First time in over 50 years I don't have a motorcycle. Risk....Reward. I'm skeeeerd.
Harley-Davidson demographic death
- Thread starter turkeydance
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Harley targeted a particular demographic for way too long, to the detriment of other potential markets. Now they've gotten so outrageously overpriced, although the new M8 is one hell of a motor stock, that nobody has that kinda dough layin' around. Couple that with some of their outrageous mis-cues like the V-rod. Killer motor, but weird handling & funky ergos doomed it from the start. Coulda had a legit factory hotrod to lure in the younger crowd, but no, we couldn't have that.
I'll never buy another new Harley again, nor any fuel-injected Harley for that matter. Won't afford 'em & can't fix 'em myself, so not interested.
Hope they get their crap together, 'cos Indian & Triumph are makin' some pretty cool bikes right now.
I'll never buy another new Harley again, nor any fuel-injected Harley for that matter. Won't afford 'em & can't fix 'em myself, so not interested.
Hope they get their crap together, 'cos Indian & Triumph are makin' some pretty cool bikes right now.
Yeah, they didn't adjust to target the millenials and whoever else is replacing their aging demographic. Now they are using their poor planning to justify moving manufacturing offshore. 
NCLivingBrit
Well-Known Member
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Soon as they can make a bike that won't spread my hide over three lanes when some dumbass soccer mom on her phone switched lanes through me at random, essentially blindfold...... I'm in.
The last time I went into a Harley dealer:
Went to look at sportsers and Vrods.
Saleman walked up and pointed to the big baggers and said "the men's models are over here". And tried to steer me towards them.
Left. I'll never understand that mentality, as the bike I rode up on would crush anything in that showroom, and likely in first gear. In which it would do over 90, lol.
Went to look at sportsers and Vrods.
Saleman walked up and pointed to the big baggers and said "the men's models are over here". And tried to steer me towards them.
Left. I'll never understand that mentality, as the bike I rode up on would crush anything in that showroom, and likely in first gear. In which it would do over 90, lol.
Young people are still buying bikes, young people still enjoy harleys...though many arent buying new.
It seems that there is a new trend with harleys and millenials (around 30-35 years old) for HDs
Look at things like The SmokeOut at Rockingham Dragway each July - pulls in tens of thousands, I'd reckon half are under 40, if not more.
Shows like Born Free out in California, Mama Tried, and the various biker builder shows (ie: Brooklyn Invitational)... young folks.
But its young people wrenching and cutting on something metal, which many of the import bikes dont have a lot of on their bikes
It's the history, the nostalgia.
New bikes are dang expensive, and Im sure that's hurting HD, but younger riders are still getting involved in the industry
It seems that there is a new trend with harleys and millenials (around 30-35 years old) for HDs
Look at things like The SmokeOut at Rockingham Dragway each July - pulls in tens of thousands, I'd reckon half are under 40, if not more.
Shows like Born Free out in California, Mama Tried, and the various biker builder shows (ie: Brooklyn Invitational)... young folks.
But its young people wrenching and cutting on something metal, which many of the import bikes dont have a lot of on their bikes
It's the history, the nostalgia.
New bikes are dang expensive, and Im sure that's hurting HD, but younger riders are still getting involved in the industry
DownInTheCounty
Happy to be here
If I had one I'd love to sell it to you. That seat would kill me. Our roads are a little too rough around here to sit on that thing for long!
I sent my HD owning gun smith a linky the other day that said HD was closing one of it's plants. He said exactly what you guys and gals are saying, millennials don't ride and HD's are $5k to $10K over the competition.
rotorhead
Well-Known Member
Top of the line CVO Road Glide $40k+. All new 2018 Goldwing top of the line model $32k. Both are overpriced but one will go over 200k miles or more and you never have to go into the engine.
