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Old Jul 17, 2007 | 02:58 PM
  #41  
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Default RE: Harley Cost

ORIGINAL: V2K

I think you need to check your facts. I bought a new '06 Vulcan 2000 Classic OTD for $11500. I got a good deal, but it wasn't a spectacularly low price. They can be had for that price just about anywhere. The H-D equivilent would be a Fatboy. Both are single crankpin V-twins, both are EFI, both are softtails, both are belt drive, both have cast wheels, both weigh about 750 lbs, both are excellent motorcycles. There are only two real differences between the two bikes:

1. One is watercooled, the other is not
2.One costs about $6000 less than the other one

Nothing wrong with the Fatboy or the Vulcan, but there can bea significant price differential between comparable metric and S.A.E. bikes.
And number 3. The Vulcan 2000 is 125cu in vs 96cu in...........and will STOMP a Fatboy.
 
Old Jul 18, 2007 | 11:47 PM
  #42  
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Default RE: Harley Cost

ORIGINAL: Motosportman

OK so why do HD's cost close to 20K OTD. My 07 FXDC was 19,972 OTD.
Because we (HD riders collectively) are willing to pay it. Basic economics -- they set a price to extract maximum profit (in the long term) from us. If they price too high, demand will dry up and in the long term profits will declines. If they price too low, demand may be high but perception of quality may fail leading to lower profits in the long term.
 
Old Jul 19, 2007 | 05:17 AM
  #43  
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Default RE: Harley Cost

try buying any thing today. nothing is cheap and most of us is just happier if it says Harley on it. cars . houses,kids you name it all has a big price.
 
Old Jul 19, 2007 | 05:42 AM
  #44  
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Default RE: Harley Cost

ORIGINAL: Blackmouth

Gosh I'm not anywhere near the most tenured person on this forum and even I'm already tired of seeing this subject! [sm=outcold.gif]

Nothing personal Motorsportman, just a bit of a vent.

They'll charge $20k so long as folks like you and me are willing to pay $20k.
If they could charge $40k and still sell...they'd charge $40k.
Don't let anyone fool you into thinking Harley's in business to make friends.
It's all about the almighty dollar.

So...why do they charge $20k?
Because they can.
Don't look for your HD to have anything extra special on it likeplatinum wheels, or solid gold handlebars to make it worth more than the other brands on the market.


The same reason why dogs lick themselves!


Sorry Blackmouth I couldn't help myself, the compulsion was too great!




 
Old Jul 19, 2007 | 05:51 AM
  #45  
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Default RE: Harley Cost

ORIGINAL: Motosportman

OK so why do HD's cost close to 20K OTD. My 07 FXDC was 19,972 OTD. man that's alot of money for a motorcycle.
That's just the start. It would be cheaper to be Paris Hilton's sugar daddy.
 
Old Jul 19, 2007 | 05:59 AM
  #46  
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Default RE: Harley Cost

The same reason divorce is so expensive......because its worth it.
 
Old Jul 19, 2007 | 06:47 AM
  #47  
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Default RE: Harley Cost

ORIGINAL: skater69

.. Oh yeah....by the way I rented every HD tourer there was before riding it and was gonna drop $20K on an EG classic until I checked the Nomad. Let's see the Nomad looked better, sounded better, rode better than any HD I've ever ridden......and feels meaner.
I don't know about riding better, but looking better and SOUNDING better?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I be holding a Harley before a Nomad anyday.
So you saved yourself a few grand, good, come back to me in 5 years and let me know what your Nomad is worth.
 
Old Jul 19, 2007 | 09:53 AM
  #48  
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Default RE: Harley Cost

ORIGINAL: Motosportman

OK so why do HD's cost close to 20K OTD. My 07 FXDC was 19,972 OTD. man that's alot of money for a motorcycle.
I've never been able to understand this type of question really but I guess the concept of supply and demand isn't always well understood. Let me try to help; your bike cost $20k because that's what you agreed to pay for it. If you and the dealer would have agreed on $19k, then that's what it would have cost. If you agreed to pay $21k OTD, that's what it would have cost. Notice the trend?
 
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Old Jul 19, 2007 | 10:21 AM
  #49  
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Default RE: Harley Cost

I work for an American manufacturing company that supplies products to various catagories. Our engineering department is here (in the US), our manufacturing is here (in the US), and our customers are worldwide.

Here's a prime example of what kind of answer you're looking for:

Our company's president wanted to try sending an acoustical product to India (for enginnering) and have China (tool and manufacture) a product we design & make here. India engineers said that they could improve the current design & boost acoustical output by 3 dB. Upper amnagement thought - WOW! that's impressive - maybe we can just utilize India enginners and get rid of our engineering department here. Prototype came in. (Now mind you - they had schematics, drawings and the actual product that they were going to make.) China built the "new" product to India drawings. This is the result: A 3 dB LOSS of acoustical output (that's 1/2 power for those that don't know). Upon analysis, the India design was flawed due to inefficient routing of pathways for acoustical sound.

If you still here after digesting the above - here's my point - In this case, American enginnering and manufacturing was superior. The end result was a superior product.

Harley might not have it right all the time, but if the product has been out there for a little bit of time with customer feedback - they make a great product.

I can go on and on but I won't because I do not want this thread turning into a bashing thread.

I respect the admins here too much.

Nick
 
Old Jul 19, 2007 | 11:51 AM
  #50  
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Default RE: Harley Cost

ORIGINAL: JohnT

To continue mine above, for whatever reason, big Harleys have now reached the price point where they are just not justifiable to me. I don't ride enough, have never been part of, or enjoyed, the 'Harley lifestyle', and have no need own anything just to be able to brag about it, be it large screen TVs or motorcycles. With Harleys now at a price point equal to some pretty nice sports cars, my Harley is on the block and I'm switching to 4 wheels.
Not knowing how many miles hours is not enough is relative.My wife was upset that the Softail cost almost as much as one of our cars. but I ride the bike. last winter only put 5K on the car. put over 10k so far on the bike mainly work and have a work trip out to the east coast later this month. hoping to get 20K this year.For me it is relaxing.

This is not as expensive as some other hobbies look at how much a boat costs and it won't get you to work.
 



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