[wayner]

I think the days of Harley being in the same class as Honda are gone.

I think instead they are now moving to a low volume class like Royal enfield.

(I not talking about quality but rather nice market versus mainstream.)

I think the problem that Harley faces in that niche market is that young guys would think a triumph or even a royal enfield to be cool and hip, while the harley is dads bike. The sportster has a lot of potential, and I really like the fat tired 88, but if you could have any bike would the young crowd pick Harley over triumph? I even think Ducati has ruined themselves for this market.

As a high volume bike, racier looking things with higher perceived reliability seem to have the market.

I commented this summer how I thought the BMW GS adventure bikes are my generations Harley, as I see more and more big groups of riders.

So yea, the cadillac comment is a good one. The first time I saw one at the race track, but more importantly a CTSV on a twisty road commercial Na-na-Na-na-Nana- I got interested

I think the easy rider phase has passed.
Their best hope is Roland Sands :-)