Harley sales down
- Thread starter trublupsu94
- Start date
I have the LAST bike I'm ever going to buy.
I'm there too...Going to enjoy it until I can no longer hold it up or push it!
Other than hipsters and their cafe racers, Motorcycles are not a popular cultural trend at the moment. I cringe when I say this but if HD wanted to jump on an opportunity they could produce a cafe racer sportster modeled around their 1965-67 bikes, priced for a 20 something with lots of addons and actually see some profit.
Yes a lot of current HD bikers would scoff at them, but I get those same annoyed looks on my VROD around some old timers.
HD needs to go further than that, the current entry priced harleys are a great idea but really lose out in looks and style. More effort needs to go in that to attract riders. Push harder on new rider programs and offer better incentives to graduates of said programs. Make those programs dirt cheap or in some cases FREE!
HD needs to invest in films, television or even YouTube channels that promote the brand and make it hip again. They have been trying for years with movies like the Avengers, and shows like Sons of Anarchy, but they need to push a little more and get more focus on the bikes themselves. I always said SoA failed in that regard because they never aimed the show at the gang's central love for the bike. In fact the bikes in most cases ended up being more of window dressing to all the guns, violence, and drama plays.
There is no doubt films like Easy Rider, The Wild One, etc really worked wonders inspiring young riders. I was even motivated to buy a harley when I watched the bike scenes in Terminator2 as a young teen.
The other issue beyond HD's control is that the middle class in the USA is getting crushed. The dollar is weaker, Taxes are higher, expenses, cost of living, job opportunites, etc are all on the downs. I was able to work hard and purchase my first home in los angeles in 1997 at the age of 23, no help from parents, just pure hard work and socking away money. There's no chance for 20 somethings to do the same thing in current times and I lay that on our elected leaders but that's an entirely different conversation.
HD has been on a financial roller coaster ride for a long time, they will weather this situation too. I hope they read this thread, or at least somebody hear could whisper the same words into the right person's ear who could do something about it.
Yes a lot of current HD bikers would scoff at them, but I get those same annoyed looks on my VROD around some old timers.
HD needs to go further than that, the current entry priced harleys are a great idea but really lose out in looks and style. More effort needs to go in that to attract riders. Push harder on new rider programs and offer better incentives to graduates of said programs. Make those programs dirt cheap or in some cases FREE!
HD needs to invest in films, television or even YouTube channels that promote the brand and make it hip again. They have been trying for years with movies like the Avengers, and shows like Sons of Anarchy, but they need to push a little more and get more focus on the bikes themselves. I always said SoA failed in that regard because they never aimed the show at the gang's central love for the bike. In fact the bikes in most cases ended up being more of window dressing to all the guns, violence, and drama plays.
There is no doubt films like Easy Rider, The Wild One, etc really worked wonders inspiring young riders. I was even motivated to buy a harley when I watched the bike scenes in Terminator2 as a young teen.
The other issue beyond HD's control is that the middle class in the USA is getting crushed. The dollar is weaker, Taxes are higher, expenses, cost of living, job opportunites, etc are all on the downs. I was able to work hard and purchase my first home in los angeles in 1997 at the age of 23, no help from parents, just pure hard work and socking away money. There's no chance for 20 somethings to do the same thing in current times and I lay that on our elected leaders but that's an entirely different conversation.
HD has been on a financial roller coaster ride for a long time, they will weather this situation too. I hope they read this thread, or at least somebody hear could whisper the same words into the right person's ear who could do something about it.
Anybody hear Trump's speech yesterday? He said he recently had a meeting with Harley, and they complained the when they export a bike for sale out of the country, the price almost doubles that they have to charge the out of country consumer. But, when another country imports a bike to the US, they don't pay any of those taxes. That's ****ed up, and needs to change. And if it does, it could really help Harley
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That's always been a problem in this country. I spent a lot of time in Japan and have several Japanese friends that own Harley's. They can't buy Harley's in Japan due to the engine size. I don't remember what the limit was but they actually had to go to the US and import it themselves. Of course they do have to pay Japanese import fees and taxes but a bike that costs $26k here almost doubles by the time they pay the taxes and import fees.
However....that may change as it looks like Harley may get bought out by Kawasaki....
https://beantownbaggers.net/2014/03...by-japanese-owned-kawasaki-motor-company-ltd/
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Lol. Uh, huh. Article from 2014, and at the end it says none of it is trueThat's always been a problem in this country. I spent a lot of time in Japan and have several Japanese friends that own Harley's. They can't buy Harley's in Japan due to the engine size. I don't remember what the limit was but they actually had to go to the US and import it themselves. Of course they do have to pay Japanese import fees and taxes but a bike that costs $26k here almost doubles by the time they pay the taxes and import fees.
However....that may change as it looks like Harley may get bought out by Kawasaki....
https://beantownbaggers.net/2014/03...by-japanese-owned-kawasaki-motor-company-ltd/
Also, when you say it's always been the case in this country, don't you mean since about the 70's/80's?
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I know...it was an old April fools joke.....the time-line is debatable and will cross the political threshold and I won't debate politics here....
I was at the dealer today, sales manager claims he can't keep street glides or road glides on the floor. But Dynas on the other hand, he can't get rid of. He showed me a new 17 street bob (That would match my SGS beautifully) that was priced to sell. Big time.
Goes to show, most guys my age either don't want Harleys, or they don't want the bikes without all of the goodies.
Now, if I could just get the wife to let me have a third bike
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Goes to show, most guys my age either don't want Harleys, or they don't want the bikes without all of the goodies.
Now, if I could just get the wife to let me have a third bike
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Definitely see more touring bikes than any other Harley's by me. That and crotch rockets. The wave is very rarely returned by them.
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Sport riders here seem to be for the most part good about returning the gesture. I have seen a lot more of the Victory bagger's here of late. New neighbor across the street rides one.
To expensive
Not complete off showroom floor.
Corporate knows this and makes big bucks during and after sale
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Not complete off showroom floor.
Corporate knows this and makes big bucks during and after sale
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I take a wait and see approach, with waiving to sport bikes. If they waive first, I'll waive back. Been skunked too many times, where I waived first, so screw it.
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I'm seeing a lot of younger 20 to 30 ish young men riding the newer low riders and more economical Harley's around here it seems. I have a friend that rides a rice rocket and rides with a bunch of Harley riders, its a mix bag out there for sure. I always wave to all bikes, creeds and colors, Guess I just like bikes. If I get a wave back awesome if not we ride on..
