HD's aging biker problem explained.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 655
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
HD's aging biker problem explained.
I just read this article on the CNN website. I think it brings up some good points. What do you guys think?
http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/17/auto...tune/?iref=NS1
http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/17/auto...tune/?iref=NS1
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 4
From: Moore, Oklahoma
There was a boom when American Chopper and West Coast Choppers was popular. Now those shows are going downhill. With the emergence of SOA and some possible HBO show, I think it will start to pick back up a little. When the wars are over, there will be a huge boom. Just MO.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
I just read this article on the CNN website. I think it brings up some good points. What do you guys think?
http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/17/auto...tune/?iref=NS1
http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/17/auto...tune/?iref=NS1
Sure, there is a glut of bikes out there, since a lot of guys have lost their jobs. A temporary chunk of unchewable gristle for the time being, but I have seen more bikes out there than ever before, and most of them are Harleys.
Not that I plan on buying their over priced stock any time soon, but in a few years you will see me on a 100 inch Road King, stripped down, hopped up, with a few skulls and cool death chit. Harley ain't going nowhere.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 4
CNN = CONSTANT NEGATIVE NEWS
Everyone with a little knowledge knows during tough economic times most people are prone to repair what they already own. Not everyone can afford to a new bike with all the current bells and whistles just to say look at me I newest, bestest even thought there was nothing wrong with my old bike.
They do make a point MOCO does need to appeal to a younger general now more than before. T.V. shows aren't gonna make people that don't have disposable income run out and buy a new bike.
They (MOCO) should spend some money and do some usable marketing research. Now days with high dollar items that are more of a luxury than a necessity you better stand way out.
Funny thing save for a few sporadic locations you don't anywhere near as many crotch rockets sitting in front of bars on the weekend. But dayum you sure do see a load of HD's. JMHO
Everyone with a little knowledge knows during tough economic times most people are prone to repair what they already own. Not everyone can afford to a new bike with all the current bells and whistles just to say look at me I newest, bestest even thought there was nothing wrong with my old bike.
They do make a point MOCO does need to appeal to a younger general now more than before. T.V. shows aren't gonna make people that don't have disposable income run out and buy a new bike.
They (MOCO) should spend some money and do some usable marketing research. Now days with high dollar items that are more of a luxury than a necessity you better stand way out.
Funny thing save for a few sporadic locations you don't anywhere near as many crotch rockets sitting in front of bars on the weekend. But dayum you sure do see a load of HD's. JMHO
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: LI, NY
I just read this article on the CNN website. I think it brings up some good points. What do you guys think?
http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/17/auto...tune/?iref=NS1
http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/17/auto...tune/?iref=NS1
The problem with getting old is that I have been hearing for over 35 years that Harley is going down the tubes because their cutomer base is getting old.
Baloney.
Bikes are disposable income items for most. This means most people will put off buying an expensive toy till they are financially secure. For most people this happens when middle aged. See the thing is they always wanted a Harley but had to wait. You hear that phrase from almost every new guy here.
Also HD does a very poor job of making people aware that sportsters and superglides are very close in pricing to foreign bikes.
Then historically HD has done a bad job at offering an entry level bike. Letting the competion have the opportunity to develop brand loyalty.
Before the war, the big one, WWII, the public showed they didn't want small displacement single cylinder bikes.
What does HD do? Make the Hummer.
Maybe management was getting to many HUMMERS with their three martini lunches to think straight?
Then they same smart management decides to buy bikes from Italy. Stick HD labels on them. Then expect the public to accept them as Harley's.
Same crap with Buell blast.
They refuse to offer a 500 - 600 v twin, under 400 lbs, that looks and sounds as a Harley.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,947
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From: Little Apple, Iowa, U.S.S.A.
Typical CNN. They have an agenda. Fu@k'em.
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I personally would like to see more Harleys in the media and movies. They made a good attempt with Wild Hogs but it was too PG if you ask me. SOA is a great show just more bikes less gang activety. Maybe Harley could do another Discover documentary to grab some potential buyers. As for the company dieing off it'll never happen, they may downsize but they'll never die off. They are just gonna have to get used to their primary aduiance being middle aged men and young single men just due to the cost. People can't afford Harleys these days hell the only reason I'm riding my eglide is because it was used and in my price range which hardly contributed to the company being it was from a private seller. Bottom line is Harley is just gonna have to rough it through these times but there will always be guys like me standing in line for his harley or his next harley backing the company 100%.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
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From: Kentucky
Let's see, most companies are in the red, many going out of business, yet harley still showed a profit last year and a huge profit the year before that. If I started predicting the downfall of a company that can turn a profit on a luxury item right now, would that mean I'm retarded? Yes, I think so.
I think the military is cutting out HD military sales as part of the "make the war look harder" strategy that McChrystal started (deployed soldiers could buy them pretty cheap and no tax while in a combat zone), so that may be a small hit, but it's not like they were making much profit on those anyhow and people were ordering them right and left, so that's a new generation of vets with Harleys who will buy more Harleys on the civilian market.
On a side note - best I can tell, just about every American in Afghanistan had a Harley at home and many dollars were spent getting the Afghans to make bootleg Harley gear. If you recall James Miller, the "Marlboro Marine" from the famous picture, he's now a member of the Highwaymen MC. I think, like WW II and Vietnam, Harley will again be popular with a generation of combat vets.
I think the military is cutting out HD military sales as part of the "make the war look harder" strategy that McChrystal started (deployed soldiers could buy them pretty cheap and no tax while in a combat zone), so that may be a small hit, but it's not like they were making much profit on those anyhow and people were ordering them right and left, so that's a new generation of vets with Harleys who will buy more Harleys on the civilian market.
On a side note - best I can tell, just about every American in Afghanistan had a Harley at home and many dollars were spent getting the Afghans to make bootleg Harley gear. If you recall James Miller, the "Marlboro Marine" from the famous picture, he's now a member of the Highwaymen MC. I think, like WW II and Vietnam, Harley will again be popular with a generation of combat vets.
Last edited by brenn; Sep 20, 2010 at 06:02 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 640
Likes: 44
From: Mancheser UK
I think Harley needs to take a look at Triumph, after all thats what Triumph did with Harley. Triumph has mixed nostalger with moden and has a hit . Harley can do the same, its already 1/2 way there but now they need to attract younger riders with good performing nice looking bikes that are competative in price. I think they are dipping their toe in the water with the Sporster and have a game plan. Harley need to get back into mainstream biking in the world, it wont do that just by producing throw backs to the past for misty eyed riders. I know some people think that Harley are neglecting the big bikes but the world is in recesion and it needs to do what it has to do to survive, even if it upsets some people on the way. If Harley loses one rider but gains two it will survive. Fashon is fickle, tommorow something else will be what everyone wants, Harley just needs to be in the wings waiting.