Thread: Is Harley Davidson Corp doomed?

Originally Posted by TCMichigander

@BobH.. Most likely just political BS.. The EU is threatening high taxes on certain items coming into their country from us.. Kentucky Whiskey, Harley Bikes and a few other random items also listed.. Apparently in retaliation for something the US did.. ??

Thanks for the clarification. Without getting too much into the politics of the thing, that would be very likely to happen should the US stance on trade continue to it's logical conclusion. You either have free trade or protectionism through import tariffs on a tit for tat basis.

Bob

I think part of their issue is they are trying to market to a younger generation as a blue collar bike but at white collar prices. There are so many options now in the sub 10K range the Street line cannot attract newer riders. Go above that and your telling a 20 year old go ahead...drop 20K+ you will like it when your 40 years old

I read somewhere H D is considering making an electric bike - eco friendly type thing for the younger urban commuter/biker - anyone else heard about that?

@Crown - yes, that’s also what I read, what younger person has $30k to drop on something that for most will only be used during the summer, when there are so many cheaper options - millennials just don’t have that money for a “summer toy” I believe the phrase was used...

Right now HD has spent a bunch on research to market to the younger crowd but shut down the dyna, bad move. But Harley has been in trouble before, yet they had Willie G. To fix it. I dont know if they survive, and I couldn't care less. I,m a loyal Harley owner and rider, had one of the new Indians in my driveway for a week, took it back and said no in a loud and clear voice. I'll ride my Harley's, as to getting anymore, yes I will, I buy used ones fix them up ride them , then sell them unless I really like it. I,m buying a new Roadglide now. As long as I can rebuild them I don't need the MOCO to survive, the 1958 pan I have an offer into doesn't care if poor management and lousy marketing goes on or if the company is still here. Shame for the economy and jobs lost though. Tc

Originally Posted by BobH

Thanks for the clarification. Without getting too much into the politics of the thing, that would be very likely to happen should the US stance on trade continue to it's logical conclusion. You either have free trade or protectionism through import tariffs on a tit for tat basis.

Bob

I generally don't like turning discussions political, but that sounds believable. We know the US has always been pretty protective of their internal markets, but in recent years has become more so. You can believe that if the US raises import tarrifs to appease their internal market, the EU will do exactly the same, for a total increase that will be more or less the same.

As to the bikes: I don't ride. I never rode anything heavier than my moped in college
But I knew many people who did when I was younger, so say 20 years ago.
Many rode in groups preferred cruiser bikes from BMW or Honda, because the guys who rode Harley were the ones who most often caused the pack having to stop and fix things. Or so I was told. I wouldn't know.

One of the guys told me that if you drove a HD you better always had a 10 - 13 wrench on hand because stuff would keep falling off.
Again, I wouldn't know. But I do know that if I had to buy a cruiser, I'd probably check out others first because of that.

I,m nit so sure of that, the old bikes, especially thru the Amf years were prone to breakdowns, the bikes pre 1968 were just that old technology, they all broke down, including Honda and bmw, I've spent my life working on bikes in of all names, the newer bikes aren't prone to having to fix on the side of the road. I routinely ride my bikes with nothing more than services, tc

@tcrideshd.... Good luck on the 58 panhead purchase. Neighbor had one of that era he restored, powder blue/white color and had that matching huge size double seat.. Gorgeous! Out of curiosity what was it that you didn't like about the Indian you had? I ask because I don't see a lot of them around my area as the closest dealer is 2hrs away. I was in Sturgis when Indian had their big coming out, took me until the end of the week to secure a test ride but all they had available was the Scout. It was a fun few hours taking it through the Black Hills but I really wanted to test one of the bigger cruisers.. Thanks

I've checked them out and rode for a week, every time they have attempted a comeback. The only one that was almost worth trying was the first time with the S&S engine. These are not Indians they are whoever buys the name( look at the discussion of the Wade And Butcher comeback). Stick an Indian like light on the Indian like fender and call it an Indian.

The old Indians were a very good machine, had class and were respected. This is another attempt but a very weak one. It's a Polaris same as the Victory, and I didn't care for it either, aesthetics were poor on them and this Indian really doesn't look right either, same designers as the Polaris . Maybe be I,m just not into replicas, plus did you ever see Indian Larry riding a reproduction? To be honest I'd ride the new Gold Wing first.

My dealer let me have it, but after a week I just took it back and took out the Roadglide, I believe it was love at first ride. I would imagine I'll buy it as soon as a color gets in the spring I like, but first, the pan head. Tc

And if that's not enough the one I was riding was a 4 month old model that was traded back in on a new Streetglide.

I hope HD figure it out it would be sad to see one of the most iconic and probably most copied bikes on the planet. I still have my one and only 1983 HD FLT Tour Glide that I bought when I was a young guy. One of the last years of the shovel head and she rides great to this day other than a S&S Carb upgrade which I did 5 years ago and some tire changes and a clutch, great reliable ride IMO. i had a Honda CB 750 from the late 70's that was a hell of a lot more problematic. Carbs when out of balance regularly and found them to be PITA to adjust even with mercury guages and all. Sometimes it takes a new generation to come along and get enthusiastic about and long for the great old school bikes. Its kind of like fashion whats old is new again in time. I think after the Willie G take over Harley rode a period of prosperity and its time is just coming to an end for now but i'm sure it will be back at least I hope so.