Harley inventory
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Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 12:08:54 PM
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backpeddler
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Joined: 6/12/2006
From: Centreville MD
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Been looking at buying an 08 Ultra. Last week I was at 3 dealers who were absolutely loaed with bikes. All three had the bike I wanted on the floor and several more in the back. I asked about the $1,000 rebate they were offering and was told Harley stopped it. Why I said look at all the frigging bikes on the floor. One dealer said she told them don't send me any more 08' and take back all you want. She still got more than she wanted. I said how are going to sell all these before the 09's come out? She said last year at the end of the model year(Late July) she had three 07 bikes left. This year she has no idea how or where she can put 09's with so many 08's left. Harley I heard just laid off like 700 folks.
So my question is will Harley have to put incentives out to help the dealers or will dealers have to eat bikes to make room for 09's. The other think that might hurt them is there have been so many changes over the last two model years will people wait till August to see what the 09's are offering before buying an 08? Thoughts?
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 12:14:22 PM
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wdg
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yes they will
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 12:23:18 PM
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austiny
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It is early in the year when do the 09's hit the floor?
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 12:25:10 PM
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wbogley
Posts: 1891
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I know what you are saying. We will have to wait and see how many bikes are left in July. HD has cut production by 15,000 this quarter to try to help the inventory mess. Sure they could do the 3.9% financing again. My dealer will sell the leftovers under MSRP just to clear them out. The only problem is some models and colors are very limited.
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 12:26:42 PM
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wbogley
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quote:
ORIGINAL: austiny
It is early in the year when do the 09's hit the floor?
The end of July, and yes they will deal on the 2008s in July.
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 1:31:49 PM
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Bluzmn59
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From: Augusta, GA
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Our local Harley shop is now loaded with bikes. I am not sure why, but in the last couple of weeks, they just over-loaded their sales floor. There are some nice rides, but I am not sure how they are going to sell them to get ready for the '09's.
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 1:54:23 PM
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thrillseeker
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I think HD forgot about the whole supply and demand thing at some point along the way.
Even with gas prices making a motorcycle more attractive, there is still a finite number of people that will ride a motorcycle... and there is only a percentage of that number that would buy a Harley.
And of all the Harley riders out there, only a small percentage of them are, or will be, looking to upgrade any time soon.
So, this makes for a pretty limited number of sales. If HD makes 250,000 bikes in '08 and only sells 200,000, they missed the mark pretty bad. (these are just example numbers). I think the company was much better off when they were only making 200,000 a year and had 250,000 potential customers (again, just fake numbers).
This doesn't even take in to account all the potential upgraders that have had to rethink their decision based on other economic factors in their life.
Sucks to have to lay off a bunch of employees, but it sounds like they are doing what they need to survive hard times. They can't keep flooding the market with bikes and expect to be stable for long... before you know it, some bowling alley company will be looking at them for a takeover :)
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 7:41:18 PM
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Jehu
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They were late in increasing production (by 25% IIRC) and late in pulling back. They run their business like a new driver - too hard on the gas then too hard on the brakes; very jerky if you asked me.
The MoCo's annual report, like all annual reports is glossed over but tells much. Trademark merchandise, royalties are still prfit centers. Not everybody has $30K for a SE whatever it is this year but everybody has $30 for panties and coffee mugs with a Bar & Shield on them!
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 7:44:43 PM
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goodbirds
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I bought my 07 in August last year. It was the last Ultra in stock. Got a real deal on it too. I got it for $1000 under MSRP, AND all the bling they had added for free. (Chrome front end, switch group, LED spoilers on the bags and tour trunk). My dealer doesn't have a ton of bikes on the showroom, but I don't know what he has in the storage area.
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 7:47:06 PM
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DLW_FLHTC
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I got $1500 under MSRP last year at the end of the season for my 07, that is what made me pull the trigger. The problem can become the choice is less.
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 7:53:51 PM
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psc
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stopped by the dealership this weekend...I found it kinda funny they were listing the estimated MPG on the sales stickers/tags. I saw three sold in 45 mins. Sales might be down...but folks are still buyin'. I hope everyone gets a great deal on left over 2008s!
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/19/2008 10:00:31 PM
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driesb
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The floors being loaded must be an american thing. Here in Holland the dealers can't get enough machines! All rockers were sold out before anybody had seen one live, same for Crossbones and Fatboys. Allmost all 105 anniversary machines were sold before they got in and now it is hard to find a 2008 machine according to your specs.
The MoCo is doing (very) well in Europe...
Brgds
Dries
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/20/2008 3:45:42 AM
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AZ Rider
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quote:
The MoCo's annual report, like all annual reports is glossed over but tells much. Trademark merchandise, royalties are still prfit centers. Not everybody has $30K for a SE whatever it is this year but everybody has $30 for panties and coffee mugs with a Bar & Shield on them!
They make a profit but merchandise still accounts for only 5-7% of revenue. Sale of bikes accounts for almost 40% of revenue. They made almost 1 billion dollars in revenue last year, most of which comes from bike sales.
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/20/2008 4:03:59 AM
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RockyTopRider
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From: East TN
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sinced i wrecked and won't b able to ride until 3rd week in july i am gonna sit back and observe. i have been told that when the 09 come out that if i buy an 08 i will b very happy with the price. problem is the dealer only has 1 nighttrain left. i have been checking in regularly. my salesman sold 3 over the weekend, so people are still buying.
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/20/2008 5:39:31 AM
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Flying Horse
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There will be some very sweet deals being offered on the 08's when the 09's are due out. They will have no other recourse and if the MoCo hangs all the problems around the dealers necks it will be a fight they won't soon forget. The MoCo will have to take most of the hit but you know they will try to throw it in the lap of the dealer in some way. Stay tuned.
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/20/2008 5:58:52 AM
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georgiabiker
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Stealer offered me 08 Dyna for MSRP out the door and offered to install free forward foot controls, about a $800 upgrade so he said. I am waiting till July just to see.
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RE: Harley inventory - 5/20/2008 6:09:31 AM
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Geoff
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Dealers like Chicago HD, who treated customers fairly and didn't price gouge in times of short supply and long waiting lists, seem to be doing well.
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Printable Version
MUCH better! 
Dealers that treated ya right back then are for the most part still doing OK. The ones that were A-holes back in the day, well what goes around comes around, and sometimes payback it a be itch.
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