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Bike Sales down

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  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting boxa on 31 Jan 2019 11:42 PM

    There really is a simple answer to Harleys sales , Drop the prices and the bikes will sell , Its not really rocket science , the  allur of the harley is lost on a lot of the young ones , they see harley riders as scruffy old growlies , and they can't afford a harley , a lot of older guys who can afford harleys , think  , lot of money for a toy ,   and the ones who don't think that , probably already own a harley , but keep it longer  because of the cost of replacing it . put simply Harley probably are the bike of choice  for most , but are just too expensive ,

    Not sure about the "put simply Harley probably are the bike of choice for most " part.  Can a Harley do anything better than any other bike ?
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    5 years ago
    Of course they can. That's why we all have one.
    They sound better than most bikes.
    They look tougher than most bikes.
    They are the original cruiser and are more comfortable than most other bikes.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 01 Feb 2019 02:32 AM

    Of course they can. That's why we all have one.
    They sound better than most bikes.
    They look tougher than most bikes.
    They are the original cruiser and are more comfortable than most other bikes.

    1 Yep
    2 Nah
    3 Umm debateable  
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    5 years ago
    Well why do you have one Mr Bronco?.
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    5 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 01 Feb 2019 10:09 PM

    Well why do you have one Mr Bronco?.

    Not sure why Pauly has one, I like mine cause I’ve been on em since 1974. 
    Nowadays I find my CVO Fatbob is big, old, clunky, slow and doesn’t like changing directions, just like me. 
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 01 Feb 2019 10:09 PM

    Well why do you have one Mr Bronco?.

    I was talked into mine, the first i bought voluntarily. Had nothing but drama with mine but to its credit has now done 70k. But to answer your question directly....i am stuck with it, not prepared to cop 13-17k as a trade and throw a further 17-20k on top to get a new bike . 
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    5 years ago
    Talked into it, and now stuck with it.


    hmmmm.jpg
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    5 years ago
    Sounds like all sorts of things, just not the expected reason for owning a HD from the forums protagonist.
    What a crazy world. lol.
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    5 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 02 Feb 2019 08:42 AM

    Sounds like all sorts of things, just not the expected reason for owning a HD from the forums protagonist.
    What a crazy world. lol.

    Yeah mate there ain’t no special reason, in the early 70’s only two of us of some 50 patched members had a Harley. Jeeze we got ragged. After a few years it was all Harley. Later the wannabe HOG guys thought Harley’s were cool, things evolve, history repeats and Harley riders are getting ragged again, I didn’t care then, don’t care now. 
    I like most Harley riders I meet, we’re a funny breed, wish I could say the same for those on a Ducati. 
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 02 Feb 2019 08:42 AM

    Sounds like all sorts of things, just not the expected reason for owning a HD from the forums protagonist.
    What a crazy world. lol.

    Its to keep you guessing LOL
  • Train
    Train
    5 years ago
    Economy is cooked. New car dealerships being smashed as well
  • JFE
    JFE
    5 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 02 Feb 2019 08:42 AM

    Sounds like all sorts of things, just not the expected reason for owning a HD from the forums protagonist.
    What a crazy world. lol.

    Quoting Ratbob on 02 Feb 2019 10:00 AM

    Yeah mate there ain’t no special reason, in the early 70’s only two of us of some 50 patched members had a Harley. Jeeze we got ragged. After a few years it was all Harley. Later the wannabe HOG guys thought Harley’s were cool, things evolve, history repeats and Harley riders are getting ragged again, I didn’t care then, don’t care now. 

    I like most Harley riders I meet, we’re a funny breed, wish I could say the same for those on a Ducati. 

    ... but .... but those vests covered in all sorts of badges are amazing!
  • JFE
    JFE
    5 years ago
    I just don’t see a reason to trade in the Fat Bob on a new HD (or another bike). I like it, am working on improving it, and feel that while the M8 etc is surely better on paper and on the street ... who cares. 
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    5 years ago
    I have just got a 2019 Road Glide Sp. to replace my 2004 Nightrain, having to concede that the two bikes are very different, the Roady is so much more, the technology is way more advanced, not just the carb v EFI, but the suspension...............
    NO, can't compare, they are too far different

    as an upgrade, from a 15 year old bike is good, but for some of you '14 up bikes not so big of any advancement,
    For me, I am so happy that I dented the bank balance.
  • Smitthy
    Smitthy
    5 years ago
    Quoting Train on 03 Feb 2019 04:19 AM

    Economy is cooked. New car dealerships being smashed as well

    Had a chat to a mate who works for a Holden dealer...sales are cactus especially the new Commodore..
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    5 years ago
    Quoting Soapbox2627 on 03 Feb 2019 04:48 AM

    I have just got a 2019 Road Glide Sp. to replace my 2004 Nightrain, having to concede that the two bikes are very different, the Roady is so much more, the technology is way more advanced, not just the carb v EFI, but the suspension...............
    NO, can't compare, they are too far different

    as an upgrade, from a 15 year old bike is good, but for some of you '14 up bikes not so big of any advancement,
    For me, I am so happy that I dented the bank balance.

    I agree SB those bikes are so different, you’ve chosen wisely and advanced. 
    For those who want to stay with the same style of bike all you have is the new Breakout and I reckon that would be a real step backwards.
    Off subject, how do you like the fairing, any buffeting?
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    5 years ago
    Quoting Soapbox2627 on 03 Feb 2019 04:48 AM

    I have just got a 2019 Road Glide Sp. to replace my 2004 Nightrain, having to concede that the two bikes are very different, the Roady is so much more, the technology is way more advanced, not just the carb v EFI, but the suspension...............
    NO, can't compare, they are too far different

    as an upgrade, from a 15 year old bike is good, but for some of you '14 up bikes not so big of any advancement,
    For me, I am so happy that I dented the bank balance.

