I wasn't saying it's hard to believe that HD guys are like that, but that people might find it hard to believe me after i posted all i did today that this conversation i had actually took place.
Harley Davidson's Future?
- Thread starter CarlS
- Start date
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Simmer
Well-Known Member
Thanks for sharing the article Carl. I never cared which bike a guy or gal has. I get excited looking at any bike. Some more so than others. I don't get that feeling from looking at most cars anymore. It seems to me that car companies have a contest to see who can make the ugliest car. I bought a car because I needed to have something to ride in during our winters and not because I wanted one. To buy it was dread. Getting in a car is a real downer for me, but just the sight of my bike, even at my old age, puts a spark in my life. I don't care what others think of me or my bike. If I had the money I would buy a new TB and a Rocket Tourer. Just the thought of buying one is exciting.
Dave
Dave
Dave, I agree with you about cars. The only cars that do anything for me are the sports car that are way out of my price range. All the modern cars look alike - cookie cutter styling.
I prefer Porsche.
That is my kind of automobile. I am really a pickup truck guy myself. I have a truck and Mae Lyne has a truck. We do not own a car. I traded my Porsche for a Ford F-350 diesel dually. However, I would still like to have another Porsche.
Seems to me that H-D has a great built in advantage over almost all other makes; a huge customer base which treats OEM accessories as the holy grail of modifications. They buy ridiculously overpriced parts from H-D dealers because they're H-D branded parts. Same goes for the lifestyle items, clothing and such. These "accessory" businesses supply a greater percentage of H-D profits than bike sales do because of the enormous profit margins they carry. H-D will be able to weather the current hard times as their existing customers will continue to buy accessories and clothing, which also take a smaller out-of-pocket investment and can be purchased no matter how old your bike is. I have friends who spend as much in a year on H-D branded accessories and clothing as many people would on a new Asian or European bike. One friend hasn't worked in nearly a year, but maintains his fully accessorized 2008 Ultra Classic in pristine condition regardless.
I must admit when I went into a Harley dealer the one time I was very impressed with the whole dealer and what they had. Then again when I went into the Triumph only dealer the same day I was also very impressed
Gary
Member
I have owned several Harleys, including the 2017 Street Glide Special I own now. This is a touring bike meant for long distance rides. I is supremely comfortable to ride, and has every bell and whistle I could ever want or need. I have owned and ridden just about every brand bike and just about all models; only the Honda Gold Wing comes close, but then the Gold Wing only comes in a two up model with a rear seat and thrunk that I neither want no need.
I own a hot rodded Triump T100 for when I want to ride fast in the mountains, but only for rides of an hour or less - it gets very uncomfortable on rides that are any longer. And yes, I do switch riding positions and I have a very nice sheared sheepskin seat cover that is comfortable and cool. I also have a CRF250 Honda for short, fun rides and its off road capability, but even with an aftermarket seat, its not for rides over half an hour.
The new 1750cc (107ci) Milwaukee 8 engine in the 2017 touring bikes is awesome; its far better than the twin cam 1680cc (103ci) engine that was in the 2016 touring bikes (I owned a 2016). The 107 is much stronger, quieter and runs cooler. The Anti-lock brakes are better, and the suspension is also much better, and the saddlebag attachments are vastly better.
My only complaint is the awkwardness in the parking lot caused by the weight (about 950 lbs. wet) and the lack of the reverse gear (Gold Wings have a reverse gear). However, once rolling, nothing compares to a Harley touring bike.
Yeah, they're expensive - $25 - $40K or more new, but they hold their value better than any other bike. In my area it helps tremendously that there are more Harley dealers in my area than any other brand, and just about every independent motorcycle service shop specializes in Harleys.
I saw a used Rocket in a Honda dealer's shop the other day that looked new and had only 1,800 miles on it - the dealer had $2,500 OBO on the tag. My buddy just bought the top of the line Star (Yamaha) bike with 8,000 miles for $3,500. Used non-Harleys of just about any brand, especially Harley clones, can be bought in my area, regardless of mileage or condition for under $5K.
I ride with several groups and very few of these riders have Harleys, but they all want one. The main reason they do not is the up front price.
I own a hot rodded Triump T100 for when I want to ride fast in the mountains, but only for rides of an hour or less - it gets very uncomfortable on rides that are any longer. And yes, I do switch riding positions and I have a very nice sheared sheepskin seat cover that is comfortable and cool. I also have a CRF250 Honda for short, fun rides and its off road capability, but even with an aftermarket seat, its not for rides over half an hour.
The new 1750cc (107ci) Milwaukee 8 engine in the 2017 touring bikes is awesome; its far better than the twin cam 1680cc (103ci) engine that was in the 2016 touring bikes (I owned a 2016). The 107 is much stronger, quieter and runs cooler. The Anti-lock brakes are better, and the suspension is also much better, and the saddlebag attachments are vastly better.
My only complaint is the awkwardness in the parking lot caused by the weight (about 950 lbs. wet) and the lack of the reverse gear (Gold Wings have a reverse gear). However, once rolling, nothing compares to a Harley touring bike.
Yeah, they're expensive - $25 - $40K or more new, but they hold their value better than any other bike. In my area it helps tremendously that there are more Harley dealers in my area than any other brand, and just about every independent motorcycle service shop specializes in Harleys.
I saw a used Rocket in a Honda dealer's shop the other day that looked new and had only 1,800 miles on it - the dealer had $2,500 OBO on the tag. My buddy just bought the top of the line Star (Yamaha) bike with 8,000 miles for $3,500. Used non-Harleys of just about any brand, especially Harley clones, can be bought in my area, regardless of mileage or condition for under $5K.
I ride with several groups and very few of these riders have Harleys, but they all want one. The main reason they do not is the up front price.
I've always loved the Road King, and rode one in Sturgis 2000, and loved it. To me it just looks so right, yes it was heavy, but once on the move it was like riding any other bike. But my Thunderbird for me, takes some beating in the smiling department. Maybe if money were no option and the UK grew a bit over night, I'd think about one. And as much as I love my Thunderbird, the one Japanese bike that I've always loved is the Kawasaki Z900 to me it's the best bike to ever come out of Japan.
Nic800Xc
Member
I just saw a picture of Ewan Mc Gregor's dad with a brand new white Kawa Z 900. it was clear that the man had been waiting for this bike to come along.
In Belgium, the Triumph dealers mostly have two brands on offer! Mostly KTM, and one split his shop in top, one part Indian, one part TriumohOut dealer sells only Triumph and it's a real family vibe in the shop.
As for HD, there are very few younger people buying them, even the sportster or the new flat track model don't seem to attract the new generation of riders. Is it the price, the image, i don't know, but 20 - 30'ers are rarely seen on a Harley. That in time may prove a problem on the european market. They don't seem to tap into the hipster caferacers spirit which make up a large portion of the new riders, male or female.
In Belgium, the Triumph dealers mostly have two brands on offer! Mostly KTM, and one split his shop in top, one part Indian, one part TriumohOut dealer sells only Triumph and it's a real family vibe in the shop.
As for HD, there are very few younger people buying them, even the sportster or the new flat track model don't seem to attract the new generation of riders. Is it the price, the image, i don't know, but 20 - 30'ers are rarely seen on a Harley. That in time may prove a problem on the european market. They don't seem to tap into the hipster caferacers spirit which make up a large portion of the new riders, male or female.
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