Pricing is nuts.
Harley Happenings - Jochen Zeitz "retiring"
- Thread starter xrljoel
- Start date
If HD pricing were sane, which model would you buy?
Personally, outside of the Pan Am, zero motorcycles on the HD showroom floor interest me. And the PA is priced similarly to most premium heavy-weight ADVs out there, like the GS, so it's not that far out of the ballpark.
I'd like to think that I'm one of the new prospective buyers that Harley would want to capture. Young enough that I'll stay with the brand for many more years, yet old enough to have disposable income.
However, *every single HD model* I've ever been interested in has been discontinued or given the cold shoulder by the MoCo. VRods were shoved in the back of the dealership by the washrooms and I was treated like I had three heads when I inquired about it with the sales staff. Buells were bikes I could see myself riding. FXDR and Bronx... well, we all know how those models fared in recent years. Heck, I'm not even into electric bikes, but I did spend a few moments at the trade show eying up that Livewire out of curiousity.
HD are caught between trying to appease their old dirtbag-wannabe-weekend-pirate-cosplayers crew who won't dish out $$$$ for their faux-vintage no-tech bikes and trying to capture new riders like me, who want nothing to do with the previously-mentioned toxic sales and ownership culture.
Personally, outside of the Pan Am, zero motorcycles on the HD showroom floor interest me. And the PA is priced similarly to most premium heavy-weight ADVs out there, like the GS, so it's not that far out of the ballpark.
I'd like to think that I'm one of the new prospective buyers that Harley would want to capture. Young enough that I'll stay with the brand for many more years, yet old enough to have disposable income.
However, *every single HD model* I've ever been interested in has been discontinued or given the cold shoulder by the MoCo. VRods were shoved in the back of the dealership by the washrooms and I was treated like I had three heads when I inquired about it with the sales staff. Buells were bikes I could see myself riding. FXDR and Bronx... well, we all know how those models fared in recent years. Heck, I'm not even into electric bikes, but I did spend a few moments at the trade show eying up that Livewire out of curiousity.
HD are caught between trying to appease their old dirtbag-wannabe-weekend-pirate-cosplayers crew who won't dish out $$$$ for their faux-vintage no-tech bikes and trying to capture new riders like me, who want nothing to do with the previously-mentioned toxic sales and ownership culture.
fatboy
Dirty Frank
Well-known member
I'd take a Road Glide. I had a Victory Magnum in sparkly metallic paint bass-boat colours and every passerby loved that beauty including me (and it was my wife's fav of all my past bikes). There's a few rides in the Indian catalogue I like but if we're only choosing HD it'd be the RG for me.
Walk into a dealer and how is your comfort level? Do you feel welcome or invited? Even as a Harley owner, I felt judged. You ride a Sporty? What year? Oh, yeah. Walk the showroom and there is more trinkets and bobits than Lundy’s lane and I can’t imagine anyone actually purchasing it for the price on the tag. I’ve been to the Disney store and seen parents over pay for stuff but, for HD stuff?
At heart, I still embrace riding a slow bike fast and some HDs you can sit your butt down and relax. Other than a road glide there isn’t a current model that appeals. There are a few past models that catch my eye for the right price point such as a Vrod muscle or Low Rider S. I miss having a sportster around. Never owned new and would never buy new. Even if my finances allowed.
Indians are not cheap. But, they appeal from their entry level to touring models. They have their problems like most do now.
As a former HD owner, I’m drawn to Triumph most. I don’t have to dress like a pirate to fit in and they have more choices.
If Indian can rise from the ashes, HD likely can too. I’m just not sure how they keep the 1%er crowd, the legacy dentists and bring in new blood.
At heart, I still embrace riding a slow bike fast and some HDs you can sit your butt down and relax. Other than a road glide there isn’t a current model that appeals. There are a few past models that catch my eye for the right price point such as a Vrod muscle or Low Rider S. I miss having a sportster around. Never owned new and would never buy new. Even if my finances allowed.
Indians are not cheap. But, they appeal from their entry level to touring models. They have their problems like most do now.
As a former HD owner, I’m drawn to Triumph most. I don’t have to dress like a pirate to fit in and they have more choices.
