Does Harley have a future?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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The future of Harley hinges on the future of a strong and middle class and the high paying manufacturing jobs that used to support this segment of the population.
The practice of outsourcing every manufacturing job in the country and now ridding themselves of legacy cost "retirement & healthcare" has decimated the middle class.
Undoing the Roosevelt Acts and rules that seperated Wall Street speculation from the banks has destroyed the economy long term. It will take years to untangle Wall Street from the banking industry. That is why hard working people can now get .5% on their savings and the banks still are not lending.
Corporate lobby has no allegiance to the working class or the country, we got sold down the river. The best government money can buy is really a corpocracy and Wall Street lobbyist actually run the government.
I don't see Harley Davidson making it long term! They sell High End Recreation products to baby boomers mostly who had the discretionary cash to buy them. Even these people took a bath Aug 08 and the old retirement Harley went the way of their 401K. A very sick economy for the foreseeable future and the working class just trying to survive. Not much extra out there for expensive recreation products
The practice of outsourcing every manufacturing job in the country and now ridding themselves of legacy cost "retirement & healthcare" has decimated the middle class.
Undoing the Roosevelt Acts and rules that seperated Wall Street speculation from the banks has destroyed the economy long term. It will take years to untangle Wall Street from the banking industry. That is why hard working people can now get .5% on their savings and the banks still are not lending.
Corporate lobby has no allegiance to the working class or the country, we got sold down the river. The best government money can buy is really a corpocracy and Wall Street lobbyist actually run the government.
I don't see Harley Davidson making it long term! They sell High End Recreation products to baby boomers mostly who had the discretionary cash to buy them. Even these people took a bath Aug 08 and the old retirement Harley went the way of their 401K. A very sick economy for the foreseeable future and the working class just trying to survive. Not much extra out there for expensive recreation products
A well written response.....and it ain't just about Harley....without a strong middle class these sort of discretionary purchases will one day just be an old dream. Each manufacturer thought only of the benefits of reducing overhead and the bottom line by outsourcing the jobs that allowed people to live the dream...
Sometimes what appears to be a good idea for an individual corporation is a disaster when you multiply the effects of the same decision by hundreds of thousands of firms....without decent jobs nobody can afford these kinds of toys...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
Harley currently has the cruiser nich however that niche is going to become smaller over time. It's their bread and butter but unless they also look to the rest of the market their market share is going to shrink. I don't know of any under 35 riders who desire to own a cruiser. If they do graduate to a bigger more comfortable and expensive bike it will probably be a sports tour BMW, Honda ST, Concours, or something similar. I think they made a big mistake in closing down Buell just as they were starting to hit their stride and solve their engine issues.
Last edited by fat_tony; Jan 23, 2010 at 08:50 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,606
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From: Baytown Tx.
Harley currently has the cruiser nich however that niche is going to become smaller over time. It's their bread and butter but unless they also look to the rest of the market their market share is going to shrink. I don't know of any under 35 riders who desire to own a cruiser. If they do graduate to a bigger more comfortable and expensive bike it will probably be a sports tour BMW, Honda ST, Concours, or something similar. I think they made a big mistake in closing down Buell just as they were starting to hit their stride and solve their engine issues.
I disagree, I purchased my first Harley when I was 28. I know lots of people under 35 that would like to own a Harley. The problem is they can't afford them. I also think shutting down Buell was a good decision. People who buy crotch rockets buy them because they want performance. Buells are severly underpowered when you compare them to any metric sport bike of the same or even smaller cc.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Lots of reading on this topic, had to skip much of it...
People are dwelling on the niche marketing too much. Harleys, and Indians for that matter, were originally built so that the average joe could tear it down and rebuild it with a handfull of common tools found in almost any garage.
Once the marketing strategists contrived a way to target certain 'niche markets' and successfully applied that strategy along with an appealing 'life style', Harleys became a 'necessary luxury', which gave many people (who would never have considered even riding a motorcycle) a 'badge of honor' to display. You don't need to have a unique technology to sell your goods, if you can simply convince potential buyers that making the purchase will raise their level of prestige.
People are dwelling on the niche marketing too much. Harleys, and Indians for that matter, were originally built so that the average joe could tear it down and rebuild it with a handfull of common tools found in almost any garage.
Once the marketing strategists contrived a way to target certain 'niche markets' and successfully applied that strategy along with an appealing 'life style', Harleys became a 'necessary luxury', which gave many people (who would never have considered even riding a motorcycle) a 'badge of honor' to display. You don't need to have a unique technology to sell your goods, if you can simply convince potential buyers that making the purchase will raise their level of prestige.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
I disagree, I purchased my first Harley when I was 28. I know lots of people under 35 that would like to own a Harley. The problem is they can't afford them. I also think shutting down Buell was a good decision. People who buy crotch rockets buy them because they want performance. Buells are severly underpowered when you compare them to any metric sport bike of the same or even smaller cc.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
I disagree, I purchased my first Harley when I was 28. I know lots of people under 35 that would like to own a Harley. The problem is they can't afford them. I also think shutting down Buell was a good decision. People who buy crotch rockets buy them because they want performance. Buells are severly underpowered when you compare them to any metric sport bike of the same or even smaller cc.
Also HD's no longer have the exclusivity they once had with so many on the road. There will always be a market for cruisers but it will never be as big as it once was. Just think HD needs to broaden it's market appeal, the XR1200 was a good first step, if it is going to stay in the game. If your coasting your going downhill.
Last edited by fat_tony; Jan 24, 2010 at 08:59 AM.
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From: Kingman, AZ
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