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Author Topic: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation  (Read 8774 times)

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SHRADER

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #30 on: June 19, 2018, 10:16:35 PM »

All

I just saw this thread and like you guys have noticed a trend with regard to participation, as well as the general attitude of the forum membership compared to the past.

I have ridden Harleys, as well as some other makes, for 45 of my 54 years on this rock. I even had a stint working for a dealer, who was a total a$$hole but that's another story. I think you hit the perverbial nail on the head with the thought that this general malaise is tied to the apparent attitude of Harley Corporate as well as a great many of the dealers.

I can't speak for anyone but me but I will sum up how I feel in one word "alienated". I would think that a 54 year old male would be right smack in the wheelhouse of Harleys demographic, and for a great many years I think I was. I remember back in 1991 when the Dynas came out thinking man if they would slap a wide glide on one if these I would trade this Softtail in in a minute. They did and I did. I was really excited every time I rode that sickle and as soon as they came out with a Twin Cam I got one of them too. Fast forward a few years and the triple red RoadGlide tripped my trigger again. Then in 2004, when I worked as a GM at a dealership, the Huckleberry came out and wow, had to have one. It took 10 years before I saw another bike that I wanted.

Now I look at the current offerings and think what in the wide world of sports is Harley thinking. I'm not talking just about the colors because I realize not everyone likes the same thing, but in general they are de-contenting the bikes and charging even more for them. I mean my Road King doesn't have chrome switch housings, bars etc, things that before had generally been virtually guaranteed on a CVO, and if I had not gotten a significant discount I would not have bought it...

Then low and behold the HD Factory guys show up at a MVGTG, in 2016 I believe, and the group, in a very polite and constructive discussion, points out some of the things that they would like to see change. The Reps agree that there has been a trend towards less is more with regard to CVO bikes and then low and behold 2018 rolls around and you can't hardly tell a Street Glide Special from a CVO Street Glide except for the 13K more missing from you bank account. It's ridiculous!!

So if Harley is still monitoring the site, and I hope they are, you guys better get your head out of your butts and start making bikes that fire the passion within your riders, and while you are at it stop this trend of corporate dealership types in favor of good honest owners that have a passion for the brand equal to the riders. At the end of the day, passion, or lack of it, will ultimately decide the fate of HD.
« Last Edit: June 20, 2018, 06:01:26 AM by SHRADER »
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bbrown

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #31 on: June 20, 2018, 02:31:50 AM »

Well said Shrader
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ultrarider123

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #32 on: June 20, 2018, 06:51:03 AM »

I love this site.  You guys are the greatest.... ;D

.....Have a great, safe and blessed day today.....  :2vrolijk_21:

« Last Edit: June 20, 2018, 06:56:06 AM by Haird »
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smkymtnboy

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #33 on: June 20, 2018, 08:12:18 AM »

  bean counters!! makes a great presentation to corporate leaders and shareholders! :pepper: :cucumber: :jalapeno: :carrot: :apple: but,not so much to the folks having to ride and deal with the fallout from cost saving measures. seen it time and time again. if, you save $$$s and the company fails because no one wants your product what have you gained? :-\ :( i feel a lot like schrader!
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FLSTFI Dave

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #34 on: June 20, 2018, 08:28:02 AM »

So if Harley is still monitoring the site, and I hope they are, you guys better get your head out of your butts and start making bikes that fire the passion within your riders, and while you are at it stop this trend of corporate dealership types in favor of good honest owners that have a passion for the brand equal to the riders. At the end of the day, passion, or lack of it, will ultimately decide the fate of HD.

Smokey Mountain Harley Davidson, in Maryville TN is a dealer, where the Owner has a brand passion.  He is an avid Rider, has a couple of built bikes, and rides the tar out of them.  He led rides at the Greater Smokey Mountain HOGZ rally, was involved with it all 7 Days.  He leads a ride to Daytona each year.  He does a ride the Blue Ridge.  He is in the Store most days, and is available.  He sponsors Project Ride More, which is a guide 250 to 300 mile ride of very unique back roads, many hard to find on a map.  He has some on lead it an sweep it. This is once a week.    Now if you look at the Store you would say Corporate dealership, as its huge, and has a bar, and a restaurant and concert venue.  But it is owned by one man, who begged harley for 10 plus years to let him open a store.  He finally did in 2004.  He is the #1 dealer this year.

