Quote:
Originally Posted by derf
I'll say it, and I think I said something about your HD, although i think it was mostly limited to admiring the size of your mobile home top bag
Actually I really do think HD has over the past few years targeted its audience toward the middle aged upper middle class male. More than anything else they sell the image of a bad ass biker. I think they could take a much larger market share than they already have If they would diversify their lineup. The enfield wouldnt be a good bike, the buell blast would be a great bike, it was buells best selling bike until they crushed it, They are trying with their xr line, which is a cool bike in its own right, but it doesn't have the sportbike image that the 19-29 demographic usually buys in the jap big 4.
If they can sell a bike that appeals to the cool boy sportbike crowd, that has the image of a gixxer then they would break into the sport bike market. We can all agree that buells were pretty good bikes, but they didnt have the cool boy image that a gixxer has, they appealed to folks that were already in the sportbike market and liked a bike that can handle. What it comes down to is that if you create the image then you sell the bike. More people ride to look cool than to enjoy riding.
Anyway HD sells the biker image, not the bikes. (there are exceptions though, what I said is not 100% for everyone)
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Yeah my trunk is huge and crazy... I know. But that's what I got it for.
On the age...Really? I see more guys my age getting on HD's than ever before. Look at even the apperal in the dealerships. It is geared toward the late 20 yr olds. Opposite to what most people think. Not every 19yr old goes after getting a sportbike. Lots of them go into the cruiser market. And in that market HD is king. Everybody else is just trying to bite off a piece of that pie.
And I honestly didn't buy my bike for image alone. Sure it may be a part of it but isn't every bike? I bought it cause out there in that class, other than wings there is nothing that compares.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homeslice
HD doesn't need to get into sportbikes, they don't need to and they would fail anyway. The only thing they might want to consider is offering something for $10K or less so that younger people can afford it. Then again, why should they do anything? They are profitable enough as is.
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There is no need to lower the price. Come on... a liter bike now is what... 12k? Your average fat boy, softtail... is only high teens.
Younger guy wants a HD... its simple.. buy used.
But you are right... why. They make enough money the way it is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FT BSTRD
It's a chicken and egg. They make high priced bikes because lower priced bikes don't sell. They have to finance these high priced bikes to people who can't afford them.
In the end, there are simply not enough buyers to keep the balls spinning at HD. It's a house of cards.
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I disagree. They are already cutting back production to compensate for sales drops with economy in the tubes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by derf
Yup.
But give it a year or 2 and HD will be selling the same volume that they sold 2 years ago, I also truly believe that Buell (or an HD badged buellish sportbike) will have another bike out again within a 2 year window, my guess is winter of 2011-2012 you will hear news of it. Thats why Erik Buell is being kept on as a consultant. Just my opinion.
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That is true... sales are down. But they are still flying off the showroom. Even in shit hole detroit area. Which if you ask me is hit the hardest in the country.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phenix_Rider
mmm- I'm sensing you don't like me much 
You are the exception. None of the HD people around here have ever looked at a sportbike, forget riding one. I would and have said it to them- what are they gonna do? |
That's not it. I just don't like to see you make harsh comments based off a narrow POV. Not too mention you just saw me 2 weeks ago on my HD. And trust me... I wouldn't have a problem keeping up. They aren't old tech, slow, dumb bikes. I would have liked to see even your bike keep up with me on my trip home. Old tech? I bet you I have more new tech on my HD than you think.
Quote:
Originally Posted by derf
A friend of mine bought 3 1125s and an xb12 today for 18k out the door, paid in full. he thinks he can hold them over the winter and sell them for a profit in the spring.
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And he will make a profit on that. If I had the cash I would do the same thing.
And similar link here on the take over
http://m.passionperformance.ca/motor...articles/5900/