Dreadful quarter - read and explain why
I think I would agree on the paint colors. Colors definitely sell bikes, the past few years they have not been interesting for the main part.
Also stupid recalls are costing them dearly. 14 and 15 Heritages were losing their tank badges because they used cheap glue. Replacing thousands of tank badges is a waste of money.
Also stupid recalls are costing them dearly. 14 and 15 Heritages were losing their tank badges because they used cheap glue. Replacing thousands of tank badges is a waste of money.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 54
From: GA
The recalls sure can't help them, that's for sure and it seemed like there was always a new recall there for a while. I don't know that this news is as detrimental as they reports make it seem to Harley but it definitely should be a wake up call to the MoCo. I left HD in 2012 and came back a few months ago b/c I still love the brand. I do think they could brand a few less things though.
I wonder how this will affect the LiveWire project? Maybe it says in the article but I haven't had time to read all of it yet.
I wonder how this will affect the LiveWire project? Maybe it says in the article but I haven't had time to read all of it yet.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 575
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
In case nobody has noticed, the economy is down the toilet. The labor force participation rate has been tanking, incomes are tanking.
For a few, out of luck, hard work, and determination, things are going great, but it's not morning in America anymore. It's more and more slices out of a shrinking pie.
So if less people are working for less money, who is there to buy high priced, discretionary products?
And if you think things are bad now, wait until we get a harder core socialist in there with 90% proposed tax rates. Even this sort of talk turns "yes" business decisions to "hell no". Why would somebody on a small scale put up their hard earned money, and their blood sweat and tears, to have 90% taken away and redistributed? Potential small business men and women are just hunkering down, trying not to have their ***** chopped off.
For a few, out of luck, hard work, and determination, things are going great, but it's not morning in America anymore. It's more and more slices out of a shrinking pie.
So if less people are working for less money, who is there to buy high priced, discretionary products?
And if you think things are bad now, wait until we get a harder core socialist in there with 90% proposed tax rates. Even this sort of talk turns "yes" business decisions to "hell no". Why would somebody on a small scale put up their hard earned money, and their blood sweat and tears, to have 90% taken away and redistributed? Potential small business men and women are just hunkering down, trying not to have their ***** chopped off.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 21
From: Delaware
Around here motorcycles in general are not as common as they were during the American Chopper and Sons of Anarchy days. Yes I know the disdain for those shows but I'm just saying.
Also the fact that it's too cold for the average person to ride during half of the year, but a Harley costs as much as a nice new car, means younger people just won't be doing that.
Also the fact that it's too cold for the average person to ride during half of the year, but a Harley costs as much as a nice new car, means younger people just won't be doing that.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Salem, Ohio
Instead of spending all that money on marketing, cutting production, and laying people off, wouldn't it be easier to just start LISTENING to their customers. There are 10 to 12 Harley dealers within 75 miles of my house and I would trade them all for one good dealer. $25,000 for a bike, $350 for an oil change, & $30 for a tee shirt pretty much says it all. I bought a new Rushmore this year and while there are some things I really like about it there are almost as many things I don't like about it. The truth is Harley like many companies today is more about making profit than good product and providing good service. I almost bought an Indian and if I buy another bike it will probably be an Indian. Why, because the dealer actually acted like he wanted my business and was willing to work for it. At the end of the negotiation the Indian dealer was going to give me another $1000 off for being in the military. Harley gave me a tour book and a free year of HOG membership. Since I have a gps and don't care for clubs it was like getting nothing for me. Oh yea, one last thing when I got the bike home I had to start fixing it.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 80
From: Lucketts
Amazed at all the negative comments on the most popular street motorcycle in the country and world. If it wasn't for the Harley Davidson financial backing in the 1970's fight against the Federal Government wanting to ban the sales of Motorcycles for street use none of us would be riding motorcycles. And of course when you have the majority market share you are the number one target.
And I guess I am in the ZOMBIE land since most experts on this say all the other brands are SUPERIOR!!!!! Wow that's a pretty strong statement when the Indian brand is Polaris and I have owned POLARIS OFF ROAD VEHICLES WHICH I WOULD NEVER BUY ANTOHER ONE AGAIN. AND I OWN HONDA OFF ROAD VEHICLES AND HAVE ISSUES WITH THEM as well.
And I've owned the Yamahas and Kawasakis and BMW and have had issues as well. In today's world I think all manufactures will have issues and up and down sales. The Indian new line is nice but it has not been around long and know a lot of Harley owners are jumping since you see Harley's being traded in.
I think it will be interesting 2-3 years out you will hear the Indian stories as well of issues.
i own the 2014 and 2015 CVO Ultra and Street and couldn't be happier!!!!!!!
And I test drove the high end Hondas and BMW's and none gave me the Smile like the Harley!!!
And I guess I am in the ZOMBIE land since most experts on this say all the other brands are SUPERIOR!!!!! Wow that's a pretty strong statement when the Indian brand is Polaris and I have owned POLARIS OFF ROAD VEHICLES WHICH I WOULD NEVER BUY ANTOHER ONE AGAIN. AND I OWN HONDA OFF ROAD VEHICLES AND HAVE ISSUES WITH THEM as well.
And I've owned the Yamahas and Kawasakis and BMW and have had issues as well. In today's world I think all manufactures will have issues and up and down sales. The Indian new line is nice but it has not been around long and know a lot of Harley owners are jumping since you see Harley's being traded in.
I think it will be interesting 2-3 years out you will hear the Indian stories as well of issues.
i own the 2014 and 2015 CVO Ultra and Street and couldn't be happier!!!!!!!
And I test drove the high end Hondas and BMW's and none gave me the Smile like the Harley!!!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Amazed at all the negative comments on the most popular street motorcycle in the country and world. If it wasn't for the Harley Davidson financial backing in the 1970's fight against the Federal Government wanting to ban the sales of Motorcycles for street use none of us would be riding motorcycles. And of course when you have the majority market share you are the number one target. ....
And I've owned the Yamahas and Kawasakis and BMW and have had issues as well. In today's world I think all manufactures will have issues and up and down sales. The Indian new line is nice but it has not been around long and know a lot of Harley owners are jumping since you see Harley's being traded in.
I think it will be interesting 2-3 years out you will hear the Indian stories as well of issues.
i own the 2014 and 2015 CVO Ultra and Street and couldn't be happier!!!!!!!
And I test drove the high end Hondas and BMW's and none gave me the Smile like the Harley!!!
And I've owned the Yamahas and Kawasakis and BMW and have had issues as well. In today's world I think all manufactures will have issues and up and down sales. The Indian new line is nice but it has not been around long and know a lot of Harley owners are jumping since you see Harley's being traded in.
I think it will be interesting 2-3 years out you will hear the Indian stories as well of issues.
i own the 2014 and 2015 CVO Ultra and Street and couldn't be happier!!!!!!!
And I test drove the high end Hondas and BMW's and none gave me the Smile like the Harley!!!
Lot of negativity here! My Fatboy is one of the things in my life that truly releases stress and makes me smile. Yes, HD has its challenges. The crappy Obama/Democrat economy is not helping, and no doubt there are things the HD needs to do. "Adapt or Die" is the true mantra of creative capitalism.
In the past, HD has adapted and thrived. Pretty sure that they will do so now, again.