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They are already priced as a luxury brand as it is..........Can somebody explain to me what the MoCo is thinking by raising prices on what is already a premium based product?
I can't. A constant theme from HD owners on Youtube videos decrying the demise of the brand is that they are way overpriced, and not worth buying. So, Harley's management says, "Let's raise the prices even higher, and everyone will start buying them again!" Well, I have to hand it to them for creative thinking.
Many of us remember when AMF took over Harley and it barley escaped going the way of Norton. The earth still kept turning. Harley won't die off now, not as long as a broad swath of American males continue to have a herd mentality, and their wonderful, childlike love of big, shiny objects stays the same. Ford, Chevy, and Dodge are making a fortune with thier huge, costly, very profitable trucks by successfully exploiting that same mentality.
Succinct and accurate. Its not a motorcycle - its a statement.
I’m more in this camp. What else can they concentrate on other that what the think will work? They can’t go back to that rather cool 2-stroker they made way back when.I wouldn't be that hard on the Harley riders. After all, aren't most motorcycle riders making some kind of a statement - intentionally or not - just by riding a bike, and another by the bike they choose? I don't think there are many people who actually ride their motorcycle who don't enjoy it, otherwise it's a lot of work to be a poser. For every cruiser rider who has invested many thousands into their bike of choice, and paint, and chrome, there's the BMW rider on the GS who thinks he, or she, is just being practical and investing in superior engineering. But, BMW is a prestige brand, and always has been. So, to the non-rider who sees you and the HD rider go by, they likely think you are both showing off.
I don't have a lot of friends who ride Harley's, but some, and I've met many on the road - way out serious cross country roads - and they have always been as devoted to their brand for the same reasons that most BMW riders are: style, engineering, perception of beauty, and functionality.
As for the new CEO's prestige brand plans, only time will tell. But, if I owned Harley stock, I'd be selling it.
I’m more in this camp. What else can they concentrate on other that what the think will work? They can’t go back to that rather cool 2-stroker they made way back when.
I think they have 50% of the market and don’t seem to mind their branding on anything their buyers want....... Even Club stuff.
OM
I wouldn't be that hard on the Harley riders.
Hopefully you didn't miss my point.Harley does spread their logo around, but make no mistake - it's all very tightly controlled and licensed.
But, if I owned Harley stock, I'd be selling it.
Hopefully you didn't miss my point.
OM
It seems lots of others feel the same way. On the other hand for every share for which there is a seller, there is also a buyer.
Virtually every Harley rider I have met while on the road has been what I term a "regular guy", someone with whom I can have a conversation. And virtually every Harley rider I see in an urban setting seems to be trying to create their own version of Sonny Barger. Extraorinarily loud pipes, very aggressive riding (and I don't mean speeding), a perma-sneer on their face, completely inappropriate riding gear with fraudulent DOT-stickered helmets - it gives all of us a bad rep in the eyes of the public. It may be different in the US and probably is. Personally speaking, excepting for the pain caused to emplyees and their families, I couldn't care less if Harley dried up and blew away.
A perfect illustration of the difference between Harley owners and Beemer riders can be witnessed by attending a brand-centric rally of each manufacturer.
If motorcycles are regulated out of existence there's no coming back from that. Every bike on the road is a vote to keep bikes around. Whatever they be.
Yes, there are some big differences in bike culture. And I don't appreciate the obnoxiously loud bikes at all. But I am looking at a bigger picture.
In my opinion, informed by a lot of research into motorcycle sales and rider data and trends, if Harley "dries up and blows away", a lot of other motorcycle companies will suffer as well. There are many reasons, but in simple terms, the vast sales of Harley bikes creates a vast amount of "inertia" and "presence" for motorcycles. There are literally millions of Harley riders on the roads of the world, and by sheer numbers, they reinenfoce the validity of and right of motorcycles to share the roads with other vehicles. In my considered opinion, it is regulation and new "safe" highway designs which are the biggest threats to the future of motorcycling - not the lack of riders. Motorcycle riding has swung wildly in popularity over the last 100 years, but when it got popular again, there were bikes to ride. If motorcycles are regulated out of existence there's no coming back from that. Every bike on the road is a vote to keep bikes around. Whatever they be.
Yes!
I hope all that read this give this some real thought.
Reminds me of-
"We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately". Ben Franklin
OM
Well, I guess one can take the viewpoint that if Harley goes, we all go (I know you didn't say that) but I think that's an oversimplification of human behaviour. If Harley dries up and blows away I'm sure at least a large percentage of their riders will look to BMW, Honda, Ducati, Yamaha, Aprilia, Suzuki, Indian and Kawasaki for replacement units. Unless, of course, those same riders have an "if it ain't a Harley, it ain't sh*t" attitude (which I know some do).
Good exchange, by the way.