A slow economy and reduced discretionary income reduces the value in your bike because your bike is worth exactly what a buyer is willing to pay for it. So if there are fewer buyers, and those buyers have less to spend, the value of your bike will go down.

That said, I really don't agree that the economy is in all that terrible of a condition. Also, if you're not planning on selling your bike, then the point is moot.

And yes, more pictures of the blonde.

 

why dont they just, offer more free donuts!!!

 

Harley Davidson is not responsible for the condition of our economy. All manufacturers of luxury items are feeling the sting. Look at the number of "custom" builders that have gone out of business lately.

Harley Davidson will be just fine. No panic.

 

You are talking as if there is some inherent "worth" in your bike. The "worth" of your bike is what someone is willing to pay for it. In tough economic times with less discretionary income available, there are fewer people interested in buying and more bikes for sale. It is simple supply and demand - more supply plus less demand = lower price.

 

I am not an economist, thank God, but the way I see it is that HD is an example of our problem as a nation. The stock market likes safety and growth, when there is uncertainty and fear the market tumbles. When there is steady growth no fears on the horizon the market responds in the positive, hence the terms "bear" and "bull". The U.S. has enacted so much bonehead economic legislation, NAFTA etc., that much of our manufacturing has gone overseas. That has created a loss of jobs here . In addition to that our tax structure is now friendly to corporate investment, so not only are we losing manufacturing capability, we are discouraging new companies from wanting to locate in the U.S. That adds to our problems. On top of those two things we have been at war in the Middle East for many years. Whether just or unjust, wars deplete a country faster than anything else. So we have those three things going against us. As for a solution I would give the example of the New York City subway system. When ridership was down there was much discussion about how to raise it. Someone initiated the brilliant solution of raising the rates. Ridership declined further, go figure. When they lowered the rates the trains were full and the transit system made tons of money. What I am saying is that HD can stop outsourcing to China and lower their prices.

 

Interesting question. I agree, the management and board rode the wave thinking it would last forever. The crass commercialization of the moco actually hurt and takes away fromit's core - it is a manufacturing company, not an entertainment company. The dealers and the the moco do, however, take in a lot of cash from clothing sales. It wouldn't surprise me to find out there are more staff in marketing and design ofclothing than in engineeing and product (motorcycle) development. However, manufacturing should be most important.
What would those who rode their bike on Wall Street when AMF was bought out think of the moco today? Many of them put it all on the line and there efforts became a textbook example of good old American capitalism.
A return to core values (caring and responsive customer service; fairly priced products and parts) is critical. New products (with an eye to green?) brought to market without the need for immediate "fixes". A return to the basics would turn it around.
And, laz263, I don't know about Georgia, but a lot of the country is in a serious economic downturn.
One last thing, you gotta post more pix of the blonde!

 

Life is just too short to be so wrapped up in things you have no control over.I love my Harleys, always have always will no matter how upset the rest of the world may be.

 

I see the current price of Harley stock as a buying opportunity. I bet Harley does, too, and will be buying back their own stock.

 

Although you think it looks bleak for the MOCO, I think that is expected by their executives. The economy does play a part in their losses and they have anticipated that. Mega Companies see these kinds of shifts all the time, of course the market is more volitile now but don't think that their management team is blind to it. I think the MOCO's big problem is the cooling motorcycle market. The motorcycle craze has nearly run it's course. I don't see as many maltese cross T-shirts on the non riders like I used to and the RUBs are selling their bikes off to buy Hummers. But the MOCO has anticipated this.
You forgot to mention the shifts and changes to the 08 line-up. They created a 105th anniversary line (The Duracell bikes) for the gotta have anniversary people; these bikes included some much needed upgrades to the line i.e., antilock brakes, fixes on the touring wobble, etc. The Rocker and The CrossBones are clearly a move to step ahead of the competition and claim a custom design as it's own. The same thing they did with the FXSTC, the chop shops created it, Harley took the design and mass produced it and now that classic 70's chop look is theirs forever. The MOCO is really doing a great job of speaking dierctly to their consumer. I don't think they are in as dire straits as you think and I don't think that their managment is oblivious to these changes.
They started damage control a few years ago. Do you really think that the Rocker and the CrossBones were created in a few months? These have been in research for at least a year or two. A direct response to the slump and loss they anticipated. You raise some good points with the numbers and yes, the numbers don't lie, however, I don't think that the MOCO's management is ignorant. I mean c'mon, this is a billion dollar corporation, they can afford any type of market research available. They KNOW what's going on. And Willie is the last guy that will let this company go under. JMHO.


Now, can we have a few more pics of the chick??!!!

 

fixes on the touring wobble, etc.

Sharkey, please explain. (Not to get off-topic, but) What did they do to fix the wobble?