My .02, Harleys marketing team creating a brand and image that carried them until the baby boomers started aging out. Saw this happen with my Dad. He bought his because he'd wanted a HD since he saw them as a kind. The branding, image, lifestyle was incredibly profitable under the strategy they used. I hope the marketing department got HUGE bonuses, they earned them. Image, paint, and chrome - and the oft seen pirate outfit.

I totally agree that HD is in decline because much like GM and Chrylser needing a bail out, old school managment wanted to steer the iceberg around the titanic, then became shocked when they hit it and a leak sprung. Much has been said about the younger generation not buying into HD and I think its spot on. Honestly, I think its a bit sad for an American icon like HD, but they aren't offering a product to politically correct environmentalists who still live in moms basement watching The View. They are judging a motorcycle based on its own merit, not the badge on its tank. Hondas line up is the worst its been in decades IMHO, but they are trying to build things and cater to curious and beginner riders. BUT their sales figures have been on a steady increase since 2012. BMW and Indian are killing it, Kawasaki is also doing well. Price? I don't think that has anything to do with it. If it did, BMW AND Indian would be struggling. Indian being a direct competitor it taking market share, so what gives?

IMHO Harley has rested on its laurels for decades building essentially the same bike. Great strides with water cooling to bring them into the 19th century, but as beautiful as nearly every HD motorcycle is, they unfortunately still have a stigma as being unreliable which I think they have largely overcome. Fit and finish, build quality I think are at minimum for what they charge, which is to say very good. That being said, compared to a Goldwing, BMW, any mid priced sport tourer, they are horribly over priced and underperform by a huge margin. Look at the new Star line up. Beats HD in every category but probably resale. Unfortunately for HD, I don't think that after saving $7-$10k it keeps any of these owners up at night. Bang for the buck. Bottom line, new riders won't spend a premium to belong to a club or buy into an image. Personally, I think thats a good thing. Really hope HD gets thing turned around, they deserve better, but so does a guy laying out 20 large when he could walk across the street and buy an equal or better bike and save 40%. Lets face it, if a Street Glide said Suzuki on the tank, no one would buy it. They certainly wouldn't drop 20 thousand dollars on it and spend another 6k in accessories. I own a Concours 14. Its been essentially the same bike since 2008 with very minor updates. Kawasaki cranks them out year after year and it sells well. Why? It will throttle the front wheel to 90 mph, literally corner and hang with a liter crotch rocket, range over 200 miles, ABS, TC, power windows, comfort just shy of a Road King, heated grips, and wind protection I'd stack against anything shy of a Gold wing or BMW K bike. For $15k and a 3 year warranty. With an undertuned bulletproof drivetrain. And I've never pulled up next to myself at a stoplight. Bang for the buck.

I don't think dealerships have a anything to do with it either. While they may not be what they used to be, most metric shops completely suck from sales to service around here and HD shops still have it over metric shops. Most will refuse to work on a bike much older than 10 years old because Asain manufacturers no longer build replacement parts. Customer support, you are ONE YOUR OWN, thank you very much for stopping in, can I allow you to sit on our new bike, no test rides?! HD caters to its base and supports its history. Asian manufacturers do no such thing. They couldn't care less. Yet they are staying even or gaining market share. Kawasaki can build a limited production H2 200hp street missile and sell every one of them in a week.

My opinion is worth exactly what you pad for it. Feel free to disagree.

 

Grateful Dead?!?

I always knew you were one of the good ones!

 

I look at it from the angle of a shooter. Every shooter and reloader/loader I know has a American revolver, Ruger, S&W or Colt in there safe. If there ate up with it like myself. There will always be a Colt revolver, Colt 1911 and a Colt AR in the safe. Are the Colt's the best? NO,,,, But they are so American shooting just isn't right if you don't have them. The safe is just woefully incomplete without them.

Will I ever buy another Harley,,,, No. But I have my King. So no matter what else is in the the garage, the garage is complete.

 

 

I guess you missed the part where I wrote LOL , which means I was joking, but being a rider is a mental thing but for a non rider ,every cruiser is a Harley and every sportbike is a ninja

 

 

Well said. I agree with your assessment.

 

 

Me, too. Especially the last paragraph.