Topic: Harley shortage? (Read 11552 times)

Mikey · « **on:** October 19, 2011, 11:27:29 PM »

Better find you one! http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=461&articleid=20111019_461_E2_CUTLIN487912

bigdave110 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2011, 11:27:23 AM »

You and I and everyone that has been to a showroom lately know that is bull crap.
I could go to my Dealer and have my pick of touring bikes, except CVO's but he can get anyone you want if he doesn't have it, so how bad of a shortage could there be.
Sounds like a bunch of hype to get unknowing people out there to (HURRY AND GET ONE BEFORE THERE ALL GONE).
Just sayin.
BIg Dave

darth davidson · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2011, 11:28:27 AM »

Quote from: bigdave110 on October 20, 2011, 11:27:23 AM

You and I and everyone that has been to a showroom lately know that is bull crap.
I could go to my Dealer and have my pick of touring bikes, except CVO's but he can get anyone you want if he doesn't have it, so how bad of a shortage could there be.
Sounds like a bunch of hype to get unknowing people out there to (HURRY AND GET ONE BEFORE THERE ALL GONE).
Just sayin.
BIg Dave

X2

PASN YU · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2011, 12:07:03 PM »

That guy must be a stockholder...

hdbrad03 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2011, 12:44:01 PM »

I just talked to my Dealer Yesterday and they are they are #1 in sales in their District. Guess what they had their alotment cut by the MOCO!

Brad

GregKhougaz · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2011, 01:34:53 PM »

From the article: The reason: As part of a larger restructuring, Harley has consolidated production of several models in a state-of-the-art assembly line at York, Pa. The changes, designed to boost the company's long-term profitability, reduced York's production of the more profitable bikes.

At least they are trying! Still, seems like poor planning on someone's part.

Grizzly · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2011, 01:34:59 PM »

Sounds like the MoCo is wishing things now were like they were back in the 90's.

Just hype as far as I can see.

Mano · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2011, 09:30:50 AM »

Ya right.

Last year I bought my bike from a picture on July 27, 2010 and did not lay eyes on It till December 8, 2010. I did not see another FLHXSE2 till the motorcycle show in Jan. 2011.

This year in late Aug. I seen a 2012 Ruby Red and there are another 2 Ruby Red's at 2 different dealerships here. A total of 3 by late Sept.

They are just pumping them out i say.

1sharprdkg · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2011, 02:55:42 PM »

Quote from: darth davidson on October 20, 2011, 11:28:27 AM

X2

X3

napalm · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2011, 11:39:23 AM »

Quote from: darth davidson on October 20, 2011, 11:28:27 AM

X2

X3

napalm

tazmun · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2011, 12:50:52 PM »

There problems are not only in York. I know a few long term employees
at the engine plant in Menomonee Falls, and they are saying the same thing.
They think the company has a great amount of problems all over. They ones
that have worked there over 15 years see no new equipment, or process
improvements as they have in the past. A lot of them are working 12 hour
days, because of equipment failures, and the "just in time" theory.
They say they used to batch parts, for just those reasons, now they
are always taring down, switching over, due to sortages. Some of them
think there won't be a changeover to a new engine soon, and IF so they
think it just might be in a "Right to Work" state.

Just saying!

moscooter · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2011, 04:22:26 PM »

"Sounds like the MoCo is wishing things now were like they were back in the 90's." I think Grizzly has it right. Close to a year ago or more, the head tech at a major HD dealership told a bunch of us that HD wanted to get back to a (demand/supply) scenario like they had back in the 90's.

So it appears any "shortages" may indeed be by design and intent.

grc · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2011, 05:31:32 PM »

The only "real" shortages at Harley are in the areas of quality and customer service. Very short on those.

Jerry

faceracer · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2011, 10:16:57 AM »

My local dealer recently told me that even with a smaller allotment this year they are still behind on sales and have not recovered from the last few bad years. There are new bikes and a Chit load of used bikes at my dealer! I don't believe there is a shortage and I do believe tha demand is way down.

Greaseball · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2011, 10:49:08 AM »

What goes up must come down....and that includes production of Harleys

The MOCO increased production to keep up with demand....and now have to deal with matching their production to the realities a customer base choked by a tough economy. There will be bumps in the road as they negotiate this, including the potential of shortages on some models.....that's the downside of trying to match a demand forecast to a production schedule.

I had a good laugh when the article stated: "The changes, designed to boost the company's long-term profitability, reduced York's production of the more profitable bikes." If that's true, then get ready for more bumps in the road.

