Is Harley in trouble?
#101
07-20-2017, 11:34 AM
#102
07-20-2017, 11:35 AM
Stellar HDF Member
What brand, Indian? Who else makes a good looking cruiser? I am going go ride a Limited, having not been a fan of that valence on the front wheel. however I am not a fan of the dash on those bikes and just sitting on the seat in the dealership it felt uncomfortable
Last edited by ChrisHo; 07-20-2017 at 11:50 AM.
#103
07-20-2017, 11:45 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Whats funny is in my area, which is mid size cities of the piedmont NC, growing up there were two honda dealers in an 8 mile radius. There was a kawasaki dealer in that same area and a yamaha dealer about 3 miles from the kawasaki dealership. Every last one of these has closed down.
I bought my one and only other street bike from Honda of High Point back in 2000. They closed down about 2 years ago.
Now I think there is only two true brand specific metric cruiser dealerships within a 40 mile radius, not counting Indian/Polaris, which I think there is only one.
Personally I dont see a lot of non Harley bikes on the road, unless its the sports bike variety, and even then I dont see them like I did 20 years ago.
Out of about 20 ppl that ride where I work, there is one Indian, and two other yamahas or suzukis. The non sports bike types. There used to be a goldwing, which he sold and no longer even works here, and there was one bmw that was sold as well.
I bought my one and only other street bike from Honda of High Point back in 2000. They closed down about 2 years ago.
Now I think there is only two true brand specific metric cruiser dealerships within a 40 mile radius, not counting Indian/Polaris, which I think there is only one.
Personally I dont see a lot of non Harley bikes on the road, unless its the sports bike variety, and even then I dont see them like I did 20 years ago.
Out of about 20 ppl that ride where I work, there is one Indian, and two other yamahas or suzukis. The non sports bike types. There used to be a goldwing, which he sold and no longer even works here, and there was one bmw that was sold as well.
Last edited by teedoff65; 07-20-2017 at 11:58 AM.
#104
07-20-2017, 11:50 AM
News out today that Harley Davidson stock has plummeted 20% because of low sales and layoffs are coming. I really wonder if Harley has not cut their own throat with all of their "EPA void you warranty" scare tactics. I know other brands are also bound by EPA stuff but Harley seems to be the only one scaring potential buyers away by talking so much about it. A lot of people do not want to hear "it will void you warranty" every time you ask a dealer a question about installing slip ons, air cleaners and such. I asked a dealer about installing my 21 inch front wheel on my 2017 SGS and they actually wanted me to sign a form that stated I agree that my full warranty will be voided by installing a 21 inch front wheel, said its because HD does not offer a street glide with a 21, and yes they said FULL warranty voided, engine and all. Are you F'n kidding me! This kind of stuff is what I mean when I say wonder if they have cut their own throat. People are not going to listen to this over and over, they will jump ship and buy another brand, which seems to be what is happening. Looks like 2018 may not be a good year for the mother ship.
I see the market readjusting and leveling out a little bit. Indian is making a great bike and people are buying them but people are still going to buy HD's as well. My prediction is that HD will shrink a bit and Indian will continue to grow in small increments. Every bike manufacturer is feeling the crunch right now.
Is HD in trouble? Not by a long shot in my opinion.
#105
07-20-2017, 11:51 AM
Road Master
IMHO, Indians are ugly - like the girl who fell out of the "ugly tree," hitting every branch on the way down. Indian/Polaris went WAY over the top in the retro styling department and the finished product is just nasty. At least when the MoCo went to develop a retro looking machine, it actually looked good: Heritage Softails and Deluxes. And as ugly as Indians are, the metric bikes are even worse.
#106
07-20-2017, 11:58 AM
Worth looking at the 2018 Yamaha Star Venture TransContinental just to understand where the competition is going.
- $27K list. 5yr warranty.
- 113 air-cooled twin. 126 ft-lbs performance from the factory.
- Heated seats and grips
- remote controlled electric locking TP, Side bags and glove box
- Nav that can updated and be loaded with routes directly through your home computer since the bike connects to the house wifi.
- Includes CB and BT communication technology. Rider/Passenger can listen to separate audio sources and make separate phone calls through the bike.
