To be fair, the last panhead rolled off the line on 1965.

 

They are the friendliest dealer I have ever been to. Got me back on the road in record time after a breakdown and charged it to warranty. Beyond the call of duty customer service. I'll be forever grateful to SMHD.

 

The problem of the baby boomers aging out is not simply we are getting too old to buy new bikes, and the new bikes aren't to our liking.
It goes much deeper. Harley always was the primier dealer network that supported it's riding groups. These groups helped sustain Harley Dealers because everyone felt they were part of something. A brotherhood, if you like. You could be an accountant, yet belong to an association that emersed you in a diverse group of motorcyclists and enthusiasts that shared a love of motorcycling. Everyone who bought a Harley was welcomed. The dealers all were required to sponsor H.O.G.
H.O.G. is doing okay for now, but new blood is needed to sustain the association. Unfortunately, the younger generations are not "Joiners". They don't value belonging to a riding association. You see this across the board in all of mototcycle brands.
The Goldwing groups used to meet and hang out at Honda dealers. The problem was that Honda didn't require any sponsoring, so when the market changed, there were fewer goldwings on the floor and mor atvs and sportbikes. Goldwing associations were left to wither on the vine. Today's riders don't want to be 'Goldwingers'. The stereotyping of Goldwing riders is different, but just as prevelant as the stereotyping of Harley riders. The new generation rejects both.
All of the big four Japanese brands are dropping out, or reducing their line of cruisers. Harley is slowly trying to edge-out of this same market, but since they're the originator of it, it's much harder for them. Try to find a 1200 -1600cc cruiser these days...pretty slim pickings. They could go the way of the goldwings...only old people riding them.
My Harley dealers are either diversified to include foreign and Indian bikes, or to be owned by automobile dealership corporations and run like them. That is why you see some close their doors. A motorcycle dealership that runs like a car dealership has no loyal customer base.
Who cares if your Hyundai or Kia dealer folds?

 

Ocean State HD in RI went from 2 locations down to one last year…..

 

Stereotypical was never something I sought to be ... Conglomerates make it business of trying to "legally monopolize" a certain brand / market in an effort to milk it for all its worth, then when it no longer produces and tax advantages have been exhausted they move on ... Being singularily focused on one particular area ( as many HD owners are ) makes our sense of awareness much more acute .... I'm on my 75th Trip around the sun and have seen many businesses come and come ... Some were not much more than a blip on the DOW while some were game changers ... In my opinion it's got to a significant undertaking to plop down the amount of cash that it takes to park a new one in the garage ... The current stage of the economy sure doesn't help

 

For me a selling point for Harley is being able to get parts all over. Seems less is stocked these days, maybe due to costs, maybe due to less over lap in years.

Advantage of Harley used to be the used the same parts for decades. Rocker arms in my TC are out of an evo.

But we have also said it for decades Harley squeezed out dealers with mega stores they could not afford. Now talk of how many units they buy doing same

 

Yes, it would be nice not to be stereotyped, but we have no control of other's impressions or prejudice. I've been stereotyped for admitting I own a Japanese bike on Harley type forums, while being stereotyped in an opposite way by others on Goldwing type forums, by admitting I own a Harley. I reject both stereotypes, but there you are.
But let's face it: The draw to or rejection from Harleys for millions of people over the years, has been the stereotypical "Harley Dude" thing.
It can be false for some, or put-on by others - but actually accurate for only a small minority of aging riders.
The problem for Harley, is they have marketed their brand on this aging stereotype. When's the last time you saw a Goldwing riding formation or even a dinner ride group?

 

Now, parts availability is a whole 'nuther can of worms! If you buy used like I've usually done, your average H.D. dealer isn't always much help as they used to be with that. Have you looked at a Harley parts and accessories catalogue lately?

 

I know TC88 stuff is in the drag old book. When I started suburban had everything in stock. I think many factors to this know,but moral of story is they don't now

 

Sad, but this is happening here in the states as well.