C2CRider · « **Reply #15 on:** November 06, 2011, 05:05:01 AM »

Quote from: grc on November 01, 2011, 05:31:32 PM

The only "real" shortages at Harley are in the areas of quality and customer service. Very short on those.

Jerry

Exactly, and that is what perplexes me about this blind brand loyalty. So many seem so willing to overlook Harley’s quality issues and what is needed to “get the bike running right” after spending north of 30K, I know the odds of this long time customer purchasing another Harley product are slim to none…. Other, American made, higher quality options are available.

txhawg · « **Reply #16 on:** November 06, 2011, 07:39:38 AM »

What they really need to do is not worry about hurting Willie G's feelings. Get rid of the stupid half skull crap. I looked at jackets the other day I think every single one had some manifestation of it on it. If you're going to put a skull on something it better have a bottom jaw.

RedDevil · « **Reply #17 on:** November 06, 2011, 03:59:54 PM »

Quote from: egultrac on November 06, 2011, 12:51:36 PM

Couldn't agree more! Would we accept the the same from an auto manufacturer? Never. Yet with each of my CVO's I've have had problems with heated grips, heated seats, motor noise, transmission noises, excessive heat, power locks that don't work, paint problems, ABS issues, cruise controll problems, stereos that don't work, and then there's those dreaded recalls. The list goes on. Over the years I've told myself on countless occasions that this will be my last HD only to go out and buy another one, and another, and another. For some strange reason all the the MOCO has to do is change a color and I start to salivate all over again.

Funny, over the years, I've had the same problems, with the exception of heated grips, with all of my autos, and none of those with my CVOs. Guess I'm just the lucky one that has gotten good HDs and bad cars. Must be living a blessed life as a motorcyclist.

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #18 on:** November 07, 2011, 01:42:50 AM »

Quote from: egultrac on November 06, 2011, 09:24:38 PM

Now I'm curious, what brand of auto has given you so much grief? And compared problems shared by many CVO owners on this website I've also lived a blessed life as a Harley owner.

Well, No new Auto or Motorcycle has ever given me more Grief than My Toyota FJ Cruiser. It's a 09 and has 24,000 miles on it and has more visits to the dealer than my 06 Crew Cab dually GMC and my 07 Impala added together have, the truck has 60K on it and the Car has 109K.

My 09 CVO has had only two Issues, My wife's 09 Heritage has had 1 issue in 78K miles.

Sad but true, the one foreign job I have ever owned has been nothing but trouble and they are one of the highest rated. Chevy is rated way below that and my Impala has had not one issue.

kraut · « **Reply #19 on:** November 07, 2011, 02:55:25 AM »

I don't think its entirely fairy tale.

The inventory of touring models was lower than normal according to a Wells Fargo dealer survey and it's no secret the touring bike production in York was indeed reduced. Not a real shortage though - but some dealers did complain they could have sold more touring models.

Our dealer over here in Germany for instance was sold out of touring models since late spring until the 2012 came in in August.

RedDevil · « **Reply #20 on:** November 10, 2011, 10:51:59 PM »

Quote from: egultrac on November 06, 2011, 09:24:38 PM

Now I'm curious, what brand of auto has given you so much grief? And compared problems shared by many CVO owners on this website I've also lived a blessed life as a Harley owner. The memories and friends my wife and I have made over the years while riding Harley's are priceless. We've ridden though the mighty and majestic Rockie Mountains of Alberta, through the deserts of Nevada, been rain soaked in Florida, shared beers with friends at Sturgis. Yes, we often gripe and complain but you really hit the nail on the head...we are so blessed.

I've had too numerous of problems with my Acura, Nissan, Honda, Toyota cars, and my Chevy, Ford, and Dodge Trucks.

dayne66 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 11, 2011, 01:07:21 AM »

The worst shortage is in my garage...There's only two!!

cold1 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 11, 2011, 09:40:15 AM »

that's TRAGIC

faceracer · « **Reply #23 on:** November 12, 2011, 01:07:23 PM »

Quote from: dayne66 on November 11, 2011, 01:07:21 AM

The worst shortage is in my garage...There's only two!!

I only have one!

Thinking about applying for some assistance or something?

chromeaphobe · « **Reply #24 on:** December 26, 2011, 10:26:22 PM »

I remember the day when you had to put a deposit on a bike. Not knowing what color or features were going to be on the bike. When you saw someone that had a new bike you knew he/she paid their dues and waited 6 months or longer. Let's get back to that and filter out the Harley wanto to bes.

The only thing that you could find at the dealership were used and usually the used ones that no one wanted.

