You better order if you want an 09
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 31
From: Eastern PA
You better order if you want an 09
I was talking to Head of Sales today at the Dealer and I ask if he "sees enough bikes coming in for supple and demand". He said "No, it does not look good". I could see the pain of lost income in his eyes. then he said that he "heard they just called some back from lay-off, but had over 75 go into retirement".
I looked out back and 4 new bikes showed up today in crates...last year I saw 8 to 10 on a Fri. I don't know man it does not look good for these big show rooms. My dealership I go into could easily handle 80 bikes I believe I saw about 25 new and used on the floor today.
I am really not sure how I feel about all this...Does this mean my bike is not depreciating as quickly?
I live near the York Plant
I looked out back and 4 new bikes showed up today in crates...last year I saw 8 to 10 on a Fri. I don't know man it does not look good for these big show rooms. My dealership I go into could easily handle 80 bikes I believe I saw about 25 new and used on the floor today.
I am really not sure how I feel about all this...Does this mean my bike is not depreciating as quickly?
I live near the York Plant
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,207
From: Ohio
Your not really buying this BS are you? They only cut production by what 27,000??? I seriously doubt they cut the expensive Touring bikes because those are the best sellers. If demand picks up again, don't sweat it, they will increase production. They are going to equalize supply and demand and try to grow in the process.
Just wait a few months....you will see those northern showrooms fill up with 2009s.
As far as calling back layed off workers...I think that is BS too. From what I recall, the reductions were permanent cuts not lay-offs. Let's also not forget that the 09 Touring frames don't require near as much labor to build. They have far fewer parts and are welded by robots. I believe this also contributed to the permanent labor reduction. Every time Harley makes a major change in design, labor is reduced. This isn't by accident. They have to keep margins improving while MSRP on bikes are increasing less than inflation (averaged accross all bikes). This too is by design.
No offense but I wouldn't put too much stock in what the salesman said...
Just wait a few months....you will see those northern showrooms fill up with 2009s.
As far as calling back layed off workers...I think that is BS too. From what I recall, the reductions were permanent cuts not lay-offs. Let's also not forget that the 09 Touring frames don't require near as much labor to build. They have far fewer parts and are welded by robots. I believe this also contributed to the permanent labor reduction. Every time Harley makes a major change in design, labor is reduced. This isn't by accident. They have to keep margins improving while MSRP on bikes are increasing less than inflation (averaged accross all bikes). This too is by design.
No offense but I wouldn't put too much stock in what the salesman said...
Last edited by stratplexi; Aug 29, 2008 at 10:04 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Sulphur, LA
Why do people keep saying the economy is bad. Man its great here, we have 3.5% unemployment, anyone not working here doesn't want to work, a high school drop out can make $20 bucks an hour. My house is worth 15% more then when I bought it 5 years ago whats wrong with the economy?
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 12
From: SE Florida
My dealer is doing his best to sell me an '08 RGlide. Loaded with goodies and everytime I go in the price drops just a little more. I almost did it. And stillight do it. But I'm seriously interested in an '09 CVO Road Glide, so I asked about delivery. Wont be till around October and probably (!) going to have a dealer pop. 5K ? 10K? Didn't know that. I asked if I wrote it up today could I buy at MSRP. No trade, cash with a healthy deposit today? Didn't even want to go there with me. He went right back to that super nice '08.
I'm in a total luxury industry and yes business is slow. The bigger stuff, 500K + is moving a little, but lesser has stalled. Under 100K is dead.
I would think that the HD Dealer is concerned about October sales and would've been glad to write up a deal today. 32K is better sold today than possibly in Nov I should think.
I'm in a total luxury industry and yes business is slow. The bigger stuff, 500K + is moving a little, but lesser has stalled. Under 100K is dead.
I would think that the HD Dealer is concerned about October sales and would've been glad to write up a deal today. 32K is better sold today than possibly in Nov I should think.
Last edited by Yachtman; Aug 29, 2008 at 10:45 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,116
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From: Glendale, AZ.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: Sierra Nevada Mountains of N. Calif
The Sacramento area of Ca is very large, hell its the capital city where Arny works. Yet the last few times I came down out of the mountains to the dealer I bought from hoping to catch a live glimpse of an 09 FLHX, the huge showroom had no 09's. Sometimes I wonder if they keep them in storage on purpose. probably a good thing I didnt see a 09 black pearl glide.
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