The future of Harley Davidson. Explain.

[j8tg]

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=wall%20street%20article%20on%20harley

Hope this opens---just a Google list of recent articles on HD from WSJ. For some reason they take quite an interest in the trajectory of the company. I still find it interesting after a decade long career in the marketing department with Suzuki in the 1980's as HD was the target of all of the Japanese due to the fact that they owned the heavy CC market share. Their drop of 3-4% in current share in dollars is probably a huge number and I'm sure there are very late nights in Milwaukee trying to figure out how to get it back.

TG
Littleton, Co
1981 BMW R100
2009 BMW F800
1986 930. Sold.

[Rot 911]

HD will always be around, they might just have to learn to exist with a smaller share of the market.

[asphaltgambler]

There is still a lot of development that can be done within the existing product line to stay with the competition. IE: Less weight, more power with less vibration primarily. People can laugh at Harley's engines but the same things were said about the small block chevy some years back.

I distinctly remember GM being grilled about still using 'old and outdated' technology using push-rod engines when every one else at the time went to multi-valve, over head cam, small displacement engines. The reply was - "There is so much more engineering still to refine with a proven design, we lots left to accomplish" .........................they were right.

So look at the current generation of GM's LS-3 engines, vs say BMW's V-8...........................simplicity, lighter weight, fuel efficient, almost bullet proof in stock form. The existing Twin Cam engine platform that Harley uses is very robust and can take a lot of added HP / TQ with stock components. The biggest issue is they need to get away from a 'under square' displacement and go to modern 'over square' design, utilize oval ports in their cylinder heads, better combustion chamber and yes, simple variable cam timing.

I also take issue with some of the above posts on build quality vs the competition. If you look very close at fit and finish, things not readily first seen, my opinion is the fit and finish are as good, if not better than any other cruiser.

[motion]

I had a race shop tell me that the stock XR1200 heads I had sent him were so porous, they were passing oil. I had to order 2 more sets to find a suitable pair for him to work with.

[tcar]

Statistic:

8 out of 10 of the HD's made in the last 25 years are still on the road.

The other 2 made it back home.

[sugarwood]

Why Germany’s Top Car Brands Love Motorcycles
From 4 to 2 And Back Again: Car Manufacturers and Motorcycles

[KevinTodd]

Man, the hate for HD just shines through with this group. I get it, but I don't subscribe to most of the opinions.

I do agree that the overt marketing and branding of everything under the sun had long ago become annoying, but they are certainly not the only ones who use their logo in licensing to make money.

I also agree that the dealerships are BS. I haven't been in one in many, many years, and don't care if I never see the inside of one again. They don't care about actual riders, and it is evident in their service in the front and back of these places. I've tried over and over again to find one with a decent staff, but overall I guess they just don't exist anymore. Sure--there are employees who truly care in every one, but something about HD's corporate business model must train the good will out of them, as to me it feels like your in a ComCast showroom rather than a motorcycle store.

I've had over a dozen Big Twin bikes in the last 30 years, as many as 3 at one time, and although I only have one remaining (a 1996 FLSTN that I bought new and now has about 90,000 miles on it) I have always had great results with virtually every one of them. Each served a specific purpose, and they did it well. I am not into canyon carving, or I would have bought a sport bike.

My scooters have been all over the country--and the biggest breakdown I ever had was a broken drive belt--and that happened because I was off road driving to a cabin in the woods on a road where that bike didn't belong in the first place.

My Nostalgia is in the garage right now, on the trickle charger, waiting to be fired up and ridden. No puddles underneath, no parts missing.

To each his own, guys. I appreciate the passion you all have for specific makes/models, etc., but truthfully, it's about being on two wheels.

Porsche owners especially should understand this--there are just as many jokes about their owners as well, right?

I'm certainly not a 1%er, but I'm also not a poser or a RUB.

That's my two cents. Flame on.

[asphaltgambler]

^^^^^excellent post, right on target^^^^^^^^^^^

[VINMAN]

Excellent post Kevin, but there's no point arguing against ignorance...

[island911]

The future of HD?

[afterburn 549]

They already have a LOT of those ! ^^
Just a little bigger . LOL

[HardDrive]

I didn't start this thread to flame HD bikes or their riders. In fact I stated at one point that I will pick up an HD. I think Road Kings are great looking bikes, the Sporty 48 as well.

I started this because it looks like the HD company is on their way to a serious "correction" at some point. The demographics going forward do not look good for them. Give the disdain that some of you long time hog drivers have expressed for HDs business tactics and their dealerships, I think we're on the same page.

Oh, and let's be honest. That 'The Street' model they offer is just awful.

[Chocaholic]

I agree with most of Todd's comments. I've owned several as well and have a 10 year old RK in the garage now. And it has a carb! Try to find that on a Japanese or German bike! But my distaste for the dealership experience goes beyond moderate. I just don't get it and never will.

But I like the bike for what it is. A big, fat, slow, comfy bike for a relaxing ride. But is that enough to grow the company? I'm in my mid-50's, so my tastes won't mirror younger riders. I also have a sport bike in the stable for carving and just plain adrenalin. I beleive HD needs to diversify and not worry so much about pissing off the ape hanger, skull, fringe crowd. That's not their future. It is their past.

[creaturecat]

re: the dealerships: i rode down to Trev Deeley in Vancouver. on my big dual sport. wearing the non-hog-style dual sport gear, to buy some carnauba for the 964. i have never received better treatment from a dealer. anywhere.
the glorious non-denominational museum was icing on the cake.