More trouble for Harley-Davidson

The motorcycle manufacturer's sales hit a wall this spring, deepening the gloom enveloping the iconic American company.

[Related content: recession, Harley-Davidson, manufacturing, economy, spending]
By Kim Peterson MSN Money
Spring is the most important time of the year for Harley-Davidson (HOG, news, msgs). It sells about a third of its bikes in April, May and June, analysts say, as the weather warms up and bikers itch to hit the road.
After the horrible year Harley has had, I can only imagine the company was hopeful for a miracle this spring. But that didn't happen. Analysts at UBS say retail sales at Harley plummeted 35% in April and May, according to Barron's.

• Tell us: Would you buy a Harley?

And so Harley's problems continue. Americans still love their motorcycles, they just don't love brand-new Harleys. Here are the biggest problems the company faces:

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The share price has been sliding since the beginning of May.
Last year at this time, the share price was nearly $40. It plunged below $9 in March, bounced back above $20 in May, and these days is lingering in the $15 to $17 range.
Friday, Citigroup cut its rating on Harley to sell. Barron's thinks the stock may have topped out in May.

 

You need to work on your copy and paste skills.

 

Lmao. Good one. Maybe just a link would be easier.

 

This man speaks the truth!

 

It's been coming for a long time, the economy just pushed it over the edge. Now I agree, us old farts weren't keeping the MOCO in business and they needed a shot in the arm, so they went out and got a bunch of new buyers, call 'em yuppies, RUBs, newbies, posers, whatever, they saved the MOCO and us old farts just groaned and bitched about these "new bikers". Well, it is what it is, but it couldn't last forever. When the economy rebounds it will recover unless there is some new fad out there that becomes "cooler". That's when all the "new bikers" bail and the ones that don't care about being cool and can't live without riding provide a meager effort to keep HD afloat.

 

I say its about time... I love my Harley, but as I stop in Dealers as I travel, I am amazed at how many dealers I still see that are listing thier bikes Above MSRP... they need to get with the times.....

 

Talk about nothing new here - tell me something we did not know....

 

I second this I was at my local dealer today and they have a CVO Road Glide on the floor and want $33,000 for a bike that MSRP's for $30,999 that just seems way high to me. Now if they would take $27,000 maybe we could work something out. LOL

 

anyone who watches stocks is not suprised the market goes up the market goes down...

 

What is a RUB?