How Do You Get 75 MPG?
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
RE: How Do You Get 75 MPG?
Harley scooter? \\; Bad idea. The reason Harley has had such a phenomenal run since the reorganization of the early 80s is they have marketed an image and lifestyle that is tremendously appealing to a segment of the population. That image would be destroyed by a Harley branded scooter. Kind of like putting the Marlboro man on a shetland pony at a carnival ride. Maybe a Harley made scooter under a different name, but even that is risky.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: How Do You Get 75 MPG?
I'd say Harley is doing just fine with the Sporties and even the Touring bikes getting 40's n 50's mpgs in the case of the Sporty. When people are moving up from 18 mpg in their SUV they can't even imagine getting 45 mpg on a Heritage or a Road King and they're doing it in style. So no worries is my opinion.
 \\;
The used bike market will probably be going crazy too once gas keeps going up. Who's to say it won't hit $7 a gallon by next year? There appears to be nothing stopping it right now.
 \\;
The used bike market will probably be going crazy too once gas keeps going up. Who's to say it won't hit $7 a gallon by next year? There appears to be nothing stopping it right now.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,575
Likes: 4
From: Norfolk, VA
RE: How Do You Get 75 MPG?
ORIGINAL: Arizona
I'd say Harley is doing just fine with the Sporties and even the Touring bikes getting 40's n 50's mpgs in the case of the Sporty. When people are moving up from 18 mpg in their SUV they can't even imagine getting 45 mpg on a Heritage or a Road King and they're doing it in style. So no worries is my opinion.
 \\;\\\\\\;
The used bike market will probably be going crazy too once gas keeps going up. Who's to say it won't hit $7 a gallon by next year? There appears to be nothing stopping it right now.
I'd say Harley is doing just fine with the Sporties and even the Touring bikes getting 40's n 50's mpgs in the case of the Sporty. When people are moving up from 18 mpg in their SUV they can't even imagine getting 45 mpg on a Heritage or a Road King and they're doing it in style. So no worries is my opinion.
 \\;\\\\\\;
The used bike market will probably be going crazy too once gas keeps going up. Who's to say it won't hit $7 a gallon by next year? There appears to be nothing stopping it right now.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Florida Gulf Coast
RE: How Do You Get 75 MPG?
ORIGINAL: JBaker421
The problem is that there just isn't much profit in small bikes. American car makers are hurting right now because they can't sell many of the high profit suv's and pickups. There's not much profit in the small stuff people are buying right now.
So long as Harley can sell what it makes now at least it's highly profitable. They'd have to do the R&\\;\\\\\\;D and come up with something to compete with the Kawasaki Ninja 250R and still make money.
BTW, +1 for the Ninja 250R. It gets great mileage and will keep up with traffic. It's a real motorcycle, too. I think it lists for just over $3k?
 \\;\\\\\\;
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...50r-75782.html \\;\\\\\\;
The problem is that there just isn't much profit in small bikes. American car makers are hurting right now because they can't sell many of the high profit suv's and pickups. There's not much profit in the small stuff people are buying right now.
So long as Harley can sell what it makes now at least it's highly profitable. They'd have to do the R&\\;\\\\\\;D and come up with something to compete with the Kawasaki Ninja 250R and still make money.
BTW, +1 for the Ninja 250R. It gets great mileage and will keep up with traffic. It's a real motorcycle, too. I think it lists for just over $3k?
 \\;\\\\\\;
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...50r-75782.html \\;\\\\\\;
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 12
From: Mount Holly, NC
RE: How Do You Get 75 MPG?
ORIGINAL: Uncle Scrooge
they have marketed an image and lifestyle that is tremendously appealing to a segment of the population.
they have marketed an image and lifestyle that is tremendously appealing to a segment of the population.
if i need a screwdriver i don't reach for a leather bandanna. harley should consider getting ahead of the game, or they'll suffer their past again.
a harley scooter wont sell to the old farts who are spoiled on old america-economy. but it will sell too a younger generation who just needs to get by. i know a kid whos been riding the same suzuki intruder since he was 16 (hes 25 now) and that bike is held together with bailing wire and luck. he drools over my nightster and says "i'll never be able to afford a bike like that, and if i could, the gas would kill me"
i'd like to see harley get up off its *** and compete in the motorcycle industry, or, if they're going to milk branding, at least be creative.
450cc bobbers would sell like a tit/beer combo.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
RE: How Do You Get 75 MPG?
ORIGINAL: Certainteed
in short, what you are saying is "harley builds crap and sells it as personality"
if i need a screwdriver i don't reach for a leather bandanna. harley should consider getting ahead of the game, or they'll suffer their past again.
a harley scooter wont sell to the old farts who are spoiled on old america-economy. but it will sell too a younger generation who just needs to get by. i know a kid whos been riding the same suzuki intruder since he was 16 (hes 25 now) and that bike is held together with bailing wire and luck. he drools over my nightster and says "i'll never be able to afford a bike like that, and if i could, the gas would kill me"
i'd like to see harley get up off its *** and compete in the motorcycle industry, or, if they're going to milk branding, at least be creative.
450cc bobbers would sell like a tit/beer combo.
ORIGINAL: Uncle Scrooge
they have marketed an image and lifestyle that is tremendously appealing to a segment of the population.
they have marketed an image and lifestyle that is tremendously appealing to a segment of the population.
if i need a screwdriver i don't reach for a leather bandanna. harley should consider getting ahead of the game, or they'll suffer their past again.
a harley scooter wont sell to the old farts who are spoiled on old america-economy. but it will sell too a younger generation who just needs to get by. i know a kid whos been riding the same suzuki intruder since he was 16 (hes 25 now) and that bike is held together with bailing wire and luck. he drools over my nightster and says "i'll never be able to afford a bike like that, and if i could, the gas would kill me"
i'd like to see harley get up off its *** and compete in the motorcycle industry, or, if they're going to milk branding, at least be creative.
450cc bobbers would sell like a tit/beer combo.
I didn't make any claims one way or the other about Harley quality. In fact, I think Harley builds a quality product now, unlike the AMF years. If they didn't I wouldn't own one. But let's be honest with ourselves. Harley is the dominant heavy cruiser and touring brand not because of quality issues, but because of the image projected.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 12
From: Mount Holly, NC
RE: How Do You Get 75 MPG?
i didn't bring up quality either. i said they build crap, and crap doesn't always mean quality.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 891
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From:
RE: How Do You Get 75 MPG?
Some would say the Buell Blast is THE BEST scooter available. Harley riders used to make fun of it as the "BE LAST", but I've noticed something interesting since gas prices went up. Used Harleys are not selling so fast, but the used Blast market has dried up. Seems like folks don't want to turn loose of them and trade up as quickly as they once did.