The last time we had an economy like this....
#21
06-21-2018, 10:57 AM
Road Warrior
Harley-Davidson is still doing fine compared to the other motorcycle manufacturers.
Harley-Davidson still commands close to 50% of the motorcycle Market in the USA over 600 cc's.
Nothing is changed except the public is not into motorcycles as they used to be.
The metric manufacturers have been hammered and have just about completely pulled out of the large cruiser market, most notably Japan.
Yamaha Suzuki and Kawasaki large Cruisers have been in the toilet for years now their product line has been decimated.
Victory has been shut down, was a major disappointment to Polaris and never turned a healthy profit that made the venture worth it.
Now Indian which is supposed to be the next Harley killer is not doing much better.
This is not a pro Harley post it's just facts. Personally I want all the competition that we can get but it's not working out too well because the public is not into motorcycles as they were.
I can say I am loving my 14 Road King with now 22,000 miles on it and completely in shock that it has not needed repair since I bought it new back in 2014.
Based on forums I thought it would be falling apart and I even took an extended warranty for the first time in my life want anything I have a bought.
Harley-Davidson still commands close to 50% of the motorcycle Market in the USA over 600 cc's.
Nothing is changed except the public is not into motorcycles as they used to be.
The metric manufacturers have been hammered and have just about completely pulled out of the large cruiser market, most notably Japan.
Yamaha Suzuki and Kawasaki large Cruisers have been in the toilet for years now their product line has been decimated.
Victory has been shut down, was a major disappointment to Polaris and never turned a healthy profit that made the venture worth it.
Now Indian which is supposed to be the next Harley killer is not doing much better.
This is not a pro Harley post it's just facts. Personally I want all the competition that we can get but it's not working out too well because the public is not into motorcycles as they were.
I can say I am loving my 14 Road King with now 22,000 miles on it and completely in shock that it has not needed repair since I bought it new back in 2014.
Based on forums I thought it would be falling apart and I even took an extended warranty for the first time in my life want anything I have a bought.
Last edited by alarmdoug; 06-21-2018 at 10:59 AM.
#22
06-21-2018, 11:14 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
One thing you guys are missing is the over 600cc part. If you look there are alot of young riders on 125cc, 250cc, 300cc, and 500cc motorcycles. Look at the groms popularity for example. Or even by me i see a ton of young guys on dualsports/supermoto bikes. The new rebel ive seen more often than m8s on the road. The days of low cc bike sucking are kinda over. People are realizing you can have loads of fun with these things and get stupid mpg numbers. Plus insurance is way cheaper... yeah im cheap.
The following 2 users liked this post by Yamaharley:
anthony_b. (06-22-2018),
jd05flhtci (06-22-2018)
#23
06-22-2018, 05:43 AM
Road Warrior
We will agree to disagree. To me "125cc, 250cc, 300cc, and 500cc motorcycles" are dirt bikes and mopeds. I dont agree the days of low cc bikes sucking are kind of over for the highway, they are dirt bikes and mopeds and always will be. Nothing wrong with that but to me even silly to put it in the same conversation as a large cruiser OR sport bike.
Last edited by alarmdoug; 06-22-2018 at 05:44 AM.
#24
06-22-2018, 08:21 AM
Road Warrior
I agree yamaharley the dual sport and grom are very popular in my area. The younger generation like them because they are affordable. Lets face it us guys and gals over 40 dont like them but we are also not buying new bikes as often.
#25
06-22-2018, 09:00 AM
If he sticks to his guns, we will win whatever trade war unfolds. Wars are unpleasant....they hurt....but when it’s over, and we win, life in America will be much better.
Thats my my political rant.
The following 4 users liked this post by cmhdwg09:
#26
06-22-2018, 11:00 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
We will agree to disagree. To me "125cc, 250cc, 300cc, and 500cc motorcycles" are dirt bikes and mopeds. I dont agree the days of low cc bikes sucking are kind of over for the highway, they are dirt bikes and mopeds and always will be. Nothing wrong with that but to me even silly to put it in the same conversation as a large cruiser OR sport bike.
