Why is the '16 Slim cheaper
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Yes it is... H-D p/n 57400111 - and I replaced the 18" screen with a shorter "Recurve" model from Long Ride Shields...
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
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From: Illinois
SLV: You seem to have missed the last two or three years when the HD demographics in the 18 to 34 age group when they buy a large street bike (over 600cc) they choose HD by over 50%. That group includes Women, Hispanics and Blacks.
You seem to have missed Honda's press release that they will no longer design bikes for the US market but will concentrate on the Asian market needs.
You also missed that in the past few years Sport bikes sales have diminished 75%.
No matter how you try to spin it. HD has over 50% of the US market. In the touring bike category. Honda, Suzuki, BMW, MotoGuzzi, Yamaha, Indian, Victory, Kawasaki and the others share less than 50 % of the touring market combined.
There is a reason that Victory and Honda do not publish production numbers.
The only Honda Gold Wing number that ever got out was the final years production at the Ohio plant was 17,000 Wings. That is the reason they closed the plant. Not enough sales.
Indian is becoming a factor. Polaris knows it and is shifting touring bikes away Victory and will concentrate on cruiser development for them. Indian can grow to be a serious threat to HD if it does not respond. But I suspect that they already have a plan. Some of it is out there. They have a base of full time employees and a program to add part time as production demand rises and reduce if it falls. Keeps costs down. That is one of the CEO from Johnson Controls accomplishments. That along with inventory control and the improved plant efficiency. The new plan includes bringing new features and models on line sooner that ever before. Last year was Rushmore models and very successful and this year is Softail's turn. What's next wait and see. HD is not sitting still it is poised for the future with it's reorganized plants, staffing solutions and development goals. All of that has little to do with how many of us old farts that are still here buying HD's. I'm 75 and have 19 in the garage. Just ordered a 16 white and Teal Heritage with white walls, cruise, ABS, detachable bags. They will be sad to see me go but there will be others to take my place. Between my three sons there are 8 bikes.
One final comment. The average age of an HD buyer has been going down for several years now. That is based on HD's press releases.
You seem to have missed Honda's press release that they will no longer design bikes for the US market but will concentrate on the Asian market needs.
You also missed that in the past few years Sport bikes sales have diminished 75%.
No matter how you try to spin it. HD has over 50% of the US market. In the touring bike category. Honda, Suzuki, BMW, MotoGuzzi, Yamaha, Indian, Victory, Kawasaki and the others share less than 50 % of the touring market combined.
There is a reason that Victory and Honda do not publish production numbers.
The only Honda Gold Wing number that ever got out was the final years production at the Ohio plant was 17,000 Wings. That is the reason they closed the plant. Not enough sales.
Indian is becoming a factor. Polaris knows it and is shifting touring bikes away Victory and will concentrate on cruiser development for them. Indian can grow to be a serious threat to HD if it does not respond. But I suspect that they already have a plan. Some of it is out there. They have a base of full time employees and a program to add part time as production demand rises and reduce if it falls. Keeps costs down. That is one of the CEO from Johnson Controls accomplishments. That along with inventory control and the improved plant efficiency. The new plan includes bringing new features and models on line sooner that ever before. Last year was Rushmore models and very successful and this year is Softail's turn. What's next wait and see. HD is not sitting still it is poised for the future with it's reorganized plants, staffing solutions and development goals. All of that has little to do with how many of us old farts that are still here buying HD's. I'm 75 and have 19 in the garage. Just ordered a 16 white and Teal Heritage with white walls, cruise, ABS, detachable bags. They will be sad to see me go but there will be others to take my place. Between my three sons there are 8 bikes.
One final comment. The average age of an HD buyer has been going down for several years now. That is based on HD's press releases.
Last edited by lh4x4; Sep 3, 2015 at 11:09 PM.
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