2001 883 sold for around $11,500.

 

$11,500?? whoa,, that's like $20,000 adjusted for inflation,,

I think Harley is trying to be more competitive now....

the sportster is meant to introduce people to Harley's at a good competitive price and then Harley hopes they will eventually upgrade and then Harley can make the real money.

 

yeah i could not believe they cost that much. in fact i told someone in another part of this forum they must be nuts but then a little research proved he was correct. here is a link showing prices for different years.
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyer...erCustom53.htm

 

Because, just like most manufacturing processes, everything's made/imported fm China and sent to HD's plants for assy...gotta go where they make parts the cheapest...

 

My 1991 XLH 883 had a base price of $4796.00 when I purchased it in November 1990. I still have the original invoice.

Not sure about the prices you posted on your link.

John

 

My 2011 XLC 1200 was 12,000 OTD with rush exhaust slip on added.

 

In 2002 a DYNA SUPER GLIDE retailed for $ 21,250 The last time I owned a Harley was in the 80's An 87 FXR I sold in the nineties for a pile of money when waiting lists were 6 months for new ones and the more harder to get they were, the more certain people wanted them. Been riding Metrics ever since the HD became a status symbol. There are more than a few people who paid far too much then for their bikes. Old Timers were incensed at the price increases the new yuppie riders were enabling.. Owning a Harley became "socially complicated" Dyed in the wool HD riders hated you. Metric riders didn't care. It still is to a point. Geezer glides, irls bikes, Pousers on Soft Tails, Nim Rods (not even a Harley to some) I love reading the HD forums for that reason. No where else do similar "brand loyal" people beat each other up over their choices and become so defensive about their choices. Fun stuff.

Well Dealers changed and became boutiques and the bikes well didn't have to. (and should not have IMO. The Evo was a better motor than the TC initially) Now HD prices have dropped significantly and the big Metrics are in the 18K range. There is parity in price. Many don't understand how a new Yamaha 1900cc V Twin can sell for $16K+ when there are so many HD choices in that price range. But they do. Then there is Victory and the now $19,000 Indian will again change the game.

The difference I have noticed between Harley and all the rest of the bikes is people don't buy a "brand" when they drop $16K on a Yamaha. They chose a bike over brand. Most ordinary people by a huge margin think everything with two V cylinders and volume is a Harley anyway.

For Harley shoppers, branding is first and foremost. There are those loyal denizens who would never own anything but a Harley.That is dream brand loyalty for a business. They have invested emotionally in the brand far and above the actual bike.

I have been kicking a few tires for the past few months around the Harley dealerships. Took a few test rides. Prices are great for used Bikes and there are a lot of low mileage later model choices. I just don't like to make a buying decisions based on emotion. I want to make sure I am buying for the right reasons.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyer...GlideSport.htm

 

^exactly, I bet their bill of materials cost has dropped at least in half compared to what it was when almost everything was made in the USA.
All the components are now being made by people making 20 cents an hour rather than 20 dollars per hour for the union boys at home.
Also their business model has changed a lot over the years, now the profit from the bike is overshadowed by the new profit centers of accessories, finance, extended warranties and royalties from everything from baseball caps to Ford trucks.

 

Used ones are cheap cause you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a sporty for sale.Why a person would buy one new when there are plenty low mileage bikes around for 3500-5500 hundred bucks is beyond me.

 

Those prices are incorrect. They didn't sell anywhere near that new. I am looking at a 2001 official Harley brochure and here are the prices:

XLH 883 - $5595
XLH 883 Hugger - $6055
883 Custom - $6695
XLH 1200 - $7895
XL 1200 S - $8595
XL1200C - $8995

Freight - $180
Pearl - $180
Two-Tone - $420

The price on the Superglide is way off too. It was $11,470 in 2001.