I don't think its as much to blame on Boomer's as it seems. I'm 55 and born in the crossover year between Boomer's & Gen X and I have at least 20+ years of riding and buying left. I see Price, Quality & Features as the main reason people aren't buying. A couple of those reasons are responsible for myself and some friends for not buying in the last year alone! The realization is it will survive.....but its never gonna be what it was. The stock price is a CEO's & top management's report card, as I see it their not passing and putting another team member in charge isn't gonna help.
I agree, I just turned 57 and have many years of riding left as do lots of my friends. For us the huge drop on quality is the biggest reason for not wanting to buy Harley. This is closely followed by price increases with the included content dropping, pay more and get less.
I'm on my 7th new CVO since 2009. Quality on the 19 is very poor at best. I have had more front brake rotors replaced on this 19 than the other 6 bikes together under warranty. In fact they are checking rotors again now, this will be thirds set in 20K miles that have warped. Seat has been replaced due to wear, left side control module, fork legs, shifter levers, speedometer, saddle bag lid due to paint flacking off, and no maybe the BCM as head unit volume still does not work.
I have very few issues at all with my 09. Same with my 12 Skunk, but after that each bike had more issues than the last.
Sad to say there several motorcycles out there that give you more for less money. Cant speak to long term quality of them.