The following users liked this post:
jd05flhtci (06-22-2018)
#27
06-22-2018, 01:59 PM
I think you misunderstand this. If another country puts a tariff on HD, "we" don't have to absorb anything. The guy in the other country is the one who has to absorb that cost if he wants to buy one. When we put a tariff on their goods, we US consumers are the ones who will absorb the higher costs.
Patriotism has nothing to do with any of it. Putting people to work is wonderful, but keep in mind there are millions of people who work now in the logistics and trade fields who could be displaced. I realize people like simple solutions, but the world ain't always so simple. There are unintended consequences to going into a war without a strategy and just shooting from the hip.
Patriotism has nothing to do with any of it. Putting people to work is wonderful, but keep in mind there are millions of people who work now in the logistics and trade fields who could be displaced. I realize people like simple solutions, but the world ain't always so simple. There are unintended consequences to going into a war without a strategy and just shooting from the hip.
Sorry again for the this this in the M8 forum. People always trying to prove intellect on a rather simple matter
#28
06-22-2018, 04:41 PM
I disagree. The components on modern Harleys are so much better than yesteryear it ain't even funny. Frames are stiffer, engines are smoother, brakes are stoppier, suspensions aren't filled with goose down.
They may use some shoddier bearings here and there, but that me be as much about availability of good stuff as it is HD cheaping out.
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They may use some shoddier bearings here and there, but that me be as much about availability of good stuff as it is HD cheaping out.
.
#29
06-23-2018, 07:24 AM
Road Warrior
then your missing out. Try one sometime, its not 1982 anymore... when a 250cc bike today makes 25-30 hp and weighs 300lbs it has better power to weight than my evo(not saying much). Theres a guy on youtube doing iron butt runs on a kymco 150cc for christ sake. These bikes are getting more popular everyday. Whats the new little ninja 400 making now 44hp? Tell some kid hauling *** on one his bike sucks on the highway.
... and the passanger on the back? ... ha ...
MOST but NOT all of these small engine bikes are nothing more then a BIC Lighter., they are used until the idea of having a bike gets tired and then thrown out in the garbage. They are throw away bikes bought on impluse to feel cool..To compare them to 800+ cc bikes, well, to me its like comparing a moped.
You talk about power to weight ratio and there is the problem, light bikes are not long term 80 MPH interstate cruisers, they are fun around town bikes for short trips to feel cool in front of their girlfriends..
But forget all that, those bike sales are in the toilet too, resale market is flooded with them just as much as any other bike.
Last edited by alarmdoug; 06-23-2018 at 07:25 AM.
#30
06-23-2018, 10:23 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
A kid on the highway is battered to **** doing 80 MPH on the interstate for hours at time, blown around by the wind, blown around by tractor trailers crossing his/her path.
... and the passanger on the back? ... ha ...
MOST but NOT all of these small engine bikes are nothing more then a BIC Lighter., they are used until the idea of having a bike gets tired and then thrown out in the garbage. They are throw away bikes bought on impluse to feel cool..To compare them to 800+ cc bikes, well, to me its like comparing a moped.
You talk about power to weight ratio and there is the problem, light bikes are not long term 80 MPH interstate cruisers, they are fun around town bikes for short trips to feel cool in front of their girlfriends..
But forget all that, those bike sales are in the toilet too, resale market is flooded with them just as much as any other bike.
... and the passanger on the back? ... ha ...
MOST but NOT all of these small engine bikes are nothing more then a BIC Lighter., they are used until the idea of having a bike gets tired and then thrown out in the garbage. They are throw away bikes bought on impluse to feel cool..To compare them to 800+ cc bikes, well, to me its like comparing a moped.
You talk about power to weight ratio and there is the problem, light bikes are not long term 80 MPH interstate cruisers, they are fun around town bikes for short trips to feel cool in front of their girlfriends..
But forget all that, those bike sales are in the toilet too, resale market is flooded with them just as much as any other bike.
what bike did you ride as a kid? Im curious if it was a full dresser or not...