A Message From Matt Levatich
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,291
Likes: 7,773
From: West Central FL
Well that's weird because the service dept. at my local stealership is jam packed with bikes needing repair and a waiting list for more that haven't been brought in yet. I bet that totals almost as many if not more than bikes that they have on the floor for sale. I also wonder what effect their diligent efforts to void warranties has had on their reliability percentage. Don't let my critisisims lead you to think that I don't like Harley's. I love Harley-Davidson's I just don't like Harley-Davidson.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
Well that's weird because the service dept. at my local stealership is jam packed with bikes needing repair and a waiting list for more that haven't been brought in yet. I bet that totals almost as many if not more than bikes that they have on the floor for sale. I also wonder what effect their diligent efforts to void warranties has had on their reliability percentage. Don't let my critisisims lead you to think that I don't like Harley's. I love Harley-Davidson's I just don't like Harley-Davidson.
Mine's been in the service department four times this year... two for maintenance, two for the cam upgrade.
IMO this whole issue is riddled with hypocrisy. Harley is not doing anything other corporations are not doing but this is being made into a political issue when it is beneficial.
Trump branded apparel is made offshore? Why? Because its cheaper. Chris ***, the founder of Bikers for Trump said he sells pro-Trump T-shirts made in Haiti because American-made products are too expensive. -- If I get a T-shirt made in the USA, its going to cost about $8 more, I looked far and wide to try to get a shirt made in America, its just they get you, they gouge you.
Not making this into a political debate. But the fact is, the people that are crying the loudest about it have their hands in the cookie jar as well..People demanding American-made need to start with themselves, not proclaim do as I say not as I do. Lead by example.
Trump branded apparel is made offshore? Why? Because its cheaper. Chris ***, the founder of Bikers for Trump said he sells pro-Trump T-shirts made in Haiti because American-made products are too expensive. -- If I get a T-shirt made in the USA, its going to cost about $8 more, I looked far and wide to try to get a shirt made in America, its just they get you, they gouge you.
Not making this into a political debate. But the fact is, the people that are crying the loudest about it have their hands in the cookie jar as well..People demanding American-made need to start with themselves, not proclaim do as I say not as I do. Lead by example.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
Thoughtful post I think you're spot on Gas Smasher, some one should forward this to Harley's board of directors. They're introducing an all new platform, after THOROUGH testing the design they should make the decision to build it using the highest quality manufacturing and parts. Go back to the direction the company took when they developed the Evo and left AMC.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 297
Likes: 161
From: California
Thoughtful post I think you're spot on Gas Smasher, some one should forward this to Harley's board of directors. They're introducing an all new platform, after THOROUGH testing the design they should make the decision to build it using the highest quality manufacturing and parts. Go back to the direction the company took when they developed the Evo and left AMC.
However, AMF designed the EVO motor and it was sitting on the shelves when the HD family bought HD back from AMF. And it is considered the motor that saved Harley Davidson along with some help form the US government in the 1980s. So as HD enthusiasts, we do have to give AMF credit for that and credit in the later years of ownership for beginning to straighten the production line problems out that began in the early 60 and lasted through most of the 70s. By the late 70s the bikes were starting to show signs of better dependability after years of poor quality control.
It take years to change a corporations culture once it goes as far sideways as HD did back in the day. So Willie and the boys were able to keep that push going forward when the took the company back over...
Last edited by Pablo94; Aug 16, 2018 at 05:00 PM.
Well that's weird because the service dept. at my local stealership is jam packed with bikes needing repair and a waiting list for more that haven't been brought in yet. I bet that totals almost as many if not more than bikes that they have on the floor for sale. I also wonder what effect their diligent efforts to void warranties has had on their reliability percentage. Don't let my critisisims lead you to think that I don't like Harley's. I love Harley-Davidson's I just don't like Harley-Davidson.
I have a good friend who ones a very large powersports dealership here, Yamaha, Honda, KTM, Kawi, Polaris, Indian and Triumph all under one roof, any time you walk in the service area is jam packed as well as the holding area outside of it. If you want service you are going on a waiting list. Every time I have every gone to an auto dealership the service are is jam packed with vehicles waiting for service.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 713
Likes: 203
From: The Nature Coast, FL
One other issue: If you are not buying new bikes, new parts, and lots of merchandise, then you are not the "riders" the CEO is talking about. Those of us with the older bikes, especially those the dealers can't/won't service anymore, are not the primary market focus. The market Harley is going for doesn't care about American isolationist ideas and Harley shouldn't either.
The other issue the MOCO is dealing with is a market flooded with used bikes. You can find killer deals on used if you take the time to look
Last edited by DonnieM; Aug 17, 2018 at 05:42 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 749
Likes: 287
From: Detroit area
Is that any different than any other bike or auto dealership? Of all those lined up in the service bays at your local "stealership" how many are those are there for routine maintenance, parts/accessory add ons, repairs due to rider neglect/error vs those there due to manufacturing issues?
