Mediocrity to attract Millennials?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Joliet, Illinois
Mediocrity to attract Millennials?
Sorry, another 2018 New HD Models thread ...
But I test road a 2018 Breakout today (117 motor) and was so *extremely* underwhelmed, I had to come here to talk about it.
OK ... as a "Motorcylcle", it was a pretty nice bike, Rode nice, handled nice, good power, shifted nice. As motorcycles go, it might be about as nice as a whole lot of other bikes I could buy for half the price or less.
As a Harley ... it total isn't a Harley. Looks a lot like a Harley, but there was nothing Harley about it. Doesn't sound right, doesn't feel right, just, isn't there.
I *love* motorcycles! I've owned a lot of them. There are a lot of different types and brands that do different things. The reason I own a Harley is because it is perfect at being a Harley.
I get they want to attract millennials. I am wondering who decided millennials would be attracted to a bike that looks a lot like a Harley, with an different headlight and some different wheels, to make it all look a bit more Back to the Future, but sounds and feels like a Honda.
I hang out with a lot of millennials. I work with them, I play in bands with them. I have a pretty good feel for what they like and don't like, and I am sure when it comes to bikes, a Harley imitating a Honda, somewhat poorly, is not the thing that will get them to shell out $20 grand for a bike.
Dunno ... hope I'm wrong and Harley does well, but I don't see this working out for them.
But I test road a 2018 Breakout today (117 motor) and was so *extremely* underwhelmed, I had to come here to talk about it.
OK ... as a "Motorcylcle", it was a pretty nice bike, Rode nice, handled nice, good power, shifted nice. As motorcycles go, it might be about as nice as a whole lot of other bikes I could buy for half the price or less.
As a Harley ... it total isn't a Harley. Looks a lot like a Harley, but there was nothing Harley about it. Doesn't sound right, doesn't feel right, just, isn't there.
I *love* motorcycles! I've owned a lot of them. There are a lot of different types and brands that do different things. The reason I own a Harley is because it is perfect at being a Harley.
I get they want to attract millennials. I am wondering who decided millennials would be attracted to a bike that looks a lot like a Harley, with an different headlight and some different wheels, to make it all look a bit more Back to the Future, but sounds and feels like a Honda.
I hang out with a lot of millennials. I work with them, I play in bands with them. I have a pretty good feel for what they like and don't like, and I am sure when it comes to bikes, a Harley imitating a Honda, somewhat poorly, is not the thing that will get them to shell out $20 grand for a bike.
Dunno ... hope I'm wrong and Harley does well, but I don't see this working out for them.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: coast to coast
As some one who bought one and spent time with it, I'll suggest you might change your mind if you spent more time on one. Maybe not, but my first impression was not great either. It took a few different rides to get it. They change quite a bit with break-in as well.
I have seen it attracting some riders who haven't considered Harley before, particularly the Fat Bob, but most of them aren't Millennials. In fact most of the guys I know buying the new softails and happy with them are coming from shovels and evos. My evo will never go anywhere, but I'm very happy to have this M8 parked next to it and I'm sure not a Millennial. I'd say my cammed '92 is my version of Harley heaven, next closest is this '18 Heritage (not at idle of course....nothing going on at idle), I'd rate my twin cam Dyna 3rd...not a bad 3rd - my Dyna is dear to my heart, just not as close to my evo in feeling (except at idle.)
There's some trade offs and things I'll miss from previous years, but I personally do not feel the new bikes are mediocre in the least. It's still very much a Harley. In some ways much more than we've had over the past 17 years, at least once you're riding down the road.
I'm not trying to argue your feelings, this stuff is deeply personal. You signed off saying "hope I'm wrong". Guess I'm just trying to give you more hope.
In the meantime thank god we've got all the shovels, and evos, and twin cams we could ever want to satisfy our fix for older iron and newer old iron. They get cheaper every day too. Used Twin cams will probably introduce more Millennials to Harley since they were expensive once too. They are also finally earning their first genuine "old school" stripe as they become the latest out going generation. They'll only get "cooler" from here. Maybe the M8 did the twin cam a favor.
I have seen it attracting some riders who haven't considered Harley before, particularly the Fat Bob, but most of them aren't Millennials. In fact most of the guys I know buying the new softails and happy with them are coming from shovels and evos. My evo will never go anywhere, but I'm very happy to have this M8 parked next to it and I'm sure not a Millennial. I'd say my cammed '92 is my version of Harley heaven, next closest is this '18 Heritage (not at idle of course....nothing going on at idle), I'd rate my twin cam Dyna 3rd...not a bad 3rd - my Dyna is dear to my heart, just not as close to my evo in feeling (except at idle.)
There's some trade offs and things I'll miss from previous years, but I personally do not feel the new bikes are mediocre in the least. It's still very much a Harley. In some ways much more than we've had over the past 17 years, at least once you're riding down the road.
