Harley Davidson CEO Forced To Resign.

[70 copo]

Charley

Good point on the collaboration attempt that failed.

Here is how I came to know HD as a kid. Like myself many kids got hooked on HD riding the BAJA - 100 (and its progeny) which was a competitive bike when raced by HD in the 1970’s, and the the SX series bikes which were the step to the sportster and the bigger bikes later on the street.

Hindsight is 20-20. How many kids like myself created riding skills on these small Harleys and then transitioned to the V twin? I think many.

In fact the Aermacchi Harley Davidson collaboration in the 1960's and 1970's was significant given the sales acceleration that HD had in the 1980’s through 2005 at least after the kids who rode the smaller bikes got hooked on the big bikes.

After HD abandoned the starter bike market in the late 1970's the kids still had 15 years to ride and wear out the remaining used small bikes.

This was my first HD:

[markinnaples]

You might be seeing Mary Barra going through the same thing in a few years, just saying.

Regarding HD though, the Sportster has to be the worst design in starter bikes. The too-high center of gravity for a beginning biker is just a terrible design, so the redesign to better suit women is probably a better design overall.

[70 copo]

Originally Posted by markinnaples

You might be seeing Mary Barra going through the same thing in a few years, just saying.

That is my greatest fear. As of now Matt Levatich could stand a pretty good chance of being hired at GM.

[70 copo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dua8yF8SAP4

Even today with a 40 year old bike look at the grin on these kids faces...even today.

They are still messing with them!

[NorCam]

I was like that, but was learning how to ride a clutched 5 speed Kawasaki Enduro at 10 years old after stepping up from a Z50 mini bike. Later went on to ride motocross before buying my first small street bike at age 17. I wanted a Harley back then but no way could I afford one even back in the 80's. It wasn't until I turned 40 that I could afford to buy a Harley outright and since then have bought a number of them.

Kids today see a hopped up HD bagger and more than a few have said "I wish I could afford one" with many of them knowing it's priced out of their income bracket while in their 20's and 30's. Hence the reason Harley created their own finance division. Their bike's are still over priced and to many, it's a statement to ride a Harley or most wouldn't even bother at the prices they cost today. As a matter of fact, I bought another bagger last year and this time chose a bone stock used 2014 FLHXS to customize. A lot cheaper to spend 14K on a gently used 5 year old stock bike than it was to buy the new one at nearly twice that amount.

I agree that Harley's used market is their biggest competitor. Doubt I'd ever ride an electric. Ever!

Even my kids are riding 2 strokes and hopped up 2 stroke scooters. I suppose they might ride an electric in their lifetime. I'm considering buying my son his first Harley in a couple years so he can ride with me on US road trips. Just to spend time with his old man and forge some adult memories while his face is in the wind.

[NorCam]

Some good points there Bruce. This thread must have gotten my juices flowing a bit today. I had just put new custom seats on my putter last week and it was near 50 degrees when I got home this afternoon. With that said, I quickly took the bike off the charger and pulled it outside to fire it up and knock the dust off of it. It still sounds like nothing else when you fire up a V-twin with big cams and a good pipe on it. Still need to melt some more snow up here and clear the pea gravel off the pavement before I'm riding in 2020.

[HawkX66]

Originally Posted by Xplantdad

You don't see too many folks with Honda/Kawasaki/Suzuki tattooed on their arm or back, but their are plenty of skin examples of the Harley logo everywhere you look at any motorcycle event. That's a marketing persons dream...free advertising and liking the product so much that they permanently put it on their skin

Originally Posted by NorCam

It still sounds like nothing else when you fire up a V-twin with big cams and a good pipe on it.

Both of these comments are so true. "Harley" is a big part of peoples lives and even a lifestyle for a good portion of the buyers. It's not just a bike to put around on.
It may sound like I'm down on Harley, but I love Harleys. They will charge what the market will bare and I can't fault them for that. It doesn't mean I have to like it though.

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by NorCam

What is the name of that paint ?? I'm looking for a copper like that for my '38 coupe

[Calix Lee]

Originally Posted by Too Many Projects

What is the name of that paint ?? I'm looking for a copper like that for my '38 coupe

You should probably send him a personal message to find an answer to this query.

[TimG]

I bought a new Sportster 48 model a few years ago and I like it for what it is. Also, the new Harley museum in Milwaukee is worth seeing.