HARLEY SALES DOWN - LAYING OFF WORK FORCE

[lake_carl]

I live at Lake of the ozarks always fresh water boating mecca. The new boat sales here are 100k and up in values and any information know have had best year since 06.

[opas ride]

I live at Lake of the ozarks always fresh water boating mecca. The new boat sales here are 100k and up in values and any information know have had best year since 06.

Lots of people have lots of cash to spend in many parts of the country...Check out the docks in San Francisco or Miami Beach sometime....Most boats/toys are well over 100K and up...I'm just a little guy and really have no interest in boats so I'll stick with my $20K F6B for now....Ride safe

[ReserveBum]

I believe if you do some research you will find the entire motorcycle industry is in a slump

The sales are not there from the younger crowd. It appears most riders are of the older persuasion and ....you know the rest of that story

[willtill]

The sales are not there from the younger crowd. It appears most riders are of the older persuasion and ....you know the rest of that story

Yep. Viagra. Pirates on Viagra.

Wat is the world coming to?

[adventurous1]

Okay, this is making me nervous...big picture:

-Harley is laying off employees due to slow sales
-Ford has suspended production of the F-150, Mustang and Taurus due to excessive inventory
-We have had 87 months of economic growth, one of the longest stretches in between recessions

Economists say that the auto market always precedes the full economy and use it as an indicator.

Yup. Good times nor bad times last forever. Unfortunately, most of America's public (aka 'the middle class') do not prepare for the downward business cycle (aka, the banks stop printing $ then retake people's homes who cannot pay mortagages because expansion and easy of $ has been purposely stopped by banks).

Trust everyone here is saving about 10 - 20 % of their weekly paycheck to always be prepared for this. Believe this downturn happens about every 5 to 7 yrs (historically speaking). This is the time where people who have been wise and saved can now purchase good used bikes (1-3 yrs old) from bikers who are desperate for $$$$ and in turn save thousands of dollars. Picked up my '13 B last March w/ 4K miles for 11K cash. Is that a 7 or 8K saving (factoring in depreciation of course) plus saving taxes, fees, etc. ? The savings from just one this 1 purchase alone, allowed me to enjoy 2 huge majestic and memorable bike vacations this year and then some.

From all accounts, that down cycle is coming soon to the middle class. And, I'm one of 'em.

[VStarRider]

Yup. Good times nor bad times last forever. Unfortunately, most of America's public (aka 'the middle class') do not prepare for the downward business cycle (aka, the banks stop printing $ then retake people's homes who cannot pay mortagages because expansion and easy of $ has been purposely stopped by banks).

Trust everyone here is saving about 10 - 20 % of their weekly paycheck to always be prepared for this. Believe this downturn happens about every 5 to 7 yrs (historically speaking). This is the time where people who have been wise and saved can now purchase good used bikes (1-3 yrs old) from bikers who are desperate for $$$$ and in turn save thousands of dollars. Picked up my '13 B last March w/ 4K miles for 11K cash. Is that a 7 or 8K saving (factoring in depreciation of course) plus saving taxes, fees, etc. ? The savings from just one this 1 purchase alone, allowed me to enjoy 2 huge majestic and memorable bike vacations this year and then some.

From all accounts, that down cycle is coming soon to the middle class. And, I'm one of 'em.

Good advice here. I burned through money in my 20s as if it would turn to dust if I didn't spend it as soon as I got it. I had brand new snowmobiles, WaveRunners, boats, ATVs, trucks, and probably some other stuff I am forgetting. Ended up $38k in credit card debt!

Different story now. Some tough, self-imposed lessons starting around 2008. About 80% of that debt is gone. The Mrs. and I live in a house that is well within our means (mortgage payment represents 20% of our take-home, not gross, pay; I drive a '14 Chevy Cruze, she drives a 2004 Mazda Tribute), we save 10% of our take home pay into savings and 15% of our gross into retirement accounts ( I am one of the few remaining workers with a pension). I have the bike and sleds and a camp, but all reasonably priced and either paid for or have low interest loans.

I get a lot of comfort from having some savings built up and a lot in retirement accounts. I am not bragging; this was not always the case. I was ready for bankruptcy about 8 years ago. Glad I saw the light!

