Comments on: Harley-Davidson 3 New Models for 2011

By: nicker

nicker — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:49:15 +0000

Doc.

RE:
“…Harley-Davidson is about Tradition, Americana …”

That sporty posing as an XR misses their “tradition” by a country mile.
HD did it right once, but now continually miss the mark.

“hate” has nothing to do with it.
You don’t “hate” someone who’s trying to Bull-shit ya.
You simply dismiss them as irrelevant.

-nicker-

By: 1550tc

1550tc — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:14:11 +0000

JMO

As far as the older buyers go and that demo just go to a major car show, hot rod show, barret jackson ect ect and the ave age there must be like 62 plus…….some of these true american enthusiasts hobby will slow downa and get smaller but never die i think

By: grayhawk

grayhawk — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:52:43 +0000

Sorry I forgot the link in reference to IMO’s point, “US market share and International market shares are definetly different number percentages”
http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Harley-Davidson_(HOG)

By: grayhawk

grayhawk — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:28:06 +0000

US market share and International market shares are definetly different number percentages.

All HD Dealers get those numbers/market share percentages listings as well as Import Dealers showing OEM production numbers that are of significent volume.

A link below of a different viewpoint from a bit back in time.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/91124-is-harley-davidson-losing-market-share-on-purpose

Jatinder pal it is good to see US products being purchased in new markets, believe I will go out an buy a few India grown Mangos.

By: jatinder pal

jatinder pal — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:36:47 +0000

The surprise is that Harley is getting quite some order even after the hefty prices.

Love to see more of american iron on roads than shorooms.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:32:45 +0000

to; BiGAL, yer right in one way. I WAS a moron for spending all the $$$ I did over the years on the 9 H-Ds I have owned. Victory has innovation and Spirit. H-D truly lacks these crucuial elements at this time. Go try one and see for yer self. other than that …shut up and ride.

By: just my opinion

just my opinion — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:21:49 +0000

I think Gary may have been refering to the Big Twin market and if so he may be close to right but I doubt it. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Victory, Bourget, Big dog and on and on. All those companies are taking some of the big twin market even the smaller companies. I don’t know Honda’s numbers or any of the actual numbers of bikes sold by any of these companies ,But what I can tell you is I go to all the major rallies and I see more and more non Harley’s every year. I hope Harley is around for another 100 years but the fact is their riders are getting older and the younger riders don’t seem to like the old school styling we all like. Sooner or later HD will have no choice but to start catering to the younger rider and what they want in a bike. But I am sure they will continue to make the bikes we all want as well.

By: Bigal

Bigal — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:12:18 +0000

To R & R, two MORONS “RALPH” and “RUB” ! I wonder who is a Bigger “Dweeb”?!@#$%^?&^%$# You should never ride a Bike as Fine as a Roadglide, If you did you Morons would have to make 2 many Life Changes! For One, leave the Trailer Park and Two, is Change your Underoo’s.

By: grayhawk

grayhawk — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:35:41 +0000

Of course Gary Bang knows what that means, Gary knows that Harley only makes big twin motorcycles that fall into the 650cc and larger catagory, exception theexsub of Harley the Buell Blast single under the Buell Flag, and Harley is what is being discussed so the market share he is referring to is same.
Gary has been on both sides of the OEM and aftermarket segments for a lot longer than most have climbed over a seat, he’s always respectful and always makes comments from a knowledge stance, thanks for your contributions to the industry.

By: fuji

fuji — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:21:09 +0000

TPEvans
Have another beer man. Your a hard read. What did you just say ? Do you really crouchet? And don’t you ride? I’m not to keen on riding two up with some dude on the back playing with yarn. LOL

By: TPEvans

TPEvans — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:05:34 +0000

So Honda sells more bikes. Sure, when you count the angry weedeater dirt bike segment. And the itty-bitty mini-bike segment. And the miniature one lung you can’t weigh over 95lbs. to ride this segment. And the it looks like a bigger bike but I wouldn’t put that wimp out on the interstate segment. And finally, the horizontal six, oh wow, I can crochet on the back while you pilot this Hindenberg segment.

Hey, wait a minute, didn’t I see you in the “why in ther hell is America losing all of her manufacturing jobs?” protest the other day. Dude, you are one conflicted individual.

By: fuji

fuji — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:30:13 +0000

Doc
What took you so long to respond. You must be slipping in your old age. LOL. Don’t worry my friends the motor Company will be around for a long time for they can sustain on present levels of production. Its just that I don’t care for the Company.

