Comments on: Shares Of Harley-Davidson Tumble

By: FUJI

FUJI — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:34:31 +0000

Buy only what you can afford when you can afford it and not only will you survive but also the Co.
Those roads have been traveled before and will be traveled again.
Just tighten the belt and we all will survive plus become better friends talking about making it thru another reccesion.
Iam an old timer and have had just as much fun riding with less; in fact one becomes more so one on one with what you are riding.
For those that believe the Co won’t make it with out them then the laugh is on you because the Co won’t be there to bail your ass out. Thats why I never put a damn tattoo on my arse.
When they hang a pennant in the museum with my name on it for being a financial contributor then I will get a tattoo for johnnie saying made in Milwaukee Wisconsin AND HOPE THEY SPELL IT RIGHT. HA!

By: geno

geno — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:40:53 +0000

you reap what you sow somtimes-
years ago harley dealers were smaller mom and pops who for the most part owned their buildings and stock-in other words
they could weather the storm as in 1984-85.

Not sure whats going to happen now when they all have become mini bloomindales

I hope they make it
we need to keep America producing American branded products

Buy American
Support GM, Ford and H-D

By: Jay Dee

Jay Dee — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:29:25 +0000

How many years have the folks in our business been asking how long can this last as sales continue to grow.

Now the economy is in the toilet, people are losing their homes and jobs and Wall Street is screwed.

Who is surprised that bike sales are down?

By: Phat Custom Cycles

Phat Custom Cycles — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:10:21 +0000

Harley was the major influence of the new EPA guidlines along with a couple of other large companies that are closed or just about to close down.They were not happy that custom manufactures were taking sales away from them,I am not saying that this is the main reasons for the industry slow down but now Harley is feeling there own problems and I think that they created part of there problem.

By: Gar

Gar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:57:20 +0000

Hey before the subject is changed here ——- Conrad has a good point —– HD just spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on their 105th Anniversary Party and all the while they are loosing their financial ass. If this were Brett Smith of S&S instead of the almighty Motor Company this blog would be crucifying him, his company and his family for spending money on a party at the expense of the poor “working man” employee. The words “double standard” comes to mind!

Gar out

By: fuji

fuji — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:20:11 +0000

Good move for the Co to redesign a new frame on the tourer. Long over due.
My undrestanding is thet seeds where planted in 2002 and accelerated in 2006 when the intent to build a tricyle evolved.

Understanding that there were many short comings with the Harley frame mated up to Lehman components versas other motorcycle manufactuers. Change was due.

The Co has mentioned the benefit of having a sub frame that can be unbolted in the event of rear section damage and ease of repair ; all well and good . Although the main reason for this new design was to benefit the construction of the Lehman assembly and ad rigidity. There have been stories told of frames twisting , cracking and becoming very dangerous so a neww frame was a must if the trike was to carry the HD banner.

Many of the other additional modifications ,degrees of front rake ,17 inch front wheel ,ect ,ect , all lean towards the balanceing out the tricycle and the standard bike will benefit from it .

My question is this ; knowing that all of these changes are all a plus even on a standard two wheeler and we know especially for those who have rode the old models that when pressing the issue you have puckerd more than once on a rough sweeper. Unles you go the speed of a scooter. It handled at times like a door hinge . I know there not intended to be a canyon carver but handeling is not an asset.. lets hope the new works.

By: Doc Robinson

Doc Robinson — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:58:56 +0000

Hey J, with respect, you are wrong. It is well worth owners of 2008 models trading up before the word gets out about just how good the 2009 models are. Once this gets out, the 2008 and earlier bikes are going to be worth a lot less. It pains me to admit this, owning a 2004 CVO ‘Glide . . . but facts are facts and the 2009 Tourers are completely redesigned with brand new frames just the start. I just did 8000 miles on a 2008 Road King and have ridden both the 2009 Street Glide and the 2009 Road Glide, putting them both through some serious testing and they really are a big step forward both in stability and cornering ability. Sure, a soft ride on an ‘08 or an ‘09 won’t feel much different but put them to the test of riding them on the ragged edge and it becomes very noticeable. Regarding negative reviews, do consider that there have been no need for them for quite some years now. Of course back in the AMF days . . .

