Harley Davidson Question

This is what happens when MBAs run a company but have no clue as to the product. Im sure it looked great in some nitwits presentation.

 

I'm not sure that selling an entry-level bike in China, that's made in China, is such a dumb idea (and in the Chinese market, that 500 isn't even an entry-level bike). It extends the brand and builds volume, most likely very profitably.

Now, if they tried to import that bike into the US and sell it here, yes, that would be dumb and negative for the brand. Maybe they will do that, not sure, but so far that isn't what they have done.

 

Looks great. I love the color.

 

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I just picked up the 2023 CVO 120th anniversary. I had determined that with the direction the motor company was going, I would not get another Harley. Last few years I went the Indian route. I still had my 2015 Road Glide. But found myself always riding one of the Indians. When I happed in the dealer and saw this one, I traded in the 2015 Road Glide. I still have Indians, plus a ‘47 Indian Chief. I guess I go both ways!


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Kinda humorous comment from Moto Mag

What Went Wrong at Harley-Davidson?

I predicted H-D’s demise about 6 or 7 years ago, in my Woes Series. The news from Harley hasn’t been good for years. Like other brands, they did get a quick bump during the pandemic, but I knew that wouldn’t last. Their attempts at electrification have severely backfired, as the number of Livewires sold in a year can fit in one small motorcycle dealership.



H-D is a Visually Impaired Person, being Guided by a Blind Dog

What happened? I’ll make this as simple as possible. Harley-Davidson is a lifestyle company that also makes motorcycles. With the H-D lifestyle no longer relevant, their motorcycle division is crash landing hard. I say it again, there is no shame with gradually shutting down this once venerable brand with dignity and grace, but they won’t do that until the brand is fully denigrated. As long as the brand is alive, high executive salaries will roll.

 

I ran into a group of younger guys, early 30's or so who all had the new Harley adventure bike on a recent trip up to Park City. Real enthusiastic young Harley guys. Their bikes had the **** ridden out them and all had been equipped for their likes and needs for cross country riding. I spent an hour talking with them asking about their bikes but also talking about the rest the product line. Harley needs some younger blood in the board room. They loved the brand, they loved the history but they don't love Grandpas Harley. There are plenty of younger people who would happily wear the bar and shield logo but the motorcycles need to be made for them. They loved my idea of building a new line up around the new engine. Harley needs to quit living in 1970.

 

Right on. Frankly, I fear in a few years, the same may be said of Ferrari. Ignoring younger customers is not a good business plan.

 

Well, at least in their clothing line they are aiming at younger cuustomers ........ or maybe pimps!

 

The Harley PanAmerica is a great bike, full stop. I have two friends with them, and I have seen those bikes do some things that were just amazing. So they can still build a great product.

Incidentally, both of my friends with them are mid-50s, and own traditional Harleys as well.

 

None of that surprises me but what I found encouraging was it was a group of out of the ordinary Harley riders who were all very enthusiastic about the only modern product Harley has made in decades. Gives me some hope about the brand If the board can ever quit being stupid.

 

I have been working in Ferrari dealers since 1979. There are more young buyers now than in that entire time. Back then our typical client was 50+.

 

Good

 

Good times, we just got back from Death Valley with a bunch of friends. We stopped by Las Vegas Harley and looked at the 2024 CVO. Very nice, just not $55,000 nice.





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Harley’s not going anywhere. It can take a lifetime to appreciate “old school”. Some never do.

 

There is old school and then there is just plain backwards. They can keep a few classic models but for the motor company to survive they need to get out of the Victorian era. They have shown they can do it. They just need a board with the balls to make a decision.
If they do not they will go back to the marginalized, constantly on the bring of bankruptcy they were at during the AMF years. Then they had large police bike orders to keep the lights on. They can't count on that anymore.

 

You may be right. Not sure it would surprise if you were but…

You’re talking to a guy who has a 1966 911 as his daily driver. 40k miles in 5 years. My yacht had provenance. It was built in ‘77. Began driving Heritage Classics 20 years ago. Been over most of Norrth America on it. I’m 66 years old.

One customer can’t keep them afloat. And I understand I’m an outlier. I just have to believe they’ll always be manufacturers willing to cater to the Island Times of the world.

 

I'm older than you. I fell in love with Electra Glides when I was 12. Couldn't imagine anything better than seeing America on the back of one.
Porsche cant stay in business selling air cooled 911's. They figured that out. People who fell in love with Electra Glides 56 years ago are not buying a lot of new motorcycles. Harley desperately needs to figure that out. I love America, I love American products and American industry and Americans having good paying jobs making products the world wants and an ever smaller number of them want the museum pieces the Motor Company is building and thats a shame because it doesn't need to be that way.

 

Well said with good points. Change is essential to relevancy.

 

All you have to do is look at Triumph, though. They make Bonnevilles and Thruxtons for you, and they make modern bikes for the rest of us. And they seem to do very well with both.

 

Perfect example.