According to the MoCo, the average Harley owner rides approximately 2,500 miles per year. That means, roughly, that around half of all Harley owners ride less than 2,500 miles per year. That's less than 200 miles per month. Think about that.

So, if we're going to be accurate, we need to differentiate between Harley owners and Harley riders, because they are two entirely different groups.

The few riders ride, and the rest of the owners polish in between trips to the dealership on Saturday for the free hot dog.

 

Living up in north country of New Hampshire during Laconia bike week 2018. Weather has been fantastic and the rides epic through the White Mountains. I guess the 230,000 bikers (probably 95% on Harleys) they estimate will be visiting NH this week missed the memo regarding the decline of Harley ridership.

 

How many of those bikes are new bikes bought in the last year or two that Harley has been declining? Who cares that there are 230,000 bikes going to Laconia bike week. If 90% of them are bikes already owned how is that helping the decline/drop in sales of the MoCo?

 

i think another major factor is the retro culture that has found harleys. You can build a '60s-70' chopper for pennies on the dollar of a new one, and get a lot more 'awesome bike man' when you roll up on a knuckle you rebuilt (or rat-rodded) yourself. just look at that show "Ride" with Norman Redus. Lots of Harleys on that show, not one of them newer than about 1985. The under 40 crowd doesnt want an Ultra Glide with stereo, bags, and trunk. oh and for the small fee of $40K.

 

Because they don't have enough horsepower to go uphill!!!!


I crack myself up!

 

I don't tour but i do put around 8-10k a year on my bike just doing what i like. Everyday rider not a weekend warrior like the MAJORITY of Harley riders are. My bike is my primary mode of transportation from May till snow. I do get my cage out on wash outs or situations where i need to carry things in the bed of it. I live in heartland Harley Davidson country IE the midwest and i'll let you know 95% of every motorcycle on the road is yeah a Harley Davidson.

 

Of course they did, just a bunch of pussies at the top too scared to make a bold move.

Honda contributed a lot to the 2 wheel world with the Grom. Non-riders are less fearful to throw a leg over it and it's a gateway to larger motorcycles. Not only is the bike affordable but incredibly cheap to tinker with the massive aftermarket support. I just slapped on a big bore kit on mine and taught 2 new riders the inside out of engines and tuning. Kids who love customizing PCs can get onboard with this.

LMAO, what?

But all of that massive torque though...oh wait I forgot the engine implodes if it revs pass 3k RPMs.

 

The Grom is badass and a hoot to ride. The youngins are riding. There just not wasting money on Harleys by and large. They are buying Groms, Motards, 300cc to 600cc bikes and having a blast! Some of them even swing a Dyna here and there and beat the crap out of it. And if one puts there damn ego aside and goes riding with them,,, one might learn something from them. And have a great time doing it! I have not seen one group of youngins out in a pack or solo ever shun a old dude on a Harley. Not one time in OK, KS, MO, AR, LA, TX or NM. They always throw hands up and wave you in if you want a go at it. But I've seen old rusty butt Harley riders shun the kids. Why would the kids honestly want anything to do with the curmudgeons and there over priced slow and heavy bikes. And pirate outfits? I'm a 57 year old man. Who would I rather ride with? HOG Chapter blocking traffic or a pack of young adults living and have a blast? I be the old man with the kids!!!!!

I put 100 miles on one of these 3 weeks ago. http://www.aprilia.com/us_EN/bikes/road/900/Shiver-900/ I had a blast on that bike! So I'm looking for a naked or supermoto class bike to blast around on. I had to buy a new car two weeks ago. If that little issue hadn't came up I may well of bought that bike for a kicking it up ride. With something like that on the market,,, why would I or a youngin buy a Sporty or Street?