With Harley's new business model going forward, this will be a recurring theme. The new CEO has already cut 2020 production by more than 70%. New 2021 models won't be introduced till Feb of '21. No CVOs in 2021, either. I talked to my dealer here in VA yesterday and they're only receiving 13 more new bikes for the remainder of the calendar year. The MoCo has stated that the intent is to restore exclusivity to the brand, with minimal to no discounting from MSRP. Savvy dealerships are making a living selling late model used bikes, of which there are many.

 

...feel bad for the good dealerships that won't be able to maintain to these "new standards". Some small dealerships may not receive any '21s. Yeah, Harley will become a smaller company, for good or bad, but change in the motorcycle world is happening and it's just not affecting Harley either. Sad times.

 

I agree with Ron750.. I read HD decide to not launch the "Bronx" which I thought for the right price, could bring new riders over to the brand. Seemed like a good basic bike.
I've seen who's on the board of directors now and it doesnt impress me. Sad to hear another dealer closed.

 

Not sure if they will close or not being the oldest dealership in Ohio but I was at Neidengards in Wintersville on Saturday getting a couple of oil filters for the bike and there were 6 or 8 bikes in the showroom where there are normally about 30.

 

As more and more dealerships close so too will the vast dealership network that everyone has come to rely upon. Damn shame.

 

All the Covid hype has done is speed things up. Many dealerships were already in trouble.

It is not not so much an aging boomer issue as it is a change in our culture. Our children and their children are just less interested in vehicles, two or four.

It is complicated and expensive to get into motorcycling today. It is more expensive and more complicated to do almost everything. It is not intuitive to ride a motorcycle. Yet, we all learned, many at an early age to make it intuitive. Cornering, braking, turning, is a huge leap for kids not raised with dirt bikes, even BMX bicycles offered good basic skills.

Many of us started on a used bike. It was easily fixed and even easier to modify. My motorcycle test was simple and just made sure I could ride. I was not required to take a class. I was not required to have insurance. I did not even own a leather jacket for my first 35 years of riding. No chaps, and a Bell 3/4 helmet with a snap on bubble shield for rain. Canvas work jacket, jeans and work boots, flannel or wool shirt depending on season, tan leather work gloves. I could park anywhere, car drivers were not distracted and seem to notice motorcycles.

Most new riders need to take a class, then try to buy the correct motorcycle, then learn on a permit, then test for a license. Insurance is required most everywhere. Then getting gear. Not just a helmet, but motorcycle specific gloves, jacket, pants, boots, and more.

I am actually impressed when I meet a new rider today. So many fail, so many don't even try.

The dealerships were negligent, or very late in developing a wider customer base. I was always amazed at the variety of riders in a typical metric shop. Old, young, dirt, touring, cruising, cafe, ninja, sport, street racing. All together. If these dealerships are suffering, is it any wonder that mega-cathedrals selling 1940's - 1950's retro bikes might be having an issue attracting new customers.

Too many times H-D has blown it. Buell, Street, and now the Bronx. It was just too damn successful not changing, until it was too late.

it is sad, but the story of Polaroid, Kodak, Sears, and so many others. The hardest thing in the world to change is what you think is successful and will last forever.

 

Is anyone maintaining a list of closed dealerships?
With HOG no longer publishing their Handbook with maps and dealership listings it would be a handy thing to have.

 

Isn't it about time we established a separate forum for all these "Harley doom and gloom" threads?

 

These are not doom and gloom threads. They are acknowledging changes to the world as we used to know it. Change is neither good nor bad, it's just changing. It's what we do with change that makes it good or bad. Same for Harley/Triumph, Chevy/Ford, Remington/Colt, KMart/Walmart.

You see doom and gloom, I see people starting to acknowledge the world is changing and will be different. I think most here hope Harley makes the changes, but staying the same was not an option, just like building mega car dealership cathedrals was a choice they made. Was it wrong, not at the time. Killing so many smaller dealerships, yah, that probably was not the smartest choice, but the maga- dealerships were playing the game better.

I enjoy reading other riders opinions, especially across the nation. The only thing I agree with you on is that often you have to read between the lines, as everyone has their own ax to grind.

 

Here's a novel idea... Don't click on a thread that is titled "Another one bites the dust" if you feel there are so many Doom and Gloom threads ... I never understood why someone would open a thread of a topic they didn't like, only to post and bitch about the thread. Seems way easier to me to read a thread title and move along over the ones I didn't care about.. But hey.. I guess that's just me.