My HD Marketing Rant

[Mojo]

So, don't take this wrong as I'm a avid Harley rider and owner but it chaps me to the extent corporations stretch the truth to get our business.
I'm looking at the Marketing piece (BELOW) the Motor Company did when they introduced the new Milwaukee 8 series. These "all new" features persuaded me to sell my 2014 Rushmore Glide and buy a new one. Let me break down my perception of the "new features":
1. "Improved Mileage" Nope-not at all.
2. "More power, quicker acceleration" Yes, quite a bit.
3. "Heat management" Really? where?? Not at all.
4. "Richer Exhaust note" Stock exhaust is so quiet who could tell? Even with aftermarket pipes, it still sounds weirder than a V-Twin.
5. "Lower Idle speed" This is true!
6. "Reduced Vibration" a wee bit in the bars at idle. Frame vibrates more at speed. Frankly, I'm disappointed with this claim.
7. "Improved Fit" ??? Really? Where is the fit better (it was OK before).
8."Improved charging" This is a true statement.

Now, let me discuss the new silence in shifting. Only true going from neutral to first gear. Any other shifts up or down and it sounds like someone is hitting the transfer case with a ball peen hammer!

And while I'm at it; Boombox- what a major outdated disappointment this has been in the lack of features that even a smartphone offers including free map updates!!!!!!! They don't even offer a Traffic view feature/option. I'd gladly pay for that! The weather feature, only available on the CVO SHOULD BE A BOOMBOX STANDARD! Also, the stock speakers must have set them back $4.00 a pair. Hard to believe they ever used the word "Boom" to describe this soundless system.

New Suspension claims. Frankly with all the adjectives and fancy technology described for front and rear, this one of the worst marketing claims they've made.
Love to hear your thoughts-These are based on my personal opinions only

 

[fishin1789]

Mojo, that's exactly why I am still riding my 2015. Had enough people tell me that all the "improvements" were not worth trading in a bike with 15k on it. (When they came out.) I might look at a new one when I get up to around 60K miles, or if something major falls off!

For me....my 2015, with the mods and without a payment, suits me just fine!

 

[NGOT8R]

You hit the nail right on the head Mojo! I'll leave it right there, because that is a very sore spot with me and I don't want to get myself worked up. If they move the Kansas City plant to Thailand, the POTUS has said he will tear their butts up on taxes to ship bikes back to the US. I personally think they need to be put back in their place. IMO, they have nickel and dimed customers long enough. It's time they're taught a lesson. Oh, did I forget to mention that these bikes probably have close to 100 zip ties holding cables and wires in place. Hell, the sport bikes have had a far better cable retention tie system ever since I can remember (and they're reusable). Ok, I'm done now. I gotta calm myself back down. SMDH

 

[Mojo]

NGOT8R- Harley has NO intention of sending the Thailand builds back to the Americas so they're not too concerned about POTUS statement. Rather than lower the water (prices), they're going to raise the bridge (Relocate MFG). Rather than build products we want and millennials might buy. They want to keep the costs high and con a new market into buying American design and legacy. It might work short term. My dealer is running a promo for new bikes now; 4 year maintenance warranty included. This allows them to keep their full pricing and throw in a little oil and labor to seal the deals now. Millennials do not want to spend $25k on leisure products, they'll bike, hike or Uber to their destinations and save their car payments and insurance $$ for rent, parties and houses. Meanwhile, The motor Company does not have a clue.
So sad.

 

[BillyBob]

Mojo, that's exactly why I am still riding my 2015. Had enough people tell me that all the "improvements" were not worth trading in a bike with 15k on it. (When they came out.) I might look at a new one when I get up to around 60K miles, or if something major falls off!

For me....my 2015, with the mods and without a payment, suits me just fine!

Hmm, I’m still paying on my 2015


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[Mojo]

Hmm, I’m still paying on my 2015


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lol . . . . . sad isn't it? I long for the good ole days!!!!

