I am sure many remember, but for those young guys and gals of the open road, there was a time, not too long ago, when there was a waiting list to buy a new HD motorcycle. I remember it well. I ordered my first HD motorcycle, a 883 Sportster in 1995, and it was finally ready over two years later. I had an older metric bike to have fun with during that time, but their was a great anticipation of finally getting my first HD cycle. It actually worked out well because I was able to save a portion of each paycheck for 2+ years in order to pay that puppy off when I took it home.

Others probably know the history of the Motor Company better; back in those days there was long waiting lists to buy a new HD cycle, and in some cases it took years for dealers to fill the orders. "Built to order" manufacturing is nothing new; it is a method companies use to keep demand and prices high. The downside is some people won't wait and will buy what the competition has available. At some point, HD must have figured they were losing sales, and built another facility just to manufacture Sportsters and Dynas (I think), and for years now HD dealer showrooms have bikes for sale, albeit some go faster than others and others can be hard to find.

I loved that Sportster, red peanut gas tank, nimble, and all around fun.

For those who remember the days of having to place an order for a new HD, what model was it and how long did it take to be made?

 

I waited 35 years to get this one...but it wasn't planned. It was going into a dealership and having a salesman to start one up. They delivered it 3 weeks later.

 

I can remember when Harley dealerships could not get rid of last years modles before the new ones arrived. Everyone wanted a Honda Four in the 70s. If it handn't been for AMF, the Harley factory would of shut down for good.

 

In 1990 I sold my 1979 Sportster and wanted a new 1991 1200 with a 5 speed. In the Fall we went to NYC HD to see what the deal was with buying a new bike. This was supposed to be a good experience. Salesman asked me if I had a color preference, which I did, then walked me into his office. Keep in mind this is September. Tells me with no negotiations or explanation what the price is, he needs a $500 deposit right now and the bike is supposed to be April of the following year. April is a maybe no promises. Do you want it???

We walked out, guy was a d**k for no reason.

Go to the Javits Center for the bike show in January, local used bike shop has the bike I wanted right there for sale, color and everything. It has 6 miles on the odometer. Their story is some guy bought, took it home, wife said no way and he sold it to them. We bought it for $1000 less than HD and they delivered it to my house that week, still January.

We called HD in Milwaukee and the bike had been sold the month before, so for $20 they transferred the remaining warranty to us and gave us a HOG membership. We were treated like we bought the bike new from them. All warranty work was performed at NYC HD. Service guy never knew the story or that we walked out on the salesman.

Funny thing, I bought bike technically used with 6 miles on it, the two bikes I have bought since, NEW, both had more than 10 miles on the clock. Go figure.

Yes times have changed, no more waiting and now they are generally nice to people.

 

If it hadn't been for AMF, the Harley factory would of shut down for good ... True enough but ... Oh boy, here come the AMF haters ... This could get ugly!

 

No reason to get ugly, it is a fact. Anyone who hates AMF must have come to the game late...

 

Bought my first HD, a Sporster in '99. Had to wait 6 months for one to come in. Didn't specify which color I wanted. It was a matter of let's see what is shipped to the dealership and make your decision then. I was so happy to get a Harley that I really didn't care too much about the color. Got lucky, it was black. Bought a '01 Wide Glide after that, specified the color and had to wait 3-4 months for that one to come in.

 

I agree Dan but this is an Internet Forum :>(

 

I saved up for 5 years for buying a new HD Cycle.

 

I got my `89 just before the boom years, the dealership was a hole in the wall shop, down the street from the bus station (the dealers didn`t locate in prime spots back then).

There was not enough space for more than a few bikes in the showroom, the dealer said he thought he had an FLSTC in the barn, we walked out to the old barn behind the shop, found the crate, he cut a hole in the cardboard so we could see what was inside...

My future `89 FLSTC.

It is still in my garage today.