Started riding Harleys when it was pretty much only cops and outlaws rode them. Got hassled a lot back then even though I was never affiliated. That said, I still have a 1977 SuperGlide sitting in my basement. Break it out about once a year to cruise to the bar. Used to ride everywhere and thought nothing of jumping on at midnight with a bunch of guys just to head to the beach back when I lived in Boone. That being said, I am now just chicken sh#t. Cannot imagine riding on I40 now or any major highway.
There are motorcycle owners and there are motorcycle riders. It's just like guns. Some folks have safes full of fancy guns that never see the light of day and some folks shoot the snot out of everything in their safe. Some guys have garage queens and think that a 100 mile ride is something to talk about while others will ride 1000 miles in a day just to do it. Whatever blows your skirt up.
This is the longest I haven't been on my bike in years. I ride everyday typically. I'm going to tell you the best kept secret in the motorcycle world. You can get a used 1200 Sportster for under $4000 with low miles ALL DAY LONG. Mine is a 95 and had 6900 miles, I paid $3000 . It has 30,000k now and has never been in the shop. The EVO motor is AWESOME and if you have to work on it, you actually can. I LOVE that it's air cooled, again cause it's easy to work on. The only time I have broken down has been a flat and an electrical cable broke. The bike has taken me up and down the eastern seaboard and I expect to get 20k more on it before I sell it and buy something that doesn't rattle my aging azz as much.
This sounds kinda familiar.
The last time I went into a Harley dealer (Blue Ridge in Hickory), probably 5 years ago:
I rode in on my '93 Suzuki GSX1100G, and parked at the end of the line of bikes in their parking area under the front porch. As I walked up toward the front door, I was met by the sales manager. He says, "I can tell you aren't riding a Harley". "How?", I reply; and he points at my boots (Sidi). "A Harley rider would never wear those."
About that time I heard a wonderful, rumbly, sound as two 1st-gen Yamaha V-Maxes came rolling in, both with 4-into-1 Kerker pipes on them. I say, "That's something you don't hear every day", and the sales manager says "Yeah, it sounds like something's wrong with them".
Then he asks what I ride, and I tell him. "Where is it?", he says. "Over there around the corner", I say. He replies,"Why, are you ashamed of it?"
That whole exchange lasted about 2 minutes, and that was enough. I had heard stories like this from other non-Harley riders, but I thought they were making it up.
RedneckFur
Smith & Wesson is a religion of peace.
My thoughts on this. I technically fall into the "millennial" age group, even though I don't think I should. I'm 34.
Harley's cost too much for what you get. Import bikes are often cheaper, and require less maintenance. They run better, smoother, and are more efficient. Styling alone isn't enough to justify the cost. Harley is still trying to sell 1940's technology in a 21st century world. Their bikes stopped being competitive with import bikes in the early 1960's. Harley is all image, and nothing else. The majority of the company's profits aren't from selling bikes, but from selling T-shirts. That right there tells you all you need to know.
Disposable income. You have to face it, with the economy being what it is, the younger crowd doesn't have the disposable income that their parents did. They can't afford the same luxury goods. Before I'll drop the cost of a decent used car on a toy, they're going to have to make it something that seems worthwhile to me. I do want a motorcycle. But chances are, when I finally get to buy one, its going to be a Honda or Yamaha cruiser, and not an HD. I want the best value for my money, and Harley isn't it.
If Harley wants to still be making bikes 25 years from now, they need get over their sound, and look at building a better, more affordable bike.
Harley's cost too much for what you get. Import bikes are often cheaper, and require less maintenance. They run better, smoother, and are more efficient. Styling alone isn't enough to justify the cost. Harley is still trying to sell 1940's technology in a 21st century world. Their bikes stopped being competitive with import bikes in the early 1960's. Harley is all image, and nothing else. The majority of the company's profits aren't from selling bikes, but from selling T-shirts. That right there tells you all you need to know.