- Electric raising/lowering windshield.
- Adjustable rider and passenger floorboard positions.
- Electric Parking assist with an electric motor for backing up and slow parking lot maneuvers.
- It will be debuted at Sturgis in a couple weeks.
- Looks like a cross between a Roadglide Ultra and a CVO Limited for about $15K less than the CVO Limited.
HD should be looking closely at the technology and warranty on this new competitor.
- $27K list. 5yr warranty.
- 113 air-cooled twin. 126 ft-lbs performance from the factory.
- Heated seats and grips
- remote controlled electric locking TP, Side bags and glove box
- Nav that can updated and be loaded with routes directly through your home computer since the bike connects to the house wifi.
- Includes CB and BT communication technology. Rider/Passenger can listen to separate audio sources and make separate phone calls through the bike.
- Electric raising/lowering windshield.
- Adjustable rider and passenger floorboard positions.
- Electric Parking assist with an electric motor for backing up and slow parking lot maneuvers.
- It will be debuted at Sturgis in a couple weeks.
- Looks like a cross between a Roadglide Ultra and a CVO Limited for about $15K less than the CVO Limited.
HD should be looking closely at the technology and warranty on this new competitor.
Last edited by Heatwave; 07-20-2017 at 01:44 PM.
#107
07-20-2017, 11:59 AM
Road Warrior
Pricing is an issue
Everything about Harley is priced to high for me. I used to enjoy by quality clothing from them but I no longer do. Quality is been downgraded and pricing has gone up. They also alienate the older rider in their zest to sell more bikes to the young guys. My local dealer now has two 20 year olds selling bikes as they got rid of the two older guys who were there. The new guys know nothing about the product and only rodde thier first Harley in the last six months. The new fancy dealership built a year ago has no seating outside of the building in an attempt to not have folks hang around. Get them in the door and out as fast as possible, that way they are not hanging around eating free popcorn and free coffee. Time will tell how well they do alienating the older rider who has more disposable income then the young crowd.
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betho61 (07-29-2017)
#108
07-20-2017, 12:00 PM
Road Warrior
IMHO, Indians are ugly - like the girl who fell out of the "ugly tree," hitting every branch on the way down. Indian/Polaris went WAY over the top in the retro styling department and the finished product is just nasty. At least when the MoCo went to develop a retro looking machine, it actually looked good: Heritage Softails and Deluxes. And as ugly as Indians are, the metric bikes are even worse.
#109
07-20-2017, 12:02 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Worth looking at the 2018 Yamaha Star Venture TransContinental just to understand where the competition is going.
- $27K list. 5yr warranty.
- 113 air-cooled twin. 126 ft-lbs performance from the factory.
- Heated seats and grips
- Nav that can updated and be loaded with routes directly through your home computer since the bike connects to the house wifi.
- Includes CB and BT communication technology. Rider/Passenger can listen to separate audio sources and make separate phone calls through the bike.
- Electric raising/lowering windshield.
- Adjustable rider and passenger floorboard positions.
- Electric Parking assist with an electric motor for backing up and slow parking lot maneuvers.
- It will be debuted at Sturgis in a couple weeks.
- Looks like a cross between a Roadglide Ultra and a CVO Limited for about $15K less than the CVO Limited.
HD should be looking closely at the technology and warranty on this new competitor.
- $27K list. 5yr warranty.
- 113 air-cooled twin. 126 ft-lbs performance from the factory.
- Heated seats and grips
- Nav that can updated and be loaded with routes directly through your home computer since the bike connects to the house wifi.
- Includes CB and BT communication technology. Rider/Passenger can listen to separate audio sources and make separate phone calls through the bike.
- Electric raising/lowering windshield.
- Adjustable rider and passenger floorboard positions.
- Electric Parking assist with an electric motor for backing up and slow parking lot maneuvers.
- It will be debuted at Sturgis in a couple weeks.
- Looks like a cross between a Roadglide Ultra and a CVO Limited for about $15K less than the CVO Limited.
HD should be looking closely at the technology and warranty on this new competitor.
I've seen rust on older harleys, but they were OLD....and probably not taken care of or stored properly.
#110
07-20-2017, 12:26 PM
Seasoned HDF Member