H-D kills off more models ? | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

H-D kills off more models ?

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I think Harley is as aware as anyone of the threat that changing demographics pose to the brand. They wouldn't have done the shotgun approach to new products in the first place if they didn't think there was a serious problem. My bet is they are retooling for a more targeted reset with something very fashion aware. Leveraging their money to make the best e-bike out there with a ton of screens and phone interconnectedness, for example, possibly selling as a loss leader to move large volumes and start to change the brand perceptions. I'd be very surprised if they simply retreat to their core market until they go under like the Brit bike industry did. Just because they're trapped by their almost-too-successful branding doesn't mean they're stupid...
 
Priller said:
Just because they're trapped by their almost-too-successful branding doesn't mean they're stupid...
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hmmmm...not quite sure about that. they seem to be quite set on not getting ahead of their looming issue.

but they still have time, let's see what they do with it.
 
Roadghost said:
For a brand that everyone hates, and nobody wants to buy, there sure seems to be a lot of interest here.

Can't imagine why.
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I have an interest in Reliant Robins.

The chances of me buying one is between slim and none, once you factor slim out of the equation.
 
Priller said:
My bet is they are retooling for a more targeted reset with something very fashion aware. Leveraging their money to make the best e-bike out there with a ton of screens and phone interconnectedness
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They already have that. Problem is, lots of the other manufacturers are also doing the same, or are surpassing HD's tech. My riding buddy with the Indian Roadmaster has an app for the bike - you can do all sorts of stuff on the app (route planning, etc) before you get in to the saddle and it all loads onto the bike the second you push the start button.

Funny thing is some HD owners who also have all that same tech on their bikes...don't use any of it because it's all "newfangled stuff" they really didn't want or aren't really using, aside from maybe the bluetooth streaming at most for their tunes.

It's certainly not something that I suspect will be any sort of selling point given their target audience. They want a 2021 bike with lots of chrome but 1980's tech.
 
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Priller said:
I think Harley is as aware as anyone of the threat that changing demographics pose to the brand. They wouldn't have done the shotgun approach to new products in the first place if they didn't think there was a serious problem. My bet is they are retooling for a more targeted reset with something very fashion aware. Leveraging their money to make the best e-bike out there with a ton of screens and phone interconnectedness, for example, possibly selling as a loss leader to move large volumes and start to change the brand perceptions. I'd be very surprised if they simply retreat to their core market until they go under like the Brit bike industry did. Just because they're trapped by their almost-too-successful branding doesn't mean they're stupid...
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What the new CEO has said quite clearly, is that Harley Davidson's traditional middle aged buyers 35-55 yrs will always be there. "That demographic isn't going anywhere. It may shrink, but it will never go away" so there will always be a market for big, comfortable high-end motorcycles for well-heeled middle agers. He just plans to shrink the company to match the size of the demographic.

The rest of the bikes HD is producing aren't making money, or enough money except the Sportster. To that end there is no more Street. The Livewire is gone. The Sportster will be upgraded (there's a patent application for a VVT twin) and the Revolution engine will also be in a new bike. These will not likely be cheap bikes marketed to an entry level demographic or your 20-something Jap/Euro-trendie.
 
Roadghost said:
What the new CEO has said quite clearly, is that Harley Davidson's traditional middle aged buyers 35-55 yrs will always be there. "That demographic isn't going anywhere. It may shrink, but it will never go away" so there will always be a market for big, comfortable high-end motorcycles for well-heeled middle agers. He just plans to shrink the company to match the size of the demographic.

The rest of the bikes HD is producing aren't making money, or enough money except the Sportster. To that end there is no more Street. The Livewire is gone. The Sportster will be upgraded (there's a patent application for a VVT twin) and the Revolution engine will also be in a new bike. These will not likely be cheap bikes marketed to an entry level demographic or your 20-something Jap/Euro-trendie.
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Where did you hear livewire was dead? I know someone working on the next gen hd electric. I havent checked in with them since new boss took over.
 
GreyGhost said:
Where did you hear livewire was dead? I know someone working on the next gen hd electric. I havent checked in with them since new boss took over.
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Apparently word is it will be replaced. No news on what with. Let's face it, the LW is a fantastic looking bike that should have appealed to a younger 25-35 yr generation. The problem is the price. None of them has $30g to spend on it, and you're not going to get many arthritic 45+ men to buy it.
 
Biggest problem was the range of it had a 600 km range 30 to 40 k would have been a non issue hell I would have one now.

Sent from my couch using my thumbs
 
The only under 50 people i've seen riding harleys are employees of HD, they work at a dealer and/or get some discount
 
FullMotoJacket said:
I have an interest in Reliant Robins.

The chances of me buying one is between slim and none, once you factor slim out of the equation.
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All joking aside, I would love a Robin or a Bond Bug.

in the UK there are a few with a R1 or GSXR 1000 motor. Quite cool,if you can keep it on three wheels... LOL

silodrome.com

The Super Bond Bug – A 150 bhp Superbike-Powered Three-Wheeler

The Bond Bug isn't the sort of car you'd typically associate with speed. It only has three wheels after all, and its somewhat relaxed four cylinder engine
silodrome.com silodrome.com
 
The ADV market is hot: maybe the Pan America will sell well, and convince more traditional owners to try something a bit different? Baby steps.
 
"What the new CEO has said quite clearly, is that Harley Davidson's traditional middle aged buyers 35-55 yrs will always be there. "That demographic isn't going anywhere. It may shrink, but it will never go away" so there will always be a market for big, comfortable high-end motorcycles for well-heeled middle agers. "

They'll chisel that into his headstone, metaphorically speaking.

Countless companies and whole industries have bet their future on statements like that, and very, very few have ended well or been proven right. Particularly discretionary, or "lifestyle" products as they need to make a connection to the potential buyer who is already predisposed to have an interest in the product.

He may be beating a path to privatization, or to be bought by a larger entity. He may not realize it though. There's no question that the company could shrink operations, output and sales and maximize profit margin, but at a certain point the bottom falls out and they can't plug the hole.
 
xrljoel said:
"What the new CEO has said quite clearly, is that Harley Davidson's traditional middle aged buyers 35-55 yrs will always be there. "That demographic isn't going anywhere. It may shrink, but it will never go away" so there will always be a market for big, comfortable high-end motorcycles for well-heeled middle agers. "

They'll chisel that into his headstone, metaphorically speaking.

Countless companies and whole industries have bet their future on statements like that, and very, very few have ended well or been proven right. Particularly discretionary, or "lifestyle" products as they need to make a connection to the potential buyer who is already predisposed to have an interest in the product.

He may be beating a path to privatization, or to be bought by a larger entity. He may not realize it though. There's no question that the company could shrink operations, output and sales and maximize profit margin, but at a certain point the bottom falls out and they can't plug the hole.
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For the mechanically inept person with money, a great looking electric bike holds a lot of promise. Keep it plugged it and it is always ready to go. For many of the garage queens that barely get a tank a year through them, I am shocked they work as well as they do. Electric is much more forgiving in low usage scenarios.

I think HD should spin up an electric that looks substantially like one of their classic bikes as there may be a market for it and development costs would be low. They could even keep their profitable "stages" as software unlocks to turn up the juice.
 
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