If Indian can rise from the ashes, HD likely can too. I’m just not sure how they keep the 1%er crowd, the legacy dentists and bring in new blood.
Very welcomed. Before renting a hog in AZ the Squeeze and I went to Rocky's in London to sit on one. When we went in the girl was friendly and said "sit on anything you want". Most bike shops don't like you hopping on random bike unless there's a salesman hovering. It was very good experience, too bad they don't sell bikes I like.
I went into Poole's in Hamilton 25 years ago. It was very clear it was a place that I wasn't supposed to be. Mackie's was much friendlier (although I listened to them drawing up a deal for a guy that would have made snap-on proud).
TK4
Well-known member
IMHO, they flushed the Street 500s and 750s too soon. The 750 Street Rod was coming along (if it wasn't so FUGLY) and could have been turned into a nice flat track replica or ADV.
Killing the Bronx was a huge mistake. The Nightster is a torture rack - 2" of rear wheel travel ???
The bikes H-D currently sell in Asia that come out of China and India are a glimmering hope if they could be sold in North America at a realistic price. The badge means a lot, just how much remains to be seen.
BTW, the current genuine accessory catalogue is something like 800 pages and weighs over 3 pounds - at least they do that part right.
Killing the Bronx was a huge mistake. The Nightster is a torture rack - 2" of rear wheel travel ???
The bikes H-D currently sell in Asia that come out of China and India are a glimmering hope if they could be sold in North America at a realistic price. The badge means a lot, just how much remains to be seen.
BTW, the current genuine accessory catalogue is something like 800 pages and weighs over 3 pounds - at least they do that part right.
TK4
Well-known member
"Pennies a day, and don't forget the extended warranty."
It was long ago so the numbers are foggy but it was a construction worker with a suspended license buying a Nightrod (with farkles) for something like $800 a month for 10 years. His buddy asked how he was going to make the payments. The worker said he would work weekends to earn extra money to make the payments. He hoped to get his license back in a year or two. I don't know when the guy planned on riding the bike.
Priller
Well-known member
Classic example of a bike that everyone likes but nobody buys, then when they stop selling them, everyone who didn't buy one is outraged. Perhaps destined for Sport Classic territory where the used ones skyrocket in price and mostly end up as static art pieces, better admired than ridden.
I briefly looked at one in my hunt for a sporty cruiser, but the peanut-sized tank plus terrible mileage was a dealbreaker. Something like 160 km to fuel light, much less if you give it the beans. It's good looking, but not THAT good looking...
sburns
Well-known member
I have to say HD dealers are an experience to itself. I've never felt uncomfortable or judged, but at the same time I could care less, too old to give a fuk about it. Staff have always been on mostly the friendly side, greeting with hello's, some still remember my name (Durham HD). Parts desk, meh a little questionable on how well they know their stuff, but generally ok.Walk into a dealer and how is your comfort level? Do you feel welcome or invited? Even as a Harley owner, I felt judged. You ride a Sporty? What year? Oh, yeah. Walk the showroom and there is more trinkets and bobits than Lundy’s lane and I can’t imagine anyone actually purchasing it for the price on the tag. I’ve been to the Disney store and seen parents over pay for stuff but, for HD stuff?
Seen what look like MC riders, dropped cash on huge part orders though.
The funny part about HD dealers for parts, you can also order from Parts Canada just like at any other dealer. Of course they would prefer the original parts, but there is no pressure.
The HD crowd I would say is wide and diverse enough, and unique to itself. I wouldn't buy most of the crap they sell (non bike stuff), but lots of others do, which is why HD is happy enough to slap their logo on something cause someone will buy it, even if it's junk.
TK4
Well-known member
IF I was looking for a Harley the first place I'd go would be Classy Chassis in Lakefield. They aren't an official dealer but they always have a bunch of top quality used stuff. Josh and his staff don't cop attitudes, they do everything they can to get it done right. I try to get up there at least once a year, and right next door is Two Fat Greeks food truck if you need any more incentive.
TK4
Well-known member
Glenn/RZ500
Active member
I remember seeing new AMF H-D`s on a dealer floor. Kinked brake hose at the master and a tinfoil drip pan under it.