Just saying....

Cvostu · « **Reply #25 on:** December 26, 2011, 10:33:11 PM »

i see lots of bike at dealers and hardley see anyone riding out with one,,i know cvo's are harder to come by,, but if you look.. they can be found as well.

grc · « **Reply #26 on:** December 27, 2011, 08:44:59 AM »

Quote from: chromeaphobe on December 26, 2011, 10:26:22 PM

I remember the day when you had to put a deposit on a bike. Not knowing what color or features were going to be on the bike. When you saw someone that had a new bike you knew he/she paid their dues and waited 6 months or longer. Let's get back to that and filter out the Harley wanto to bes.

The only thing that you could find at the dealership were used and usually the used ones that no one wanted.

Just saying....

Unfortunately those were the conditions that allowed the management of Harley to develop their "screw the customers, we're busy counting our money" attitude, which the latest batch of top management has fine tuned to an art form. Sadly, the shortages didn't filter out any "Harley wanna be's", it just made it much harder for the rest of us to find and buy a bike at a fair price.

Jerry

1sharprdkg · « **Reply #27 on:** December 27, 2011, 06:40:11 PM »

Quote from: cvostu on December 26, 2011, 10:33:11 PM

i see lots of bike at dealers and hardley see anyone riding out with one,,i know cvo's are harder to come by,, but if you look.. they can be found as well.

X2 Yep! For at least four months my local stealer has had a 2010 SEUC and a 2003 SERK on the sales floor.

spydglide · « **Reply #28 on:** December 31, 2011, 09:20:27 AM »

Quote from: grc on December 27, 2011, 08:44:59 AM

Unfortunately those were the conditions that allowed the management of Harley to develop their "screw the customers, we're busy counting our money" attitude, which the latest batch of top management has fine tuned to an art form. Sadly, the shortages didn't filter out any "Harley wanna be's", it just made it much harder for the rest of us to find and buy a bike at a fair price.

Jerry

So true......but as I remember, the MoCo has always had the same attitude, even before when they were not a public company....it was up to the Dealer to either screw you or make things right without much assistance from the mothership in the 'doing right by you' dept. Funny how we've stuck by the brand thru all this abuse, isn't it? spyder

dlaws01 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 31, 2011, 03:33:55 PM »

Oh to those olden AMC days!

smkymtnboy · « **Reply #30 on:** December 31, 2011, 08:31:04 PM »

The dealer I buy from did tell me he was having trouble getting the touring bikes! I was not buying either. There was no ultras on the floor! couple of used ones. don,t know whats up with that!

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #31 on:** January 01, 2012, 06:59:41 AM »

Quote from: smkymtnboy on December 31, 2011, 08:31:04 PM

The dealer I buy from did tell me he was having trouble getting the touring bikes! I was not buying either. There was no ultras on the floor! couple of used ones. don,t know whats up with that!

You deal with Knoxville Harley? They never seem to have bikes. They never seem to have parts in stock either.

Smoky Mountain has lots of bikes and sells lots. They more often than not have parts I need.

Lovel road Store is 35 miles from my house, Clinton Hwy is 48 or so. Smoky Mountain is 58 miles, moved my business there when the best two mechanics at Clinton hwy, before lovel road opened moved to Smoky Mountain.

DavidB · « **Reply #32 on:** January 01, 2012, 09:23:45 AM »

I`ll second that. SMHD has a crowd of bikes to sell. If its not on the floor its in the back or at one of its other dealerships, where the`ll send Rooster to bring it to you the next day.

smkymtnboy · « **Reply #33 on:** January 01, 2012, 12:44:15 PM »

Quote from: FLSTFI Dave on January 01, 2012, 06:59:41 AM

You deal with Knoxville Harley? They never seem to have bikes. They never seem to have parts in stock either.

Smoky Mountain has lots of bikes and sells lots. They more often than not have parts I need.

Lovel road Store is 35 miles from my house, Clinton Hwy is 48 or so. Smoky Mountain is 58 miles, moved my business there when the best two mechanics at Clinton hwy, before lovel road opened moved to Smoky Mountain.

colboch- morristown

smkymtnboy · « **Reply #34 on:** January 01, 2012, 12:45:45 PM »

Quote from: DavidB on January 01, 2012, 09:23:45 AM

I`ll second that. SMHD has a crowd of bikes to sell. If its not on the floor its in the back or at one of its other dealerships, where the`ll send Rooster to bring it to you the next day.

