Is this the beginning of the end for Harley?

fastar1 said:
Anyone who wants to elevate themselves above others based on their choice of ride, or how they ride, is a poser.
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Oh crap, I do that all the time. Also making that statement, are you not doing the same thing, dictating what is a poser?
 
I know alot of HD/ cruiser riders who basically are fair weather bikers...and only on Sundays when the wife let's them...lol. That being said I'm sure there is alot SS riders who are dedicated riders who push the limit and really enjoy their rides....no question. The day will come when the SS becomes a chore to ride...some sooner than others. Not saying you'll gravitate toward cruisers or baggers either. But you'll see the SS will have shorter and shorter distances...then the posing will increase...because of the pain...lol.
 
Matthew.Tremayne said:
Cruisers are about "the look" those HD guys go for. If you wanted a good cruising bike... you get a sport touring bike. Good performance and comfortable.
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We've definitely gotten a little off-topic here, but I'll go with it. I own both a sport/touring VFR and cruiser V-Star 950. Neither bike excels in it's class yet neither do anything particularly wrong.

I own a cruiser for community, week-long romps through small towns and secondary roads, riding without a full-face, and puttering down to the store to grab a couple things which I can easily fit in my side bags. 2-up, although I've pointed out that in fact the VFR has more room, I think my lady likes the security of the backrest and not feeling like she's sitting on the top rung on a ladder. On my own and getting somewhere with purpose it's hands down VFR all the way. Just how it is.

I enjoyed the link analyzing HD's marketing - to bad boys. Am not one. Am annoyed by their marketing campaigns and would HATE to think I ride what I ride because I think people may think it a reflection of my manliness (like I give a flying Frisbee). Funny thing is though, the modern "bad boys", those thumbing their noses at structured society as a whole, are not riding around the tanks of yesteryear - they are ripping up pavement @ 200km/hr along the QEW at 2 in the morning ... yes I hear you!

I can see why "Is this the beginning of the end for Harley" is a valid question. Consumers in markets, specifically outside the US, are not altogether interested in being branded by the products we buy. We've become informed consumers. As such, we take a look at the product itself and determine it's value (which is not necessarily equal to it's out-the-door price).

Do these new bikes offer good value for what is being offered - not sure. Not really liking the look, but we'll see if they bring a couple to the bike show. Still though, it's hard to "be a man" based on the bad-a-- marketing campaigns of HD, while on a 500. A bit of an oxymoron.
 
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If they are fading away....to the droopy drawer crowd...why do HD's retain their resale value while the Jap bikes fade away? Fiscally more responsible to have something retain it's value...now that's a informed consumer.
 
Kool said:
If they are fading away....to the droopy drawer crowd...why do HD's retain their resale value while the Jap bikes fade away? Fiscally more responsible to have something retain it's value...now that's a informed consumer.
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HD has an initial high purchase price new which helps bouy up the resale, and the market is always reasonably solid. Not making huge changes in product and style year after year is a valid marketing strategy. Jap bikes take a huge dip, but then they come back years later. Eg; a Honda dream is selling around 6k now for a really nice model, they were around 1k new? New rare bikes , CBX is 6-8k for a nice clean one, more than the new cost. The other question is what will be the next classic?
 
I can answer that. My TU250X. The only modern Japan-built reliable EFI vintage look in existence that comes at an affordable price. Anything else is Indian or much more expensive.

You laugh but we'll see.
 
And I rode it 6 KM this AM with summer weight cotton pants for real. Was hard beating off the crowd of females that swarmed me but when I pointed out I wasn't in SOA they lost interest.
 
Kawasaki Z900, any of the two stroke Kawi 3cyl. Even though production of the CB series was in the millions certain models have gone to the moon, '69 750's, the supersport 400.
RD 350's that were $200-500.00 a couple years ago are on the climb.
 
Kool said:
If they are fading away....to the droopy drawer crowd...why do HD's retain their resale value while the Jap bikes fade away? Fiscally more responsible to have something retain it's value...now that's a informed consumer.
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I never get it when people quip that. $19k harley, $4k in upgrades, 3 years later worth 14k. $13k yamaha, $1k in upgrades, 3 years later worth $8k ... perhaps if you are looking a percentages of depreciation, but loss of real dollars, the lower priced bike pretty much wins every time.
 
Your math sucks....you don't like HD and you don't know why....that's ok I get that.
 
Kool said:
Your math sucks....you don't like HD and you don't know why....that's ok I get that.
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Well I don't know about either statement. Like HD's personally. Would like to have had one but when I was in the market a few years back they were in the middle of such an offensive add campaign I decided against it.

I would though like to know what's wrong with my math ...
 
mac_135 said:
Which campaign would that be?
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Was looking for it on Youtube but failed. Working from memory here so catch me some slack if i've overstepped the add from some 8 years ago ...

Wannabe bike guy is admiring a dyna
Gorgeous blond women walks up and wannabe claims bike is his and amours on about the open road, etc
Another gorgeous brunette women walks up, hops on the bike an takes off
Of course blondie looks to wannabe disgusted and walks off

The catch line, "Be a man, ride a Harley".

Say what you like about the wannabe, definitely has issues, but really ...
 
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