I see the average age of longtime HD owners/buyers increasing. Most of us are no longer willing to go further in debt, and lose money, on buying new bikes when the bike we have has been customized, with lots of money, to be the perfect bike for us. The allure of a new motorcycle is no longer stronger than common sense that says "You really like the bike you have, it does everything you need it to do, and it's pretty much, or completely, paid for." I'm completely happy with my 2007 Street Glide, and after demo riding the new bikes, then looking at the price tag, of a new Harley Street Glide, there's no way I'd pay that much for one. No way was it THAT much better than my bike. Sticker shock indeed. Anyway, that's where I'm at, and most of the people I ride with (mid-60's) feel the same way. Harley needs to reach new buyers. I've been a lifelong HD owner, my family members have been lifelong Harley owners, so I've been buying Harleys since I could afford them. My first bikes were older Sportsters or projects that needed repairs. I rode what I could afford. IMHO, Harley needs another entry level motorcycle that a young man, or woman, can afford. Remember the 883 Sportster for $3995? Something along those lines. The 750 Street is a flop. But, I think an affordable Sportster would appeal to a younger buyer. Harley has been building Sportsters since 1957. There's no reason that they shouldn't be able to sell a basic 883 for about $4500.
Harley has become greedy, IMO. $16,000 for a Low Rider? $20,000 + for a bagger? $30,000 and up for a CVO? That's just crazy. I have a nice new Ford Escape that I only paid $24,000 for. You can't tell me that it costs Harley MORE to build an Electra Glide than it costs Ford to build my car. Anyhow, that's my thoughts. Probably that and a $1.00 "may" get you a cup of coffee.

 

Agreed, there is no reason for a Sportster, any Sportster, to be ten grand, I think the Mo Co will survive, but they will have to downsize, and get used to seeing smaller numbers on their balance sheets.

 

Ford is a larger manufacturing company than HD. They can produce the same widget at a lower cost. You simply can't compare the two because of the scalability.

HD will price their vehicles at a price point that they feel they can make a profit with the current production levels. The market will tell them how much the market can bare. And HD will adjust from there.

Your thesis misses on a whole bunch of economic theories. You have basically projected your own opinions into an entire market segment. Marketing-101 will teach you to never do that if you want to make marketing a profession. LOL

 

When other people come with me to the Harley dealer, I am regularly met with "That costs more than my car."

People aren't riding motorcycles as much, and the younger generations are completely risk averse. They'd rather play on an iphone while traveling in a self-driving car than straddle a motorcycle and get cold, hot, or wet.

 

^^^^^ You're exactly right.........but my current job now (which I plan to keep) is "PROFESSIONAL RETIREE". LOL

 

The short answer is, they will either evolve (*adapt to current economy and consumer*) and thrive, or stay stationary and die.

There are enough used bikes out there as well as parts to keep those bikes running for the next century. Why do we care so much?

Ride what you have and enjoy.

Let Harley worry about their future.

 

I guess my point was that most of the older HD owners have purchased the motorcycles they've wanted, are happy with them, and see no need to buy another new one to start all over.

 

Also in consideration, and I say this because I work with younger folk right out of college, is, the young people these days aren't making any real money, combine that with crazy student loan debt, these folks are realizing that they have been screwed by a system that tells them they need a degree to make any kind of money. Well the money they are making is barely enough for them to move out of their parents. They arent buying Harleys, they are concerned with a good reliable car, and the basics of paying their bills.just my observation, but people dont have disposable income that they had 15 years ago, the economy tanking was an ajustment that took disposable income away. This is what I felt happen, and I was in the workforce then, and now.

 

OP - Agreed.
Not to mention that much of the new technology doesn't work properly, and can't be easily remedied by the owner at home. Gotta bring it to the dealer for every little thing.
Not that cars/trucks are any better these days. Just got a recall notice for my '13 Ram...something about the seat belt tensioner that has to be "software adjusted". It's 5 years old, FFS!
Oh well...at least Dodge does the recall. Harley has to be dragged into their's kicking and screaming.

You want me to buy an expensive bike that might leave me stranded, when my high-mileage Evo and Shovel are bulletproof and easily serviceable?
No thanks.

 

IMO, the Street was supposed to someday replace the Sportster. As you said, the Street in its present form was a flop. Liquid cooling is the only way future bikes will be emissions compliant. I think HD needs to re-engineer the Street with more power, more street cred (pun) in a dual purpose or street fighter style. The price will come down once HD figures out how to properly market the Street to the young riders.
And you are correct, my Super Glide is all I will ever need or want from HD until I die.
Something like this should help..