I sure do agree with you on the de-contenting the bikes.  Seems CVO's loose more and more special features, and the price keeps climbing.
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King Glide

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #35 on: June 20, 2018, 12:31:04 PM »

AND, as was said above, less is never more, MORE IS MORE plain and simple.
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brwk

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #36 on: June 29, 2018, 12:50:00 PM »

I love my FLHTCUSE8 Annv, the best HD I have ever owned.  At 5 years old I would have normally purchased a new one however, HD is producing nothing that makes me want to trade up.  They all look the same and the "improvements" are nothing really earth shattering.  HD has lost their passion and I have lost my passion for HD.  I do keep the passion for my bike and that will never go away.  Its a shame but it appears that HD is not concerned about people like me.     
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JCZ

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #37 on: June 29, 2018, 03:35:39 PM »

I love my FLHTCUSE8 Annv, the best HD I have ever owned.  At 5 years old I would have normally purchased a new one however, HD is producing nothing that makes me want to trade up.  They all look the same and the "improvements" are nothing really earth shattering.  HD has lost their passion and I have lost my passion for HD.  I do keep the passion for my bike and that will never go away.  Its a shame but it appears that HD is not concerned about people like me.     

Like us!   I feel exactly the same way on all points.  I have the 2013 with not a thing wrong with it, extended warranty until Jun 2020 and was offered more on trade in from BMW than from Harley Davidson by $500 but that was only $14,850.  Not going to happen! 

It's paid for, nothing wrong with it and extended warranty.  I'll ride it until Jun 2020.....I'll be 70 then so I'll make a decision at that time but it will not be a Harley......tired of getting ripped off.
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bbrown

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #38 on: June 29, 2018, 05:26:17 PM »

Like us!   I feel exactly the same way on all points.  I have the 2013 with not a thing wrong with it, extended warranty until Jun 2020 and was offered more on trade in from BMW than from Harley Davidson by $500 but that was only $14,850.  Not going to happen! 

It's paid for, nothing wrong with it and extended warranty.  I'll ride it until Jun 2020.....I'll be 70 then so I'll make a decision at that time but it will not be a Harley......tired of getting ripped off.



No kidding.   Let’s hope the 19’s have at least one without denim, blackouted,and boring that make the standard lineup look good.  Safe bet I’ll be on my 2011
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Ironhorse

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #39 on: June 29, 2018, 05:40:21 PM »

I passed on "celebrating the bikes" from day one. For me it's been all about the rides, GTGs and the people you meet along the way. This years ride in Yosemite was small, maybe next year will be smaller, or larger. I just want to see my friends and ride and have fun.
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bbrown

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #40 on: June 29, 2018, 06:30:32 PM »

I passed on "celebrating the bikes" from day one. For me it's been all about the rides, GTGs and the people you meet along the way. This years ride in Yosemite was small, maybe next year will be smaller, or larger. I just want to see my friends and ride and have fun.


Well said
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08glide

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #41 on: June 30, 2018, 11:25:59 AM »

I passed on "celebrating the bikes" from day one. For me it's been all about the rides, GTGs and the people you meet along the way. This years ride in Yosemite was small, maybe next year will be smaller, or larger. I just want to see my friends and ride and have fun.


Well said


I agree. lot of great info & camaraderie here. bikes are mechanical machines & are going to fail at some point. I agree that we all have issues that probably shouldn't be ( & on a continuous basis). but for me, I love the people here, the friendliness & the fellowship ( love the GTG's, great spirit & a willingness to always try helping one another.
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kojak

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #42 on: June 30, 2018, 04:19:38 PM »

Right on and its a Harley forum, lol!
I passed on "celebrating the bikes" from day one. For me it's been all about the rides, GTGs and the people you meet along the way. This years ride in Yosemite was small, maybe next year will be smaller, or larger. I just want to see my friends and ride and have fun.


Well said


I agree. lot of great info & camaraderie here. bikes are mechanical machines & are going to fail at some point. I agree that we all have issues that probably shouldn't be ( & on a continuous basis). but for me, I love the people here, the friendliness & the fellowship ( love the GTG's, great spirit & a willingness to always try helping one another.
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kojak
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SHRADER

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #43 on: August 03, 2018, 02:50:14 PM »

It is nye on to 3pm Friday August 3, 2018 and not one post has been made thus far this month in the CVO Motorcycle Discussions...

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2004 SEEG  Huckleberry- 113 HP/115 TQ

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ultrarider123

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Re: A "General CVO Discussion".......or observation
« Reply #44 on: August 03, 2018, 02:52:48 PM »

It is nye on to 3pm Friday August 3, 2018 and not one post has been made thus far this month in the CVO Motorcycle Discussions...


....bored?..... ;D
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