Quote:
Originally Posted by Trip
One problem, I don't believe it was HD that did it. It's the public that did it. It's the biker gangs and the publics vision of them. The whole outlaw perception. HD played off that. Recent HD ads, I would say have for the most part been targeting lame middle age people. The bike sold itself more than HD sold it.
Plus I don't believe a fanboy perception is a good image. It's means no matter if the product is great or the worst thing ever, you are a stupid sheep and will buy it anyway.
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I can agree with that somewhat. But I think there is more to it than that. Look at the appearal line.
I agree that fanboy is not a good image. But I would reserve that for the HD appereal wearing peeps that don't own one. I go to these free bbqs at my HD dealer. I hate having to stand there behind some fat POS cracker trash that doesn't own a HD and never will. I told the dealership that if you own a HD you should get better privilages.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TIGGER
Hey I've been guilty of drinking HD kool-aid myself! I literally waited months for the bike and it broke down within a couple hundred miles and I accepted that as just part of the deal...  I'm not sure if it was genius marketing by Harley or not but it has always amazed me that people were willing to pay top dollar, almost double at times, for a bike that you KNEW was going to break down, require 3 or 4 times the maintenance, have less performance in every category, almost REQUIRE aftermarket parts, and to top it off-you would have to wait for up to 2 years to get it!!! I know that things have changed but that was the deal for about a decade!!!
BTW someone mentioned the fact that Jap bikes cost almost the same as HD... The Japanese MFGrs have two choices either pay the huge tariffs or build their bikes using over-priced American labor. Either way, it was going to impact the price of a bike. If they could build their bikes overseas and ship them here without tariff, we'd be able to buy GSXR1000s for $8,000! |
Well i will tell you something <knock on wood>. I am on my way to 7k on my ultra and have only had one problem with the throttle sensor. But it never left me stranded. Just threw a check engine code and put it into restricted throttle. And I don't think they are anything like what you expierenced.
I can tell you first hand... there is a big difference between 2002 and hell even 2005 and the newer bikes. They have made huge changes. My 2009 FLH is a great example.
And you touched on a few facts to pricing for sure.