My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 94
From:
RE: My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
ORIGINAL: Terry1955
Here's a good one for you. As most of you know, I sell Honda's (no more jokes please
). The other day I was going through their catalog. I've sold lots of Goldwings but the 6 CD changer does not come stock on any of them. They don't even offer a stock single CD player. The CD changer is $799.00. I thought, that's not too bad for a "Company" 6 disc CD changer. Then I read on down the page that you need a CD changer mounting hardware kit ($399.00). What a crock of shiit. You see guys, Harley ain't the only ones making a ton off their loyal customers.
Here's a good one for you. As most of you know, I sell Honda's (no more jokes please
). The other day I was going through their catalog. I've sold lots of Goldwings but the 6 CD changer does not come stock on any of them. They don't even offer a stock single CD player. The CD changer is $799.00. I thought, that's not too bad for a "Company" 6 disc CD changer. Then I read on down the page that you need a CD changer mounting hardware kit ($399.00). What a crock of shiit. You see guys, Harley ain't the only ones making a ton off their loyal customers.
btw, there are only three makers of changers. You can probably find an aftermarket unit that will fit the Honda Goldcouch...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
Buying off of E-bay is becoming a second source of goodies for me also. What also gets me is that very few parts are interchangable any more. Look at Harley Dyna seats, they fit say from 1993-2003 (good). The owners of 2004-2005 (me included) are limited to those years and again, 2006-2007 are changed also.
A lot of goodies for the earlier Dyna and FXR's don't fit the current Dyna crop and what you do buy, is not always the best quality. I have found that several aftermarket seat makers, chrome accessory makers, etc. actually have a better quality and accessories that are actually made in the good ol' USA.
A lot of goodies for the earlier Dyna and FXR's don't fit the current Dyna crop and what you do buy, is not always the best quality. I have found that several aftermarket seat makers, chrome accessory makers, etc. actually have a better quality and accessories that are actually made in the good ol' USA.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 647
From: San Ramon, Ca
RE: My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
Lots of good deals on ebay. I aqree, Harley does get some coins for their accesories. But look what a Corbin seat costs. $599 starting for the big touring seats. It is all big bucks. Try restoring an old car or building a street rod. There's another market thats gone thru the roof. Harley could spruce up some of their upper end models. The top of that certain line (Heritage, Ultra etc)Chrome fork lowers would be a start. Or that ugly saddle bag hardware on the FL's. Either chrome it or hide it with those fillers.
Or on the Softail, that Big Ugly Bolt that goes thru the frame for the swingarm . . . Ca mon!!! Talk about a turd in the punchbowl.
It all boils down to two types of people in the world . . . Harley Riders and everybody else. I might bitch about it, but there's NO other brand for me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or on the Softail, that Big Ugly Bolt that goes thru the frame for the swingarm . . . Ca mon!!! Talk about a turd in the punchbowl.
It all boils down to two types of people in the world . . . Harley Riders and everybody else. I might bitch about it, but there's NO other brand for me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 537
Likes: 3
From: Dothan, AL
RE: My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
I had an idea for posting but it was covered by terry1955. I have a friend with a vtx1300 and he gripes all of the time about buying a piece of equipment and having to buy the mounting hardware separately. It reminds me of the man who asked the Rolls Royce dealer how the gas milage was on their cars. You are paying $20,000 or better for a bike and sniveling about $60.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,269
Likes: 12
From: NJ
RE: My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
So what your saying is.........Since youve already been screwed with the20,000 it might feel good to get screwed a little deeper with the accessories .I'll have to try that
ORIGINAL: Roses
I had an idea for posting but it was covered by terry1955. I have a friend with a vtx1300 and he gripes all of the time about buying a piece of equipment and having to buy the mounting hardware separately. It reminds me of the man who asked the Rolls Royce dealer how the gas milage was on their cars. You are paying $20,000 or better for a bike and sniveling about $60.
I had an idea for posting but it was covered by terry1955. I have a friend with a vtx1300 and he gripes all of the time about buying a piece of equipment and having to buy the mounting hardware separately. It reminds me of the man who asked the Rolls Royce dealer how the gas milage was on their cars. You are paying $20,000 or better for a bike and sniveling about $60.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From:
RE: My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
ORIGINAL: bikergirl40
Don't understand why they do that? Well, let me explain it...one word..... Marketing! From a marketing standpoint, like Bill Gait's Microsoft, it's a marketing marvel at it's best. What better way to make more money than to create something that people want, and sell each piece (nut, bolt, harness, fitting...you name it) seperately. You create the 'want', and the 'need' for more parts. It's brilliant!
Don't understand why they do that? Well, let me explain it...one word..... Marketing! From a marketing standpoint, like Bill Gait's Microsoft, it's a marketing marvel at it's best. What better way to make more money than to create something that people want, and sell each piece (nut, bolt, harness, fitting...you name it) seperately. You create the 'want', and the 'need' for more parts. It's brilliant!
What really steams my clams is the piecing stuff together bolt by bolt. It is a real annoyance to get an item home and open the instructions to see that you also need part # this that and the other thing. 99% of the time the kids behind the parts counter don't know what else you need to install something, so they can't suggest anything.
Now that I have become wiser with age (I think), I have learned to open the package BEFORE leaving the counter and see what else is needed. But once again, the stealer usually doesn't have the "Additional Parts Required" in stock and has to order them.
That is where most aftermarket companies excel over the MoCo. You usually have all the parts there, and sometimes even extras to fit multiple applications.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 543
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RE: My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
ORIGINAL: softail2005
There you go! Honda is learning from Harley!
There you go! Honda is learning from Harley!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,934
Likes: 2
From: Reading, PA
RE: My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
I remember going to the dealer for a nut and a bolt. Since it came in the same package, it was now called an assembly and was 15 bucks. I left and went to the hardware store .... 98 cents later, I was on my way.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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RE: My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
RE: My HD brand loyalty just hit a wall!
ORIGINAL: christian0632
You know Harley is going to get their money but what they don't realize is that when they nickel and dime us, we start to shop around. Good for those aftermarket companies, bad for Harley.
I just bought an Ultra Classic. It only came with one intercom headset. Where's the logic?? The second one will cost 179.00 IF I decide to get it. I think I'll check eBay for that.
You know Harley is going to get their money but what they don't realize is that when they nickel and dime us, we start to shop around. Good for those aftermarket companies, bad for Harley.
I just bought an Ultra Classic. It only came with one intercom headset. Where's the logic?? The second one will cost 179.00 IF I decide to get it. I think I'll check eBay for that.
Toad