Wonder why harley is slumping?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 195
Likes: 1
From: Winchester, KY
Wonder why harley is slumping?
This whole Buell thing has me pissed off. And I don't even own one.
Well I tell you why. HD just reported recently reported a 84.1% decline in net income and a 84.5% decline in deluted earnings per share compared to last year. Read it, its on their website under news. Well there is a pretty good reason why. All prices metioned are close estimates.
Softail Custom compared to Yamaha Star Raider
21x2.15 wheel, Raider has 21x3.5 which is better handling. 1200$ aftermarket increase. (harley doesn't even offer)
Raked Tripple Trees, a 450$ increase for harley - stock on raider.
Harely has a 110" engine, roughly a 4500$ or more increase. 113" stock on Raider.
Harley has dunlop tires. Raider has Metzler (ask anyone which is better) also a 300 - 350 dollar increase.
base price Star Raider is 14,790$
base price Harley Softail Custom is 16,999$
estimated cost to make harley have the same stuff as yamaha
about 6,000$ to 8,000$ depending on labor cost of installation.
But I love american made stuff which is why I buy Harley. We as customers take care of their asses by forking over big money on their products so why the hell can't they take care of our asses by giving us what we want the first time around. We, as enthusiast and lovers of harley, need to get together to somehow let the over educated idiots that are ruining this beloved company know what WE want instead of them telling us what they think we want before they end up again like the AMF years. BTW im 34 yrs old and grew up believing in heretage, value, dependability and a long lasting products. Somebody at corporate ought to start looking at the past and combine that with the new way of thinking from the next generation of buyers and builders and end up with a better solution than what they have or "The New American Motorcycle" "Victory" might change their slogan to "Victory - The Only American Motorcycle".
Thanks to who ever may care.
Well I tell you why. HD just reported recently reported a 84.1% decline in net income and a 84.5% decline in deluted earnings per share compared to last year. Read it, its on their website under news. Well there is a pretty good reason why. All prices metioned are close estimates.
Softail Custom compared to Yamaha Star Raider
21x2.15 wheel, Raider has 21x3.5 which is better handling. 1200$ aftermarket increase. (harley doesn't even offer)
Raked Tripple Trees, a 450$ increase for harley - stock on raider.
Harely has a 110" engine, roughly a 4500$ or more increase. 113" stock on Raider.
Harley has dunlop tires. Raider has Metzler (ask anyone which is better) also a 300 - 350 dollar increase.
base price Star Raider is 14,790$
base price Harley Softail Custom is 16,999$
estimated cost to make harley have the same stuff as yamaha
about 6,000$ to 8,000$ depending on labor cost of installation.
But I love american made stuff which is why I buy Harley. We as customers take care of their asses by forking over big money on their products so why the hell can't they take care of our asses by giving us what we want the first time around. We, as enthusiast and lovers of harley, need to get together to somehow let the over educated idiots that are ruining this beloved company know what WE want instead of them telling us what they think we want before they end up again like the AMF years. BTW im 34 yrs old and grew up believing in heretage, value, dependability and a long lasting products. Somebody at corporate ought to start looking at the past and combine that with the new way of thinking from the next generation of buyers and builders and end up with a better solution than what they have or "The New American Motorcycle" "Victory" might change their slogan to "Victory - The Only American Motorcycle".
Thanks to who ever may care.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 899
Likes: 2
From:
It's a free country, nothing stopping you from buying a Yamaha, Victory or whatever floats your boat. Personally, I believe I have received value with my "more expensive" Harley and have no desire to go back to a metric.
This subject has been beat to death around here - HD's profits may be down but they still are making money. They aren't going anywhere. They are making changes to the business that will allow them to continue making money on lower volumes resulting from the slower economy.
This subject has been beat to death around here - HD's profits may be down but they still are making money. They aren't going anywhere. They are making changes to the business that will allow them to continue making money on lower volumes resulting from the slower economy.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: STL
I'm tired of hearing people complain about this. I myself don't care what the other manufactures offer or how my bike doesn't have certain things. The only thing I did to my bike was put a set of pipes on. The economy sucks, just go out and ride.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 2
From: Novi MI
Ummm in the worst economy since the depression what did you anticipate would happen to a company that primarily manufactures over priced toys? Considiring they're still making a profit and 2 out of the 3 American auto companies have gone bankrupt, Harley's doing as well or better than can be expected. They'll survive.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,566
Likes: 85
From: Calgary
There are those that think HD is a big rip-off or that think they are getting raped everytime they walk into a dealer ship,yet still ride HD bikes. Sell it to someone who cares, I dare you.
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
And over and over and over and over and .........
My dad taught me, when you are shopping for something:
1) Do your homework and find what you want.
2) Negotiate the best deal you can, one that makes you and the seller happy.
3) After the deal, quit shopping! If not, you will always be bitchin' you coulda got something better.
I don't give a ratz azz what other bike companies are doing or selling for, I've ridden HD for thirty five years, ain't changin' so no sense in lookin'. If you find something out there you feel is better for you, by all means go get it, the rest of us don't care ........... I've found I benefit far more by spending my time studying the motorcycles I have, learning how to maintain them, make them perform, things like that instead of trying to figure out if I made the right decision on the ones I own.
My dad taught me, when you are shopping for something:
1) Do your homework and find what you want.
2) Negotiate the best deal you can, one that makes you and the seller happy.
3) After the deal, quit shopping! If not, you will always be bitchin' you coulda got something better.
I don't give a ratz azz what other bike companies are doing or selling for, I've ridden HD for thirty five years, ain't changin' so no sense in lookin'. If you find something out there you feel is better for you, by all means go get it, the rest of us don't care ........... I've found I benefit far more by spending my time studying the motorcycles I have, learning how to maintain them, make them perform, things like that instead of trying to figure out if I made the right decision on the ones I own.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Verdad Gallardo
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
Yeah ..... <sheepish grin> ..... sometimes I make sense, at least in my own head.
Probably should have added, HD might be in a slump because all the wannabes that got hit financially don't wannabe no mo', so the market is full of late model, low mileage, chrome loaded bikes for sale at much better deals than a person can buy new for ????
Probably should have added, HD might be in a slump because all the wannabes that got hit financially don't wannabe no mo', so the market is full of late model, low mileage, chrome loaded bikes for sale at much better deals than a person can buy new for ????