Why is Harley riding on a decline?
#71
12-31-2017, 06:17 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
#72
12-31-2017, 06:31 PM
Banned
Meaning no offense. Perfect transition for a 40 year old rider. Not sure its the transition millenials are looking for, or even will want a touring bike.
#73
12-31-2017, 06:35 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
I just tallied up the student numbers I had for the year. Just under 40% were female. So, this tells us that...either females just took the class to learn how, but not necessarily practice what they've learned, or something else. Clearly, we don't see 30 or 40% female riders on the street. More like 5%. What causes this? Good question.
HarleyD has not really made much attempt to woo younger people into riding their over priced products. That, and they are in direct competition with the "virtual" world in which they live.
One thing HD has done is take the bull by the horns and sponsor rider training. This, I give them huge kudos for. (Honda also offers training, but not nationwide, AFAIK.)
Harleys are very similar to GM's problem with "Corvette."
Both are deemed an "old person's" vehicle.
Ford has done a great job marketing their Mustang to youth.
Go ask a high schooler which car they'd rather have. Corvette isn't even on the list. Neither is Harley.
They'd rather have a sportbike as they offer excitement. Rarely do you see octogenarians on Ninja's. See them all the time on Harleys.
Naturally, insurance rates reflect the young buyer inexperience.
Buy a 500hp Mustang? Insurance is close to $2000.
Buy a 505hp Corvette? Insurance is less than $500.
Both identical coverage for the same person.
HarleyD has not really made much attempt to woo younger people into riding their over priced products. That, and they are in direct competition with the "virtual" world in which they live.
One thing HD has done is take the bull by the horns and sponsor rider training. This, I give them huge kudos for. (Honda also offers training, but not nationwide, AFAIK.)
Harleys are very similar to GM's problem with "Corvette."
Both are deemed an "old person's" vehicle.
Ford has done a great job marketing their Mustang to youth.
Go ask a high schooler which car they'd rather have. Corvette isn't even on the list. Neither is Harley.
They'd rather have a sportbike as they offer excitement. Rarely do you see octogenarians on Ninja's. See them all the time on Harleys.
Naturally, insurance rates reflect the young buyer inexperience.
Buy a 500hp Mustang? Insurance is close to $2000.
Buy a 505hp Corvette? Insurance is less than $500.
Both identical coverage for the same person.
Mustang to youth ???
I'm 63. Far from 'youth';
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TenMidgets (06-17-2018)
#74
12-31-2017, 06:39 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
#75
12-31-2017, 06:43 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sandy Eggo's North County
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Price
Size
Weight
Maintenance is STUPID Expensive
Handling
Speed
I will say this. While in Florida this week riding we saw a lot of bikes and 85% were Harleys. Also the dealerships we stopped at had 10 times the bikes our local dealers here in NC have. They must be selling!
Size
Weight
Maintenance is STUPID Expensive
Handling
Speed
I will say this. While in Florida this week riding we saw a lot of bikes and 85% were Harleys. Also the dealerships we stopped at had 10 times the bikes our local dealers here in NC have. They must be selling!
Your 5 reasons are pretty much it.
Might add "quality of parts used to make the bikes."
Sorry to see all 4 of your threads LOCKED as they were fun reading. Gotta be a snowbird that got stuck ina drift that complained.
#76
12-31-2017, 06:46 PM
I think more and more peoples are getting motorcycles at younger ages + more ladies are riding. Most of them are riding Japan bikes for many reasons:
- they are cheaper;
- they are lighter;
- they are faster.
Personnally I started 40 years ago with a racer riding my way with years to a Harley. From day one, I knew that one day I would ride a Harley!
- they are cheaper;
- they are lighter;
- they are faster.
Personnally I started 40 years ago with a racer riding my way with years to a Harley. From day one, I knew that one day I would ride a Harley!
#77
12-31-2017, 06:58 PM
Stellar HDF Member
I want to make it clear. I have never seen a non-Harley motorcycle that I liked as much as I like my Fat Boy, or for that matter my Sportster before that.
The BMWs are kind of cool, but frankly the ergonomics on these is awful. Almost no one can flat-foot them, and I don't like the looks.
Hondas are ok, but meh. Been there, done that. Gold Wings are OK, but I would rather have a Harley.
Ducatis? Not for me.
Crotch rockets do nothing for me.
I really like my Fat Boy and pretty much all of the Harleys. I am at that stage of my life where I can ride and afford any motorcycle I want. That's why I ride a Harley.
The BMWs are kind of cool, but frankly the ergonomics on these is awful. Almost no one can flat-foot them, and I don't like the looks.
Hondas are ok, but meh. Been there, done that. Gold Wings are OK, but I would rather have a Harley.
Ducatis? Not for me.
Crotch rockets do nothing for me.
I really like my Fat Boy and pretty much all of the Harleys. I am at that stage of my life where I can ride and afford any motorcycle I want. That's why I ride a Harley.
#78
12-31-2017, 07:04 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
ESS 5 year on Yamaha 600 bucks
ESS 5 year on HD? How many grand?
HD needs to stop farming their customers. You have to check to make sure your wallet is still in your back pocket every time you leave the dealer.
Love them but they’re not for everyone, nor should they be.
Also too much repetition in the models currently.
ESS 5 year on HD? How many grand?
HD needs to stop farming their customers. You have to check to make sure your wallet is still in your back pocket every time you leave the dealer.
Love them but they’re not for everyone, nor should they be.
Also too much repetition in the models currently.
#79
12-31-2017, 07:13 PM
The MoCo has taken the Harley-ness out of their newest bikes. I don't believe they offer a superior motorcycle compared to the competition. Look at their touring bikes. Who can claim that the Harley Davidson motorcycles of today are better than what's available from the competition? What makes them better? They're not cheap. They don't have the tech. They're not light. They're not the most comfortable.
Look at the new M8 Softails. They may be the "best" Harley Davidson motorcycles, but they're not the best motorcycles on the market. They also lost their soul along the way.
Also, the entire motorcycle industry is having issues globally. It's not increasing. There are more great motorcycles available today than ever before.
AND, Harley Davidsons are quite expensive compared to the competition. Without offering something in return for that premium.
Look at the new M8 Softails. They may be the "best" Harley Davidson motorcycles, but they're not the best motorcycles on the market. They also lost their soul along the way.
Also, the entire motorcycle industry is having issues globally. It's not increasing. There are more great motorcycles available today than ever before.
AND, Harley Davidsons are quite expensive compared to the competition. Without offering something in return for that premium.
#80
12-31-2017, 07:19 PM
Banned
My first Harley was a 1970 XLCH 900 Sportster like the one in Then Came Bronson
I was 71 years old before I bought my second Harley. A 2012 Sportster 72 (71on72). In between years were several Jap and European racers, road bikes, off road and motocross bikes.
Young buyers need something they can identify and relate to like I did back in 1970. Not sure Harley has one. If I were 50 years younger I’d buy an Indian Scout.
I was 71 years old before I bought my second Harley. A 2012 Sportster 72 (71on72). In between years were several Jap and European racers, road bikes, off road and motocross bikes.
Young buyers need something they can identify and relate to like I did back in 1970. Not sure Harley has one. If I were 50 years younger I’d buy an Indian Scout.