2019 Harley Models
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Blairsville GA
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
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From: Kentucky
ever heard of a goldwing?
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Blairsville GA
Of course I have. Based on the brake recall that affected all US models a few years ago, it seemed that Honda sold on average 10-12K GL18's a year.
As I said, compared to the hundred thousand or so touring Harley's sold each year, a small handful.
As I said, compared to the hundred thousand or so touring Harley's sold each year, a small handful.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 171
Likes: 71
From: NY
Personally would never buy another touring bike over a Harley, might add another manufacturer’s bike, never instead of but there is competition out there, not just against other makes but probably even more so that Harley has against itself/its previous bikes & older tech.
Sales are extremely soft, Harley has to keep pushing towards better technology, making better bikes,attracting new customers & getting existing brand loyal customers wanting to upgrade & that’s it’s best chance of increasing sales volume..
Simply the better their touring bikes become & quicker they can do so the better off they’ll be. Think it’s apparent they realize this based on the numerous large changes recently, first w/ the M8, then the Softails. Lots of other changes happening quickly that feel different than the usual Harley MO; the discontinuation of the Dyna, V-Rod, the one year only 2017 CVO 114’s, then to 117’s in 18, now 107’ bikes becoming 114’s, can’t remember last time that happened, it usually takes years & years...
Plus w/ so many new models, a whole updated line w/ the best they have to offer, change to the touring frame is coming, it’s not a matter of if but when. A big improvement in ride & handling of these beasts, better suspension, more lean angle & less weight would be a real boost to new touring bike sales.
I’d be somewhat surprised if it’s for the 2019’s? But if so & they fixed the other stuff, they can take my money for a new CVO.
Sales are extremely soft, Harley has to keep pushing towards better technology, making better bikes,attracting new customers & getting existing brand loyal customers wanting to upgrade & that’s it’s best chance of increasing sales volume..
Simply the better their touring bikes become & quicker they can do so the better off they’ll be. Think it’s apparent they realize this based on the numerous large changes recently, first w/ the M8, then the Softails. Lots of other changes happening quickly that feel different than the usual Harley MO; the discontinuation of the Dyna, V-Rod, the one year only 2017 CVO 114’s, then to 117’s in 18, now 107’ bikes becoming 114’s, can’t remember last time that happened, it usually takes years & years...
Plus w/ so many new models, a whole updated line w/ the best they have to offer, change to the touring frame is coming, it’s not a matter of if but when. A big improvement in ride & handling of these beasts, better suspension, more lean angle & less weight would be a real boost to new touring bike sales.
I’d be somewhat surprised if it’s for the 2019’s? But if so & they fixed the other stuff, they can take my money for a new CVO.
Last edited by STRADALE; Aug 16, 2018 at 12:25 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Northern California
they are also loosing sales to competitors and that hurts.
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Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Texas
No, they're really not. Look at the market share for over-600cc bikes. Harley still has about 50% market share. Which means they sell more bikes than Honda, Kawasaki, Ducati,.Indian, BMW, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, and all other manufacturers COMBINED.
And the funny thing is: most of those competitors aren't even in the same market! BMW's biggest seller by far is the GS line, which doesn't compete against any Harley product. BMW will sell about 13,500 bikes in the USA all year, and about 20% of those will be GS1200s. Think of all the RT1200s, all the R90s, all the other GSs, and all the Husqvarnas they sell... They will sell very few K1600s. Look at all the Ninjas and Gixxers that are sold: not competing with any Harley. All the CBRs, all the adventure bikes, all the sport nakeds, all the dirt bikes... none of those are competing with Harley for any sales.
So what's left? Who is out there taking any market share? Sure, BMW will sell maybe a thousand K1600s this year, which is up (that K1600b/GA is pretty sweet). But Harley will sell that many touring bikes in a single week! And Indian will sell a few. And Honda will sell something like 10,000 Gold Wings. That's about it. What else competes? It'll take Harley a couple of months to sell more Touring bikes than Honda will sell Gold Wings all year.
Add it all up, and in the market that Harley actually competes in, their market share is probably more like 80%. Just count the bikes on the road... I see at least 10 Harleys for every sport bike, probably 20 Harleys for every Gold Wing, and maybe 50 Harleys for every BMW, in South Texas.
Yes, sales are down. But so are sales of every other manufacturer. The overall pie is shrinking, but within that pie, Harley's share is staying pretty consistent.
