Comments on: Harley-Davidson Management Acknowledges Marketing Mistake http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/ World's Number One Source For Custom Motorcycle News Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:13:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jsdiamond http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-103055 jsdiamond Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:41:54 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-103055 HD's error began with that silly "Dark Customs" booklet coupled with the idiotic idea that painting something black would make a $16k motorcyce seem attractive to someone in their late teens and early twenties. That entire campaign looks like it was created by gay ad designers in New York. The second mistake was the Crossbones. The GOOD thing that Harley did --and this is probably by acccident, is that they have finally looked outside of their office cubicles and acknowledged that younger riders are not the same as older riders. This generation wants the Sportster --not only because it's reasonably priced, but because it is a good bike that's also a good platform for chopping or mild customization. I hope that Harley has learned something from this. They had a drought of riders under 30 years old for the last decade+. Now the Nightster and Iron are bringing them back. Now all they need is a factory rigid. HD’s error began with that silly “Dark Customs” booklet coupled with the idiotic idea that painting something black would make a $16k motorcyce seem attractive to someone in their late teens and early twenties. That entire campaign looks like it was created by gay ad designers in New York.

The second mistake was the Crossbones.

The GOOD thing that Harley did –and this is probably by acccident, is that they have finally looked outside of their office cubicles and acknowledged that younger riders are not the same as older riders. This generation wants the Sportster –not only because it’s reasonably priced, but because it is a good bike that’s also a good platform for chopping or mild customization. I hope that Harley has learned something from this. They had a drought of riders under 30 years old for the last decade+. Now the Nightster and Iron are bringing them back. Now all they need is a factory rigid.

]]> By: FUJI http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102955 FUJI Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:28:18 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102955 Speaking of carbon fiber , What if a Harley built a bike entirely / as much as possible from carbon fiber. THAT WOULD BE A GREAT ADVANCE IN HI - TECH ! horse power to weight would improve resulting in more agile , faster, fuel efficient. yada yada yada bike. Damn , just woke up must go! Speaking of carbon fiber , What if a Harley built a bike entirely / as much as possible from carbon fiber. THAT WOULD BE A GREAT ADVANCE IN HI – TECH ! horse power to weight would improve resulting in more agile , faster, fuel efficient. yada yada yada bike.
Damn , just woke up must go!

]]> By: FUJI http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102952 FUJI Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:15:13 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102952 Stephen Curtis(Quik Chanj Chops). Not doubting your intention but just to clerify . Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (also referenced as carbon fiber) usually stronger than steel X - times per sqr inch. plus mush lighter as we all know but still plastic. Stephen Curtis(Quik Chanj Chops).

Not doubting your intention but just to clerify .

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (also referenced as carbon fiber) usually stronger than steel X – times per sqr inch. plus mush lighter as we all know but still plastic.

]]> By: Stephen Curtis(Quik Chanj Chops). http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102943 Stephen Curtis(Quik Chanj Chops). Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:10:56 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102943 Not just steel, metal of any kind is what a bike should be made of. Billet aluminum, alloys etc.,etc., just no plastic. I am sure the plastic is great for racing because of the lighter weight, but we are just cruising, and if you want lighter weight with strenth lets go with carbon fiber. Plastic is for toys. thanks for listening Quik Chanj curtis3577 Not just steel, metal of any kind is what a bike should be made of. Billet aluminum, alloys etc.,etc., just no plastic. I am sure the plastic is great for racing because of the lighter weight, but we are just cruising, and if you want lighter weight with strenth lets go with carbon fiber. Plastic is for toys.
thanks for listening
Quik Chanj
curtis3577

]]> By: Stephen Curtis(Quik Chanj Chops). http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102942 Stephen Curtis(Quik Chanj Chops). Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:05:28 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102942 Harley sportsters are good bikes as are the V-rods. Just keep the plastic parts out of the bikes." If they are not steel they are not real". Quik Chanj Chops curtis3577 Harley sportsters are good bikes as are the V-rods. Just keep the plastic parts out of the bikes.” If they are not steel they are not real”.
Quik Chanj Chops
curtis3577

]]> By: TQ http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102937 TQ Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:51:06 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102937 European H-D prices are ridiculous,even taking into consideration of sales taxes ( VAT. BTW., etc ) in the range of 17% to 20% depending upon country sold. I wonder how much of the price is to cover the costs of the oversized glass palaces in which these bikes are now sold . In my opinion the company has gone for the highest profits from the RUB recreational market , and fed the bubble from below at the entry level with easy credit. When the bubble bursts there will be a glut of secondhand bikes. Will modern mass market Harleys then retain their value ? Will more cautious and prudent buyers go to the glass palace to buy an obviously overpriced bike just to have the newest and latest model ? One dealer told to me that there will always be rich people . At another i couldn't get 50 weight oil for an older model ( which has greatly increased in value since it's year of origin) but the lady next to me at the counter could buy set of underwear items.. If the entry level bikes ( sportsters) were a reasonable price in europe the glass palace showrooms might attract a more younger crowd too ! ! In my opinion dealers have followed a business practice ( probably orchestrated from the factory) which may have greatly benefited the share holders, yet which is not sustainable long term.Maybe they can find new markets in the emerging BRIC economies.After all, isn't that where the parts, which up the assembled bikes, are originally made ? European H-D prices are ridiculous,even taking into consideration of sales taxes ( VAT. BTW., etc ) in the range of 17% to 20% depending upon country sold. I wonder how much of the price is to cover the costs of the oversized glass palaces in which these bikes are now sold . In my opinion the company has gone for the highest profits from the RUB recreational market , and fed the bubble from below at the entry level with easy credit. When the bubble bursts there will be a glut of secondhand bikes. Will modern mass market Harleys then retain their value ? Will more cautious and prudent buyers go to the glass palace to buy an obviously overpriced bike just to have the newest and latest model ?
One dealer told to me that there will always be rich people . At another i couldn’t get 50 weight oil for an older model ( which has greatly increased in value since it’s year of origin) but the lady next to me at the counter could buy set of underwear items.. If the entry level bikes ( sportsters) were a reasonable price in europe the glass palace showrooms might attract a more younger crowd too ! ! In my opinion dealers have followed a business practice ( probably orchestrated from the factory) which may have greatly benefited the share holders, yet which is not sustainable long term.Maybe they can find new markets in the emerging BRIC economies.After all, isn’t that where the parts, which up the assembled bikes, are originally made ?

