Why is Harley riding on a decline?
#891
06-20-2018, 07:59 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
I’m at least partly responsible because I haven’t bought a Harley, new or otherwise, in the last 25 years. Why? I like the Harley I have because it’s a simple machine, easy to live with and easy to work on. Only one carburetor, long lasting belt drive, no ECM, no ABS, no “multi mode traction control”. Forks and steering head bearings are a snap to service with removable caps, drain screws and grease fittings. There’s no “self adjusting” primary chain tensioner to over tighten the chain, no “throttle by wire”, no electronic cruise control-just a simple throttle lock. In short, just a simple, honest motorcycle that I can take care of myself. This is important to me because the nearest dealership is 40 miles away.
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#892
06-20-2018, 10:10 AM
HDF Community Team
What parts are USA sourced now? Is it the steel? What about the Aluminum? The ECU's? It's not the wheels. They screwed the Aussie's and sent that to China? Is it the bearings? I see China and India on them. Is it the rubber in the rear swing arm mounting system? How much of the ave. Harley is North American produced now days? Skip the USA,,, just North America.
#893
06-22-2018, 10:22 AM
Join Date: Aug 2014
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#894
06-22-2018, 10:54 AM
#895
06-22-2018, 04:04 PM
Road Warrior
The production quota for the day when I was there was 225 bikes, down some 30% from last month and its continuing to fall on a week to week basis.
Assembly peeps say their product is too expensive for the current market and greedy dealer mark up is killing the brand at the showroom door, Guides were of the same thought as to the closing of the Kentucky plant in 2019 because of poor sales.
Tour guides said that there is more bikes exported to Australia and Asia that being sold in the US market, and even with the closing of the KY plant, there was no suggestion or requirement that the York plant would need expanding even with the influx of the sportster range workload.
Work peeps said , even with the discount the motor company's give employees its hard to justify that much for a bike, And that's a quote !!!. And I wont even tell you their reaction when I mentioned the electric bike ( rolls eyes )
Straight from the horses mouth .... Well people that work there
Wiz out
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#896
06-22-2018, 05:03 PM
Well !!!! just come back this week from the steel toe tour at the York PA Harley plant, and got to talking to some of the assembly workers on their break along with the tour guides.
The production quota for the day when I was there was 225 bikes, down some 30% from last month and its continuing to fall on a week to week basis.
Assembly peeps say their product is too expensive for the current market and greedy dealer mark up is killing the brand at the showroom door, Guides were of the same thought as to the closing of the Kentucky plant in 2019 because of poor sales.
Tour guides said that there is more bikes exported to Australia and Asia that being sold in the US market, and even with the closing of the KY plant, there was no suggestion or requirement that the York plant would need expanding even with the influx of the sportster range workload.
Work peeps said , even with the discount the motor company's give employees its hard to justify that much for a bike, And that's a quote !!!. And I wont even tell you their reaction when I mentioned the electric bike ( rolls eyes )
Straight from the horses mouth .... Well people that work there
Wiz out
The production quota for the day when I was there was 225 bikes, down some 30% from last month and its continuing to fall on a week to week basis.
Assembly peeps say their product is too expensive for the current market and greedy dealer mark up is killing the brand at the showroom door, Guides were of the same thought as to the closing of the Kentucky plant in 2019 because of poor sales.
Tour guides said that there is more bikes exported to Australia and Asia that being sold in the US market, and even with the closing of the KY plant, there was no suggestion or requirement that the York plant would need expanding even with the influx of the sportster range workload.
Work peeps said , even with the discount the motor company's give employees its hard to justify that much for a bike, And that's a quote !!!. And I wont even tell you their reaction when I mentioned the electric bike ( rolls eyes )
Straight from the horses mouth .... Well people that work there
Wiz out
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-h...-idUSKBN1JI29W
Last edited by IdahoHacker; 06-22-2018 at 06:25 PM.
#897
06-22-2018, 05:36 PM
Road Warrior
Lets face it cost is everything in the current market and with the vastness of options out there and low resale value of these bikes, who wants to drop 20k on something that is worth 1/2 it’s value in 4-5 years.
Wiz
#898
06-22-2018, 05:48 PM
Cruiser
all roads leads to Harley, eventually everyone that rides , gets ones , there are few exception ,like stubborn people who refuse to own one. I rode sportbikes for over 34 years , never thought I would be riding a Harley especially with all the other brands ,years ahead in technology .I chose a Harley there is something about owning Harley , you can ride any bike and if someone ask you you if your a biker , and you say yes, then next question they ask is do you own a Harley
.Harley is in inbeded into everyones genic code,lol your a biker equals to saying you ride Harley.
.Harley is in inbeded into everyones genic code,lol your a biker equals to saying you ride Harley.
#899
06-22-2018, 05:54 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
all roads leads to Harley, eventually everyone that rides , gets ones , there are few exception ,like stubborn people who refuse to own one. I rode sportbikes for over 34 years , never thought I would be riding a Harley especially with all the other brands ,years ahead in technology .I chose a Harley there is something about owning Harley , you can ride any bike and if someone ask you you if your a biker , and you say yes, then next question they ask is do you own a Harley
.Harley is in inbeded into everyones genic code,lol your a biker equals to saying you ride Harley.
.Harley is in inbeded into everyones genic code,lol your a biker equals to saying you ride Harley.
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#900
06-22-2018, 06:01 PM
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; 06-22-2018 at 08:50 PM. Reason: Picture contained profanity