Factory installed stage kits
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 497
Likes: 50
From: CA
Factory installed stage kits
If I wanted a 117 stage IV kit upgrade installed on my HD CVO Breakout (which I do not have one) why couldn't I have that kit installed right at HD's assembly line while the bike is being built? Just like when one orders a factory moonroof option on their vehicle. It gets cut and installed at that respective car companies assembly line. Why doesn't HD allow for such factory installations with their engine upgrade kits? I mean they mandate a HD mechanic install these kits if one wants to keep their factory warranty so why not allow that person to save on that after market installation cost by having it done at the factory while the bike is being built?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,162
Likes: 1,906
From: Doghouse... mostly
It just doesn't work that way. How would any of the Dealers turn a profit? What's next? Ordering your bike and then having Amazon drone it right to your front door and cut out the Dealer Network entirely!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 682
Likes: 197
From: Raleigh, NC
People buy Harleys every day. Why would Harley go through the expense of setting up such a system when it will cut into initial sale profits and aftermarket parts sales alike on bikes that are already selling?
GM
GM
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 497
Likes: 50
From: CA
Who cares about the dealers? They're just that...dealers. The auto dealers lobbied years ago and got passed the franchise law which precludes one buying a vehicle right from the factory. It's pure anti trust violations. And it still exists. What am I paying the dealer for? He did squat producing this unit. Ever meet a poor car dealer? I have not. And I for one do not like 3rd party entities reducing my wallet size. The various auto companies could set up their warranty shops throughout to satisfy warranty issues. No need for any dealer nor its showrooms. End result a cheaper auto for consumers. And no, I don't want one of amazons drones delivering my bike. I'll pick it up. Besides starting April 1 amazon now will charge sales taxes on all. That tax break for consumers just ended. I don't think most amazon consumers know that yet. But they will shortly.
Regarding reduced sales profits? They'll be charging more for the factory installed upgrade. Because the parts are higher performing which means higher prices. So there is no loss in profits nor aftermarket sales because these ARE aftermarket sales. Just from a different location..... plant vs dealership mechanics shop. Setting up an inventory just-in-time system is also readily available. It delivers on the spot parts as they're being installed on the lines. Ever been to a auto assembly plant? The frame starts with a serial number and all of its parts are aligned right then so when it's their turn to be installed they're waiting there for the worker to install them. There would be very little added costs to HD in setting up the system to match the upgrade parts onto the assembly line.
And in the end the consumer gets what they want w/o anybody else gettign their $.02. Or in this case about 80,000 cents.
Regarding reduced sales profits? They'll be charging more for the factory installed upgrade. Because the parts are higher performing which means higher prices. So there is no loss in profits nor aftermarket sales because these ARE aftermarket sales. Just from a different location..... plant vs dealership mechanics shop. Setting up an inventory just-in-time system is also readily available. It delivers on the spot parts as they're being installed on the lines. Ever been to a auto assembly plant? The frame starts with a serial number and all of its parts are aligned right then so when it's their turn to be installed they're waiting there for the worker to install them. There would be very little added costs to HD in setting up the system to match the upgrade parts onto the assembly line.
And in the end the consumer gets what they want w/o anybody else gettign their $.02. Or in this case about 80,000 cents.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,092
Likes: 13,024
From: Texas, USA
Dealers aren't going away any time soon. There's too much competition out there and visibility is part of it. So, vehicle manufacturers want their dealers to survive. To do so requires profit.
Last edited by Bone Doc; Mar 26, 2017 at 05:43 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 505
Likes: 24
From: Edmonton, Alberta
I wish!
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 6
From: Brick, NJ
About what a novel idea. Maybe I can order my next bike with Rush mufflers and an S&S engine.
No, I like the fact I can pull into any Harley dealer to get my bike worked on. Boy are there a bunch of them across the US. I had to have my bike world on twice this winter, all covered by ESP. The fact of the matter is my tools are home NJ and the bike is in Florida. I hate to go out and buy a new torque wrench of the compensator nut, a breaker bar, a couple of big sockets. Plus I don't have my lift in Florida either.
Plus there is nothing going to the local Harley dealer for a free lunch on Saturday, or bike nights, or group rides.
