who will replace the old guard?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 1
From: Breaux Bridge, LA
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 4
"if we look at just the heavyweight segment, in 2011, there's 4 points I'd like to make: number one, nearly half of all heavyweight motorcycles sold to young adults were Harley-Davidson's; number two, nearly 2/3 of heavyweight motorcycles sold to women were Harley's; number three, we also sold more than half of all of our heavyweight motorcycles sold to African-American customers; and number four, nearly 6 in 10 heavyweight motorcycles sold to Hispanic riders."
So by the numbers Harley is selling more bikes than they have riders?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: "In a blaze of glory"
I believe economics plays a big part of the younger generations decisions. Peer pressure tells them that HDs are old mens bike. When I was a young Marine I wanted to get a Harley but didn't even get a bike then. Speed and wheelies rule, shiney, loud and clunky don't. Look at the type of cars they drive with dark windows,thin tires and blatty sounding mufflers. No, if harley wants to sell to gen-x the buell is about as close as they are going to get.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 653
Likes: 2
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
That was my first thought, too.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 128
I wouldn't say there are a ton of young guys out there. I had my first sporty at 24. I'm now on to a fatbob and 26. I only have a few friends my age that have anything close to a cruser. Of course i'm the only one who puts over 5K a year on my bike. Which isn't a that much I realize but it's still WAY more than my sport bike friends are doing. I do go to dealer events and hang with the "old guys" but i've never had a problem with that. I've found that those guys are more interesting anyhow. I figure my other buddies will figure it out eventually. A few of them are doing some over night runs with me this summer. I can't wait till they get off a sport bike after riding for 6 hours.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 653
Likes: 2
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Plano, TX
FWIW .... As others have said - it looks like HD is doing a decent job of marketing to the those under the age of 30 and those with breasts. But I think they're missing an opportunity to something so much better - reel in H.O.G., splinter it, whatever.
With complete and total respect to the H.O.G members in my area - If I'm 30 and I see the massive pirate display there for any dinner run, or weekend ride, I high tail it in the other direction. Personally, before I knew what H.O.G. was, I just figured it was a series of un-organized riders that HD encouraged to use their dealerships as a starting point for a ride. I'm not 30 - and I'm not 55, over the past month I've checked out the H.O.G. calendars for local chapters and shown up to see who's there and it's too old (again - nothing wrong with age / experience) for me - so it's damn sure too old for someone under 30.
The dealers in my area - as well as the HOG chapters do a lot of neat things on weekends, and bike nights during the week, etc. But it's the same folks.... When I've showed up at a few of these events, I felt out of place and not really 'unwelcome' but clearly not welcomed either. I sort of felt like it was an exclusive club of 50+ folks that dress like bikers - NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT - but it's not going to pull in the young'uns.
I think if the moco could make HOG attractive - perhaps splinter it, you'd have a new marketing campaign of some value. After all, if your buddies don't show up for an HD event - you probably won't either. Use the existing infrastructure - and not just products - to appeal to the younger crowd and you may be onto something.
Just my .02.
Ride Safe!
With complete and total respect to the H.O.G members in my area - If I'm 30 and I see the massive pirate display there for any dinner run, or weekend ride, I high tail it in the other direction. Personally, before I knew what H.O.G. was, I just figured it was a series of un-organized riders that HD encouraged to use their dealerships as a starting point for a ride. I'm not 30 - and I'm not 55, over the past month I've checked out the H.O.G. calendars for local chapters and shown up to see who's there and it's too old (again - nothing wrong with age / experience) for me - so it's damn sure too old for someone under 30.
The dealers in my area - as well as the HOG chapters do a lot of neat things on weekends, and bike nights during the week, etc. But it's the same folks.... When I've showed up at a few of these events, I felt out of place and not really 'unwelcome' but clearly not welcomed either. I sort of felt like it was an exclusive club of 50+ folks that dress like bikers - NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT - but it's not going to pull in the young'uns.
I think if the moco could make HOG attractive - perhaps splinter it, you'd have a new marketing campaign of some value. After all, if your buddies don't show up for an HD event - you probably won't either. Use the existing infrastructure - and not just products - to appeal to the younger crowd and you may be onto something.
Just my .02.
Ride Safe!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 9
From: Colorado Springs CO
I think HD is doing quite well with the younger crowd...no actual numbers here but I've heard they are selling quite well to the younger crowd.
http://investor.harley-davidson.com/...l-demographics
http://investor.harley-davidson.com/...l-demographics
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
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From: Illinois
I appreciate your concern for the survival of a over one hundred year old company that has been through depressions and recessions.
This subject has been beaten to death and as always like your post full of no facts and a lot of BS.
Here is some facts for you to become more informed than you are.
In 2011 a growing trend had HD selling more than 50% of the over 600 cc road bike market to the 19 to 34 demographics for the first time in history.
The recession with its beginnings in 07 saw HD loose less market share than an other brand and pick up more market share in the past two model years than other brands. The sport bike market dropped 70% while HD dropped about 30 %. Article after article on this was in bike periodicals and the finance sections of major news papers in the past couple of years.
HD always has been a brand that riders grew into after years on other bikes.
HD profits and sales are increasing beyond their forecasts.
When you talk touring bikes HD absolutely dominates the market with over 50% of the U.S. market. GoldWing, BMW and all the metric brands touring bikes divide up the rest between them.
So little fella just quit worrying about HD. They are here for the long run.
This subject has been beaten to death and as always like your post full of no facts and a lot of BS.
Here is some facts for you to become more informed than you are.
In 2011 a growing trend had HD selling more than 50% of the over 600 cc road bike market to the 19 to 34 demographics for the first time in history.
The recession with its beginnings in 07 saw HD loose less market share than an other brand and pick up more market share in the past two model years than other brands. The sport bike market dropped 70% while HD dropped about 30 %. Article after article on this was in bike periodicals and the finance sections of major news papers in the past couple of years.
HD always has been a brand that riders grew into after years on other bikes.
HD profits and sales are increasing beyond their forecasts.
When you talk touring bikes HD absolutely dominates the market with over 50% of the U.S. market. GoldWing, BMW and all the metric brands touring bikes divide up the rest between them.
So little fella just quit worrying about HD. They are here for the long run.