Disposable income. You have to face it, with the economy being what it is, the younger crowd doesn't have the disposable income that their parents did. They can't afford the same luxury goods. Before I'll drop the cost of a decent used car on a toy, they're going to have to make it something that seems worthwhile to me. I do want a motorcycle. But chances are, when I finally get to buy one, its going to be a Honda or Yamaha cruiser, and not an HD. I want the best value for my money, and Harley isn't it.
If Harley wants to still be making bikes 25 years from now, they need get over their sound, and look at building a better, more affordable bike.
Slosolo2
Here to be happy
Let's see your avatar photo bigger please.
Probably should go in this thread though:
https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/motorcycle-love.4508/
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Daleo8803
Move along, move along
I ride a 1995 Honda Shadow 1100 Ace. I love it. Rides great, has plenty of power, and is easy to work on. It cost me $25 to change the oil. My dad 2005 HD ultra classic cost him $150 because it "has to have" the screaming eagle oil and filter. LMAO!!! There is just no way.
HD simply cost too much for what they are. My bike is 10 years older than my dad HD but mine is water cooled, his is not. There have been times he has gotten stopped in heavy traffic in hot weather and has to turn off the bike so it doesn't over heat....
HD simply cost too much for what they are. My bike is 10 years older than my dad HD but mine is water cooled, his is not. There have been times he has gotten stopped in heavy traffic in hot weather and has to turn off the bike so it doesn't over heat....
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In the end - buy what makes you happy.
Ive loved Harleys.
Talk all you want about 1950s tech or whatever, but its nice to not worry about lubing, or changing, chains and their sprockets, having self-adjusting valves, and a great EFI system.
Ive beat the hell out of some EVO engines, including my dragbike (which I ran for several thousands of miles ONLY at the track). Yes, eventually a bearing failed and it popped. Eventually. After over 5k miles of dragstrip riding. Bouncing off the rev limited at launch, gear shifts near redline etc.
They just work.
Yes, Harleys are expensive, more so than a comparable import bike, even on the used market. But if it's what makes you happy - DO IT.
Ive loved Harleys.
Talk all you want about 1950s tech or whatever, but its nice to not worry about lubing, or changing, chains and their sprockets, having self-adjusting valves, and a great EFI system.
Ive beat the hell out of some EVO engines, including my dragbike (which I ran for several thousands of miles ONLY at the track). Yes, eventually a bearing failed and it popped. Eventually. After over 5k miles of dragstrip riding. Bouncing off the rev limited at launch, gear shifts near redline etc.
They just work.
Yes, Harleys are expensive, more so than a comparable import bike, even on the used market. But if it's what makes you happy - DO IT.
Another reason to like Harleys!
Well, if ya wanna get technical... Harley's been using the common crank-pin, 45* v-twin since 1909, while overhead valves first appeared in 1936. They did introduce both 2-cam & 4-cam engines in 1929, tho. ;-)
I friggin' hate the typical HD sales dood.
I was raised scooter trash & I bleed black & orange. Harley's are just what feels "right" to me. I accept them for what they & enjoy the hell out of 'em. I've owned both a '77 Kawi KZ650 as an out of control teenager & this nasty beast-
that I bought myself as a divorce/yay me! gift in '05. WAY too much bike for me. Point being, if I wanna go fast & strafe some apexes, all up under the paint & scare the crap outta myself on the regular, I buy a bike made for that. I'm finally over scaring myself for fun & got back on a Harley (my 3rd). Bought my '02 Dyna Super Glide in '13 in pristine condition, with just under 16K miles on 'er & paid $6500. MSRP new was $12K. I like to putter about the back roads & try to get lost & this ol' girl-
does that just fine. I do have to laugh at the Harley guys who are tweaking about HD discontinuing the Dyna line. "Oh, my handlingz!" Idiots. They Dyna is a 27 year old chassis designed to mimic a 60 year old chassis. With the swingarm rubber mounted to the transmission case....
