Younger Riders...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 67
From: Hooterville, Fl.
RE: Younger Riders...
Oldest son bought first bike (99 Sportster) at 21 two years ago for $4200 and still rides it.He hasn't crashed knock on wood. Even put ape hangers on it. He loves the cruising type bike. Youngest son bought first bike (crotch rocket R6) at 19 last year. Owned it 6 months crash messed up leg pretty bad. Now he owns another R6. Tried to talk him in to a cruiser this time but couldn't. Every one is different.
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RE: Younger Riders...
My son is 17 and started out on a Buell. Lasted about 8 mos., then came the itch to cruise like Dad. Sold him myWide Glide and bought myself a Street Bob. Today we rode about 180 miles just around. HD and family time, nothing in life could be better (while clothed).
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
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RE: Younger Riders...
ORIGINAL: OldFenderGuy
Even so, $4,200 was quite a bit of money if you take inflation into consideration.
For example, $4,200 in 1978 has the same 'buying power' as $13,492 in 2006.
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/
ORIGINAL: EricVonZipper
I bought a brand new 1979 lowrider in late 78 for $4,200, and so I know you coulda bought it at least as cheap in late 79. A brand new superglide in 1979 was about $3,600 to $3,800. At least in the Atlanta area.
ORIGINAL: stevent
I built my first Shovelhead in1980 when I was 22, back then everyone was in their 20's or early 30's. Maybe a few old hands but most of the people I knew were in their 20's. You could buy a decent running Sporty for $1500 and a beat up Pan or Flattie for $2500 or so. A good stock Shovelhead a couple of years old was around $4000 and up, new ones were around $ 9000.
I built my first Shovelhead in1980 when I was 22, back then everyone was in their 20's or early 30's. Maybe a few old hands but most of the people I knew were in their 20's. You could buy a decent running Sporty for $1500 and a beat up Pan or Flattie for $2500 or so. A good stock Shovelhead a couple of years old was around $4000 and up, new ones were around $ 9000.
For example, $4,200 in 1978 has the same 'buying power' as $13,492 in 2006.
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/
Nowhere was the inflation factor mentioned.
Inflation notwithstanding- a new Harley in 1980 was not $9,000. Basically half that.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
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RE: Younger Riders...
I think that a major factor in getting younger guys into riding Harleysin the past,was lack of competition. Now there are many more good quality cheap rides out there. (Harley can't change that)
Another thingwhen compared to metricks, their relative ease to work on, tinker with, modify etc. My guess is less and less people are workin on their own cars or bikes ,of any brand, these days.
(Dealers don't wanna change that)
Younger folks don't buyan old Harley cuz its easy to work on....would rather buy a metric and hope never to work on it. Kinda like a disposable lighter.Use ita while, get another one.
Another thingwhen compared to metricks, their relative ease to work on, tinker with, modify etc. My guess is less and less people are workin on their own cars or bikes ,of any brand, these days.
(Dealers don't wanna change that)
Younger folks don't buyan old Harley cuz its easy to work on....would rather buy a metric and hope never to work on it. Kinda like a disposable lighter.Use ita while, get another one.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
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From: So-Cal
RE: Younger Riders...
I am not so sure it is an image thing as much as it is a money thing.If I were 18-22 again, and wanted a motorcycle I would probably buy a sportbike. Fast, cheap 3500 vs 20,000, can be made faster relatively cheap, can learn stunts, and the girls dig them. How many photos have you seen of g-strings hangin' off the back of Ninjas? If I am 18-22, I want what is in that g-string wrapped around me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Windsor, CO
RE: Younger Riders...
ORIGINAL: Fried Chicken
So, my questions are... What do you Harley riders think of younger riders?
So, my questions are... What do you Harley riders think of younger riders?
Just kidding ... I don't like fava beans.
To be honest I can't think of actually meeting any 17 year old Harley riders. Lots of sport bikes, though. I guess I don't think much about them at all, though I wouldn't say that was bad. Anyone that rides ... even scooters ... is okay with me.
Why doesn't Harley advertise more to younger riders?
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
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RE: Younger Riders...
