Harley to Quit Making Motorcycles

[RAlvidrez]

As a Harley owner, I shouldn't laugh, but this came off of the BMW Motorrad e-mail newsletter:

"HARLEY TO ABANDON MAKING MOTORCYCLES"

"Due to a higher volume of sales of clothing, accessories, and other Harley paraphernalia, and coupled with tight financial times that put a further squeeze on overpriced, under-performing machinery, Harley Davidson has partnered with Proptronics to produce a speciality motorcycle called "Stylin' Iron." Proptronics is the company famous making fake appliances that are used in model homes for purposes of show only. In a brilliant management decision, Harley Davidson decided to face the fact that the only reason most people buy their equipment is indeed as a fashion accessory. By building a prop motorcycle, costs can be dramatically cut.
The new Stylin' Iron will have the look and feel of a real Harley motorcycle and even comes equipped with a recorded potato-potato synthesiser, smoky air pump to simulate exhaust, and even an adjustable rate oil leak. The bike is priced at under $1,200 and is available immediately. Sales are expected to soar as the new model will allow Harley enthusiasts to spend more money on leather, hats, sunglasses and jewellery due to no longer having to be concerned about keeping the machinery in actual running and riding condition. The expected surge in accessory sales has prompted the Milwaukee company to begin talks with the American clothing designer ****ies to help supply genuine Harley Davidson clothing and retailer K-Mart to feature the new Stylin' Irons in their sporting goods department.
A spokesman for Harley Davidson commented "We expect Stylin' Iron to be a huge success and relieve the company of having to deal with complaints from the minority of customers who understand motorcycling, and can turn full time attention to the fashion conscious customers who buys our product to function equally as well as the rest of the Harley Davidson line of motorcycles, in a fashion sense. Some of our engineers who have tested the new machine claim it actually performs just as well on the road also, given a suitable downhill grade and tailwind." (Actual source unknown - but good for a laugh). - Paul Aarden

[YAHBO]

Did you know 95% of all Harleys ever made are still on the road?


The other 5% made it home.

[Nita]

****,

YAHBO MADE ME PUKE MY SODA ON MY KEYBOARD FROM LAUGHING AT THE PUNCHLINE

[ckcarr]

Since I have one of each..

The new vRod may be able to beat (not blow away) the 1100s in a straight line, not curves of course. I'd guess they are equal right now from reading. But its only the first model of a couple new ones in the next few years packaged with the "revolution" engine. There may be a model coming with a superior handling suspension at some point.

Some would also not regard the boxer engine as exactly state of the art engineering either.

Its what you like.

[bmwr1100s]

The only thing funnier than the original post is that someone felt the need to defend HD.
My Pacer moped can go faster than a Harley can (on a trailer).
Oh, and my Tahoe has more torque than a Harley.
So there.

[fredman]

Harley doesn't make motorcycles-they make agricultural machinery!

[Bill Vining]

Well, the August rumors were comfirmed in the December issue of Motorcyclist: HD is pulling out of AMA Superbike competition. They stated the costs of making the VR1000 competitive or building a new bike were just not feasible. Not surprising, given HD's lackluster performance in that series. They will maintain their support for their dirt track and NHRA programs, however. Noteworthy, is the fact that I was able to ride the new V-Rod while at Biketoberfest in Daytona last week. My first impressions were the lightness of the overall package (not really light, but light feeling) and the power throughout the entire rpm range. It is by no means flickable light the S, but feels light standing still and rolling. I found steering to be very precise and predictable. The demo bikes were shod with Dunlop D207's. I found that rather strange. But, the engine is a strong plant! It makes gobs of good, usable power down low and the big seat in the pants rush came on strong at 6500+ rpms. It will really romp! Overall, I came away with the impression of a well thought out Jap cruiser. I've never been a HD man, but they have a good looking, strong running machine.

[This message has been edited by Bill Vining (edited 10-26-2001).]

[trublue]

Original post tells it pretty much as it is and has been for a while .

Signed Mick .. would have a Harley , just can't afford the Ute (Pickup truck) .

[pdonnell]

There presence in AMA was just a marketing ploy. Push an image of some performance for HD and Buell's. They knew going in they would never amount to much but rather played the P.R. side of it.

[trublue]

A rather floored marketing ploy I would suggest , we all still cringe at the mere mention of those 3 letters . That was below the belt ! wasn't even going to go to those dark-days .

[dfaber]

Marketing ploy? Hardly. Nobody buys a FatBoy because of any VR1000 track exploits, win or lose. Harley raced because Harley has a rich history of racing and it is in the blood of a few people over there in Milwaukee, mostly engineers, not sales execs. They went in unprepared for the high technology and cubic dollars needed to succeed in a modern-day Superbike program. It was the marketing boys that shot the thing down because it wouldn't sell any bikes anyway and was too much money. The other companies use racing for marketing, cynically selling race reps to testosterone infected kids even though they are less than ideal street machines and only cosmetically similar to a real $400,000 Superbike. Harley raced for the challenge and the thrill of it. They have applied some of what they learned to build the new V-Rod. When Buell gets hold of that motor maybe they will come back with a more sound marketing reason to go racing, personally I hope all the best for them. It would be nice if BMW got back into it as well.

[pdonnell]

Uh...the article I ready from HD exec's acknowledged it was an advertising ploy with little to no expectation of truly being competitive. Lots of first time wannabe HD riders out there to advertise to. As well as push there Buells. I see what your saying and wish I could cut and paste the article.

[trublue]

Good point dfaber , huge Buell potential in that V-Rod donk .

Mick.