HD to go full electric

[cockerpunk]

https://jalopnik.com/harley-davidson-will-go-all-electric-says-ceo-1850003694?fbclid=IwAR3aU91PnkOMUVT8bjUOllFoyC5MTK VAO_AKuETQz7ZnENDfrlDIzeqdkDU

[CurtEgerer]

Are there any HD riders under the age of 60? Just my own observation but I've often wondered how will they last another 5-10 years with such an old customer base. I guess they think silent electric bikes will attract young people?

[jyl]

This seems like a bad decision.

[cockerpunk]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Are there any HD riders under the age of 60? Just my own observation but I've often wondered how will they last another 5-10 years with such an old customer base. I guess they think silent electric bikes will attract young people?

like a lot of these hobbies dominated by the aging male demographic, they need to reinvent themselves if they hope to survive the demographic collapse of their business.

[Crowbob]

I would think HD would have some kinda super duper thumper speaker connected to the throttle.

I can’t imagine any old middle-ager with tattoos and kool sunglasses sitting at a light going Bzzzzzzt Bzzzzt!

[stevej37]

[cockerpunk]

Originally Posted by stevej37

god V twin is the worst engine design lol.

[hbueno]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

god V twin is the worst engine design lol.

There's no accounting for taste

[stevej37]

^^^ It's not my choice....I was just going for the 'potato...potato...potato'

I've never owned any other than Honda's and Yamaha's

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

god V twin is the worst engine design lol.

Can’t say I agree with that. I believe Harley has the crankshaft set to create that signature sound. Other V-twins are set up with different timing and they work fine. Twins can be excellent engines for a lot of motorcycles.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I would think HD would have some kinda super duper thumper speaker connected to the throttle.

I can’t imagine any old middle-ager with tattoos and kool sunglasses sitting at a light going Bzzzzzzt Bzzzzt!

I went to a motorsport show last week and this was one of the trade stands, too sad for words

[Arizona_928]

It's an emerging market. But for a complete lineup is sipping the climate change cyano-aide.

[Jeff Higgins]

Nothing sells in the motoring press quite like an "earth shattering" article about Harley Davidson. No other manufacturer of anything has anywhere near as many people interested in, and talking about their products - who have never owned one.

Of course they are going electric. Those who read past the click bait headline saw that their new German CEO is saying it will take decades - like four or more. No one reading this right now will live long enough to see the end of the ubiquitous HD V-Twin.

It seems as if commentary on their "aging demographic" runs a very close second with regards to the numbers who love to provide their "insight" - who have never been a part of that demographic. Everyone just "knows" - although they have never been there.

As deeply involved in the hot rod Porsche scene as I find myself (and cars in general), I still go to far more motorcycle gatherings than car gatherings, by at least three or four to one. My first hand observations, after being deeply involved in this scene for 46 years, is that their demographic is actually getting younger. Granted, there are still plenty of aging graybeards, but the majority I see are 30 or 40 somethings. We used to call them "Yuppies", I think we call them "Techies" today. H-D is still one of those "prestige" brands they all aspire to, much like Porsche. That's what I see, anyway, first hand.

All things considered, I cannot think of a better engine planform for a motorcycle than the V-Twin. It wins in packaging hands-down, along with numerous other motorcycle specific considerations. There are a broad range of V-Twin designs available today to meet different design and performance objectives, with my Ducati and two Harleys representing polar opposite ends of those spectrums. While they couldn't be more different, both do what they are intended to do, in the real world, on real roads, with aplomb.

So, yeah, I just sit back in amusement at these Pollyanna "Harley is falling" stories. They are starved for attention right now (the whole motorcycle industry is hurting, and hurting badly), so they release a "bombshell" announcement like this. And get everyone who has never owned one talking about them. Masterful...

[mgatepi]

HD is done. The demographic that made HD is done.

A major part of the allure of the HD was the sound. That visceral feel and sound made the brand what it was.

[VINMAN]

Excellent post Jeff. Very well said.

Unfortunately the one demographic that will never ever age out is the demographic of ignorance...

.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

god V twin is the worst engine design lol.

You really are a downer everywhere you show up on this forum. I’ve had much “better”Jap bikes but nothing thrilled me as much as starting up my Harley I bought myself on my 30th bday, not that long ago.

[908/930]

Off topic but lots of great V twins, Moto Guzzi V11,Honda RC51,Suz TL1000R, KTM RC8R. And pass on the electric , I'm thinking Langen 250cc V twin 2 stroke is the way to go.

[The Synergizer]

This is all BS propaganda to appease woke numbskulls. The type interview fodder that never materializes because it's off in the distant future - where the CEO will be long gone (Especially if he hangs his hat on this)...

Lot's of young dudes are getting into Harleys. Just for different reasons

[CurtEgerer]

Jeff, figured you'd weigh in I know ZERO about HD, other than seeing them on the road. And living in Florida, maybe the demographic is skewed. But all I ever see are groups of seniors on HDs (lots of them everyday). I never see 20-40 year olds. Are my observations skewed?

[Black968]

I owned a Harley a few years ago. It was loud and slow, but it was the best built piece of machinery I've ever owned. The paint and chrome were absolutely flawless. Maybe they can branch out into other products (boats or cars?), the name carries a lot of respect IMO.