Harley Davidson sales declining

[MSHappyCampers]

[TandW]

Haven't we been informed elsewhere that they just aren't made in the USA any longer?

[bandcworkhorse]

Could it be that Baby Boomers, who fueled the resurgence in classic MC purchases, have aged out? And Gen X'ers are too straddled with college debt (theirs and kid's) to afford one.

[tmandoug1]

Way to much money for a bike that has tons of quality issues.

[move on]

E-bikes are cheaper.

[xrated]

Originally Posted by tmandoug1

Way to much money for a bike that has tons of quality issues.

Did you know that 92% of all the Harleys made since 1972 are STILL on the road?..............................

















The rest of them made it home!

[texasrs]

Tons of quality issues . . . . ?

[Bill Gail]

Originally Posted by tmandoug1

Way to much money for a bike that has tons of quality issues.

Old history ........ similar to quality issues with Japanese Auto's during the 70's .

I've been riding street bikes for 55 years .

Yes, the early Harley's needed the owners to be able to turn a wrench.

Then AMF bought Harley and things went from bad to worse . Typical corporate business plan . Eliminate QC , increase production and reduce operating costs . Damn near put Harley into bankruptcy in the late 70's .

In 1980 Harley was sold to a group of employees who turned the company around . A true American success story . They improved Quality and materials and developed a customer support network second to none .

As luck would have it , the timing corresponded to Baby Boomers wanting to experience the joy of riding an American built motorcycle .

The major components are still manufactured in the USA and assembled here . Various accessories and minor parts are off shored , like most everything we buy today , including our MH's , Travel Trailers , boats , cars ...........

What you don't see anymore are bikes broke down on the side of the road .

Just wanted to set the record straight.

Stay safe out there.

[texasrs]

Bill Gail

Bill, your response is absolutely correct.

I started riding in 1960. Began on a 1957 BSA 650 twin. Back in those days (and through the AMF period) Harleys were something to work on. Often. Since the evolution engine, Harley is much, much improved.

I currently have a 2010 Streetglide CVO that is simply superb. And paid for! Most all brands have solved many problems over the past decades. One just doesn't see many defects or other problems with any motorcycles anymore.

Glad you set the record straight.

Ray

[Jubilee 45]

Hell! I LMAO, cause it is so true MSHC! I had an oh two Road King. Wonderful ride. No problems. Sold it for what I bought for. Can’t wait to get another.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Once snatched from the jaws of American Machine & Foundry it was no longer necessary to replace ones Harley after a few years of ownership.

The side effect of losing planned obsolescence is selling fewer units.

In the USA, at least, the primary market demographic is... uh... not growing. The subjective appeal of a big street bike to younger people no longer has the romance it once held and young folks don't associate big bikes with "freedom" in the way many of us did decades ago.

Harley's growth markets are not in the USA and it would not surprise me if they move more assembly to other countries to be closer to buyers or avoid duties/tariffs.

[RickNC]

Not a Harley fan, But only because I just don’t like the cruiser riding position. I still like my feet behind my knees. If the local Harley dealer didn’t make fun of me (“It’s a bike for girls”)for wanting to test out the street 750 last year I would have probably bought it. I rode it and loved it.

That said I know plenty of riders on Harleys that are not having the reliability issues they did 25 years ago. Harley just released it’s first “Adventure” bike with a new 1250 V-Twin and the test ride reviews have been very positive. If I was in the market for that big of a bike I would very seriously consider i

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by xrated

Did you know that 92% of all the Harleys made since 1972 are STILL on the road?..............................

















The rest of them made it home!

Haha..... Good one !

[texasrs]

Over the years, I have owned 6 motorcycles. 4 have been Harleys: from Superglide to Lowglide to Road King CVO to Streetglide CVO.
My wife (who passed in 2014) had owned 6 motorcycles, 5 have been Harleys: from (2)Sportsters to Road King to (2) Softail Deluxes (1 CVO).

Other than scheduled maintenance, we had no problems. Wonderful times on those bikes. At least 12 trips to Sturgis since 1986. Plan to go again in 2022.

Ray