The reasons are varied, some are posted in this thread. This isn't the first time this has happened. You can only sell > than a 1/4 million motorcycles that retail for an average of $15K for so long, before the market gets saturated.

We are not cultivating new generations of gear heads into our society. Younger people don't seem to be interested in this type of thing any more. Go to a car or bike show, you'll see what I mean. Mostly old guys.

The whole Bad-*** image thing put me off from buying my first Harley until I was 53 years old. I didn't want anything to do with the Cliché bullshit they were selling and that I saw acted out daily.

I'm sure there a ton more reasons, it's a complex issue, probably with no single answer.

 

I dunno man...

 

^^^^ I can see that. Most from 20 to 30 that I know got more in to building computers and techie stuff than vehicles.

 

You are right, watch the auto auctions on TV. Many have reserves that dont get met, that used to never happen.

Vehicles that I think are cool, will probably not be cool to anyone in the future.

 

I am going to try "one last " time to make my point. I dont think anyone who is a young adult these days, are into classic cars and or bikes because, they are a constant maintenance headache. A 1969 Roadrunner or ant 1969(fill in the blank) car would require constant maintenance to be a daily driver. A lot more maintenance than a modern vehicle. usually, that maintenance was done by the vehicle owner. In the old days, most men knew the basics of how to keep their car or truck running themselves. That being said, I don't think there is much interest in the old car, old bike thing. I would think that most modern young adults want a maintenance free, well performing vehicle at an affordable price, car or motorcycle. H-D brought the "blacked out" bikes out because who wants to polish and maintain chrome? It takes time when you could be riding. The whole maintenance thing doesn't sell well

 

Makes you wonder why HD has not improved Sportster model to attrack younger riders and why they discontinued Dynas, especially Low Rider? Why HD discontinued the Dyna Super Glide Custom an 2010 style FXDWG is a mystery to me.

 

I had an opportunity to talk to several younger riders (under 40) at a Christmas party. When I learned most rode metrics, I asked why not Harley? After the jokes were finished, here's what some had to say.

- Harley doesn't make anything I want.
- They're too expensive.
- They're too slow and heavy.
- None of my friends ride a Harley.

When I mentioned Harley sells bikes priced under 10K (Street), one guy said "That's not a Harley."

 

I'm a young adult and garage time is fun time I love restoring old cars and working with metal. To assume all young people are not into this stuff is just stupid. People just want what they want no matter what age or generation they are in. Yeah there are plenty of young folks distracted with tech gadgets but it's not all of them or anywhere close. At least where I live young folks are very active. They build jeeps and 4x4s They go hunting and do all kind of stuff.

 

I'm with you here (23 myself) however we are definitely not in the majority as far as our age group goes. Part of it is the environment you grew up in. I think a lot of our generation was coddled, given whatever they wanted, and grew up in a "if it's broke, replace it" kind of household. Me? My first car was an '80 Rx7 project car. Re-did all of the suspension/front end components over a weekend in my grandfather's driveway, among other things. My first bike? A salvaged 04 Wide Glide that I learned to wrench on while getting it road-worthy. I love wrenching on my own stuff. While frustrating at times it's always a learning experience, and it's almost therapeutic for me. I was on the back of a Harley as early as three, and all the men in my family rode Harleys, so you could pretty much say it was in my DNA...

Sadly, I'd put money down that most of this "millennial" generation doesn't feel the same way that we do. The hard-work ethic just seems to be lost among most. Glad my parents at least got it right with me...

 

....... wha ?