Harley is advertising 2.9% with zero down. Yamahammer did the same years back and then the next year butchered their line and came out with some real duds.
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Harley TV commercial
Harley is advertising 2.9% with zero down. Yamahammer did the same years back and then the next year butchered their line and came out with some real duds.
Harley sales has taken a HUGE hit
Keep in mind, not everyone will qualify for the low financing
Nuff Said," Were Burnin Daylight, Lets Ride"(Sober 37 years)
Current ride : 2021 FREEWHEELER M8, oldest ride 1960 FL
Harley's troubles
What they need to do is stop charging too much
IMO
Harley has too many models.
35 at my last count
Do they need 7 variations on the Sportster?
10 soft tails and 7 touring, really?
3 CVOs a year, why?
Cost is too high, the market will not bear it. Younger riders don't have it to spend, especially for a bike without the latest innovations. they can spend half and get a better bike for the money.
Electric bikes that are not even close to the cutting edge and double the price, for an HD badge?
More models and classes is not the answer?
They need to fix what they have before they expand.They are wasting the brand loyalty capitol they have built.
The current leadership is no Vaughn Beals.
I love the brand and my trike, but I am really worried about the future.
It is not cost effective to build 35 when a few will do. Trim the lines down and offer fewer of each.
The present line up in red. My suggestion in black.
Do they need 7 variations on the Sportster?
3 Sportster models are sufficient, 1. 883 Low, 2. 1200 Low and 3.1200
10 soft tails?
2 versions here. 1. Basic model, 2. Heritage model
7 touring, really?
4 models here. 1. Road King with hardbags, 2. Road Glide, 3. Electra Glide basic, and 4. Electra Glide Ultra
3 CVOs a year, why?
One of these and that would be the Ultra Classic
2 Trike models is good
Electric motorcycle, someone laid an egg that will never hatch. Small displacement bikes that are inexpensive for new riders would be a way to get new riders to remain faithful.
Retired trike builder
America's first lady trike builder.
The number one option that Harley owners recommend for a person who is thinking of getting a Harley is to buy a thousand dollar+ extended warrantee...
That is telling a new buyer , Buyer beware.....
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
^...Probably money well spent unless it will get traded or sold before the warranty expires.Originally Posted by rhino 2
Always had a soft spot for HD cycles and likely always will as the tattoo on my right bicep will attest to, however when they went to fuel injection and throttle by wire, they lost me as a new bike buyer.
Since there are no other manufacturers selling a carb'd big displacement street bike that I'd consider buying, I'll stick with my old school FLT with its antiquated carburetor until there are no more aftermarket suppliers supporting it for the ultra rare times when it needs replacement parts.
Besides, I will never need a dealership service dept. to overcharge me for anything that needs computer diagnosis to correct an electronic or mechanical issue...
Isn't it weird that in AMERICA, our flag and our culture offend so many people...but our benefits don't???
I'm going to add that similar can be found with any vehicle. In 2006 when I wanted a larger truck for the shop and all I wanted was a plain F-150. The dealership shows me every high dollar fancy truck on the lot and in colors I didn't like, I flat out told the salesman I wanted a white F-150, automatic, ps/pb, radio, heat/ac you have any of those? He then took me over to 'Fleet' sales trucks where such a truck exists.
I like the old stuff that is basic, easy to repair and not high dollar.
Retired trike builder
America's first lady trike builder.
Harley is also offering if you buy a sportster today (soon) you will get what you paid for it in trade in 2020.
If you buy a 2013 and up New or Used Sportster from a participating dealer by Aug 31 2019..And trade it in at the ''same'' dealer for a new 2017 2018 2019 bike any model in stock at that ''same'' dealer within a year.
You will get back the purchase price, After an inspection and minus a few other things..
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
HD did this same campaign in the late 80s with Sportsters @ 3,995.00 for a stock 883
Nuff Said," Were Burnin Daylight, Lets Ride"(Sober 37 years)
Current ride : 2021 FREEWHEELER M8, oldest ride 1960 FL
That's what I did back in 1988. A year later traded it for a 1089 FXR. Sold the next 2 Harleys for more than I paid = the good old days.
The reason I traded mine was because it was too small (felt like a 175cc). My Yamaha 850 Special was the same size as the FXR. I wanted something big between my legs. Sportster didn't do it, but at least I was able to afford a "Harley". Have had Harleys ever since.
The days of a basic bike are over. All motorcycle sales are down not just Harley.
I asked the Indian salesman at the motorcycle show if Indian is coming out with a trike. He said no, no one is asking for one. Looks like bike mfg's don't give a $hit about young riders and older riders. What's wrong with 'em???
IBA#61162
PATRIOT GUARD
USMC
What Indian/Polaris....Might want to do is....To paraphrase a quote from field of dreams .; If you build them , You will then sell them...
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
Harley Davidson hit it out of the park when they made a factory trike. If you don't listen to the potential buyers, you won't be around long. Seems like 'They' think they know what the public wants.
Retired trike builder
America's first lady trike builder.
Indian tikes
I think Indian is still getting their feet on the ground. I would give them a few years. One thing I don't see Indian doing is having too many models.
Rant
As far as over all motorcycles sales being down amongst the youth i see a few politically incorrect reasons for this:
1 The feminization of men in this society. Participation trophies and too much kids staying in and not going out to play. We coddle kids too much and are quite frankly making a generation of wimps. Motorcycles are risky, and fun. Everytime we throw our leg over the bike, we understand there is risk in that. We are adult enough to accept that. Quite frankly, kids today are not "cool" enough. They don't have the balls.
2 As a result of the coddling, they don't go learn trades or major in things that actually make money. A barista or a history of dance major will never earn what a electrician or a business major will. The snowflakes live in Mom's basement and complain about how unfair life is. they simply cant afford rent, let alone a bike. Not that they would get a bike (see reason 1).
end rant
Well... I dont know. Why so many models? As long as they sell HD will build it.They have no qualms about dropping a model or a complete line (Dyna).Sales drive everything.HD tried the small cc less expensive models, even branding some Italian bikes with the Bar & Shield. They sold so well thats why their still in the floorplan.(cough)And lets not even talk about their forays into the lucrative motorhome,snowmobile,and golf carts(AdiosMoFo).Wouldnt be surprised to find a line of shopping carts somewhere along the way.These young cats today? Hell if I know what they want.Im still trying to figure out why a 25 yr old would dye his hair gray. I got my gray hairs naturally. Earned every dam one of them to.Electric motorcycle-pishaw! Id rather ground myself to a high voltage tower.
Big bucks
With HD Corporate Weenies spending big bucks on LOTS of advertising you know they are sweating 2019 quarterly returns. Gone (probably forever) are the days when the name itself and by itself was the only marketing required.
I am not marketing/financial guru enough to divide out the blame for that decline but some of it was earned by those very same Corporate Weening.
??? Is "Corporate Weenies" a single word or two?
JamesP
Spell check says its Two words........
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
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