harley davidsons aging biker problem
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,457
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Isn't the age that gets you bud , it's the mileage & our severe bad choices in woman while younger that give you those cool creaking and cracking sounds when you wake up in the morning .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
The entire motorcycle industry is having to deal with an aging customer base; it's not just the MoCo's problem. Motorcycling just seemed like the natural thing to do for many of us kids in the 1960s - not so much for the MTV/video-gaming generation. Harley needs a better entry-level bike than the Sportster.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: Denver, Colorado
Harley is currently dependent on metric manufacturers making entry-level cruisers. Without the boost to the demographic of younger riders on cruisers, most would be on sportbikes or standards. Most would stay on sportbikes or sport-tourers into their golden years. Without metrics, Harley will fail. IMO
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 2
From: AZ
Those young guys on crotch rockets are going to age. You can only ride in that lean position for so long. They will eventually age into some sort of cruiser/touring bike, weather it be metric or HD. If the want to do any type of long distance travel, a larger bike is going to fit the bill.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,457
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
It's not so much about the rub thing anymore that was a 80's and early 90's thing when HD started becoming a more mainstream and available product for everyone instead of the core group of riders who really lived the lifestyle and rode Harleys at the time .
Those of us who paid our dues in time and sometimes blood did take offense to the new breed peacocks believing they had become part of the culture by virtue of a purchase .
Like it or not not everyone who rides a Harley is a biker as much as most really want to be one in there own mind . I can't tell you just exactly what makes one a biker but I can tell what doesn't and just owning a harley doesn't .
Bikers are getting rare , Harley riders are a dime a dozen just look around and this isn't meant as a slam to anyone it's just the way it is . The old lifestyle is fading to nothing fast .
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
For the past two years, ladies have purchased 25% of new bikes from HD. This trend is expected to grow. That's why there are lady's night at dealers now.
Half of HD buyers matured from other brands into the Harley fold. This will continue.
And at 70 I plan to keep helping HD by buying at least one new bike each year and keeping the old one off the used market. My record so far, 07,08,09, 10 and 10.
Now the rest off you get out there and and keep the assembly lines cooking.
:i con_woot:
Half of HD buyers matured from other brands into the Harley fold. This will continue.
And at 70 I plan to keep helping HD by buying at least one new bike each year and keeping the old one off the used market. My record so far, 07,08,09, 10 and 10.
Now the rest off you get out there and and keep the assembly lines cooking.
:i con_woot:
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
......most HD riders i see are well under 70 and certainly aren't arthritic.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 1,754
From: New Bern NC
World War One, when 20,000 Harleys were used by the U.S. infantry. With the shutdown of Indian in 1953, Harley became the only American motorcycle manufacturer. Marlon Brando's 1954 movie The Wild One helped solidify Harley's image of hairy-chested rebellion, an identification it alternately embraces and spurns.
Pretty impressive since Brando rode a Triumph in the Wild One.
Pretty impressive since Brando rode a Triumph in the Wild One.