I used to try different makes of automobiles once upon a time. But then my wife and I didn't have a closetful of clothes, vests, and t-shirts that all said "Ford" or "Chevy", either. Not to mention having a garage full of bar & shield accessories and decorations. And then there's the boots and gloves and leather jackets to think about. Those 200 t-shirts won't look near as cool if I'm riding on an Indian the next go-around.
The way Harley is going vs. Victory or Indian - or yes, even BMW, it makes me wonder what my next bike will be. Like most of you, the idea of only getting $20k on trade for a bike I have $45-50k in, and then having to buy the new one that comes with a few new ideas on it just doesn't set well. And look what the new ideas get you sometimes. The infotainment center with it's upgrades that don't really solve all the issues. A GPS system that lacks terribly. Glare on the screen that could have been fixed during the "Rushed-more" days of fact finding. Leaking coolant systems. A stock brake lever that not only sucks, it's marginally dangerous. Poor handlebar design and no factory change-outs for it (still), but boy have we got the different grips, floorboards, and engine covers! Oh, and by the way, don't you think these new t-shirts are cool?
Yes, I should have bought HD stock when it was in the low $20's, but I'd have sold it by now, too. They've got too many issues and don't seem really interested in what we have to say - in spite of the Rushmore idea that I don't think impressed a whole lotta people.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Harley, and have loved all of them in one way or another. And not having one would suck big time. Heck, I could still wear my old harley clothes, anyway!
But if the MoCo doesn't get their collective stuff together, they're going to continue to fall on black days. They've got some serious competition now from not one but two other American brands.