Harley News

[T.P.]

http://www.startribune.com/business/101810018.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUX  

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I don't like seein' any company putting folks out of work . Sooner or later Harley will be history unless they attract the younger buyer and I don't see that happenin' either     with the prices that they  charge and the lack of performance it's not gonna happen IMO .I've rode Big Al's Harley several times and I would'nt trade any of my 11 and 12 year old Valkyrie's for it.I'm not Harley bashing Al's Harley is a nice one it's just not for me.If I bought new tomorrow it would be a Wing or Suzuki M109R and if it was a Wing first thing I would do is cut the windshield down and hunt some custom exhaust so I could hear it run.

More trouble for Harley-Davidson
The motorcycle manufacturer's sales hit a wall this spring, deepening the gloom enveloping the iconic American company.

 Spring is the most important time of the year for Harley-Davidson (HOG, news, msgs). It sells about a third of its bikes in April, May and June, analysts say, as the weather warms up and bikers itch to hit the road.

After the horrible year Harley has had, I can only imagine the company was hopeful for a miracle this spring. But that didn't happen. Analysts at UBS say retail sales at Harley plummeted 35% in April and May, according to Barron's.


And so Harley's problems continue. Americans still love their motorcycles, they just don't love brand-new Harleys. Here are the biggest problems the company faces:

The used motorcycle market does a brisk business.
Harley buyers are getting older. Only 12% of buyers are under 35.
Harley offered no-money-down financing to subprime buyers who either couldn't or wouldn't repay their loans. As a result, its financing arm is in trouble with delinquent loans and credit rating concerns.
The company has cut back shipments to retailers in hopes of bringing down inventory. Harley also had to close plants, lay off employees and cut production this year.
 The share price has been sliding since the beginning of May.

Last year at this time, the share price was nearly $40. It plunged below $9 in March, bounced back above $20 in May, and these days is lingering in the $15 to $17 range.

 

[Michvalk]

Actually, I could deal with the "lack of performance" With the HD if I didn't have to pay 30,000 to get one with the stuff on it that I want. Actually Honda has priced themselves out of my market. If I were to buy a bike today, I'd probably buy a Harley. Honda doesn't make anything I want at a price I can afford. And if I have to buy a v-twin, I guess I would go to the Harley. You can buy a bagger for around the price of a Honda "Interstate" that I HATE the look of. Honda is doing its best to drive away a long time customer (ME), and I think it's working.

[big turkey]

I am like Joe there, if Honda had a Hot Rod Wing , I would already be on one.

But they don't so they lose me on their new bikes right there.

Someone needs to wake up at both companies and build either a water cooled hot rod of a Harley.

Or A EVO 6 like in the video we have seen from Honda.

The faithful to Harley are dieing off, so they better wake up or go the way of Indian.

And Honda does not care about the people that ride a Hot Rod Flat 6.

We'll see how it goes in the future.

But if the past is any indication we may be stuck with what we have at this point.

Big Al

[czuch]

I noticed my dividend check was less.
I tell em "Its one thing to own a harley, its quite another to own Harley".
Realize, please I have six shares. A friend bought them as a gift.
I was getting $1.25 and my last one was "only .60"
They really said "ONLY"

[Dougger]

This 70 year old geezer just bought his second Valk Interstate yesterday, to replace an 06 Ultra. The wife and I much prefer an old Valk to a newer Harley. Anyone want a good deal on a 06 Ultra?