I cruise by the local dealership at least once a week on the way to other places, and all I can say is that even on a Saturday the place looks dead. Fifteen or so years ago the parking lot was full on Saturdays, about half full even on week days, and they had limited hours on Sundays. The special events they held twice a year caused traffic backups, the lot was overflowing, the tents set up in the adjacent field were full, and the store itself was "wiggle room only". The last event they held earlier this year didn't even fill half the parking lot.
Yes, times have changed drastically. Much of it is self inflicted, some is demographics. It obviously isn't a lack of money in the economy, high ticket cars and trucks have been selling at a record pace for many years now. Wildly overpriced homes are selling like hotcakes and we are seeing signs of another real estate bubble developing. At least on the surface, life is good. And yet Harley sales are not. It may be a mystery to some, but not to me.
Jerry