HD needs younger riders?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
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From: Nevada
http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle...s_-_first_look
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Newport TN
Man if that song and video spoils Harley Davidson for you , tough **** you aint needed! Keep ridein what your ridein and enjoy. HD will survive without you. tens of thousands of Harley riders today was ridein Honda street bikes 30yrs ago. it was what they could afford and it had the speed and lightning quick speed we craved. and today they want to cruise and see the country not race from streetlight to streetlight and they dont want to BLAST the mountain twistys. They are into a different style of ridein. instead of an afternoon of 40miles we want a weekend of a thousand or more. so the Harleys become a bike they start to like after they grow up.
And todays crotch rocket riders will grow up and get older and MOST of them will slow down and they will inevitably start rideing more comfortable bikes. bikes that are some comfortable with decent performance and decent handling. that is all that most of us need and Harley does that really good.
Hell if Harley cant sell their bikes than the jap crusier and touring bikes are for sure gone.
And todays crotch rocket riders will grow up and get older and MOST of them will slow down and they will inevitably start rideing more comfortable bikes. bikes that are some comfortable with decent performance and decent handling. that is all that most of us need and Harley does that really good.
Hell if Harley cant sell their bikes than the jap crusier and touring bikes are for sure gone.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
Not many people in their early 20's want to tie themselves to a big loan for a non essential luxury item. They want to pay off their huge student loans or they're still at university working on a graduate degree.
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Originally Posted by KBFXDLI View Post
Face facts...when the baby boomers stop riding...the MoCo will have to downsize about 50%. No population = no riders. By then...HD will offshore manufacturing because the new generation doesn't care where their bike is made.
Maybe some just didn't read the post with comprehension.
The registered motorcycle sales of new road bikes by 18 -34 year old known as generation Y was more than 50% HD starting in 08 and improved in 09. That is a bigger % of HD buyers than the baby boomers. That is the first time in history.
HD has been gaining market share in that group and metric has been loosing share. Honda has had the most market share loss of the metrics and Kawasaki has had the least market share loss of the metrics.
The future is all good for HD. The sales volume matches the production levels. They are paying down the debt in the finance division and moving forward.
Face facts...when the baby boomers stop riding...the MoCo will have to downsize about 50%. No population = no riders. By then...HD will offshore manufacturing because the new generation doesn't care where their bike is made.
Maybe some just didn't read the post with comprehension.
The registered motorcycle sales of new road bikes by 18 -34 year old known as generation Y was more than 50% HD starting in 08 and improved in 09. That is a bigger % of HD buyers than the baby boomers. That is the first time in history.
HD has been gaining market share in that group and metric has been loosing share. Honda has had the most market share loss of the metrics and Kawasaki has had the least market share loss of the metrics.
The future is all good for HD. The sales volume matches the production levels. They are paying down the debt in the finance division and moving forward.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
and I bet the 18-34 age group is 75% or more buying used bikes that can be bought cheaper than the CR's most of them has been riding.....
But not they can buy a HD cheaper and say HEY look I own a HD....
But not they can buy a HD cheaper and say HEY look I own a HD....
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
and I bet the 18-34 age group is 75% or more buying used bikes that can be bought cheaper than the CR's most of them have been riding.....
But now they can buy a HD cheaper and say HEY look I own a HD....
But now they can buy a HD cheaper and say HEY look I own a HD....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I can pretty much sum it up, sh*t like THIS is what RUINS HD for us young guys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4mU8ZqMZPU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4mU8ZqMZPU
It's not cool for a guy to have a 9 to 5 job?
Guy's who have a REAL job aren't supposed to like to ride when they're off work?
How dare he think he can come home, change clothes and go out for a ride.
It's not cool to stop and help a guy when his bike is broke down
It's not cool to respect the vets who died for the country.
If so, ya know what? We don't need ya.
If young guys want to ride with us, fine.....but we ain't gonna kiss anyones *** and beg for them to join. We ain't the BMW matching helmet, jacket, pants and bike set.
Most young guys can't afford to but a Harley anyway. Workin' at 7-11 ain't gonna cut it.
~Joe
Last edited by traveler; Feb 21, 2011 at 07:28 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: La Vernia (San Antonio), Texas
I think there are many factors for the 20 somethings not buying harleys. Most simply can not afford a Harley. When a Honda shadow is 3000 and a 1200 is 10000, that is a huge difference. Most are starting there families and buying there first homes. I sold all my bikes in my early 20's so I could support my young family. I did not pick it up again for over a decade. I always wanted a Harley but this is my first, now in my late 30's. I think Harley's big problem now is not luring youth in the door, but the simple point that the unemployed cant buy a bike.
Had two Harleys in my 20s and early 30s; let 'em go because of marriage, family, and international travel (military stuff). Missed the fun and adventure of riding every damned day.
Finished up with all those responsibilities a few years back, moved home to Texas in 2007, and bought a FLHTK last year.
Talking to my 20 year old son and his friends, every one of the them drools when they talk about Harleys but they realize that the prices are a little out of their reach, even for the used HDs. But they are saving their pennies and will get one as soon as they are able.
I think the MoCo is safe.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
I can pretty much sum it up, sh*t like THIS is what RUINS HD for us young guys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4mU8ZqMZPU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4mU8ZqMZPU
Jeezus H. Christ, I hated that lame ***, POS vid when someone posted it the first time, and it STILL makes me cringe...
The guy needs bitch slapped, but I swore when I got out of the Army that I'd never stand in a long line again.
Last edited by *NIGHT TRAIN*; Feb 21, 2011 at 11:54 PM.