Comments on: Harley-Davidson Closing Production For One Week http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/ World's Number One Source For Custom Motorcycle News Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:37:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: NewHarleyBabe http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-70017 NewHarleyBabe Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:01:10 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-70017 My husband went into a new Austin Texas dealership to look at purchasing the anniversary edition of the screaming eagle Ultra Glide. He asked about trade in value for his 05 Ultra Glide and the salesman told him, "Man, you need to just keep that bike and buy yourself this new one as well< the Harley's aren't worth much after 30,00 miles. Now what kind of motivation is that? I am going to spend $40,000 on a bike that is no good after 30k miles? I went into 3 Texas dealerships without my husband to purchase my Road King custom and could not get a sales rep to even look my way as a buyer..... heck, I am a female after all and could never purchase a motorcycle without my husband's help" I did buy the bike but not at an official Harley dealership. My husband went into a new Austin Texas dealership to look at purchasing the anniversary edition of the screaming eagle Ultra Glide. He asked about trade in value for his 05 Ultra Glide and the salesman told him, “Man, you need to just keep that bike and buy yourself this new one as well< the Harley’s aren’t worth much after 30,00 miles. Now what kind of motivation is that? I am going to spend $40,000 on a bike that is no good after 30k miles? I went into 3 Texas dealerships without my husband to purchase my Road King custom and could not get a sales rep to even look my way as a buyer….. heck, I am a female after all and could never purchase a motorcycle without my husband’s help” I did buy the bike but not at an official Harley dealership.

]]> By: David http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-40342 David Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:29:57 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-40342 Hey HWGTHNG. Import motorcycles are not rice burners. They are high-end quality motorcycles that actually handle, are reliable, and powerful. The cu. in. to horsepower ratio of Harley Davidson engines is the lowest in the industry. If you want a motorcycle that you can ride instead of work on, buy an import bike. The import manufacturers are teaching Harley a lesson. Their bikes are less expensive and better quality. Harley needs to wake up or they will go down the tubes. Their arrogance will only get them so far. Hey HWGTHNG.
Import motorcycles are not rice burners. They are high-end quality motorcycles that actually handle, are reliable, and powerful. The cu. in. to horsepower ratio of Harley Davidson engines is the lowest in the industry. If you want a motorcycle that you can ride instead of work on, buy an import bike. The import manufacturers are teaching Harley a lesson. Their bikes are less expensive and better quality. Harley needs to wake up or they will go down the tubes. Their arrogance will only get them so far.

]]> By: David http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-40318 David Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:36:38 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-40318 About three months ago I went into a Harley Davidson/Yamaha Star dealership to look at purchasing a new motorcycle. I asked the salesman about the difference in quality between the Star and the Harley. He looked around to see if the boss was around and then said. "The Star is a much better bike. They are nearly flawless." I bought the Star and found out he was right. What was funny was while they were doing the paperwork, a Harley rider was looking at the "Genuine Harley Accessories" and threw a fit when he saw that every piece on the wall was made in either Japan or Taiwan. A lot of knowledgable bikers are wising up to the misleading statement that Harley builds the best bikes. That simply isn't so. About three months ago I went into a Harley Davidson/Yamaha Star dealership to look at purchasing a new motorcycle. I asked the salesman about the difference in quality between the Star and the Harley. He looked around to see if the boss was around and then said. “The Star is a much better bike. They are nearly flawless.” I bought the Star and found out he was right. What was funny was while they were doing the paperwork, a Harley rider was looking at the “Genuine Harley Accessories” and threw a fit when he saw that every piece on the wall was made in either Japan or Taiwan. A lot of knowledgable bikers are wising up to the misleading statement that Harley builds the best bikes. That simply isn’t so.

]]> By: Mike http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-24272 Mike Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:32:10 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-24272 Here in Australia we watch with great interest the gathering woes of the American economy as a correction approaches (Recession), our manufacturing and property sectors are just now showing the same symptoms of decline. Do you think that the golden age of the custom industry is also due for a correction, and we will see the ranks thinned as a result. My feelings are with William, we too (Australia) are in for a "Bumpy Ride" Here in Australia we watch with great interest the gathering woes of the American economy as a correction approaches (Recession), our manufacturing and property sectors are just now showing the same symptoms of decline. Do you think that the golden age of the custom industry is also due for a correction, and we will see the ranks thinned as a result. My feelings are with William, we too (Australia) are in for a “Bumpy Ride”

]]> By: Nicker http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-24046 Nicker Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:57:20 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-24046 Didn't the Union strike fund compensate the workers for those 4 weeks they were on strike...??? Didn’t the Union strike fund compensate the workers for those 4 weeks they were on strike…???

