who will replace the old guard?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,166
Likes: 1,801
From: Puget Sound, WA.
It's been this way since H-D had dealerships, nothing new to see.
And H-D has always rode the roller-coaster of feast or famine in sales since they started.
The H-D model has been the price of an average car since they were first offered to the public.
There has always been dedicated riders from previous generations that are loyal to the brand- it's the new crew that has to ride a H-D, then an import to know the difference, then they'll be hooked.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 92
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amf almost destroyed this company, and other vehicles have come and gone. i think the subject is intriguing and so is conjecture. oldsmobile, pontiac, eight-track and typewriters are but a few things gone. it is not too difficult to imagine hd.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, VA
The younger crowd is out there. I ride with a group of 6 from work that are all late 20's, early 30's. We're all prior military, bought bikes that we could afford, and ride as much as possible. As far as Harley catering to our demographic, I can say that most of the people that I know my age, are more drawn to the sporty's and dyna's, and are really attracted by those new commercials that seem to have hit a nerve with a few of the old guard. But, that's what the younger group that I know are in to. Small, quick, nimble. The more they ride, and the more their riding style changes, the bikes will change, too. Most people I ride with are on sporsters that have bobbed fenders, low handle bars, and have a lot of black on them. Very much like a Dark Custom commercial. The ones that have been riding longer have moved on to Softails and Road Kings.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Food for thought for all.
Harley is in the best position in it's history. York has been streamlined from 41 buildings to one. The assembly operation there is as advanced as any manufacturer. The work force, dealerships and operations are now able to succeed with current volume of sales which is a healthy position to be in.
The hidden success story is Vrod. With three plants around the world it sales in sufficient volume to be very profitable as Willie G. said in his HOG magazine article.
HD's problem through the recession was the loan defaults at it's financial arm. HD has been able to incrementally pay down that debt.
The viability of HD is not at question by any financial market. It is only brought up by Trolls and semi Trolls who think they have an issue to bug HD owners with.
Harley is in the best position in it's history. York has been streamlined from 41 buildings to one. The assembly operation there is as advanced as any manufacturer. The work force, dealerships and operations are now able to succeed with current volume of sales which is a healthy position to be in.
The hidden success story is Vrod. With three plants around the world it sales in sufficient volume to be very profitable as Willie G. said in his HOG magazine article.
HD's problem through the recession was the loan defaults at it's financial arm. HD has been able to incrementally pay down that debt.
The viability of HD is not at question by any financial market. It is only brought up by Trolls and semi Trolls who think they have an issue to bug HD owners with.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, CO
I work at a Harley dealer, and we sell a lot of Sporty's and Dyna's to younger people. A lot of buyers are right out of the military.
The bikes that are popular are a regional phenomenon. When I lived out in Cali, most people were buying Softails. Now I live in Colorado, and I see our #1 line is Touring.
I believe the MoCo is keenly aware of the shifting demographic and am confident they will market their bikes to meet it.
The bikes that are popular are a regional phenomenon. When I lived out in Cali, most people were buying Softails. Now I live in Colorado, and I see our #1 line is Touring.
I believe the MoCo is keenly aware of the shifting demographic and am confident they will market their bikes to meet it.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 2
From: Orlando
don't understand your comment there, and certainly not your rudeness. however, i do know the difference between lose and loose.
amf almost destroyed this company, and other vehicles have come and gone. i think the subject is intriguing and so is conjecture. oldsmobile, pontiac, eight-track and typewriters are but a few things gone. it is not too difficult to imagine hd.
amf almost destroyed this company, and other vehicles have come and gone. i think the subject is intriguing and so is conjecture. oldsmobile, pontiac, eight-track and typewriters are but a few things gone. it is not too difficult to imagine hd.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
I wouldn't worry about Harley. Harley is a master of what they do. When you get a Harley you get a bike that looks pretty much the same as your grandpa rode. The MoCo updates and modernizes them just enough to keep up with the times but the bikes are unmistakable.
Look at a Sporty from the 60's and one from today. The lineage is obvious. It's the same for the FX bikes and the Glides. Don't think that matters? Look around when you're riding. How many kids wave at you? Remember when you were a kid looking at a Harley on the road? Not much has changed. Very few other companies can do that. The Triumph Bonnie being another.
Don't mistake it, many of the younger people today will want a Harley because they know that the day they can get one, it will be like the one they dreamed of.
Look at a Sporty from the 60's and one from today. The lineage is obvious. It's the same for the FX bikes and the Glides. Don't think that matters? Look around when you're riding. How many kids wave at you? Remember when you were a kid looking at a Harley on the road? Not much has changed. Very few other companies can do that. The Triumph Bonnie being another.
Don't mistake it, many of the younger people today will want a Harley because they know that the day they can get one, it will be like the one they dreamed of.