The Rocker and Cross Bones will not solve the ills of the MOCO. These are limited production bikes that had trouble getting to market. They are niche bikes only. The problem is that HD sold a lifestyle that for most was a fad and not a lifestyle. HD has always depended on Jap bikes to get people into the market and Jap bike sales are down. Most bikes sold today are not the commuter bikes that you see throughout Europe. To make this a staple, more like the Buells that can be used as city bikes. Touring bikes will always have a market.

By the way, the value of your bike is what it's worth to you, not the market.

 

I'm not interested in selling my bike and I was referring to the value it has to me personally. I'm the guy that paid for the bike and I'm satisified I got what I wanted and paid for.

Anyway, IMO the resale market has been hurt as much bythe flood of low mileage like new bikesup for sale byowners thatbought when HD was latest fad...but they really were'nt that interested in riding and now want to clear out their garage (I can point out several of these in my own neighborhood). Resale has also beenhurt by well-stocked (over-stocked...?)dealerships thatnow sell for MSRP or even less. And HD coming out with TC96 and 6 speed in 07has further hurt resale a bit on TC88s. In any case youalso didn't explain how a slow economycauses my bike to lose value...and I'm still waiting to see more pictures of the chick.

 

I think the Professor is exactly right..............MOCO was incredibly successful in selling what many non-bikers thought was a cool "lifestyle". Problem is, they hopped on a $20,000 bike and absolutely hated it when a bug splattered in their teeth. The end result is apparent when you walk in most any dealership in the country........ The market is currently flooded with used bikes with very low mileage. As a result, values are down andthe MOCOhas been forced to limit production of new bikes.The current economyjustfurther complicated MOCO's dilema.

Edtexas - - You sound like a smart guy, but you need to take one lesson from the Professor. It ain't a cash loss 'til you sell.

Let's not analyze this too much.............. Enoy the ride.[sm=biker.gif]

 

Concerns about the economy (or people's perception of it) cause people to put off significant purchases (homes, home improvements, autos, bikes, etc.). The flood of bikes currently on the market aren't moving, which ultimately causes values to come down. I think it's the old rule of supply and demand.

I'm not selling, so I won't worry about it.

 

Thoughts... hmmm well first of all HD used to be a bike seller for every man, they built bikes that were reasonably priced and yet could be customized to a point that they were luxury/performance bikes. They are making the following mistakes in my honest opinion:

1. They did not come out with an affordable entry level bike to get the new generation growing up on Harleys. Brand loyalty still exists and it is held by Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha... becaus these kids have been riding them for years. The Harley has become a boutique brand specializing in Geezer bikes and high end tourers. The generation today has a choice and it won't be to spend 12k on a Sporty when they can buy a Vulcan with a 2000cc motor in it. They need a good entry level and yet good looking General Purpose bike.

2. Kuryakin hello! I can now pimp myHonda for less that buying a newset of pipes for myHD and it will look and sound great. I had a Shadow and let me tell you it was sweet... you can chrome out the entire engine now and now they are starting on available performance mods for Jap twins...

3. Slow *** reactions to trends and such, The Crossbones... just in time to see the end of the high end chopper craze... how much did that lack of flexibility cost them. How many Crossbones could they have sold if they had them available to all those folks watch the three morons on the Discovery Channel? Folks who could not swing a 35,000 dollar custom chopper...

4. Where is HD racing? Ya know the Europeans still make incredible twins for racing... no meed to go to a 4 cylinder ask Ducati. And yes I know about Buell but guess what that link between HD and Buell is not evident and HD needs to brand a racer and win with it... even if it means breaking the HD "mold" to do it.


Now what to do?

1. Put out a nice good looking American cruiser that is affordable and priced to compete with the Japs. I think the softails would be the obvious choice. Maybe a real barebones one that the owner can add on to... a real build it yourself type... base it on the smaller motors of the past. Maybe the 88 or the 74 inchers... hey I can get a new fuel injected twin in the smaller size pay less then eventually do a Screaming Eagle kit... this may also bing back the old school do it yourselfers... the reason folks bought old Harleys

2. Put R&D into some real V-Twin racing advances and go compete...

3. Have a team that just is used to react quickly to market niche bikes for things like the chopper craze and keep the cost reasonable.

4. I think it has been brought up but the dealers... reign in thier gouging... yes there are good ones out there but there are more bad ones now. Control the dealers price like the car dearlers do... it can limit the dealers downside too.

5. Dealer service rip off... alot of guys start fixing and modding thier own bikes because of the 375 dollar and up 1000 mile service...

6. Do not fear the technology... advance the technology of the bikes..

 

Another odd maybe unnoticed thing, hell many of us grew up working on ours and our friendsAmerican hot rods... now these kids are working to hop up Hondas, VW's, Acuras, Subarus.... so what country will thier performance bike be from...

 

When the economy is slow,some people don't redo that kitchen or bathroom so they can still go out to dinner or party, some don't go out as much so they can redo that kitchen. Some don't buy bikes, others don't buy something else so they can still buy that bike. I'm taking the bike, but I'll always do the service myself same as I do my cars. Want me to go to the dealer, charge me a reasonable rate for basic service.
As far as parts go, the jap bikes are more expensive to upgrade and the choices are way less. My harley and my mustang are 2 of the best when it comes to tinkering. Come on now, planning and upgrading are what the fun is all about.

 

Thanks for all the great comments, guys. To the one contributor that mentioned it is a paper loss, not a cash loss, just ask the people that paid $66/share and now their stock is worth $36/share. Gains and losses are treated as earnings by the government. It's all about the Benjamins. When you took out $66,000 out of the bank, and now your stock is worth $36,000,
did you lose paper or did you lose cash? Answer: Sell your stock today and see how much cash
you have left. The govt. treats you and corporations the same way when it comes to earnings and losses. The difference is that corps. have more opportunities for write-offs.


Now to something way more important. The brightest among you have requested more pics of the chick. I can't provide you with nude pics because I think that I would be breaking the rules of the forum. Her name is Paige. I dated her for about a minute. It was one of the best minutes of my life. I'll try to download a small clip also. Have fun.

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HD stock like most was over valued it just back in line with other now it will go back up.
Sales are doing fine a HD.
Some would bit-- it you gave it to them free because you did not drop it off.
Company i work for was up to 99 dollars of a bit last year big jump from 56 now at 75 and this compant has had a profit every years sence 1852.
Stock price often has little to do with shape of the company. More to do with who is playing with it.
HD name is worth 36 doolars a share alone in the market.
When one person buys one stock thats called gambeling or insider trading.
Thats why you invest in funds not one one one stocks.
So it if bet wrong and get a spanking oh well pick up try agin tomorrow

 

By the way, the bike in the pics is a Harley with a reworked frame. Beautiful custombike that still registers as a Harley.

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