Here's the crux of the matter:
"Harley has faced a number of challenges in recent years as the core riders who helped grow the company in the 1990s and 2000s begin aging out of the sport, leading to more used motorcycles available with less demand for new ones. There’s also been increased competition, including from Polaris Industries’ relaunched Indian Motorcycle. Increasing tariffs and trade tensions in recent years only added to the challenges and added costs to Harley’s business."
Another victim of the tariffs and trade war.
I agree with everything but the Trade and Tariffs war. Harley was failing in 15 and 16. It just kept getting worse and worse. The also faced more competition from BMW with the Bagger and Honda with the FB6 both aimed at Harley market. COVID has also done lots of damage.
Biggest damage comes from with in H-D, quality going down hill bad, price going up way to high, and removing standard components. I've bought 7 CVO since 09. Each one has had more quality issues than the last. Worse than that is the 09 CVO Road Glide was 32K in 09 and my 19 CVO Road Glide was 42K with not much new at all for 10K, but inferior quality.
Whose income went up 10K in that time frame?
I have at least 15 years or more riding. Doubt I'll by another CVO, may buy another Harley though. Then again there are lots of choices with better quality, more features and less money.