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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 69
Likes: 4
From: Central west coast Florida
I like my new 2017 M-8 just turned 500 miles and can't explain the difference then my 103 other than it seems to want to get up and go I can't put my finger on it , what I am trying to say (Breathes better is a good way of explaining it ) I was getting a little cough on take off but a little sea form took care of that , I also didn't care for the rear cylinder shut off and I am not using it
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
I think that Harley's real problem is the high-overhead premium price strategies of their dealers. It hurts me to say this, because I really like the people at my dealer. They are friendly, usually quite knowledgeable, and downright helpful.
But when you go to most Harley dealers the danged sales staff outnumbers the customers most days. There is just a ton of headcount walking around.
And there is no mystery to how the dealer pays for the headcount. At our local dealership the bikes are almost all marked up three to four thousand bucks above MSRP. The 2017s!
The 21st century has seen the rise of the low overhead low cost seller, epitomized by Amazon.com but also seen other places. Harley's real problem is not so much the technological lag of its bikes -- it is the pricing strategy of its dealers.
Speaking of the bikes, I am pretty OK with Harley's build and design strategy. To me, HDs represent durably built, mostly steel construction, engines designed to last just this side of forever, bikes that are solid, etc. Harley licked its reliability issues a long time ago (as did US car manufacturers) and it makes a good bike. Sure, if you want a bike with tons of electronic do-dads, you will likely choose a Honda or Suzuki or Kawasaki. You will also be getting a bike made more out of plastic and pot metal. I'll grant you that when millennials venture out of their parents' basements and buy their first bike, it probably won't be a Harley. Probably never will-- except for the Streets and maybe the Irons, Harleys are not "first bikes." But if/when those millennials actually become affluent career people, the Harleys may very well be their second or third bike. Well, that's how it went with me, anyway.
But when you go to most Harley dealers the danged sales staff outnumbers the customers most days. There is just a ton of headcount walking around.
And there is no mystery to how the dealer pays for the headcount. At our local dealership the bikes are almost all marked up three to four thousand bucks above MSRP. The 2017s!
The 21st century has seen the rise of the low overhead low cost seller, epitomized by Amazon.com but also seen other places. Harley's real problem is not so much the technological lag of its bikes -- it is the pricing strategy of its dealers.
Speaking of the bikes, I am pretty OK with Harley's build and design strategy. To me, HDs represent durably built, mostly steel construction, engines designed to last just this side of forever, bikes that are solid, etc. Harley licked its reliability issues a long time ago (as did US car manufacturers) and it makes a good bike. Sure, if you want a bike with tons of electronic do-dads, you will likely choose a Honda or Suzuki or Kawasaki. You will also be getting a bike made more out of plastic and pot metal. I'll grant you that when millennials venture out of their parents' basements and buy their first bike, it probably won't be a Harley. Probably never will-- except for the Streets and maybe the Irons, Harleys are not "first bikes." But if/when those millennials actually become affluent career people, the Harleys may very well be their second or third bike. Well, that's how it went with me, anyway.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 211
Likes: 40
From: Bible Belt
I think that Harley's real problem is the high-overhead premium price strategies of their dealers. It hurts me to say this, because I really like the people at my dealer. They are friendly, usually quite knowledgeable, and downright helpful.
But when you go to most Harley dealers the danged sales staff outnumbers the customers most days. There is just a ton of headcount walking around.
.
But when you go to most Harley dealers the danged sales staff outnumbers the customers most days. There is just a ton of headcount walking around.
.
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Both made good and unexpected offers.
The first knocked $500 off MSRP without my even asking.
The second would sell at MSRP but take off the freight and prep, an even better deal than the first.
Maybe it's just the dealers around here but I've never seen a bike marked -over- MSRP.
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