Is HARLEY DAVIDSON in financial trouble?

[53driver]

They have a captive audience. Most HD owners are brainwashed. They think its the only brand worthy of their money. They scoff at the idea of owning a Honda. Out of the blue , wife asks me tonight , "why do people think they have to buy a Harley"? I had to think about it for a minute. I think its peer pressure. And since most people are followers , they do what is expected instead of making a decision based on facts.

Peer pressure. BINGO!

[wjduke]

They have a captive audience. Most HD owners are brainwashed. They think its the only brand worthy of their money. They scoff at the idea of owning a Honda. Out of the blue , wife asks me tonight , "why do people think they have to buy a Harley"? I had to think about it for a minute. I think its peer pressure. And since most people are followers , they do what is expected instead of making a decision based on facts.

Peer pressure. BINGO!

One thing I'm proud of in my life is that I made my own decisions. (some good, some bad) Never smoked, plenty of peer pressure there. A ton of things along the way. You should have heard my friend on me to get a HD. He's a ball buster on top of it. His cousin runs the HD dealership on the Cape. I looked at them, Indian and the 6. All he talked about was the plastic. Well, he surprised everyone and switched to an Indian. This summer, he will try my bike and I want to hear what he says after the ride.

[Jimmytee]

Harley isn't going anywhere. Just because sales are down, doesn't mean they are in trouble, just means the market has been adjusting and will always adjust. I'd be more worried about the future of Honda's MC lineup with recent year's offerings.

I've said before to many a Harley riding friend that if Harley would manufacture something equivalent to a bike like my F6B ,I could possibly be a Harley customer. I like Honda, but if it were not for the flat 6 engine, I'd be riding something else.

[shooter]

I've said this before. I don't care if you ride an HD. Just don't look down your nose at me and tell me I'm riding an inferior product. Both my brother in-laws ride Ultra Classics. That's who I ride with most of the time. There is a lot of friendly back and forth. We have fun with it. They tell everyone they are ashamed of their sister for riding on back if a Honda. She tells them if they can ever catch up maybe they can talk about it. I'm proud to ride a Honda. I don't need a HD to make myself feel good. HD builds some good looking bikes. That CVO Breakout is hot. Probably 30 or 35 thousand. Not for me.

[2015F6B]

I'd be more worried about the future of Honda's MC lineup with recent year's offerings.

I like Honda, but if it were not for the flat 6 engine, I'd be riding something else.

Amen . . . .

[VStarRider]

Harley isn't going anywhere. Just because sales are down, doesn't mean they are in trouble, just means the market has been adjusting and will always adjust. I'd be more worried about the future of Honda's MC lineup with recent year's offerings.

I've said before to many a Harley riding friend that if Harley would manufacture something equivalent to a bike like my F6B ,I could possibly be a Harley customer. I like Honda, but if it were not for the flat 6 engine, I'd be riding something else.

I was saying this for awhile, probably because I had been used to the "cruiser" riding position offered by my VStar 1100. I took some time to adjust to the semi-cruiser position featured on the F6B. However, now after ~1,300 miles, I appreciate the position much more. It seems to be much more conducive to longer rides, no matter what seat/seat modification one makes to the cruiser. Also, the handling on the F6B is so impressive for such a big bike...my 1100, despite weighing 300 lbs less, handles much more clumsily.

I test rode a Victory CC Tour. I loved the look and even though it was out of my price range, I was thinking of ways to pay for it as I pulled up to it in the dealer's lot. I cut the test-ride route in half because I was so disappointed with the seat, the ride, the excessive vibration, lack of low end power, quality control issues, etc. I stopped at the Honda dealer on the way home and made a deal on the '13 F6B, saving several thousand in process.

I have never ridden a Harley, but based on my experience with the Vic, I am guessing I would like it even less. One thing has always stood out to me...$30 grand + for an air-cooled push-rod twin? Really?? That is about the cheapest engine design to manufacture.

One more thing - the 1800 Flat 6 is beyond impressive with its power - if they offered a 1200 Flat 4 with around 80 hp, I would be completely fine with that.

[Phantom]

One more thing - the 1800 Flat 6 is beyond impressive with its power - if they offered a 1200 Flat 4 with around 80 hp, I would be completely fine with that.

The flat 4 came on the original Goldwing back in the 70's. Honda has a V-4 in the ST1300 that is also bullet proof. The ST's are more comparable to a Sport - Tourer and not a cruiser.

[2015F6B]

Honda has a V-4 in the ST1300 that is also bullet proof. The ST's are more comparable to a Sport - Tourer and not a cruiser.

Sadly the ST1300 is out of production . . .

Previously, I owned a VFR1200, V4, shaft drive with bags, etc. Great sport-touring bike that is still in production for the European market but sadly not marketed in the USA any more.

My thoughts on HD (and I've been there). . . you're not buying the best bike out there but you are buying a lifestyle . . one is which I no longer care to be part of.

[Greg O]

Before buying the F6B I looked at Motor Guzzi, the California Touring in particular. I really liked this bike. The styling was fantastic, what held me back was the engine was not water cooled and the dealer support wasn't there. Moto Guzzi's seem to be well made bikes.

[ShanghaiDan]

Harley isn't going anywhere. Just because sales are down, doesn't mean they are in trouble, just means the market has been adjusting and will always adjust. I'd be more worried about the future of Honda's MC lineup with recent year's offerings.

I've said before to many a Harley riding friend that if Harley would manufacture something equivalent to a bike like my F6B ,I could possibly be a Harley customer. I like Honda, but if it were not for the flat 6 engine, I'd be riding something else.

One thing to put Honda vs. HD in perspective: Honda sells in 5 days what Harley sells all year. About 18 million bikes a year for Honda, about 270,000 a year for Harley. Dramatically different volumes of bikes...