 

[Hurricane]

It's a marketing brochure, they have to make things sound better to get you to buy it. I mean you admitted it worked on you, give that marketing department a raise MOCO!! They could shorten all of the bolts by .03" and advertise it as "lighter weight so better handling". Would that be true, kind of?? Would it even be noticeable, hell noooooooo!! I mean who is going to trade in their bike if the next ad said something like "Same bike as last year, minimal improvements"??? Didn't you notice some of those claims were BS on the test ride? It's the marketing department's job to get you excited to check it out, it's your job to do the research before making the deal. If this ad gotcha I wouldn't watch any late night tv, you might be cutting a boat in half and then taping it back together with flex tape!! Not trying to bust on you but what company doesn't embellish what they are selling??

 

[BillyBob]

lol . . . . . sad isn't it? I long for the good ole days!!!!

Sweet prices!!


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[BlkDragon]

Hell....I buy 2 of those Shelby GT for me and still have money for my wife & daughter......dang!!!!

I have to say their marketing department did great as I see a lot of folks dumped their Rushmore models and ran out to buy M8 models....and 50% of the buyers are so disappointed that they were taken. That's why their 2018 models are not selling and they are doing their best to get rid of them. A friend was looking to buy and he was harassed so bad by couple of dealerships he had to tell them to back off. I am telling you if they moved to Thailand they are pretty much done with US market. Our Prez is not messing around, he'll hit them hard with tax that they will cry out loud.

Unless I see 145 cu in motor with 150HP in Street Glide for $20k I would not think of buying another one, I am pretty much set with my ride....

 

[Sealion]

Well said Mojo. My bike is a great improvement over my 2005 RK, however, I am glad I bought it used and saved a few bucks. The suspension and seat are my biggest issues. The wife is riding with me more so the poor quality in those two areas are noticeable.

I got a lot of pressure to buy an Indian, but I prefer the looks of HD over Indian. I know several HD guys who bought an Indian and they say they will never go back – and the only upgrades they do are Stage I/II. Stock seat and shocks are great. I could have great ones too, for another $1500-$2000….

 

[16FLHXS]

Mojo- After buying a brand new 2016 FLHXS, selling it (for other personal reasons) and later buying a 2013 FLHTK, I realized personally it was a HUGE downgrade. So i currently HATE the bike, so much that i make excuses not to ride it.
So i went and put $$$$ down for a 2019 Road Glide in the color i want.

I honestly pay Zero attention to marketing, For me what i miss and want back the most is:
A unique color and denim paint, I ride more than I wash, and I hate this gloss black BS.
One touch saddlebags, after using them on the 16, these old bags make me angry, not like just mad, but full anger and rage. (not sure why but they just push my button and light the anger fuse)
Radio, barely loud enough to hear over the exhaust, and no bluetooth.

These are stupid and petty problems to have, and all correctable for the 13' but none of this bugged me until riding it on a daily basis, they quickly became things i couldnt deal with and made riding less enjoyable for me, so much that I barely put 500 miles on this year. I had more on my 16 before the snow melted lol.

But I must admit I am scared to buy an M8 because I wont deal with harleys EPA BS for exhaust etc., and heard from riders that if you loved your 103, you will hate the M8 beside the additional power.
So I am scared I wont love it like i did my 16, but it has to be better than my current experience even though I know all those thing are fixable issues for the Ultra, I just wont be happy with it till its gone.

 

[Larry37807]

Everyone likes and prefers different things. I had a 16 SGS that I put 49,750 miles on in 13 months. I upgraded to the 2018 SGS and it now has just over 34,000 miles. Better suspension on the 18 vs 16, although they both kind of suck. The 16 used to show me a range of 255-265 miles when I filled up. The 18 shows me 335 to 350 range with each fill up, nice improvement. I do enjoy the added power and torque of the M8 motor. I like the cosmetics of the 18 better than the 16 but again this is personal taste. Am I happy I traded 16 for 18, yes. Would I do it again, in a heartbeat. Neither bike gave me any issues and hopefully it will stay that way. I bought the Twisted Cherry as opposed to the denim. When I was a kid we would work on cars and bikes to get the metal correct and then paint them in primer until we could afford color. That is what the denim looks like to me. But that is just me. I do not need approval from anyone nor does anyone need it from me. Unless you cut the check to buy the bike, your opinion is just that, your opinion.