"Stand against the grain" for only $7,900.00!

[AndrewA]

I recently read a statistic that 40% of all S&P 500 purchases were financed through credit. Harley has traditionally been a huge benefactor to this behavior. No duh, huh?

Will a $ 7,900.00 Harley help HOG ?
http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NYSE:HOG





Harley introduces more affordable motorcycle

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/01/26/harley_introduces_more_affordable_motorcycle/

January 26, 2009

MILWAUKEE --Harley-Davidson Inc. is introducing a new bike in one of its most affordable lines.

The company announced the Sportster Iron 883 will start at around $7,900.

Last week, the Milwaukee-based company said reduced demand is causing it to cut 1,100 jobs over two years, close some facilities and consolidate others.

In a statement Monday, the company said Sportsters have "stood against the grain" since they were introduced in 1957.

The company's chief marketing officer, Mark-Hans Richer, described the bike as having old-school style while leaving plenty of room for customization.

The new model is the latest Dark Custom motorcycle.
© Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company

[shreddr]

back in the early 90's i had an 88' K75S and a friend of mine had a new 883 Sportster. We went riding one day, and swapped bikes for a bit, it accelerated like a garden tractor, had sponges for forks and shocks, and the brakes wouldn't have slowed down a bicycle much less a 500lb motorcycle. to say piece-of-$hit is an understatement. after quickly realizing how much i hated the sportster, i got my bike back from him, and the first words out of his mouth were "wow, everything works on this!"

a $7900 Harley is not gonna save the company, it will just be deja vu all over again

[Deans BMW]

I belive that that $7,900.00 Harley will not quiet come up to the performance level of a Honda Rebel.......will sound good though.

[markjenn]

Originally Posted by AndrewA

I recently read a statistic that 40% of all S&P 500 purchases were financed through credit.

What's a "S&P 500 purchase"?

- Mark

[varmint]

what the hell did an 883 cost before? i thought they were less than 7k.

[AndrewA]

Originally Posted by varmint

what the hell did an 883 cost before? i thought they were less than 7k.

I don't know either. I remember they were advertised at less that 7k once; but that was before the new millennium n'stuff.


Do you have any idea how much tassels cost now? They don't give that stuff away!

[AndrewA]

Originally Posted by markjenn

What's a "S&P 500 purchase"?

- Mark

Firms that are made up of the of the Standard and Poor's 500....?

c'mon markjenn....You are one of the smart guys on here....what don't you understand?

[varmint]

Originally Posted by AndrewA

I don't know either. I remember they were advertised at less that 7k once; but that was before the new millennium n'stuff.


Do you have any idea how much tassels cost now? They don't give that stuff away!

i suppose that fits. 99 was probably about the last time i went near a harley dealership.



the economy is getting weird, and gas prices weirder, this might be a time of opportunity for makers of two wheeled transport. but i don't see how one of these is a more practical decision than a vespa.

[JonyRR]

Yes, a stock sportster 883 or even 1200 IS a POS by any of our bike-centric measurements.
BUT, it CAN still be a funky POS and do some of that viscreal motorcycle stuff.
MY 883 just MIGHT give that fancy R bike of yours a run for it's money..up to about a hunnert or so..(it gets all squirrely and twitchy over about 120..almost....scary)
If we can boogie down a gravel road, though, it'll be a different race, though, I can guarantee ye
Sitll, they should be a 5995.00 motorcycle...

[cyotee01]

883 - some of the worst motorcycle dynamics I've ever experienced, but it did feel kind cool riding it for 20 mins until it was too uncomfortable and I wanted more than the 20hp available.

[X-Triple]

You can two sets of BST rims for that can money.

[WildWilly]

I've owned Harleys, Hondas, Suzukis, Yamahas and BMWs. I've run into a lot of brand bigots in two of those brands. One group was Harley owners. I'll bet you guys can guess what the other brand is.

[on2wheels52]

Maybe Mark was thinking S&W .500.
Jim

[PFFOG]

The 883 is still the "Sissy Sportster" around here, so I am not sure how much it is going to help sales.

[Bob Hancock]

Originally Posted by Yeskino

The 883 is still the "Sissy Sportster" around here, so I am not sure how much it is going to help sales.

I've heard it referred to as the Skirtster.

[X-Triple]

Originally Posted by WildWilly

I've owned Harleys, Hondas, Suzukis, Yamahas and BMWs. I've run into a lot of brand bigots in two of those brands. One group was Harley owners. I'll bet you guys can guess what the other brand is.

You must be thinking Ducatis?

[slowrider]

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

I've heard it referred to as the Skirtster.

Still way better than the Suzuki LS's nickname

[PFFOG]

Originally Posted by slowrider

Still way better than the Suzuki LS's nickname

Do tell!!

[bradzdotcom]

the "old" LS suzuki used to be called the "savage". the new LS is the "boulevard".
maybe he's got something different for a nickname?

[markjenn]

Originally Posted by AndrewA

Firms that are made up of the of the Standard and Poor's 500....?

I know what the S&P 500 is, the question is what a "S&P 500 purchase" is? Purchases made BY S&P firms? Purchases made FROM S&P firms? If an airline buys ten Boeing 777's on credit, is this an S&P purchase on credit?

Just trying to grok the meaning of your opening statement in this thread, which makes zero sense to me.

Back to Harley bashing....

- Mark