Originally Posted by
F6BPDX
I think it's because for a vast majority of the "motorcycling market" it is a couple thousand mile a year hobby where they get together with friends. It is a social hobby as much as it is a motorcycle based one, and Harley Davidson has made themselves into the only option for being COOL. If you want the social aspect of motorcycling you buy a Harley and have it come to you, or you buy any other brand and have to beg for friends or hang out at DQ with Gma & Gpa.
Harley Davidson is STELLAR at what they do, and that is sell a "lifestyle" that includes a motorcycle. They are branding geniuses plain and simple. I work across from an HD dealer and frequently run into riders in the adjacent McDonalds when I am grabbing a coffee and what not. The number of those riders that have HD Helmet, HD Bandanna, HD Jacket, HD T-shirt, HD Boots & HD Gloves is staggeringly high. My desk sits next to a picture window and there are guys who will ride to the dealership 4 and 5 times a day just to hang out, to socialize, it's an old boys club. It's the guys that want to be a part of an M/C but aren't Outlaws.
Other brands don't offer that same experience, so naturally that is where that group heads.
That's not to say HD don't make a fine motorcycle, I imagine they do at this point, but I also imagine that for 80% of the guys on them the idea that they may need major work at 60,000 miles might as well be at 60 Bajillion miles because they will never see a number that high. The guys that do see high mileage on HDs know what they are getting into before they ever start and make a calculated decision.
Just my $0.02
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