]]> By: Ricardo http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102881 Ricardo Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:09:57 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102881 Ride on ! By the way they also should consider on lowering the prices in Europe ! ! ! A Brand New 2010 Street Glide retails for 20 000,00 USD in the U.S and for 23 000,00 EUROS in Europe A little Math explanation : 20 000,00 USD = 14 492,75 EUROS & 23 000,00 EUROS = 31 740,00 USD ! ! ! That means that the bike takes an increase of + 8500,00 EUROS / + 11 730,00 USD between USA & EUROPE ! ! ! = AMAZING ! And this was just an example on a Street Glide, this is the same for all models, I let you imagine the Price of a CVO here in Europe.... Ride on !

By the way they also should consider on lowering the prices in Europe ! ! !

A Brand New 2010 Street Glide retails for 20 000,00 USD in the U.S and for 23 000,00 EUROS in Europe

A little Math explanation :
20 000,00 USD = 14 492,75 EUROS & 23 000,00 EUROS = 31 740,00 USD ! ! !

That means that the bike takes an increase of + 8500,00 EUROS / + 11 730,00 USD between USA & EUROPE ! ! ! = AMAZING !

And this was just an example on a Street Glide, this is the same for all models, I let you imagine the Price of a CVO here in Europe….

]]> By: BikerMarc http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102875 BikerMarc Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:13:09 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102875 Now, are we seeing some Leadership at the top? Admit your mistakes and move on quickly to recoup. GO HD GO. There's still time to regroup your marketing & sales efforts. That said, ignore your dealers and the customer regarding "price points" in this economy and results will surely go south even more. Just my 2-cents Bros & Babes. Now, are we seeing some Leadership at the top?

Admit your mistakes and move on quickly to recoup. GO HD GO.

There’s still time to regroup your marketing & sales efforts. That said, ignore your dealers and the customer regarding “price points” in this economy and results will surely go south even more.

Just my 2-cents Bros & Babes.

]]> By: FUJI http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102874 FUJI Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:06:29 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102874 Jay Fuji, I think that you are confused Could be I have to deal with it every day if only you had to walk in my shoes every day. LOL I do understand, lived through the first plan as such in the 80's. Two friends of mine both dealers one close one not. To comment If one is to believe that the dealer network is in harmony with the Co then thou should follow the Pied Piper on his little path. Jay

Fuji, I think that you are confused

Could be I have to deal with it every day if only you had to walk in my shoes every day. LOL

I do understand, lived through the first plan as such in the 80′s. Two friends of mine both dealers one close one not. To comment
If one is to believe that the dealer network is in harmony with the Co then thou should follow the Pied Piper on his little path.

]]> By: Jay http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102869 Jay Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:10:54 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102869 Fuji, I think that you are confused. The program to push people to buy a Sportster with the promise of a trade in 1 year for a bigger bike is the consequence of the problem explained above, to move a glut of Sportsters out of the showroom because of over producing them. So it's possible that this new incentive program is working. Now you have the marketing explanation why Harley decided this new Sportster campaign. Fuji, I think that you are confused. The program to push people to buy a Sportster with the promise of a trade in 1 year for a bigger bike is the consequence of the problem explained above, to move a glut of Sportsters out of the showroom because of over producing them. So it’s possible that this new incentive program is working. Now you have the marketing explanation why Harley decided this new Sportster campaign.

]]> By: FUJI http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102868 FUJI Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:03:15 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102868 Keith Wandell, Harley-Davidson. Did I undersatnd him to say just a short time ago that the sportster program was working ? Keith Wandell, Harley-Davidson. Did I undersatnd him to say just a short time ago that the sportster program was working ?

]]> By: FUJI http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102867 FUJI Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:58:09 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102867 HOW FITTING ! Remember the old saying there is an ass for every seat and a new trick for every day. Old Harley tricks, snow them with BS HOW FITTING !
Remember the old saying there is an ass for every seat and a new trick for every day.
Old Harley tricks, snow them with BS

]]> By: Brandon http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/07/30/harley-davidson-management-acknowledges-marketing-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-102864 Brandon Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:16:32 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/?p=17326#comment-102864 Intelligent remark, Cyril. Good thing that Harley is not afraid to realize that they make mistakes. Intelligent remark, Cyril. Good thing that Harley is not afraid to realize that they make mistakes.

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