What the....
I'm not a business operations expert but that just doesn't make sense at all??? I can understand that the number of units(bikes) sold would affect their allocations... but parts sales - or the discount on them -- should have no bearing on the dealers new bike allotment. Sounds like a poor excuse to stop offering the discount to their loyal customers -- pizzzz poor IMHO.
as far as prices go, I agree with BigLew that any item is only worth what someone is willing to pay. if the "asking" price is more than I think an item is worth I just don't buy that item.
I may be wrong, I think there may be some truth in what the dealer said. The MoCo is trying real hard to get customers to order there parts, motorclothes, etc. through Harley's web site, offering parts pickup at your local dealer or shipped to your home. My local dealer is also reducing discounts. They tell me that the MoCo watches their marketing to make sure discounts are not advertised.
Harley is not the only company that controls price marketing. Most high end car manufactures do the same thing.