Think back a few years, for those of you that are of age and that is most of us. Maintain your present rides and let the young lads goggle eye over them when you get older. { Antiques.}
There will be plenty of used bikes for years to come so don’t think that you will have to do without before the last ride.

Doc. Do you really wake up to a Harley alarm clock.

Gary . You meant to say more heavy weight motorcycles.Right. If harley could sell half of Hondas world production we would not be having conversation. millions of motorcycles ! One dime at a time.

By: martin

martin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:10:49 +0000

Gee I think everything has been said here except we are in a resession and $40,000 dollars for a Harley or lose the home we fought so hard to save?Boy! That’s a hard decission…………..Good luck Harley!

By: 1550tc

1550tc — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:29:05 +0000

Fact Harley will sell more Motorcycles than the rest combined. Does any one know what that means?

Man you sound like some guy at GM or the big 3 back in 60′ thru 1999 and look where that mentality got them?? Toyota probably sells more Camarys& Corollas than Chrysler sells total vehicles!!

This must mean that more people like the Harley Motocycle than all the rest.

Like me they sure do like them BUT BUT we all get old and our kids arent buying or riding HD”s…….., look at Lincoln’s and Caddy’s slippage in market share??

Whats the ave age of a bagger ridder??

By: K Weber

K Weber — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:21:48 +0000

Fact Harley will sell more Motorcycles than the rest combined. Does any one know what that means? Harley will own over 55% of the total market. “All Motorcycles”

Care to back that up with any sales statistics? Check out Hondas’ total sales figures for any year you might choose. Harleys’ sales numbers pale in comparison. The motor-company has nowhere near 55% of the “total market.”

K Weber

By: grayhawk

grayhawk — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:35:03 +0000

That pic of the super low may be deceiving I for one would wait to see it and see the specs, etc. One could look at the seat and motor pics and it may look more parallel to the ground then some are given credit for. The motor doesn’t seem to be higher in the front at a glance in the pic and if the geometry has been changed in the front one might find out, that geometry change maybe does balance out the rear shortened shocks, when you look at the pic it doesn’t look to have more than 4″, if that, between the bottom of the bottom tree and the top of the lowers, with front suspension travel in compression that may not leave much so I for one would wait to see the bike and specs. Again its just a picture.

With the cost of re-tooling etc., especifically in an economy in the tank, how many of you business men/women would be investing in a major line-up change no matter the business. I would think like most of you they are just hunkered down until there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Jatinder pal that $40k price tag may be partly resultant of the duties added on to the price by your government like many US exports being sold around the globe having burdens added on top of the price to allow/discourage import of same. Which is why one might think as it has been reported before your business community and HD is looking at importing units in pieces with in-country assembly so that more in your country can afford it and skirt the duties.

Just think about the cost increases to/for all when the US possibly adopts some of those vat tax polices similar to those in play around Europe next year as part of the accumilative cogs to build/sell a US manufactured unit.

By: Gary Bang

Gary Bang — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:21:06 +0000

I knew this would come out and give every one a little space to bash Harley-Davidson and tell every one how wonderful Victory is and we should be building cycles like them and they are out of style and all the shit about Willie G should retire and More.

Fact Harley will sell more Motorcycles than the rest combined. Does any one know what that means? Harley will own over 55% of the total market. “All Motorcycles”

This must mean that more people like the Harley Motocycle than all the rest. The best Motorcycle with the most market share this I think states that they are doing something correct, could be that my math is all wrong. Thanks Again Harley for being the Best. Gary Bang in California

By: 1550tc

1550tc — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:20:57 +0000

the six speakers that are part of a 100-watt-per-channel audio system

like when are you going to hear those $3 chineese speakers when you get the engine built up properly

in the mean time now some jack ass’s can blast thru a neighborhoods listening to ACDC
on his epa exhaust certified bike

power and technology what is that a new oxymoron from harley

why don’t these HD guys just get the kyrayakens guys and a drag rep to design their bikes with more clutter!!

thank god for the after market guys

By: Aaron

Aaron — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:11:49 +0000

The XR1200X looks like a step in the right direction towards better handling urban motorbikes. Have to agree with numerous previous statements though – Victory is where it’s at right now!

