That, of course, is a rhetorical question. And the answer to that question, contrary to H-D's premise, is an emphatic yes. Within H-D some marketing bozo probably said something like this ... "Those guys are easy marks, we took 'em to the cleaners".

 

I like that add. It plays fun on the brand. Also shows how solid they are, or should be.

 

Went to a store in Fremont CA to have some brake lines made for an OP 78 FXE that I am bringing back to life after 30+ years of sitting in a barn. Parts kid is like maybe 19-20. We get to talking bikes and such and he shows me a pic of an 08 Sporty he got dirt cheap with just over 700 miles on it.

Kid is a gearhead as are his friends. Rides with a group of about 20. all are into the Dyna, FXR, Sporty lifestyle (and no they do not have anything in common with the whole Sons of Malarky lifestyle).

He showed me some pics of his friends and their bikes...all modified and customed out, not a bar hopper among them.

I don't think the kid and his friends give a rat's azz about MoCo trying to make bikes cool for younger generations. He and his friends like the brand and what they can do (modify) to make them do what hey want them to. He has his set up to do wheelies. Showed me a video where he was on his rear wheel only for at least a 1/4 mile.

Not sure how much MoCo can do in the marketing of the brand to make the bike appeal to younger generations. Think it is just a part of the evolutionary DNA process. Exits in some but not in others. Probably always been that way

 

As long as there are kids competing in BMX and dirt bike racing, there will be motorcycle buyers of the future. Keep advertising with the UFC, X games, surfing and skate boarding, bull riding, ect. These are the risk takers, thrill seekers that will buy motorcycles.

Forget marketing to kids that can't even figure out what gender they are, have helicopter parents telling them what to do or won't go outside ever. They will never be customers.