This is inflation!!!!
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 433
Likes: 1
From: Texas
This is inflation!!!!
As I start on the journey to have more of the old school/retro look on my 2012 Deluxe I found this FL from 1949, the year I was born (yes; I'm an old fart). Inflation has moved us from $750 in '49 to $17,149 (non ABS)today - a 2,186.53% price increase. Want to know what your 2012 new born child will be paying for a Deluxe in 2074 if these inflation numbers repeat over the next 62 years - $374,968.03. 
Retire - what the heck is that?
Big Red
1949 FL
Model Year
1949
Model Type
FL
Engine Type
74ci Panhead V-Twin
Production
8,014
Price
$750
Noteworthy:
Not only did the hydraulic forks provide a smoother ride, but it also looked much more contemporary, an important move in a post-war New-Modern Age.
Retire - what the heck is that?
Big Red
1949 FL
Model Year
1949
Model Type
FL
Engine Type
74ci Panhead V-Twin
Production
8,014
Price
$750
Noteworthy:
Not only did the hydraulic forks provide a smoother ride, but it also looked much more contemporary, an important move in a post-war New-Modern Age.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
Really not a bad price concidering the average yearly wage in '49 was less than 3 grand. Maybe by 2074 the minimum wage will be about $50 an hour which puts $375,000within reach. I do love those '49 to '55 Harley's though. Wonder how much a '49 would sell for in 2074? Just wondering.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,168
From: SE Michigan
$750 in 1949 in today's dollars is $6,820.92 according to http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm, so bikes have definitely gone up more than inflation, but the engine size is that of today's sporty so from that perspective maybe not.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
In 1949 the average annual income was somewhere around $2,700 a year. That would take over 3 months of your income to pay for the bike of $750; today the average income is about $41K, which would take about 2.5 months to pay for the $17,400 bike. If my numbers are correct it would seem we would have more disposable income today, putting aside our current economical state… "Disposable income" I wish I could find mine! 
The good old days, I remember I could go to the movies, get popcorn/soda, afterwards go bowling and probably spend around 3 bucks. When I found a quarter on the ground I was in hog heaven (pun intended). How about a pack of smokes, go to the casino here in Vegas and it will cost you like 9 or 10 bucks.
I know we made less years ago and everything cost less but dang, didn’t it just seem different then???
The good old days, I remember I could go to the movies, get popcorn/soda, afterwards go bowling and probably spend around 3 bucks. When I found a quarter on the ground I was in hog heaven (pun intended). How about a pack of smokes, go to the casino here in Vegas and it will cost you like 9 or 10 bucks.
I know we made less years ago and everything cost less but dang, didn’t it just seem different then???
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 433
Likes: 1
From: Texas
In 1949 the average annual income was somewhere around $2,700 a year. That would take over 3 months of your income to pay for the bike of $750; today the average income is about $41K, which would take about 2.5 months to pay for the $17,400 bike. If my numbers are correct it would seem we would have more disposable income today, putting aside our current economical state
"Disposable income" I wish I could find mine!
The good old days, I remember I could go to the movies, get popcorn/soda, afterwards go bowling and probably spend around 3 bucks. When I found a quarter on the ground I was in hog heaven (pun intended). How about a pack of smokes, go to the casino here in Vegas and it will cost you like 9 or 10 bucks.
I know we made less years ago and everything cost less but dang, didnt it just seem different then???
The good old days, I remember I could go to the movies, get popcorn/soda, afterwards go bowling and probably spend around 3 bucks. When I found a quarter on the ground I was in hog heaven (pun intended). How about a pack of smokes, go to the casino here in Vegas and it will cost you like 9 or 10 bucks.
I know we made less years ago and everything cost less but dang, didnt it just seem different then???
Yeah MADHOG,
I remember when I came to Houston in the summer of 1970 the service stations had price wars and I could buy regular gasoline for 19 cents a gallon and get a free dish (glass or cup/saucer) with each fillup. That is how I got my first set of drinking glasses and coffee cups as a married college student when money was really TIGHT.
Big Red
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