By: Conrad Nicklus

Conrad Nicklus — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:18:05 +0000

Ok, so in this blog can I hear the people who gave Brett Smith all that shit about having to layoff employees bitch about the thousands Harley will layoff??? PLEASEEEEE

By: J

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:37:59 +0000

Sorry “Doc”, it’s not a ground up redesign- it’s an evolutionary update, some nice updates, but nothing to make the owners of 2008 models drop their bikes alongside the road and run to the dealer for a 2009.

Harley crawls a tiny bit closer to building a fully-finished touring bike.

I’ve ridden a 2009 Road King- nice, but nothing “ground up” new about the experience. Been some nice reviews in some magazines, but then again, when was the last time you saw a major rag pump out a negative review on a Harley?

By: Doc Robinson

Doc Robinson — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:11:24 +0000

” . . . not much exciting to report with the 2009 models” – Hey Sheridan, what rock are you living under? The 2009 Tourers feature a ground up redesign – frame, engine mounting, wider (but still practical) rear wheel, a re-designed and much cleaner tail section and with many, many other improvements. These bikes are sensational. Go ride one and see how Harley-Davidson have addressed each and every deficiency that previous models displayed in terms of performance, handling, smoothness, braking – absolutely sensational!
Then there’s the V-Rod Muscle, a love it or hate it agressive styling exercise, I predict most will love it. Boy, if you don’t think an entire redesign of a hugely popular range of isn’t exciting then I sure as hell don’t know what would impress you. In the words of that famous someone, “It’s the economy stupid!”

By: Mike Kiwi Tomas, Kiwi Indian MotorCycles

Mike Kiwi Tomas, Kiwi Indian MotorCycles — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:23:23 +0000

It is a shame to see companies that have been riding high start falling. Hind sight is always 20/20 and it’s always easy to comment after the fact. While I’m not a proponent of overseas manufacturers (from unfair countries) many overseas manufacturers (Japanese) look long term. By this I mean they are not interested in quarterly reports to impress their stock holders but rather look at the long term viability of their products and their company. Harley Davidson certainly has done a lot of good so it’s not all bad. They’ve been around continually operated since 1903.

By: AC

AC — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:55:06 +0000

This down turn in sales is not just indicative of the week economy. Other manufacturers are are on track for a decent year so why not Harley Davidson. The subsiding sales for the Motor Company are the result of a detachment with consumers, and I am not talking about HD owners, they understand them well enough, of coarse they already own a HD product. The disconnect is with non Harley riders, you know the ones riding those metric bikes. They tried to buy a Harley a couple of years back, but they where put off by arrogant sales people and inflated bike prices and left with a bad taste in their mouth. They spent their hard earned money on a metric bike and realized that could have a great ownership and riding experience for a fraction of the dollar, and they are not coming back. As for the youth buyers interested in performance, until the introduction of the Austrian powered 1028 HD and Buell never had a bike to compete with the metric manufacturers, and as good as it is it still not as good the competition. The writing is on the wall for HD, is it too late for change? The Motor Company can barely to respond to market trends, when it should be setting them. I am old enough to remember when being American meant you where a leader, what went wrong along the way!

By: Nitrous Phil

Nitrous Phil — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:53:28 +0000

Jeff – nailed it.
Like this is news?

By: Sheridan

Sheridan — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:29:40 +0000

“Most analysts also think that the Harley-Davidson’s 2009 models will not be able to boost the company’s sales much”.

Yeah I’d have to agree with that, not much exciting to report with the 2009 models…

By: Jeff Nicklus

Jeff Nicklus — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:46:38 +0000

…….. and this surprises who? …….

Over & Out,

Jeff