HD will adjust production and cost to fit demand or go out of business. To many people worry about investor profits instead of company survival. If I built motorcycles. We would build only what we sold. We would have a profit margin that would be maintained to assure survival. Everything cycles and I have lived long enough to have heard how bad it is this time several times so the sky isn't falling around me.

 

The unions have nothing to do with the reason HD (or any other business has problems)
Non union shops usually enjoy the same perks as union because it's the only way an employer can get (and keep) good workers. HD and the big 3 auto makers found themselves in the situation they're in because they got greedy. Times were good and they made far too many units trying to keep up with a demand they themselves created by making it far too easy for someone to buy when they really couldn't afford. the same as the housing problem. I'm sick and tired of hearing about the problems the unions have created. They are the reason we even have a middle class in North America. You just have to look to China to see what not having unions will do for you. They may not be perfect but the alternative is frightening. Work forces would be cut at the very mention of economic down turn and (god forbid) a worker should even think about standing up for them self. Ya, go ahead and vote out your union and get back to us on your situation in 2 or 3 years.

 

Hasnt Harley been around for over a Hundred years? Like survived through the depression of the thirties etc etc. Ok maybe they may have to resize, but as long as people want to buy bikes, they should be able to sell them.

And despite what everyone says about the current financial difficulties, there are still folk who have the cash to buy new bikes (like myself), and my dealer was doing quite nicely. Having said that I don't plan on buying another Harley any time soon, unless the GF passes her bike test.

I the last ten years were boom years and too many people spent money they didnt have or were ever likely to get. Manufacturers of everything are going to have to adjust.

 

Agree with that, but this aging demographic problem is not unique to Harley Davidson, The European makers are desperately trying to find ways of engaging with a younger audience in order to seed brand loyalty in later years and to increase sales of motorcycles generally. European governments are forever raising the bar to new entrants through more costly and increasingly more complex rider tests, and faltering on concessions like free parking and the use of restricted lanes for commuting. The motorcycle has until now always been regarded by the environmentalists as a cornerstone solution to urban traffic congestion, but the legislators see things very differently...

 

The unions are the reason we have a middle class... seriously???

That is a ludicrious statement. The free market place, democracy, and the Constitution of the United States along with the great fortitude of the American worker is why we have a middle class. That is the same reason we have working people every day that strive to work hard and become part of the ultra successful.

To say that the union creates the middle class is blatant slap in the face to every union member out there. That implies that they have no ability to think for themselves or fight for their own beliefs. That without the union they would be a group of slobbering, incompetant pheasants unable to care for themselves.

Keep drinking that union leader Kool Aid.

 

..everybody relax and try to enjoy yourself....we'll all be dead soon enough..

 

The Harley name is too valuable to let vanish. A company with that name will be out there somewhere even if the current one is mismanaged into the ground. Even if they have to make 600cc inlines or electric bikes in China owned by a few Chinese generals and businesmen.
Look at Triumph or Indian and how they've come back, name recognition means a lot in marketing and few do marketing as well as Harley. Another example is Marvel comics, not all that long ago they were on dire financial straits when they realized just the name Spiderman was worth a billion dollars.

Yea, the name will probably always be there, but they might not make papaws bagger anymore.

 

Goldwings or BMW makes a "better" bike? I tried them - Goldwing was super boring and BMW didn't feel right to me. One of my bikes is a Honda (CBR1000RR). I much prefer the Harley for handling and feel when it comes to cruisers and tourers. "Feel" has a lot to do with a purchasing decision which I think is why Harleys sell - to those "who get it". But I did write a note to HD not to sell out to the Chinese or even to any non-American owner because if they do, my current HDs will be the last ones I buy.

 

"Harley-Davidson's aging biker problem" helps to sell Fortune magazine, which is their way of adjusting to the current down-turned economy.

 

That's an example of surprisingly ignorant journalism. (It isn't surprising that journalism is ignorant, but Fortune magazine is often better than this...)


"Harley Davidson...must adjust to the new normal".

Twaddle. Every manufacturer must adjust to the new normal, not just H-D. The necessity certainly isn't unique to H-D, nor does it result directly from any economic decision-making of the MoCo. Businesses must constantly adjust to remain in business. This is news?

And as has already been pointed out, a more thoughtful analysis of who is buying and riding H-D motorcycles to rallies all over the US would conclude that many buyers are in their 20s and 30s.

The fact is that Harley's are not fashion items such as clothing or shoes, and can't be dismissed as "flavor of the month". (Sheesh) The extensive dealer network that positions H-D dealers nationwide, for example, offers one compelling reason for anyone who wants to do extensive riding in the US to consider buying H-D over competitors. An extremely broad aftermarket selling all sorts of accessories is another factor distinguishing H-D from other manufacturers.

It sounds like the article was written by someone who simply looked at economic and demographic data, and who knows nothing else about the market or the scene. It makes the writer appear ill-informed, at the least.