I think if one (or a couple) keeps their housing costs in check, and can "survive" driving modest vehicles and keeping them for a long time, that is key to saving cash, for retirement, and being able to take vacations or have a bike, etc, etc. and not be buried in debt.

[opas ride]

Good advice here. I burned through money in my 20s as if it would turn to dust if I didn't spend it as soon as I got it. I had brand new snowmobiles, WaveRunners, boats, ATVs, trucks, and probably some other stuff I am forgetting. Ended up $38k in credit card debt!

Different story now. Some tough, self-imposed lessons starting around 2008. About 80% of that debt is gone. The Mrs. and I live in a house that is well within our means (mortgage payment represents 20% of our take-home, not gross, pay; I drive a '14 Chevy Cruze, she drives a 2004 Mazda Tribute), we save 10% of our take home pay into savings and 15% of our gross into retirement accounts ( I am one of the few remaining workers with a pension). I have the bike and sleds and a camp, but all reasonably priced and either paid for or have low interest loans.

I get a lot of comfort from having some savings built up and a lot in retirement accounts. I am not bragging; this was not always the case. I was ready for bankruptcy about 8 years ago. Glad I saw the light!

I think if one (or a couple) keeps their housing costs in check, and can "survive" driving modest vehicles and keeping them for a long time, that is key to saving cash, for retirement, and being able to take vacations or have a bike, etc, etc. and not be buried in debt.

Good discipline my friend...I did okay and thought all would be okay in retirement..Left the work force at 66 years old with a pension, social security, and, what I thought was a fairly decent retirement fund...Well 2008/9 hit and I lost over 75% of my 401K assets...8 years later I have only recovered about 15% of what I lost....My monthly income covers all my bills, etc. and I am doing okay for now...but our Medical costs now are over $800 a month, wife is Diabetic , etc. and her small Social Security check just covers our medical bills....Advise from the "know it all gods" say you will need at least $1 million in your retirement fund in todays world and if you retire today at 65 and live to be 85, you will spend over $360,000 in medical costs alone......Save, Save, Save......Don't want be a "doom sayer" as we are doing fine now at 77 years old, but it gets a little scary at times as things get crazy!!!...Ride safe

[F6B1911]

Good discipline my friend...I did okay and thought all would be okay in retirement..Left the work force at 66 years old with a pension, social security, and, what I thought was a fairly decent retirement fund...Well 2008/9 hit and I lost over 75% of my 401K assets...8 years later I have only recovered about 15% of what I lost....My monthly income covers all my bills, etc. and I am doing okay for now...but our Medical costs now are over $800 a month, wife is Diabetic , etc. and her small Social Security check just covers our medical bills....Advise from the "know it all gods" say you will need at least $1 million in your retirement fund in todays world and if you retire today at 65 and live to be 85, you will spend over $360,000 in medical costs alone......Save, Save, Save......Ride safe

Hi there Opas Ride,
Not sure what's happening in your situation, maybe you need to call Obama ask why your Medical costs are so high, he clearly stated it would be AFFORDABLE, in fact he named it "The Affordable Care Act."
My deductible this year went up to almost $4,000.00, but can't seem to get a hold of Obama to see what happened to my health care.
He's probably still trying to catch up on calls and letters.

[opas ride]

Hi there Opas Ride,
Not sure what's happening in your situation, maybe you need to call Obama ask why your Medical costs are so high, he clearly stated it would be AFFORDABLE, in fact he named it "The Affordable Care Act."
My deductible this year went up to almost $4,000.00, but can't seem to get a hold of Obama to see what happened to my health care.
He's probably still trying to catch up on calls and letters.

Obama and his Democrat "asshole buddies" are full of crap!!!...What is a shame is that this great nation with all its wonders etc. has one of the Worst and most expensive health care systems in the world!!...Only ones that benefit are the very poor and the very rich along with the drug companies....Oh well it is what it is...Ride safe

[Brewdog]

I'm not surprised that they continue to layoff. No one that I know cares anymore. HD have ignored their customer requests for bigger increases in horsepower and performance for years. Every year the prices go up with no value added. Most guys I know have given up waiting for HD to come up with high performance bagger.

Ever notice how all the really "tuff guys" ride the slowest bikes on the planet. LMAO. HD does have the highest "Parking Lot performance" of any motorcycle on the planet.