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LTD
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« on: July 21, 2022, 07:30:05 AM » |
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I was listening to coast to coast radio last night and an expert on population and demographics says that Harley Davidson is going out of business for sure in the near future. Its as simple as their market has aged out and its already too late . Now your hearing of the Goldwing possibly going away maybe in the near future large touring bikes in America may go away.
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f6john
Member
Posts: 9336
Christ first and always
Richmond, Kentucky
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« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2022, 07:54:15 AM » |
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It would be economics if they were looking at me. $25k and up bikes have never been in my sights. Thankfully people who can afford them, don’t ride them much. I bought my level 4 Goldwing with 20,000 miles for less than I paid for my 99 Valkyrie when I bought it off the showroom floor.
An 08 Goldwing airbag model had a list price of a little over $24,000 so I only had to wait 14 years for it to be in my price range!
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« Last Edit: July 21, 2022, 08:04:28 AM by f6john »
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16181
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2022, 08:00:04 AM » |
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I suspect that newer technology associated with other forms of entertainment/transportation will eventually replace our favorite passion. Don't get me wrong, my Valkyries will be with me as long as I'm able to ride and appreciate them but, that doesn't mean that if Honda comes out with a "Hover Bike" I won't be looking at them and trying to get one in my garage.  Rams |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2022, 01:56:00 PM » |
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I suppose change is inevitable. It does feel sad that something you’ve enjoyed all your life is becoming irrelevant.  |
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16181
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2022, 02:24:30 PM » |
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I suppose change is inevitable. It does feel sad that something you’ve enjoyed all your life is becoming irrelevant. Are we still discussing motorcycles? Rams |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2022, 02:28:52 PM » |
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I suppose change is inevitable. It does feel sad that something you’ve enjoyed all your life is becoming irrelevant. Are we still discussing motorcycles? Rams I was. But I suppose my statement could be applied to other people and things one loves. |
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GWS
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« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2022, 05:49:00 AM » |
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Harley has survived decades of bad management decisions by marketing bikes whose value was based entirely on a distinctive sound. You have to give them credit for that - marketing gurus will write books about H-D charging a premium for noise - but maybe their time has come. They definitely need to broaden their customer base, and it's become clear that a $30,000 electric bike isn't going to do it. They've sold far more electric kid's bicycles than LiveWires. Right now it looks like the future of electric motorcycle sales will come from the moped/scooter/bicycle sector for urban transport, and these people are definitely not part of H-D's core demographic.
Like the LiveWire, their Pan America adventure bike is also supposed to save the company, but it has to compete in a crowded market dominated by manufacturers who have much more experience with these bikes and better track records for reliability. That's a lot to ask from a single bike. Seems like a pretty leaky lifeboat.
Ironically, they had what they now need when they ran Buell bikes, a brand with younger riders who would likely have transitioned to a cruiser as they got older. But they let Buell die on the vine to focus on their struggling cruiser market. Now, one of their remaining lifelines is a demographic dead-end - selling trikes to retirees.
I hope they can pull it off.
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RNFWP
Member
Posts: 423
"What color blue is that?"
Greenville, SC
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« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2022, 06:56:57 AM » |
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Ironically, they had what they now need when they ran Buell bikes, a brand with younger riders who would likely have transitioned to a cruiser as they got older. But they let Buell die on the vine to focus on their struggling cruiser market.
I had not been following Buell... looks like they're focused on bringing them back with four new 1190cc 185hp "American superbikes" coming out... https://www.buellmotorcycle.com/ |
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"My dog is one of my favorite people"
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