]]> By: goldiron http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23850 goldiron Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:15:44 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23850 A state panel says Harley-Davidson employees who went on strike in February will not receive unemployment checks for that time. Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 175 said 2,516 employees sought the benefits for four weeks they were on strike at the Springettsbury Township motorcycle plant. The law does not allow unemployment compensation when workers are on strike, but does when they are locked out. The employees argued that the strike began with a lockout, but the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review ruled that Harley-Davidson had been entitled to close for business reasons that did not constitute a lockout. An appeal deadline has passed. A state panel says Harley-Davidson employees who went on strike in February will not receive unemployment checks for that time.

Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 175 said 2,516 employees sought the benefits for four weeks they were on strike at the Springettsbury Township motorcycle plant. The law does not allow unemployment compensation when workers are on strike, but does when they are locked out.

The employees argued that the strike began with a lockout, but the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review ruled that Harley-Davidson had been entitled to close for business reasons that did not constitute a lockout. An appeal deadline has passed.

]]> By: Jim Openheimer http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23629 Jim Openheimer Tue, 18 Sep 2007 03:06:06 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23629 Nothing for a buyer. Lower prices for the seller of a used bike. Nothing for a buyer. Lower prices for the seller of a used bike.

]]> By: bob http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23625 bob Tue, 18 Sep 2007 02:44:20 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23625 so, whats this going to do for someone looking to buy a harley in the next few months? so, whats this going to do for someone looking to buy a harley in the next few months?

]]> By: dragon http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23583 dragon Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:03:35 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23583 a friend and i went in to a h.d. dealer ship in ga. cash in hand and were going to buy a new bike guess what the bike's in this store did'nt even have price tag on them so i went to look at the shirts was treated like a king the lady's were all about selling me something but not a salesman one ask my friend or me if we need help so when the lady's selling shirts found this out they went and got the mangment and need less to say we walked after giving her a peace of our mind's and telling her to take the lady's out of shirts and put them to selling bike's ,boy were those two smilng when we left a friend and i went in to a h.d. dealer ship in ga. cash in hand and were going to buy a new bike guess what the bike’s in this store did’nt even have price tag on them so i went to look at the shirts was treated like a king the lady’s were all about selling me something but not a salesman one ask my friend or me if we need help so when the lady’s selling shirts found this out they went and got the mangment and need less to say we walked after giving her a peace of our mind’s and telling her to take the lady’s out of shirts and put them to selling bike’s ,boy were those two smilng when we left

]]> By: Jim Openheimer http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23579 Jim Openheimer Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:27:54 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23579 OMG. I think the motorcycle manufacturers are in trouble for quite a few years OMG. I think the motorcycle manufacturers are in trouble for quite a few years

]]> By: Dennis Carver http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23542 Dennis Carver Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:22:13 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23542 I agree that dealership salesmen have killed sales. I know many disatisfied customer or want a be's. HD has the best motorcycles they have ever produced. For once, a sportster will go any where. And all the twin cams are a pleasure to ride. WHAT WE HAVE HERE..IS A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE! NOW.. maybe dealerships will hand customers a cup of coffee, not a line of bull! Dennis I agree that dealership salesmen have killed sales. I know many disatisfied customer or want a be’s. HD has the best motorcycles they have ever produced. For once, a sportster will go any where. And all the twin cams are a pleasure to ride. WHAT WE HAVE HERE..IS A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE! NOW.. maybe dealerships will hand customers a cup of coffee, not a line of bull! Dennis

]]> By: William http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23524 William Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:19:07 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23524 Motorcycles are products and their value is based on supply and demand. The market is saturated top to bottom; crusiers and sportbikes. The market is heading for a correction. They always do in times like these. Like HWGTHNG said, there will be be many bikes on the used market for numerous reasons, and that will hurt the new bike market as well. The pleasure vechicles (motorcycles, boats, etc) are always the first to take a hit when the economy slows down. My only advice is 'hold on, it's going to be a bumpy ride'. Motorcycles are products and their value is based on supply and demand. The market is saturated top to bottom; crusiers and sportbikes. The market is heading for a correction. They always do in times like these. Like HWGTHNG said, there will be be many bikes on the used market for numerous reasons, and that will hurt the new bike market as well. The pleasure vechicles (motorcycles, boats, etc) are always the first to take a hit when the economy slows down. My only advice is ‘hold on, it’s going to be a bumpy ride’.

]]> By: Nicker http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23465 Nicker Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:51:53 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23465 SRelated posts from the V-rod guys: "...I remeber a Thread stating cut backs, dont remember it saying anything about this. Hey HD get some control over Your Dealerships, I know personally of 3 sales you didnt get because of salesman attitude...." "...I know and anyone who pays attention at all can see the dreaded "R" word just over the Hill coming (Recession, I predict a few months before Election day). I know a some Members Here are HD workers, hope its not effecting them too badly. But from the outside looking in, I cannot see this Helping to gain New customers..." "...yeah thanks Harley for a week of no pay just weeks before christmas..." "...it doesnt take a rocket scientist to see the dealers are full of bikes, everybody scene this coming except upper management..." -nicker- SRelated posts from the V-rod guys:

“…I remeber a Thread stating cut backs, dont remember it saying anything about this. Hey HD get some control over Your Dealerships, I know personally of 3 sales you didnt get because of salesman attitude….”

