I was just at the HD site looking at new models. I'm shocked to see that the softail custom is no longer offered, as well as the sportster xlc models. The Dyna wideglide has become a "dark custom", but the Night Train I guess wasn't a dark enough custom, because it's gone, as well.

I really don't see how this "ratrod/bobber/Kulture" thing is going to morph into new bike sales, because it's kind of a DIY/ low-budget mentality, even if it does sell magazines.

To me, it looks as if Harley Davidson is committing suicide by making it's offerings less than desirable and turning it's back on potential buyers of every desirable motorcycle model that had been in their lineup.

I would think that it is going to be very hard to be a HD dealer with nothing in the showroom that people want. There might be a few buyers for "dark Customs", but I can't see the intelligence in abandoning the desirable models.

I have dumped all the stock I owned in HD because I fear they have pursued a direction that will end in disasterous sales numbers.

 

Heres a hint for them. At a dealers birthday party. One touring bike on the show room floor, and it was a RK with a sold sign on it. Everything else was 48 lows or some other sporty and a few Softails, minus any Heritages. The classic look sells. If someone wants a rat bike or custom, they usually build it or strip down something used.

I will admit though I like the sedona orange 48 low sporty.

 

Don't know about the demand for various H-D models. You would imagine MoCo didn't make changes to their line up without doing a lot of marketing research, no?

 

I almost bought a CVO Convertible Softail but the 31k price stopped me, its one heck of a ride but OMG!! I ended up with a RKC trading in my '08 Softail Custom Edition and couldn't be happier. I still wonder how the convert rides however.

 

his point is, the only thing worth a look the past few years has been in the Sportster line.

 

I think the HD direction is a wise move. The "old timers" stigma has been with Harley long enough. Create bikes that are targeted more to the younger generation and you have customers starting between 20-25 instead of 45-60. There will always be traditionalist against anything "in style" or trendy, but if that puts more riders and less cagers on the road, I'm all for it.

 

mar-ket-ing-ruh-surchhhh??? what's that? A friend of a friend told me they put pictures on a dart board and that's how they selected the '11 lineup.

 

......... well then i B dammed glad that 3'a them darts hit on FLTR !!

 

I'm taking a wild guess here, but I think they only discontinue models that aren't selling well. So what you call "desirable models" obviously weren't desirable enough to potential buyers.

 

I stopped in the other day to look at some Ultras and Street Glides.
Long story short,my wife fell in love with the 2011 Fatboy lo in white denim and I have to admit it looked awesome.
I guess I'll be riding the Heritage for a while longer whilst the little woman gets her Fatboy.
It's all good from where I'm sitting.
An Ultra did catch my eye and it was purple over black.