They don’t GET IT! They keep cutting corners, raising prices, losing their customer base, and now they are talking about opening hundreds of dealerships in other countries. Give me a break!

Here’s my meltdown: I went into a Harley dealer yesterday for the first time in over a year. There on the showroom floor was a row of new Ultra Classics (I prefer Electra Glide) standing tall, all with ONE antenna on the right side of the luggage carrier. The other hole where a antenna use to be for the CB had a plastic cap in it. They looked like a lopsided stepchild that didn’t get a date for the prom. What is wrong with these people? Do they ever listen to the people buying their products? How much do you think a CB costs? Buy them in lots and you can buy them for (I’m guessing $40 each) with a range of maybe a half of a mile. Harley’s CB has never been a quality CB but it got the job done when riding in a group.

There are MANY little things Harley could do to improve their rides, and for little or minimal cost improving their products tenfold. If they really had to eliminate the CB on the touring models why didn’t they at least put the antenna in the fairing or someplace else where it didn’t look like somebody ripped off your antenna.

I started a post some time ago with a ton of good suggestions and ideas coming from many of you. Here’s the link if you’re interested:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...stion-box.html

I’ll conclude with Harley’s new engine, the Milwaukee-8. I can’t figure this out … god knows how much money they spent on development and getting this new engine to market, AND then decided to remove a cheap CB that actually was beneficial. Somebody is asleep at the wheel! I wonder if any of these “bean” counters or board members actually ride? Okay, that’s enough but I’m still pissed! End of rant…

P.S. I’d like 5 minutes with the egghead that signed the purchase agreement for the GPS system on the new touring bikes. Why in the world wouldn’t you go with Garmin or Tom-Tom with free upgrades? Explain that one Harley.

 

Future posts on this thread if it takes off:

12 posts on how Harley is all messed up and ham fisted bean counter hacks!
87 posts on what? fine. It's all fine.
8 posts that CB is old tech and no one needs it.
3 posts that CB is great in groups and our chapter uses it every day.
7 posts that the new radio is crap and shoulda bluetooth and GPS and and and
17 posts that my radio is great I love how it finds Starbucks
2 Posts if you don't like it buy a Honda
1 post that I bought a J&M antenna and it didn't do what I said it would do.
1 post on how black bikes are faster

 

Welcome to the new world, Almost, if not All manufacturing does the same thing, Chip bags, coffee, auto's, , the way everything has gone

 

I don't doubt you for a minute, don't make it right though!!!

 

Well all I can add is we have four dealers close by that I really enjoy visiting. As for our 2016 Limited it is the best of the four Harley's I have owned. I think they have made a world of improvements in a short time. I will find out how good the M8's are when we go to Daytona next month. I don't care for a lot of colors and as for the CB it is pretty much worthless beyond a mile. I hardly ever use mine. I do agree that the GPS leaves a lot to be desired. But I like the whole system much better than the pre 14 models. I can see the GPS, Bluetooth is awesome and I can use the GPS on my phone and hear the prompts via Bluetooth.

You have to admit that Harley has made more improvements in the last 8 years than maybe the previous 20.

 

 

I don't think the lack of a CB is a reason to hate Harley. My 2016 Ultra Classic didn't come with CB. The CB is the main reason I didn't want to get a Limited. I have no use for a CB on a motorcycle. I went through two Goldwings, both came with CB, and I hardly ever used them. My 07 Venture came with a CB. I never keyed it up once, and eventually removed it from the bike. Still got it, if anybody wants it.

I understand the CB can be bought as an accessory. Probably pretty high priced But anything made in small quantities, and built to be reliable in a motorcycle environment, is going to be expensive.

I think Harley did the correct thing. Most ppl don't want a CB and don't want to pay the hundreds of $ they cost.

 

My take...Harley has no real competition to challenge them, they can pretty much do what they want and all people will do is come to a forum, bitch a little and wait for the next Harley to come out. Now with Victory closing there's even less to choose from. Indian...they might be the next to go, BMW...if that's your style and you don't mind paying through the nose for service and repairs, Metric...nah, not for most of us. So we continue to bitch and buy and until someone comes along to challenge the King it'll be more of the same!

 

Their are other brands of bikes out their that may fill you needs. The Gold Wing has a CB.
As long as Harley's keep selling, they will keep doing what their doing. Not everyone loves Harley Davidson's, other bikes have loyal followings also. But they don't have the dealer Network that Harley has.

 

My 2015 cvo street glide didn't have the cb it had the switch on the handlebars for it! If you hit the switch it comes up on the info screen and tells you to see your dealer. Still haven't figured out why they put the switch on and not the radio? But the truth is I don't really miss it and my cellphone works in its place for the most part. Yes there are spots it doesn't work but they are not, again for the most part places I need to be talking to others. So if it was that big of a deal at least harley gives me the option right?