Every business charges as much as they can for their products. They'd be stupid not to. You charge what the market will bear.

Those evil dirty bastards! Damn them to hell for their selfish greed! I think the worst part is how Zeitz and Musk have not only raised prices on Harleys, but they raised prices at Indian too, and they've even raised the Gold Wing top model to almost $33,000!

​​​​​
​​​​
Those sons of bitches should die in a fire. Especially Musk, what he has done during his tenure at Harley is unforgivable.

Look -- if you want to solve a problem, you have to identify what the REAL problem is. And it isn't PumaBoy(TM) and it damn sure isn't Elon Musk. It's the Wal-Martization of America, and the disappearance of the middle class. Harley isn't charging any more for their bikes than they always have; in terms of other fixed assets they're actually charging less than they used to. A Harley touring bike costs the same as a Gold Wing or an Indian, and it always has.

Harley wants to go upmarket and "premium"? Who doesn't? But more seriously, where the hell else are they supposed to go? The middle class has disappeared, so we're left with a country of mostly low-wage rent slaves who barely manage to pay their cell phone bill, and rich elites. That's who's out there now. Who should Harley build products for? Hint: they actually offer a $4,795 bike now, but they can't offer it here because they'd be vilified for having it made in the Evil Empire, China. So they're left with pursuing the few rich (doctors and dentists) that want to ride.

Made In America costs money. So the product costs money. And Americans don't have money anymore, because of wage stagnation combined with inflation eroding the value of their dollars, tens of millions of illegal immigrants distorting the labor market, and outsourcing our good-paying manufacturing jobs. Solve those problems and Harleys (and Indians and Gold Wings) will automatically become affordable for more people.

 

Well the unions held the manufacturers hostage and forced an unrealistic pension plan to begin with...

almost 2000 of the price of a new GM goes to pay pensions of people that are no longer working.... Thanks unins!!!

 

FYI, the average age of the NEW Corvette buyer has dropped by 10 years with the introduction of the mid-engine car. Was told that by HIGH up GM exec. I believe him.

That defiintely was NOT my reality in the 80s growing up. Mom and dad worked their butts off to keep a roof over our heads. We ate "Govment Cheeze" and tree-rat pot pie a LOT. And, forget about a Harley....

That said, we weren't "poor", there were just things we couldn't afford. We never went without and the lights were never shut off. But, the cleavers didn't live near our neighborhood. And, some of the best memories I have of growing up are of mom and dad, and both my siblings and I sitting on the front porch learning how to have a conversation.

THIS is so true. We make more, we spend more... "Rich" or "Poor" is a mentality. I've seen folks flaunt both their "rich-ness" as well as their "poor-ness" and I've seen folks who "getting a raise" simply meant there needed to be something new to try and keep balance to their bottom line. Look at what we made in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and on. Then look at how prices jumped throughout the decades. We ask more for our service, we pay more for our eggs and bacon, and Harleys. But, just asking the question... if we quit paying the prices, would it have an effect in the negative direction? Don't sell as many cars, bikes, or shoes and there's no reason to have as many people on staff.So, the dreaded layoffs occur.

And, IMHO, @FatBob2018 pretty much laid out the ups and downs of a global market. Ramifications are as much personal as they are economic, financial, and geographic. The ones that prevail are the ones who can read the tea leaves best. Always been that way, always will be.

I know y'all didn't ask for this diatribe. Sorry for the interruption.