    Quoting Ratbob on 07 Feb 2019 09:24 PM

    I agree SB those bikes are so different, you’ve chosen wisely and advanced. 

    For those who want to stay with the same style of bike all you have is the new Breakout and I reckon that would be a real step backwards.
    Off subject, how do you like the fairing, any buffeting?

    I don't have any problem with buffeting, yet it is the first time with any sort of screen, I did think of getting a next size up screen but don't have any thing to compare with
    the fairing stays in a straight line when I turn the bars, I thought it would turn with the bars so was a little strange at first but it has grown on me
  • boxa
    boxa
    4 years ago
     I just wrote a long winded post about why sales are down , , re read it and thought i can be summed up quicker and easier , so i scrubbed the post , and am just gonna write , Bike sales are down , BECAUSE there too fooking expensive for what they are .

    Now i'll qualify that by saying , i'm 61 , self funded retiree , i retired at 55 , own my own house , don't have a morgage and own  a lot of toys , been thinking of a new road king , but then think $35000 plus exhaust , plus touring seat and backrest , plus passenger backrest and luggage rack , after all its a tourer and comfort is the game probably around $39000 and what do i get , a model they don't even seem to have perfected , a model that has lots of complaints about sumping ect ,  a model some are lucky with some regret buying .

    So point being i can afford one , i'm a tradesman , could get one on the drip and work 2-3 days  a month to pay the payment , but i won't , because there just TOO EXPENSIVE , i CAN UNDERSTAND THE GUY WHO WORKS 60 HRS A WEEK AND ITS HIS PRIDE AND JOY AND HIS REWARD TOO HIMSELF  and i don't begrudge that , but for me , stuff harley ,  theres a lot of other toys out there for nearly 40 grand
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    4 years ago
    Quoting boxa on 30 Apr 2019 01:16 AM

     I just wrote a long winded post about why sales are down , , re read it and thought i can be summed up quicker and easier , so i scrubbed the post , and am just gonna write , Bike sales are down , BECAUSE there too fooking expensive for what they are .

    Now i'll qualify that by saying , i'm 61 , self funded retiree , i retired at 55 , own my own house , don't have a morgage and own  a lot of toys , been thinking of a new road king , but then think $35000 plus exhaust , plus touring seat and backrest , plus passenger backrest and luggage rack , after all its a tourer and comfort is the game probably around $39000 and what do i get , a model they don't even seem to have perfected , a model that has lots of complaints about sumping ect ,  a model some are lucky with some regret buying .

    So point being i can afford one , i'm a tradesman , could get one on the drip and work 2-3 days  a month to pay the payment , but i won't , because there just TOO EXPENSIVE , i CAN UNDERSTAND THE GUY WHO WORKS 60 HRS A WEEK AND ITS HIS PRIDE AND JOY AND HIS REWARD TOO HIMSELF  and i don't begrudge that , but for me , stuff harley ,  theres a lot of other toys out there for nearly 40 grand

    Perhaps the mistake was not owning your home.......any idea what the cheapest loan is at the moment....?
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    4 years ago
    Quoting boxa on 30 Apr 2019 01:16 AM

     I just wrote a long winded post about why sales are down , , re read it and thought i can be summed up quicker and easier , so i scrubbed the post , and am just gonna write , Bike sales are down , BECAUSE there too fooking expensive for what they are .

    Now i'll qualify that by saying , i'm 61 , self funded retiree , i retired at 55 , own my own house , don't have a morgage and own  a lot of toys , been thinking of a new road king , but then think $35000 plus exhaust , plus touring seat and backrest , plus passenger backrest and luggage rack , after all its a tourer and comfort is the game probably around $39000 and what do i get , a model they don't even seem to have perfected , a model that has lots of complaints about sumping ect ,  a model some are lucky with some regret buying .

    So point being i can afford one , i'm a tradesman , could get one on the drip and work 2-3 days  a month to pay the payment , but i won't , because there just TOO EXPENSIVE , i CAN UNDERSTAND THE GUY WHO WORKS 60 HRS A WEEK AND ITS HIS PRIDE AND JOY AND HIS REWARD TOO HIMSELF  and i don't begrudge that , but for me , stuff harley ,  theres a lot of other toys out there for nearly 40 grand

    Hi boxa, maybe what you’re saying is nothings changed. 
    Harley’s have always been too expensive. I recall in 1973 I could get a new 750/4 for $1,300 or a Sportster for $3,000. I bought the Sportster. 
    While on holiday in the UK in 1975 a new Triumph 750 T140 was £700 and a new HD FXE was £1,850 and an FLH was £2,128 both excluding VAT. (I still have the brochure). I bought the Triumph cause I only needed it for 6 months, fucking thing seized. Luckily I’d just returned to London from Europe turned the bike off outside the hotel and it never ran again, dealer picked it up with a tray top truck from which it fell, much damage and cracked the frame. Dealer bought it back for £600. Cheap touring.
    So yeah, Harley’s have always been too expensive as a base machine, and as you pointed out, it’s the need to accessorise to get them how you’d like em. 
    When considering an M8 Fatboy I had to add $8,000 in accessories not just styling stuff but slip ons, breather, tuner, comfier seat, screen, back rest/rack, forward controls etc. But then I test rode it and saved my money. :)
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