By: Slow Ride

Slow Ride — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:05:12 +0000

Yeah, I have to agree with all the haters. I wish Harley would change everything and be more like Victory, now there is a cool bike everyone wants,…. or how about liquid cool everything and make it smooth, quiet, boring, and vanilla like all the jap bikes……..or just save us all the head aches and go out of business instead. Yeah, that’s it, no more Harley-Davidson! Who wants the same cool, good looking bike year after year, just get rid of them all. I hate it that Harley is so traditional and dependable. Who do they think they are? Only making a few changes each year to a proven product line-up is so arrogant. To hell with the updates that Harley keeps coming out with. In fact, they should outlaw custom parts while they’re at it. It should only be legal to buy a stock bike and keep it that way. Who wants a bigger motor? Not me. I think more government regulation would be better too. I think a smaller motor with better emissions would be the way to go. Everything over 250 cc should be illegal. Personally, I can’t wait for the Hybrid motorcycle with a back up electric motor. That would sell like hot cakes. Look at how many Prius’ Toyota has sold. Doesn’t everyone want to be seen driving one of those? I can choose to have 103 ci motor, or stay with the 96ci? Why? That’s just dumb. It would be better to have fewer choices. Maybe just one bike manufacturer in the whole world would work. How about Honda being the only manufacturer? That would be better. I think we should get rid of everything I like. No more Harley’s, no more beer, no more good looking woman, no more sports on TV, no more car racing, no live music, no more bars or hangouts, no freedom of travel. I hate it when I get a bonus check. That just isn’t fair to all the poor people. Everyone knows I’m not paying my fair share of taxes. I think everyone should learn to speak Japanese, Chinese, or Farsi and live in a cave. To hell with Harley giving us more choices and reintroducing the Tour Glide. I can’t believe they would try to come out with a Sportster that easier to ride. Who needs more people riding motorcycles? I’m pissed.

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:19:21 +0000

To all the techno jap scrap freaks, even the entry level Sportster has far more class and value than your most valued yamahondski!!! , if you have a problem with picking a proper bike from Harleys limitless bikes and options, get back on your fuckin moped and keep trolling for children.

By: cwglide

cwglide — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:11:52 +0000

Cyril posted some nice V-Rod concept designs few weeks back. Why doesnt HD do more with the VRod?? Touring version and sport version, street fighter?. Something new.

By: Gerry W

Gerry W — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:43:35 +0000

I like all three. when sales are down, create new stuff for new interest!

By: John Green

John Green — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:29:40 +0000

Sounds like most people commenting aren’t in the market for a new HD anyway.
RG Ultra is a great move it will sell.

HD took the Old TG which was a great bike (I put 268,000 miles on a 92) and made it cool by killing the ultra option and calling it a RG. After they sell a boat load of RG’ and getting people hooked on the ride they bring back the Ultra Option. Genius doesn’t have to be complicated.

HD is a simple brand, trying to make it a trend setting brand will destroy the brand, take Buell and V Vrod for examples.

HD I beg you Please don’t put some punk school boy in charge of design. Keep it simple.
Let the aftermarket people build the custom parts for those that want customs. Make a reliable basic product, the rider will change the bike to fit his taste, if you sell everything off the showroom floor you will kill the customers ability to create his interpretation of the “perfect bike”. Pride is a key factor, let the customers take the credit for the bike.

I watched the custom builders shoot themselves in the head during the boom years. Every weekend I would hear a builder complaining about not getting credit for their customers bikes.
When a customer gives a builder or manufacturor money to build a bike or buy a part he has purchased the riight to brag about it and take credit for it. This was never an issue previous to 2005. Builders built the bikes and let the customer run his mouth. No problem as long as the bills got paid.

But what do I know I may be out of my mind, at least I put my real name next to my opinions.

By: Odlamn

Odlamn — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:26:17 +0000

The H-D bikes are fine. Too many models? Maybe. The marketing needs more work than the design. Why are they trying to impress us with “new” designs and ideas. It is not their strength. Their strength is tried and trusted design. Leading edge is not.

I still haven’t ridden the XR1200, but it’s on my bucket list. IMO you can’t improve the Dyna much. Great bike for balance, power, and pure fun handling. But that’s me. I always come back to whatever moves you…do it. Cheque your ego and negs at the roadside, then ride with friends, no matter what they choose to ride. For me it’s a country road on my Dyna, or a Triumph/BSA from the seventies, damn the leaks and Amal carbs anyway.
O.