Might be that HD hit the government loan tit from the Feds back in 08-09. HD also benefited long ago from Reagans tariff on heavy bikes to stop the Japanese manufacturers from dumping bikes in the USA at or below cost to gain market share.

The Federal Reserve disclosed who benefited from a government loan program during the crisis. The data show who sought and received credit boosts from the Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF). Harley-Davidson tapped the facility on 33 separate occasions in 2008 and 2009. For how much? For a total of an amazing $2.3 billion.

They have made so many errors, From the bike shop to the high end boutique, to not making bikes younger people want to ride, it's time for the inevitable to occur. There was a time when we paid above MSRP and waited a year to get the bike, which of course came with upgrades not ordered. Their smug answer was, well, we'll reorder it for you, someone else will take this one, in a heartbeat.

The H-D death knell sounded when they tried to patent the sound of a V twin. When you rely on government protection to compete rather than product innovation, your days are numbered.

Last year I bought a Pan America. Great bike with lots of technology and Harley got most things right to compete in the adventure bike market. I wanted to buy American (previous bike was BMW) and support the local dealer. Sounds good, right? Until there are problems with the bike! The local dealer has tried to do the right thing by me to address the issues but its clear they are in over their heads when it comes to troubleshooting problems. And I dont think H-D is giving them the support they need to service this bike.
The result is this is my first and last Harley.

Death knell? If so, its longer and more drawn out than Paul Reuben's death scene in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

"The motorcycle brand describes the sound that its V-twin engine makes as “potato-potato-potato.” And the sound is so recognizable and so central to the brand identity that in 1994, Harley-Davidson applied to have it trademarked.

After six years of a veritable biker rally of other brands—including Yamaha, Honda, and Kawasaki—opposing the trademark application, Harley-Davidson withdrew the application in 2000.

But, like its bike, Harley didn’t just ride off quietly."

https://www.retailbrew.com/sto...n-tried-to-trademark

quote:

Originally posted by downtownv:
They have made so many errors, From the bike shop to the high end boutique, to not making bikes younger people want to ride, it's time for the inevitable to occur. There was a time when we paid above MSRP and waited a year to get the bike, which of course came with upgrades not ordered. Their smug answer was, well, we'll reorder it for you, someone else will take this one, in a heartbeat.

Yes, the 2003 100th Anniversary bikes. They ran production that model year for an extra month or two to ensure that anyone that wanted an Anniversary bike could get one.

It was almost comedic the amount of people that bought those as an investment. I sold several of those “Harley Bubbles” to store their bikes in anticipation of windfall profits.

As to retaining long time riders, many dealerships are now playing the game of a model year cutoff for service work in the shop, pretty much anything more than ten years old is a pariah in their eyes.

I hate to see them in decline, but it is what it is. I never picked up a Harley, and I’m not looking to replace my current bike anytime soon.

My 2005 Road King still identifies as a Harley!

HD has made so many bad decisions over its lifetime that we wonder how it still survives? Especially since not many younger riders are climbing on board and following Dad, Uncle footsteps.

One would think they could easily learn from the Bud Lite fiasco. This is all the more true looking at their average, targeted customer.

I think my CB-1100 will last to the end of my biking days.

Recently, I saw two motorcycle club riders on the highway. They looked like typical members with their vest and the rest of their outfit. One was on a Harley, the other was on a Gold Wing. Times are changing!

A) Younger people barely drive/not sure an HD would be the right bike for urban living/they are now priced against cars.

B) HD probably makes a bunch of its profits off t shirts etc.

C) They don’t maintain their own image well - eg, how much HD apparel is made in the U.S.?

D) They tied themselves to a particular image - HD’s image is pretty much “Degenerate/person who enjoys pretending to be a degenerate.” (The South Park episode about HD is probably the best description of how the HD crowd is viewed by people under 50)

If they wanted to change to a ‘Murica image, every HD product has to be US made/marketed as promoting freedom by being made elsewhere
E) GenX, etc had their kids much later. I’m 44 - should be the prime age for marketing a motorcycle - but I have a baby due in a few months. I, probably, will not have an older “responsibility free” period in my life, until I’m too old for most activities.

At least the Village People's Motorcycle Cop can get a gig now when the singing days are over.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
They tied themselves to a particular image - HD’s image is pretty much “Degenerate/person who enjoys pretending to be a degenerate.”

I call it the "dress like a pirate" group.

For a lot a Harley riders it's all about the image and nothing else. Some can barely ride in a straight line, and when we get the occasional long-time Harley rider come through a Basic Rider Course most find it to be a humbling experience.

Tight turns from a stop? U-turns in a restricted space? Swerving to avoid an obsticle? Some who have been "riding for 30+ years" struggle greatly to do these basic manuvers. But at least they look tough with their black leather vest, half-helmet with the tough/raunchy stickers, the bandanas, spikes, skulls, etc.

I wonder how proudly those with HD tattoos are displaying them now…and that also goes for any other corporate logo tattoo now they want to disassociate from. I always thought it was strange and foolish to permanently mark one’s body with similar tattoos.

HD did it to themselves. I'll never own one. Every experience I've had with either the dealer or the bikes themselves has been sub par

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
One would think they could easily learn from the Bud Lite fiasco. This is all the more true looking at their average, targeted customer.

This Bud's for You!

Good.

These businesses are slowly learning they need to just shut up and make money. Their focus should be exclusively on growing and improving their business, not preaching or supporting personal crusades or effecting social change or whatever.