I'm not trying to argue your feelings, this stuff is deeply personal. You signed off saying "hope I'm wrong". Guess I'm just trying to give you more hope.
In the meantime thank god we've got all the shovels, and evos, and twin cams we could ever want to satisfy our fix for older iron and newer old iron. They get cheaper every day too. Used Twin cams will probably introduce more Millennials to Harley since they were expensive once too. They are also finally earning their first genuine "old school" stripe as they become the latest out going generation. They'll only get "cooler" from here. Maybe the M8 did the twin cam a favor.
Last edited by Thingfish; Oct 21, 2017 at 03:45 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,726
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From: Pennsyleffinvania
OP, give us a heads up when you buy one and tell us it is the greatest example of mechanical genius ever invented.
Your evaluation lacks any specifics and reflects a predisposed prejudice based upon verbiage that has been bounced around for 2 months. Any accuracy that makes itself evident down the road will be purely accidental on your part.
I'm extremely underwhelmed with your insight.
Your evaluation lacks any specifics and reflects a predisposed prejudice based upon verbiage that has been bounced around for 2 months. Any accuracy that makes itself evident down the road will be purely accidental on your part.
I'm extremely underwhelmed with your insight.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
OP, I think you did a good job of expressing your opinion. Of course its going to offend everybody who bought an 18. So that is why I dont post my opinions of the bikes since 2014.
Probably a tendency for people who dont like the newer bikes to withhold their opinions, because they are being polite.
Probably a tendency for people who dont like the newer bikes to withhold their opinions, because they are being polite.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
Regarding the alleged Grand Scheme of the MoCo to attract Millennials talked up so often recently, if it is indeed true, it wouldn't be the first bad idea they have come up with. Having said that, however, it would be much further off target than the "Boat Tail" or other points of controversy the MoCo has generated. Despite the smattering of successful Millennials that exist, most that I know are having difficulty with rent and cell phone bills, let alone buying these overpriced toys. Part Two of this blunder is that for those Millennials for whom money is no object, I would suppose that by far, the greatest percentage of them would be disinclined to buy a Harley even if they love motorcycles. Though this is just my supposition, I would hate to bet my corporation on little more than an ill informed premise...
Been riding bikes most of my 54 years and have owned Harleys for the past 20 years. I have owned Evos, TCs and for past 9 months a M8 RGU and still own an 08 TC Wideglide. I have also spent some time although limited on Pans and Shovels as my son builds custom bikes and most of his work is centered on vintage HDs. With that said I will honestly say the 2017 RGU with the M8 is my favorite that I have owned.
Is the sound and vibration similar to older HDs I have owned? Nope Does that bother me? Nope. It is its own bike, I don't think the engineers set out to build the M8 bikes to replicate bikes of yesterday.
On a side note the 2017 Ram 1500 I own today in no way reminds me of the 1980 Dodge pickup I owned in college. I can't say if the M8 bikes will attract millennials nor do I really care, my only concern is for me and HD hit the nail on the head as I am very happy
Is the sound and vibration similar to older HDs I have owned? Nope Does that bother me? Nope. It is its own bike, I don't think the engineers set out to build the M8 bikes to replicate bikes of yesterday.
On a side note the 2017 Ram 1500 I own today in no way reminds me of the 1980 Dodge pickup I owned in college. I can't say if the M8 bikes will attract millennials nor do I really care, my only concern is for me and HD hit the nail on the head as I am very happy
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Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: South Florida
Have not read any of the posts but I really like the title. I mean, not that I like it but it seems to be very appropriate. Spot on.
Sad but reality based. Sometimes I think mediocrity is too high of a credit to give those ********.
BuzzCap7
Sad but reality based. Sometimes I think mediocrity is too high of a credit to give those ********.
BuzzCap7
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Joe Kucinski
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From: Post Falls, ID
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I hang out with a lot of millennials. I work with them, I play in bands with them. I have a pretty good feel for what they like and don't like, and I am sure when it comes to bikes, a Harley imitating a Honda, somewhat poorly, is not the thing that will get them to shell out $20 grand for a bike.
I hang out with a lot of millennials. I work with them, I play in bands with them. I have a pretty good feel for what they like and don't like, and I am sure when it comes to bikes, a Harley imitating a Honda, somewhat poorly, is not the thing that will get them to shell out $20 grand for a bike.
Generally speaking, where do millennials lean politically?
Generally speaking, what demographic owns and buys a Harley Davidson?
Who invited Harley Davidson to the White House?
Generally speaking, is HD symbolic of what millennials do not want to be associated with?
Generally speaking, would millennial ownership of a HD imply being a "sellout" and no longer "down for the struggle?"
I hope none of this is true but I am sure someone at HD marketing/advertising has thought about it.