Hey Fried Chicken,
First, let me say welcome! Like many have stated above, times have changed. Back in the late 60's and early 70's, a lot of younger guys were coming back from Vietnam with a little money and back then you didn't have the large amount of sportbikes like we have now. Guys were buying bikes (HD, BSA, Triumph, Norton's, etc)and doing their own wrenching, forming MC clubs, etc. Now, there's 5 million (read EXTREME EXAGERATION) different selections of sportbikes and they feed the younger crowd. I rode a sportbike for my first (I'm 38 now) and once I bought a cruiser I never looked back. I'd still like to have one (SPORTBIKE), but it would just be something to ride around maybe twice a month. You won't get the speed out of a HD like you would a sportbike, but you'll get further because of comfort.
Since you're 17, how might you, if you were HD, approach a 17-25 crowd as far as advertising goes? You might just be able to raise an eyebrow with the MOCO if you could sell a few good suggestions. I'd like to see a younger crowd get away from the sportibike thing and start riding cruisers.
First, let me say welcome! Like many have stated above, times have changed. Back in the late 60's and early 70's, a lot of younger guys were coming back from Vietnam with a little money and back then you didn't have the large amount of sportbikes like we have now. Guys were buying bikes (HD, BSA, Triumph, Norton's, etc)and doing their own wrenching, forming MC clubs, etc. Now, there's 5 million (read EXTREME EXAGERATION) different selections of sportbikes and they feed the younger crowd. I rode a sportbike for my first (I'm 38 now) and once I bought a cruiser I never looked back. I'd still like to have one (SPORTBIKE), but it would just be something to ride around maybe twice a month. You won't get the speed out of a HD like you would a sportbike, but you'll get further because of comfort.
Since you're 17, how might you, if you were HD, approach a 17-25 crowd as far as advertising goes? You might just be able to raise an eyebrow with the MOCO if you could sell a few good suggestions. I'd like to see a younger crowd get away from the sportibike thing and start riding cruisers.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
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From:
RE: Younger Riders...
ORIGINAL: HTRAUD
I am not so sure it is an image thing as much as it is a money thing.If I were 18-22 again, and wanted a motorcycle I would probably buy a sportbike. Fast, cheap 3500 vs 20,000, can be made faster relatively cheap, can learn stunts, and the girls dig them. How many photos have you seen of g-strings hangin' off the back of Ninjas? If I am 18-22, I want what is in that g-string wrapped around me.
I am not so sure it is an image thing as much as it is a money thing.If I were 18-22 again, and wanted a motorcycle I would probably buy a sportbike. Fast, cheap 3500 vs 20,000, can be made faster relatively cheap, can learn stunts, and the girls dig them. How many photos have you seen of g-strings hangin' off the back of Ninjas? If I am 18-22, I want what is in that g-string wrapped around me.
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
RE: Younger Riders...
ORIGINAL: Fred00
Agreed, except typically a new sportbike is around $10,000, not $3,500. Liter bikes go for up to $12,000. For $3,500 you get a Ninja 250...
ORIGINAL: HTRAUD
I am not so sure it is an image thing as much as it is a money thing.If I were 18-22 again, and wanted a motorcycle I would probably buy a sportbike. Fast, cheap 3500 vs 20,000, can be made faster relatively cheap, can learn stunts, and the girls dig them. How many photos have you seen of g-strings hangin' off the back of Ninjas? If I am 18-22, I want what is in that g-string wrapped around me.
I am not so sure it is an image thing as much as it is a money thing.If I were 18-22 again, and wanted a motorcycle I would probably buy a sportbike. Fast, cheap 3500 vs 20,000, can be made faster relatively cheap, can learn stunts, and the girls dig them. How many photos have you seen of g-strings hangin' off the back of Ninjas? If I am 18-22, I want what is in that g-string wrapped around me.
But really, I think harley is kind of trying to advertise to the younger crowd. The Buell Blast is a great example of that.
They don't need to necessarily advertise Harley Davidson, but they do need to get the younger crowd, b/c otherwise they will start seeing sales drops. Hell they're already seeing that.
What Harley should do is come out with a really good motorcycle to compete directly with the ninja 250/500. This way they can get the younger generation in.