Could be the fact that they have the best marketing anywhere. I almost never see someone riding a harley that is not wearing harley clothing, whether it's a jacket, T-Shirt, or whatever. Not to mention all the watches, rings, key chains, dog toys, baby toys/clothes, etc.

 

Can you source this info. I saw what was supposed to be one of the first, if not the first bike made while I was in Milwaulkee for the 95th Anniversary, and I don't recall it having a speedometer on it. How would HD or anyone else know how many miles were on it?

Try this link for info on the first HD.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson


Regards,

Bill

 

I would do state inspections for guys with Harleys. They would pull up on a brand spankin' 0 mi. Fatboy with the biggest smile and tell me "I FINALLY got my Fatboy after waiting 4 months, and I only payed $4000 over MSRP !!! what a deal I got!! " I just rolled my eyes....This price gouging went on all throughout the late 1990's. Now if you pay anything over MSRP, you are getting boned..... (At least here in New England). I am ok with paying $16K for my FB, but $18,5K+ for a new one just isn't worth it to me. I hate the '07's FBwide seating, and colorsanyway. (just my opinions)

 

In 2003, when I was just dreaming of Harley's I priced an anniversary edition fatboy, and they were asking $21,500.00 Base price. The guy even told me they had come down in price since 2002. If that was still the case, I would still be riding a metric.

 

Great facts/theories. Anyone remember the marketing campaign that started about the time the evo sportster came out? Buy one for $3995 (maybe it was 4995), trade it in in for that same price in two years when going to a bigger model.

I had just bought a usedironhead Roadster for $3K only to find out soon thereafter that I could have bought a brand new one (with the new motor) for little more.

Don

 

fat boys rule...nothing else

 

It was mentioned in the HOG magazine sometime last year.