of the clothing in Eddy Bouer or HD is American made. HD hasn't been an American bike for a long time now. Just the assembly is done in the US because parts are shipped in from around the world. Everything is going that way, even our beloved BRP. Oh hell, I forgot they're made in Canada. :roflblack: :shocked: :roflblack:

 

[fatenhappy]

d

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2018/05/27/harley-davidson-layoffs/647199002/

I would think logic would say if sales are down and people aren't buying the H_D brand so much any more … what have and are most of the other players done to increase their market share, that people just plain do not see in Harley …

Its not rocket science. You can only draw on nostalgia so much … IMO, they are way too heavy, dramatically overpriced and under-perform, especially these days with such a competitive market place. Don't believe me … just take the time to have a squiz at social media … FB, YT and the other Forums ….

If Harley are soooooo great, why aren't they one of the major players in Moto GP … Have a look, these days all the truly big dominant market share players from all over the world, are. Nor these days do I count H-D as being anywhere near that group.

Right now today, if you go along to buy a new H_D most salesman almost immediately start talking about outing another 4 or 5 grand ….. (on top of your prospective newly extended bank mortgage) just to put a 'performance package', or turbocharging or Aero-charging the new shiny acquisition. Surely there has to be something mighty wrong for this to occur?. All of this incidentally would be just to try to keep up with the European / Japanese bikes already out there … not make huge advances on their already advanced alternate technologies …. Wake up H_D and stop bemoaning before you become extinct, that is if its not too late already!