I am real sure SMHD has bikes for the $$$$ they ask for a ride!!!

kravnut · « **Reply #35 on:** January 01, 2012, 01:57:46 PM »

There doesn't seem to be a shortage of bikes at my local dealer. Every time I go in I see new bikes on the floor that weren't there the last time.

smkymtnboy · « **Reply #36 on:** January 01, 2012, 04:49:04 PM »

Quote from: kravnut on January 01, 2012, 01:57:46 PM

There doesn't seem to be a shortage of bikes at my local dealer. Every time I go in I see new bikes on the floor that weren't there the last time.

would not think there is a shortage,just limited choices in the touring line especially cvo,s

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #37 on:** January 02, 2012, 06:33:24 AM »

Quote from: smkymtnboy on January 01, 2012, 12:45:45 PM

I am real sure SMHD has bikes for the $$$$ they ask for a ride!!!

I have yet to find a dealer with in 300 miles that will come close to the Deal I get from SMHD.

Quote from: smkymtnboy on January 01, 2012, 12:44:15 PM

colboch- morristown

They are farther than SMHD, but used them some before SMHD opened.

They have not been able to come close to what SMHD does on a bike for me or the wife.

smkymtnboy · « **Reply #38 on:** January 02, 2012, 08:01:31 AM »

Quote from: FLSTFI Dave on January 02, 2012, 06:33:24 AM

I have yet to find a dealer with in 300 miles that will come close to the Deal I get from SMHD.

They are farther than SMHD, but used them some before SMHD opened.

They have not been able to come close to what SMHD does on a bike for me or the wife.

SMHD ask me 2500.00 more for the same cvo !!!

1000.00 over MSRP! WOW!!

2timen · « **Reply #39 on:** January 02, 2012, 09:29:46 AM »

I live in New Mexico and the dealer in my area has plenty of stock, He always has touring bikes on the floor and sells for MSRP. I just bought a 2012 SERG for well below MSRP. He told me that they will not get many CVO's this year but still made the deal. I work in northern Colorado and all of the dealers up there are over run with new and used bikes for sell. I do not believe there is any shortage of bikes, just service.

Rooster · « **Reply #40 on:** January 02, 2012, 10:08:41 AM »

Quote from: DavidB on January 01, 2012, 09:23:45 AM

I`ll second that. SMHD has a crowd of bikes to sell. If its not on the floor its in the back or at one of its other dealerships, where the`ll send Rooster to bring it to you the next day.

Rut Roh I didn't know

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #41 on:** January 03, 2012, 05:56:00 AM »

Quote from: smkymtnboy on January 02, 2012, 08:01:31 AM

SMHD ask me 2500.00 more for the same cvo !!! 1000.00 over MSRP! WOW!!

Well it sure was different for me, in 09 I saved about 1500 getting the CVO Road Glide at SMHD over Colboch.

Did not even check for the 12. They did not ask over MSRP for it either.

smkymtnboy · « **Reply #42 on:** January 03, 2012, 09:26:24 AM »

Quote from: FLSTFI Dave on January 03, 2012, 05:56:00 AM

Well it sure was different for me, in 09 I saved about 1500 getting the CVO Road Glide at SMHD over Colboch.

Did not even check for the 12. They did not ask over MSRP for it either.

sounds like SMHD is a good dealer for your needs! congrats on sounds like a really good deal

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #43 on:** January 04, 2012, 06:50:44 AM »

Quote from: smkymtnboy on January 03, 2012, 09:26:24 AM

sounds like SMHD is a good dealer for your needs! congrats on sounds like a really good deal

I'm sure this is why more than one dealer makes it in a 100 mile radius, some people seem to get better deals at one dealer, while the other dealer works better for some one else. I like Colboch.

There is one, close to me, I will not even buy a tee shirt in.

DavidB · « **Reply #44 on:** January 06, 2012, 08:22:28 AM »

Smokey Mtn Harley is getting a couple more truck loads of new bikes next week. They have a few new CVO`s on the floor as of yesterday.

If anyone needs a price i`ll go back and take a pic of the tag .

mark · « **Reply #45 on:** February 01, 2012, 01:30:49 PM »

Harley mgmt had to know the glory days of the 90's and early 2000's wouldn't continue forever, didn't they? They had to know that supply would eventually meet demand, or that a bad economy would cause sales to plummet. If there is a current shortage of Harleys in this economic climate, it's because the MoCo caused an artificial shortage. The newspaper article is almost laughable considereing that on this very website, there's a thread on HD dealers that have closed or are closing. When sales are brisk, a company doesn't look at closing distribution points. Seems like poor news reporting.

Author Topic: Harley shortage? (Read 11552 times)

mark