I have a good friend who ones a very large powersports dealership here, Yamaha, Honda, KTM, Kawi, Polaris, Indian and Triumph all under one roof, any time you walk in the service area is jam packed as well as the holding area outside of it. If you want service you are going on a waiting list. Every time I have every gone to an auto dealership the service are is jam packed with vehicles waiting for service.
I have a good friend who ones a very large powersports dealership here, Yamaha, Honda, KTM, Kawi, Polaris, Indian and Triumph all under one roof, any time you walk in the service area is jam packed as well as the holding area outside of it. If you want service you are going on a waiting list. Every time I have every gone to an auto dealership the service are is jam packed with vehicles waiting for service.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 7,702
Likes: 17,167
From: MA
So, no one here is giving up their bike-because, if they do, and still want to ride-they will be riding bikes made under the same conditions they are currently protesting. So, they gain nothing.
Business decisions are business decisions. Lets not pretend that, for almost anyone here, that this personally affects them in some way.
Another thing to keep in mind; when HD uses parts made overseas, they still have to meet all the specs they would meet here in the states, right? Thats kinda how it would work. So, a plant in Taiwan, for instance, making bikes to be sold in the European market, is an HD plant, using all the same specs and materials as they do here in the US, correct? And, those employees are HD employees, correct?
So, please. Lets not make a mountain out of a molehill here. HD, end of the day, is a business. And, as such, they will do what they can to make money. Like any other business does. The decision whether or not for you, personally, to ditch the brand, is yours. But lets not get all high and mighty about. Its just not worth it.
Just ride, for chrissakes.
Business decisions are business decisions. Lets not pretend that, for almost anyone here, that this personally affects them in some way.
Another thing to keep in mind; when HD uses parts made overseas, they still have to meet all the specs they would meet here in the states, right? Thats kinda how it would work. So, a plant in Taiwan, for instance, making bikes to be sold in the European market, is an HD plant, using all the same specs and materials as they do here in the US, correct? And, those employees are HD employees, correct?
So, please. Lets not make a mountain out of a molehill here. HD, end of the day, is a business. And, as such, they will do what they can to make money. Like any other business does. The decision whether or not for you, personally, to ditch the brand, is yours. But lets not get all high and mighty about. Its just not worth it.
Just ride, for chrissakes.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 220
Likes: 104
From: Kansas City
I want to make clear something about this topic. A big corporation CEO like this is basically someone that acts like a Politician. They are good speakers and they speak to the media about the company and their strategy, decisions and in most cases like this lies.
Harley Davidson and this CEO came out and informed the media 2 years ago about the KC plant closing, the extra work being taken over with the PA plant and the Thailand plant being built for the expanding Asian market. None of us had or still have a problem with motorcycles for the Asian market being built over there. It is the fact that this CEO lies his azz off none stop, changes what he says and has thrown the guy that was clearly trying to help Harley Davidson under the bus non-stop by reporting to the media basically saying that the facts (lies) are that his actions and Harley Davidsons actions in the Asian market are 100% caused by the Tariffs that didn't even exist when they first made these decisions.
As I asked on a previous thread, please give me one positive outcome from this CEO's non-stop bringing up the tariffs to the media? Even if it was true, there are reasons for actions and if these actions are to help the company please explain to me other than covering this CEO's azz what are the benefits of this? We have heard a large number of life long Harley Davidson buyers say that because of the "Made in USA" issue with them that they will no longer purchase a brand new Harley Davidson. Please explain to me how this benefits Harley Davidson?
This CEO has lied so often in my opinion and acts so much like a politician that I am still waiting for him to tell the media that "we will be able to keep our doctors and our current health care plan".
Harley Davidson and this CEO came out and informed the media 2 years ago about the KC plant closing, the extra work being taken over with the PA plant and the Thailand plant being built for the expanding Asian market. None of us had or still have a problem with motorcycles for the Asian market being built over there. It is the fact that this CEO lies his azz off none stop, changes what he says and has thrown the guy that was clearly trying to help Harley Davidson under the bus non-stop by reporting to the media basically saying that the facts (lies) are that his actions and Harley Davidsons actions in the Asian market are 100% caused by the Tariffs that didn't even exist when they first made these decisions.
As I asked on a previous thread, please give me one positive outcome from this CEO's non-stop bringing up the tariffs to the media? Even if it was true, there are reasons for actions and if these actions are to help the company please explain to me other than covering this CEO's azz what are the benefits of this? We have heard a large number of life long Harley Davidson buyers say that because of the "Made in USA" issue with them that they will no longer purchase a brand new Harley Davidson. Please explain to me how this benefits Harley Davidson?
This CEO has lied so often in my opinion and acts so much like a politician that I am still waiting for him to tell the media that "we will be able to keep our doctors and our current health care plan".
Last edited by CobraRacer; Aug 17, 2018 at 08:21 AM.
