Originally Posted by Faast Ed

In this economy? I find that hard to believe.

Originally Posted by DaddyKnuck

For good reason, it isn't true.

• The last full year sales numbers reported by BMW have their worldwide sales off 14% from 2008 to 2009. This on a total number of units a little better than 1/3 of HD.
• Ducati is happy that their sales are only off by 18% from 2008 to 2009. Their USA sales are off more than 50%.
• Honda has essentially been driven out of the big bike market in the US, Honda has increased worldwide unit production based on millions of 50cc bikes made in India, Vietnam and Malaysia. Far from increasing unit production by utilizing "new technology", Honda is banging out basic transportation for the 3rd world with a 60 year old engine.
• The rest of the Japanese are all in a more or less downward trend. Although companies tend to spin their results in the most positive way possible, the attached graph illustrates there is no joy in this area either

I doubt any of these other companies would hesitate to trade financial position, brand equity or future prospects with Harley Davidson, regardless of what Fortune thinls.

BMW Sales
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...ycle-sales.htm
Ducati Sales
http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2009/...cline-by-half/
Japanese Sales
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...statistics.htm

Originally Posted by coupe55

The brands mentioned have a niche market and a following Harley has their own loyalist and that is the market HD tries to cater to. The purist don't want the old air pump water cooled and they want to keep the signature sound, "that not has been around since the shovel".

All makes of bikes sold in the U.S. have two major problems, the economy and the EPA. I am pulling for Harley as they have to be aware of what it takes to stay in the business at a profit. We ae talking industry problems, not just anything specific to HD. They will have to trim some fat in production and assembly, might have to go into new manufacturing areas as Hd did in the depression to stay afloat.

Bottom line," its the economy stupid" as an old campaign saying went. Not to call anyone stupid just a quote from a distant campaign that is stilll relevant today. More correct to say the stupid economy, we need more people working at a living wage to support a consumer based economy.

Hd and everybody else's fortune raises and falls with the economy! I think they all are feeling the pinch right now.

Originally Posted by oct1949

I am tired of the DOOM and GLOOM reporting of any media, be it TV, Newspaper or Magazine.
All them think that they know everthing bout whats going on when in reality that Usually don't know chit....
One reason I Quit the paper, don't watch the news on TV and don't buy any Mags.

Screw them,,, I don't need some wet behind the ears punky Kid telling me what He or they think I should know....!!!!

Originally Posted by mrmarklin

That being said, I think Harley should have tried harder to make Buell competitive. There is definitely a market for an American built sport MC. My understanding is that Buell's quality was not quite there. And I guess Harley did not have the $$$ to keep supporting MV Augusta.

Originally Posted by fat_tony

What has always hampered Buell was the fact they were forced by the HD ownership to use HD engines. A cruiser engine does not work well in the kind of bikes they were building. That said they had started to get things going just before they were shut down with a new engine, lots of favorable reviews and racing success. Buell build quality has always matched that of HD.

It no doubt was a good short term business decision but puts all their eggs in the same heavy cruiser market basket. This lack of diversification is somewhat risky going forward as the only constant in the motorcycle market is change. This also limits their potential growth outside North America where heavy cruisers do not have the popularity they have here.