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Harley Davidson closing plant
- Thread starter oldhifi
- Start date
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in Kansas City
(for those who only want to know where)
A rather misleading thread title; when I clicked on it, I initially assumed that Harley-Davidson were shutting their operations as neither the thread title, nor the initial post, made clear just what was happening.
I had to click on the links to find out; before clicking on any link, I like to know a little about what I am about to see, or read.
Anyway, while it is regrettable, it is also an inevitable consequence of falling sales. Such are the rules of the market.
I had to click on the links to find out; before clicking on any link, I like to know a little about what I am about to see, or read.
Anyway, while it is regrettable, it is also an inevitable consequence of falling sales. Such are the rules of the market.
I think part of their sales problem is an image problem. Whenever I think of Harley Davidson. I think old man bike or scrungy meth dealer bike. Neither of which appeals to me.
Prices also don't make too much sense. They have far fewer parts than cars. Yet many of the models cost more than a low end car.
Personally, I also find them to be too large. I much prefer the slimmer and lighter designs of the mid to early 20th century.
Prices also don't make too much sense. They have far fewer parts than cars. Yet many of the models cost more than a low end car.
Personally, I also find them to be too large. I much prefer the slimmer and lighter designs of the mid to early 20th century.
Perhaps they are going to open a new supercharged exhaust silencer factory, that is long overdue.
I am sorry to hear that there will be Americans in the heartland who are losing their jobs. I think Harley needs to eventually figure out a newer, fresher way to meld both the iconic look and attitude and a brighter less off-putting, dare I say "quieter" image.
I have to say that Harley, in general, evokes a feeling of antipathy in me. The loudness and "f-you, if you don't like it" attitude plus the crazy pricing putting the bikes into the hands of wanna-bee tough guys driving on the weekends when they are not at the mid-upper corporate/professional job; really generates some dislike.
While I think that putting bright lights and colors on the motorcycles might evoke a feeling of Philippines Jitneys, way-out lowrider south-of-the-border, or mega-weird transformer/manga/whatever Asian look; something has to be done to appeal to the future riders.
I have to say that Harley, in general, evokes a feeling of antipathy in me. The loudness and "f-you, if you don't like it" attitude plus the crazy pricing putting the bikes into the hands of wanna-bee tough guys driving on the weekends when they are not at the mid-upper corporate/professional job; really generates some dislike.
While I think that putting bright lights and colors on the motorcycles might evoke a feeling of Philippines Jitneys, way-out lowrider south-of-the-border, or mega-weird transformer/manga/whatever Asian look; something has to be done to appeal to the future riders.
Yes, that is another thing I dislike with Harleys. I'd love one with a slim retro design which is whisper quiet. Such as a Model 125. With a modernized engine for better fuel efficiency, cleaner burning and a quiet exhaust. Perhaps an aluminum block to reduce weight.
I don't see the need for some giant engine and heavy frame. Just something fun to pop around on. Which doesn't break the bank.
V-Rods were never popular with die hard HD crowd. Harley dudes are devoted to the brand and the culture and the V-Rod was a departure with a water cooled engine. Nothing wrong with that, but it is not my choice. Been riding Honda Interceptors since '83, which have evolved into "Sport Tourers" but still lean towards the Sport side. I enjoy ripping through the twisty backroads, not cruising on the interstates.
Damn millennials killing yet another industry. 
On a serious note, I feel for the workers. I also don't know how they've lasted this long, it seems like the cultural appreciation of non-sport (I hate sports bikes) motorcycles has been in a major decline.
On a serious note, I feel for the workers. I also don't know how they've lasted this long, it seems like the cultural appreciation of non-sport (I hate sports bikes) motorcycles has been in a major decline.
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Trump says its not true and he has never been known to lie...right/
I don't know diddly about bikes. All I know about Harley is my cousin recently started work for them as a project manager. He's not allowed to talk about what he's doing there, but he's an engineer whose specialty is batteries. Feel free to speculate.
They have been working on a pure electric bike for several years, due to release LiveWire bike next year.
I plan on getting one early this summer so I can have a couple summers of riding with my dad.
Most of Harley's issues stemmed from Honda giving them a beating in the cruisers department. Higher MSRPs, higher parts costs, and other issues that plagued a company that didn't want to get with the times.
Most California cities dumped their HD bikes for Hondas and BMWs. Faster, lighter, and cheaper parts.
Most California cities dumped their HD bikes for Hondas and BMWs. Faster, lighter, and cheaper parts.
See when I think of HD, I think "60 year old dentist" or "Rich kid trying too hard".
I used to ride bicycles a lot. Due to neck and wrist problems, I ride a recumbent trike now - and I'm hardly alone on the trails. I see more and more bents and trikes every year.
In a similar vein, I see more CanAm's and Slingshots on the road. HD's customer demographic is changing and they haven't kept up with their needs.
In a similar vein, I see more CanAm's and Slingshots on the road. HD's customer demographic is changing and they haven't kept up with their needs.
Years ago I was told by a Harley rider that part of the reason for the noise is for safety.
Back in Austin I once saw an elderly lady in a car make a left turn in front of an oncoming Harley rider who was going straight through the intersection on a green light. He slammed on the brakes and even had to lay over the bike rather than crash directly into the passenger side of her car. Luckily he and the bike avoided a collision and escaped death, but not without some severe scrapes/rash.
The old lady never saw him, and simply drove off like nothing happened, so I guess the engine noise doesn't always help with safety.
Back in Austin I once saw an elderly lady in a car make a left turn in front of an oncoming Harley rider who was going straight through the intersection on a green light. He slammed on the brakes and even had to lay over the bike rather than crash directly into the passenger side of her car. Luckily he and the bike avoided a collision and escaped death, but not without some severe scrapes/rash.
The old lady never saw him, and simply drove off like nothing happened, so I guess the engine noise doesn't always help with safety.
This sums it up. HD's core buyer is getting older. Young people are not buying motorcycle's and if they are, they are buying sport bikes. HD just doesn't have enough appeal to the 18-25 group.
I'm an avid motorcyclist and run with a lot of motorcycle circles.
I know multiple people switching from Harley to other brands. I don't know a single person doing the opposite.
Same for police agencies.
I know multiple people switching from Harley to other brands. I don't know a single person doing the opposite.
Same for police agencies.
If Harley riders were truly concerned about safety then they wouldn't be wearing dark, non-reflective clothing.