Maybe I'm the odd duck, tho. I dunno. I may be scooter trash, born & bred, but I just like motorcycles. In my book, it's not what you ride, it's that you ride. Just get out there & get yer 2 wheeled groove on.
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5K miles on a drag raced engine of any sort is a good run!
I think the argument is kind of like " My turbo Acura is way better than that 55 Chevy with the 454 and 9" rear. It starts, is smooth, doesn't drip oil, and is quiet and doesn't have that unsightly lump in the hood , and gets 35 mpg" .
Yea, maybe to some people, but...
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Well, if ya wanna get technical... Harley's been using the common crank-pin, 45* v-twin since 1909, while overhead valves first appeared in 1936. They did introduce both 2-cam & 4-cam engines in 1929, tho. ;-)
I friggin' hate the typical HD sales dood.
I was raised scooter trash & I bleed black & orange. Harley's are just what feels "right" to me. I accept them for what they & enjoy the hell out of 'em. I've owned both a '77 Kawi KZ650 as an out of control teenager & this nasty beast-
that I bought myself as a divorce/yay me! gift in '05. WAY too much bike for me. Point being, if I wanna go fast & strafe some apexes, all up under the paint & scare the crap outta myself on the regular, I buy a bike made for that. I'm finally over scaring myself for fun & got back on a Harley (my 3rd). Bought my '02 Dyna Super Glide in '13 in pristine condition, with just under 16K miles on 'er & paid $6500. MSRP new was $12K. I like to putter about the back roads & try to get lost & this ol' girl-
does that just fine. I do have to laugh at the Harley guys who are tweaking about HD discontinuing the Dyna line. "Oh, my handlingz!" Idiots. They Dyna is a 27 year old chassis designed to mimic a 60 year old chassis. With the swingarm rubber mounted to the transmission case....
Maybe I'm the odd duck, tho. I dunno. I may be scooter trash, born & bred, but I just like motorcycles. In my book, it's not what you ride, it's that you ride. Just get out there & get yer 2 wheeled groove on.
TRUTH!!
fishgutzy
Senior Member
They had the chance to catch the younger demographic with Buell. But they put far to many restrictions on Erik.
Then an accountant killed it off entirely.
I lived my Buell XB12Ss. Sold it for two reasons. Degenerative osteoarthritis in my tail bone and I needed funds for my Jeep build.
My wife said I couldn't build my Jeep until she got a granite countertop. [emoji41][emoji6]
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You left out the important part:
"And will utterly crush your 454 '55 in any and every performance test, on any road or track, anytime and anywhere easily".
Just because a bike is scary fast and handles like it is on rails doesn't make it a killing machine. Bikes are like guns. The main safety is your brain. If you get on a geezer glide and do stupid stuff you can die just as quickly as doing stupid stuff on a crotch rocket. Twisting the throttle is like pulling the trigger. Know what your target is and keep it pointed in a safe direction. Don't blame the tool, blame the idiot operating it.
Let her have the rest of the house, but never let your wife in the garage! She has no business in there. It's a Manctuary.
fishgutzy
Senior Member
Her request was quite reasonable. Three countertop was about $2k.
I spent $7K building my Jeep up. [emoji6][emoji6][emoji6]
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Infamous1
Well-Known Member
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
I still have an XB12S and I love that thing. It's more sound/looks thing more than anything else though. My R1 would murder my Buell on anything but head turning. I also didn't have enough sense to ride the R1 so it got a new home. Sold my SuperGlide just due to the fact i wanted a bagger. I have a fully dressed CTX700 now but its just not a StreetGlide (maybe one day I will upgrade). I am not a HD fanboy but I do love to hear them camming.
Indeed, any Harley is plenty fast enough to kill you!
Young sportbike riders and older newb Harley riders die in about equal amounts.
Yeah, I'd rather have the '55 !!
Maybe you just explained a few of the reasons that dealership has a new owner.
.