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[Johnny]

Went to El Paso to vist my mom for mothers day & took some time at the local Harley dealer - Barnett's.  They bill themselves as the "Worlds largest HD dealership".  Said they had more than 500 bikes in stock and it sure looked like it!  As I went through the long rows of bikes I noted many CVO's including 8 SEEGS (04 & 05 orange/blk 4ea, teal and 3 red), 5 Fat Boys (blue & red), 9 Deuces (6-04's and 3-03's), 1 V Rod (orange), 2 Road Kings (03 & purple 02) and 2 Road Glides (01 & 00).  Their number is 800-736-8173 and you can look at most of the bikes on their web site http://www.barnetth-d.com/entry01.htm.  Other than some clothing etc. I have not done business with them so can not vouch nor did I ask about pricing.  Perhaps someone here can let us know if they are good to do business with.  Hope this helps someone looking for a bike, they touted the fact that they will ship anywhere in US.

[Laker]

When I was shopping for a SEEG early last fall, I found a 04 O/B at Barnett's with 1000 miles on it. Figuring I might be able to get a deal, I called. $34,000. I asked if he was sure as the price was $4000 over MSRP for a used bike. The salesman said he was sure and someone would pay it. Probably why they have so many CVO's on the floor.

[Striker]

Notice, they didn't have any Yellow SEEG's.  I still think it will be the most sought after in the used CVO market.  Just have not seen alot of them available.

[Twolanerider]

Yellow SEEG's......  in the used CVO market.  Just have not seen alot of them available.

But they've only been being released brand new a few weeks so far  [smiley=nixweiss.gif] ?

[tntdse]

I had them quote me on the Teal FLHTSE2 2005. They quoted me 35,999. I told them to go get Fxxxxx! That's rediculous. No wonder they have so many on the floor. And no wonder HD is losing market share with greedy bastards like that.  I can't belive the moco let's em get away with that crap.

tntdse

[RedFXR2]

I've seen Barnett's advertisements and their web site.  They apparently always have a huge number of bikes, new and used.  From what I read here, theyr're not exactly moving their inventory on a regular basis.  I just looked at their web site and they still have a lot of the same used bikes they had last year (the last time I really looked).

So the question is, how exactly do they stay in business, much less get so huge?  I mean if they're holding out for unreasonable prices, and therefore not selling much.

Regardless of how Harley dealers performed in the salad days, those days are gone now, and the light bills and salaries and property taxes and inventory must get paid for somehow--if they're not still selling a lot of bikes, for big dollars, how do they do it? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

Just asking an old question again.

I keep thinking that one day, we're going to see a Harley dealer take a whole new approach--volume sales--like car dealers do.  Have a huge inventory, sell at no-haggle, true MSRP, and capitalize on volume.  Move bikes out the door fifty per week or so.  But I suppose this would cause a lot of other, smaller HD dealers to shut down and the MoCo wouldn't want that.

[BLM777]

But they've only been being released brand new a few weeks so far  [smiley=nixweiss.gif] ?

Agree.....Chatter from those in the know at HD feel the "canary's" will be the largest of all SEEG releases and could exceed 4700.  Since there are no SEEGs for 06 it's been mentioned that they will completely delete their inventory of SEEG specific parts and use them up on this large, last production run.  Makes sense since the wholesaler and reseller numbers on these bikes have been coming down in the past two weeks.

[Striker]

Two points to consider:
1. The yellow SEEG has only been available for a short period of time and production will stop in July.

2. After the first qtr earnings report MOCO chiefs have stated in their shareholder report that they are going to cut back production on all models to create a higher market demand and thus stronger margins.

These two situations could create a stronger resale market, more like it was 5-7 years ago.  Not necessary a good thing for those buying a new ride, but adheres to the laws of supply and demand.  Probably means alot of the dealers can go back to being jerk-offs like they were then.
Just my opinion, but 27 years in the consulting business leads me to see some truth in the theory.

[Twolanerider]

Agree.....Chatter from those in the know at HD feel the "canary's" will be the largest of all SEEG releases and could exceed 4700.  

In many ways that would truly suck.  From what you see on Rally parking lots it already looks as if quite a few more reds than greens got produced.  But 4700 would be a lot of "special" bikes.  Makes me quite pleased mine is red actually.

My one immediate question about such a high number is that after see the prodcution facility I'm not sure they could knock that many out.  This was very very much a manual line.  Two guys on carts rolling down a short assembly line putting a bike together.  And believe me, they weren't working especially quickly.  It was also a one shift a day and five day a week operation.  In the 20 minutes we got to stand around that production line while visiting York none of the bikes in that line moved forward.  Those folks would really have to ramp it up to get nearly 5k bikes out the door.

[harley56]

Harley-Davison will not be producing anywhere near 4700 yellow SEEG's this year.  They have no need to deplete these parts as they do not stockpile components.  Last year they awarded certain dealers an extra allocation of CVO Electra Glides and Deuces - based on retail sales performance.  They just got done doing the same this year with all three CVO models.  The SEEG amounted to approx. 50-60 I believe for all US dealers.  They have told the dealer network they will never flood the market as keeping the CVO's as limited production and somewhat exclusive is extremely important to them.   The one change that should be happening to '06 CVO's is they will not be released by colors, as has always been the case in the past.  

[spydglide]

Striker, did the MOCO say they were going to actually cut production or cut the projected expansion of production?  Big difference in whether or not the existing supply and demand would be affected or just trying to put a cap on the down-slide.  May be too little ,   too late.  ?   [smiley=confused5.gif] [smiley=nixweiss.gif]  

[jimp]

HD will build one less than demand.

[Twolanerider]

HD will build one less than demand.

That's about the most advertising dorky excuse for a production planning explanation statement I've ever heard.  You can always find some jackass who'll say "I wanted to buy a Harley but didnt' because (fill in the blank) ..............."

[JCZ]

Striker, did the MOCO say they were going to actually cut production or cut the projected expansion of production?  Big difference in whether or not the existing supply and demand would be affected or just trying to put a cap on the down-slide.  May be too little ,   too late.  ?   [smiley=confused5.gif] [smiley=nixweiss.gif]  

Being a stock holder, I got that report, too.  They're going to cut back from their total planned increase in the total number of units produced.  They actually stated a number.  There will be more produced in 06 than there were in 05 but not as many as they had planned.

Personally, I just don't know how they can keep producing anywhere close to the number they're producing each year and keep the cost where it's at.  I suspect that in the not to distant future, it will not be uncommon for bikes to be sold for "below MSRP" (much like cars are, right now).  Which will also translate into bikes not holding their value (which we've already saw a decrease on most models).  They're being built better, last longer and baby boomers are getting older............I see some kind of crash in the future.  JMHO

[Striker]

I agree, I think that there is and will continue to be a softening of the resale market.  I have a friend that owns a paint and body shop, and he just got a 99 softail standard for $8600 that someone traded in to a Chevy dealer.  Only has 16k mi on it plus some ads.
Even the anniversary edition has depreciated at the same rate as the previous models.  Partly because they made so many of them, and partly because there are so many used Harley's out there.