This is one of the most entertaining threads I've read in a long time. Lots of interesting posts here.
If the MoCo feels they need to attract younger riders, they are going about it all WRONG. The Street line isn't going to do it... Not with all of the much-faster, much-more-reliable, and MUCH-lower-priced offerings in the market these days. I've never been a crotch-rocket guy - but those things do move a lot of younger riders to buy them. They are very fast, they handle incredibly, and are are a lot of fun when you're in your 20s and 30s - not to mention a LOT more affordable.
The numerous quality issues notwithstanding, with Harley's "real" bikes now priced at stratospheric levels, and CVOs at a simply ludicrous price point - I have a difficult time understanding how the MoCo is going to continue making much profit off of them, in this continuing difficult economic environment. It basically comes down to moving enough of them to recoup the manufacturing investment, at acceptable prices. Hence, their relentless focus on cost control over innovation... but I think that will turn out at some point to be a zero-sum game. They will continue to lose customers because they are selling what is essentially an early-20th century engine design, and decorating the bikes with increasingly fussy and unreliable electronic gadgetry in an attempt to compensate (no pun intended) for their very weak engine designs and cost-focused manufacturing mindset, here 15 years into the 21st century.
But let's face it... They make a LOT more profit on their logo licensing, their clothing lines, their service departments (no further comment) and their P&A than they do on the bikes themselves. And for whatever reason, people continue to buy into the Harley mystique - perhaps for no other reason than just wanting to feel like a bad ass by owning one.
Ken
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Topic: The MoCo has a hurdle....how to attract younger riders. (Read 18768 times)