And the funny thing is: most of those competitors aren't even in the same market! BMW's biggest seller by far is the GS line, which doesn't compete against any Harley product. BMW will sell about 13,500 bikes in the USA all year, and about 20% of those will be GS1200s. Think of all the RT1200s, all the R90s, all the other GSs, and all the Husqvarnas they sell... They will sell very few K1600s. Look at all the Ninjas and Gixxers that are sold: not competing with any Harley. All the CBRs, all the adventure bikes, all the sport nakeds, all the dirt bikes... none of those are competing with Harley for any sales.
So what's left? Who is out there taking any market share? Sure, BMW will sell maybe a thousand K1600s this year, which is up (that K1600b/GA is pretty sweet). But Harley will sell that many touring bikes in a single week! And Indian will sell a few. And Honda will sell something like 10,000 Gold Wings. That's about it. What else competes? It'll take Harley a couple of months to sell more Touring bikes than Honda will sell Gold Wings all year.
Add it all up, and in the market that Harley actually competes in, their market share is probably more like 80%. Just count the bikes on the road... I see at least 10 Harleys for every sport bike, probably 20 Harleys for every Gold Wing, and maybe 50 Harleys for every BMW, in South Texas.
Yes, sales are down. But so are sales of every other manufacturer. The overall pie is shrinking, but within that pie, Harley's share is staying pretty consistent.
Last edited by FatBob2018; Aug 16, 2018 at 11:08 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Northern California
Some are sounding like General Motors in the 70's. Build it and they will come, thinking everyone will be loyal to Harley regardless of the product.
Harley has enjoyed a period of sales and owner loyalty that will never be repeated, fueled by the baby boomers. It was the cool bike to own, these buyers are going away. Time/age is a bitch. The younger generation is not as concerned about image, it's best motorcycle for the money, one that fits their lifestyle and needs and those are different from baby boomers.
I'll admit, I may be tainted, after 28 years of owning Harleys I purchased a new BMW K1600B or Bagger. Best bike I have ever owned by a mile. No comparison. Still have a soft spot for Harley and hope they compete. You can believe they don't need to, not what I'm told by long term friends in the HD business. They see it on the showroom floor, change in customer demands and expectations.
Harley has enjoyed a period of sales and owner loyalty that will never be repeated, fueled by the baby boomers. It was the cool bike to own, these buyers are going away. Time/age is a bitch. The younger generation is not as concerned about image, it's best motorcycle for the money, one that fits their lifestyle and needs and those are different from baby boomers.
I'll admit, I may be tainted, after 28 years of owning Harleys I purchased a new BMW K1600B or Bagger. Best bike I have ever owned by a mile. No comparison. Still have a soft spot for Harley and hope they compete. You can believe they don't need to, not what I'm told by long term friends in the HD business. They see it on the showroom floor, change in customer demands and expectations.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 690
From: Smalltown,USA
Some are sounding like General Motors in the 70's. Build it and they will come, thinking everyone will be loyal to Harley regardless of the product.
Harley has enjoyed a period of sales and owner loyalty that will never be repeated, fueled by the baby boomers. It was the cool bike to own, these buyers are going away. Time/age is a bitch. The younger generation is not as concerned about image, it's best motorcycle for the money, one that fits their lifestyle and needs and those are different from baby boomers.
I'll admit, I may be tainted, after 28 years of owning Harleys I purchased a new BMW K1600B or Bagger. Best bike I have ever owned by a mile. No comparison. Still have a soft spot for Harley and hope they compete. You can believe they don't need to, not what I'm told by long term friends in the HD business. They see it on the showroom floor, change in customer demands and expectations.
Harley has enjoyed a period of sales and owner loyalty that will never be repeated, fueled by the baby boomers. It was the cool bike to own, these buyers are going away. Time/age is a bitch. The younger generation is not as concerned about image, it's best motorcycle for the money, one that fits their lifestyle and needs and those are different from baby boomers.
I'll admit, I may be tainted, after 28 years of owning Harleys I purchased a new BMW K1600B or Bagger. Best bike I have ever owned by a mile. No comparison. Still have a soft spot for Harley and hope they compete. You can believe they don't need to, not what I'm told by long term friends in the HD business. They see it on the showroom floor, change in customer demands and expectations.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Northern California
not bashing Harley, hope they see the light. I'm pulling for them, might even buy another someday, I've owned 12 new ones.