I need those dealers. Even if we sometime call them stealers.
No, I like the fact I can pull into any Harley dealer to get my bike worked on. Boy are there a bunch of them across the US. I had to have my bike world on twice this winter, all covered by ESP. The fact of the matter is my tools are home NJ and the bike is in Florida. I hate to go out and buy a new torque wrench of the compensator nut, a breaker bar, a couple of big sockets. Plus I don't have my lift in Florida either.
Plus there is nothing going to the local Harley dealer for a free lunch on Saturday, or bike nights, or group rides.
I need those dealers. Even if we sometime call them stealers.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,211
From: San Diego, CA
Who cares about the dealers? They're just that...dealers. The auto dealers lobbied years ago and got passed the franchise law which precludes one buying a vehicle right from the factory. It's pure anti trust violations. And it still exists. What am I paying the dealer for? He did squat producing this unit. Ever meet a poor car dealer? I have not. And I for one do not like 3rd party entities reducing my wallet size. The various auto companies could set up their warranty shops throughout to satisfy warranty issues. No need for any dealer nor its showrooms. End result a cheaper auto for consumers. And no, I don't want one of amazons drones delivering my bike. I'll pick it up. Besides starting April 1 amazon now will charge sales taxes on all. That tax break for consumers just ended. I don't think most amazon consumers know that yet. But they will shortly.
Regarding reduced sales profits? They'll be charging more for the factory installed upgrade. Because the parts are higher performing which means higher prices. So there is no loss in profits nor aftermarket sales because these ARE aftermarket sales. Just from a different location..... plant vs dealership mechanics shop. Setting up an inventory just-in-time system is also readily available. It delivers on the spot parts as they're being installed on the lines. Ever been to a auto assembly plant? The frame starts with a serial number and all of its parts are aligned right then so when it's their turn to be installed they're waiting there for the worker to install them. There would be very little added costs to HD in setting up the system to match the upgrade parts onto the assembly line.
And in the end the consumer gets what they want w/o anybody else gettign their $.02. Or in this case about 80,000 cents.
Regarding reduced sales profits? They'll be charging more for the factory installed upgrade. Because the parts are higher performing which means higher prices. So there is no loss in profits nor aftermarket sales because these ARE aftermarket sales. Just from a different location..... plant vs dealership mechanics shop. Setting up an inventory just-in-time system is also readily available. It delivers on the spot parts as they're being installed on the lines. Ever been to a auto assembly plant? The frame starts with a serial number and all of its parts are aligned right then so when it's their turn to be installed they're waiting there for the worker to install them. There would be very little added costs to HD in setting up the system to match the upgrade parts onto the assembly line.
And in the end the consumer gets what they want w/o anybody else gettign their $.02. Or in this case about 80,000 cents.
Wow.... wake up on the wrong side of the bed or what!?
Tells us what you think about dealers.....?
Actually, the MoCo can sell their product any way they want to.... they chose to do it via a dealer network...
The MoCo HAS set up a series of warranty shops, they're called dealers...
Ever take a tour of the assembly line at York? The MoCo wants their production line to be lean, efficient, and fast.... None of which allows for one-off special orders, yes, even though they would be made on the assembly line, each change from OEM requires additional time and programing of the line....
The dealer network also lets them ship the new bikes with some assembly needed (faster & more efficient)
Their dealer network system allows the MoCo to focus on design, engineering, and manufacturing.
It allows the dealer to make a profit by:
1) Final assembly of new bikes.
2) Check out of new bikes
3) Dealing with the public...
Up to this moment, I've never been a cheerleader for HD dealers. After reading your post, I think they may be getting the bad end of this deal with #3 above.....
You do realize the dealer doesn't HAVE to make any money on you.... buy used bikes and do all work yourself....
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 102
From: Waukesha, WI
That would seriously mess up production times and inventory. HD uses a "Just in time" production system so that there is minimal inventory not moving out the door. The engines are built in one plant, the rest of the bike in another. Keeping track of one special engine to go in one special bike with its own unique paint color and other stuff would be a logistics pain. The days of checking individual option boxes for motorcycles and automobiles is over. Too inefficient.
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