HD Headed Down the Porcelain Parkway???

[wildbears]

Some dire predictions recently.

But where will HD end up?

Taken over by another MC/Car company?

Sent to the great pasture in the beyond?

What's your prediction?

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or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOwxxsPaogY

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SynO6LU-tuo

[cabnfvr]

Kinda like what happens to a squirrel when it hits a Livewire. I doubt Harley will ever disappear, but like Subaru learned maybe they should stick to what they do well.

[Loggiebone]

From what I saw today, HD is alive and well. Proabably 75% of the bikes I saw today were HD. But again, this IS Gawga.

[wildbears]

Was it Samuel Clemens that said 'The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated'.

Got in a short ride yesterday in SE Ohio and saw the same.

But all appeared to be old riders (not older than me, just old ).

[Loggiebone]

Same here. Well fed senior citizens...LOL!

[wildbears]

I will miss them (if and) when they are gone just like I miss the art deco design of the 1930's automobiles.

IMHO, HD perfected the appearance of the v-twin cruiser and no one else has come close except maybe the resurrected Indian.

[wildbears]

So the latest gossip, reported in AV Rider, is HD will cut back production so its bikes are harder to buy and thus give the appearance of higher demand.

I remember back in the 90's when you couldn't buy a new HD unless you had an old one to trade in.

Does this strategy rub anyone the wrong way?

[955i]

That old Harley strategy doesn't rub me the wrong way, IF it helps Harley maintain a loyal customer base that can replenish itself. THAT's the problem, finding new riders as the old ones age out. It's a problem that all motorcycle companies are facing, as well as Porsche, BMW and major sports in general. Anything that takes even a modicum of effort or commitment just seems like way too much effort to the pajama boy crowd. One example is that camping equipment is better than ever, but is being sold to a shrinking customer base. Water skiing? Snow skiing got an injection of energy from snowboarding, but we will see how long that lasts, too. Golf? Even fishing is hurt by people just not interested in going outside, swatting bugs, baiting hooks or casting lures for fish they won't keep even if they catch some.

I am not pessimistic about life, and I certainly don't care that people want to remain in NYC or L.A. rather than coming to Oklahoma. But, I think the observation is demonstrable.

[dynajohn]

Two HD dealers here in Louisville Ky (one of them is a Harley/BMW dealer). One of them is selling every HD they can get with no discounts and buying inventory from as far away as 500 miles. 80% of the bikes I see while riding are HD's so I don't see them disappearing any time soon.