“…I know and anyone who pays attention at all can see the dreaded “R” word just over the Hill coming (Recession, I predict a few months before Election day). I know a some Members Here are HD workers, hope its not effecting them too badly. But from the outside looking in, I cannot see this Helping to gain New customers…”

“…yeah thanks Harley for a week of no pay just weeks before christmas…”

“…it doesnt take a rocket scientist to see the dealers are full of bikes, everybody scene this coming except upper management…”

-nicker-

]]> By: bob http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23461 bob Mon, 17 Sep 2007 02:58:14 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23461 smuggler? what?? smuggler? what??

]]> By: Donald Pretz http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23442 Donald Pretz Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:19:55 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23442 Rodent. Never been a better time for him. At a huge discount. Rodent. Never been a better time for him. At a huge discount.

]]> By: rodent http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23437 rodent Sun, 16 Sep 2007 23:27:42 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23437 how cum the former smuggler is still buying dealerships? how cum the former smuggler is still buying dealerships?

]]> By: Donald Pretz http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23403 Donald Pretz Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:22:31 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23403 I heard that a lot of HD dealerships are for sale At a bargain?!? like real estate.... I heard that a lot of HD dealerships are for sale At a bargain?!? like real estate….

]]> By: HWGTHNG http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23379 HWGTHNG Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:50:02 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23379 I agree with Goldiron, James and Donnie. While the press release does paint a picture that HD is taking care of it employees (and they are by keeping the insurance coverage and saying all employees will return)I would be packing away all the x-tra nickles I have to wait out this storm. Another thing I feel HD needs to taka a strong look at is, what the competition is doing (and will continue to do) to compete. I love my 95th Anniversary Ultra Classic but I will be looking at all of the bikes when it comes time to renew. I've help my riding buds work on their rice burners and I do see a difference and quality in the type of "stock" part used (and there is a difference). But the fact of the matter is HD is losing market share to its overseas competition, and it is due to cost. A lot of my generation (55 years old)will be selling the bikes they bought because they feel they have grown too old so you can expect to see a mass of good low mileage bikes on the market for the next few years. If Harley Davidson wants to keep the people employed they need to develope a bike to compete in selling price with the rice burners. Look at what Toyota has created with Scion. Most riders opt for many aftermarket goodies. HD knows what these items are. They could consider this when they produce the "lower cost bike" and count on many of the rider wanting to make their bike theirs. The time has come for HD to swallow and "renew" its thought process. Hey Harley how about making a new bike right here in the good ol'e USA with lower cost to produce (mabe some plastic parts that can be changed to make the bike your own)and show the "Ying - Yangs" you're taking the gloves off. Never change what you already do but offer new products to compete. Here's a name you can call it "Competition Plus" sound familure? Good luck I agree with Goldiron, James and Donnie. While the press release does paint a picture that HD is taking care of it employees (and they are by keeping the insurance coverage and saying all employees will return)I would be packing away all the x-tra nickles I have to wait out this storm. Another thing I feel HD needs to taka a strong look at is, what the competition is doing (and will continue to do) to compete. I love my 95th Anniversary Ultra Classic but I will be looking at all of the bikes when it comes time to renew. I’ve help my riding buds work on their rice burners and I do see a difference and quality in the type of “stock” part used (and there is a difference). But the fact of the matter is HD is losing market share to its overseas competition, and it is due to cost. A lot of my generation (55 years old)will be selling the bikes they bought because they feel they have grown too old so you can expect to see a mass of good low mileage bikes on the market for the next few years. If Harley Davidson wants to keep the people employed they need to develope a bike to compete in selling price with the rice burners. Look at what Toyota has created with Scion. Most riders opt for many aftermarket goodies. HD knows what these items are. They could consider this when they produce the “lower cost bike” and count on many of the rider wanting to make their bike theirs. The time has come for HD to swallow and “renew” its thought process. Hey Harley how about making a new bike right here in the good ol’e USA with lower cost to produce (mabe some plastic parts that can be changed to make the bike your own)and show the “Ying – Yangs” you’re taking the gloves off. Never change what you already do but offer new products to compete. Here’s a name you can call it

“Competition Plus” sound familure?

Good luck

]]> By: Donnie http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23322 Donnie Sun, 16 Sep 2007 02:07:25 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23322 Sad, but anticipated Sad, but anticipated

]]> By: James http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23321 James Sun, 16 Sep 2007 02:05:46 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23321 Yes, unfortunately, layoffs is imminent. and it may be big. Yes, unfortunately, layoffs is imminent. and it may be big.

]]> By: goldiron http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/comment-page-1/#comment-23304 goldiron Sun, 16 Sep 2007 00:35:17 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/09/15/harley-davidson-closing-production-for-one-week/#comment-23304 I think that layoffs will be the next move. I think that layoffs will be the next move.

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