The future of Harley-Davidson

[peterbaron]

I didn't really want to respond to this thread, since I've never like HD at all...but I like their shinny chrome parts and I have respect for the owners loving their horses, same as I do mine.
When I park my CB, I see some HD riders secretly looking at my Honda, some with more courage will come closer and have friendly chat, asking what year it is..., you know...
When I ran out of gas, HD were the ones, who made a U-turn on a freeway and supplied a gallon, so I could continue my first long distance journey to Nova Scotia.
In MHO, most do a local ride, short distance, or carry their machines by truck..
Wish them well....

[Nortoon_imp]

I ride on weekdays, so the Harley riders I meet are retired experienced bikers. They are not the loud pipe look-at-me type, or one of the sheep plastered with Harley logos in the large Sunday clubs. Since my hair is silver and gray, they realize I am a also a mature rider. My well weatherworn brown leather jacket also lets then know I have a lot of miles in the saddle.

They are out there for the same reason I am, to enjoy the ride on quiet scenic roads well away from the city. Like me most of them ride alone, although I have met small groups of friends.

They are always curious about the CB and are complementary about its retro look. I respond in kind, particularly for those with older well cared for Road Kings. There is never a comparison of bikes. At our age we know you are riding is what you like, and nobody is going to convince you otherwise.

[Stichill_imp]

https://in.reuters.com/article/us-harley...NKBN1W91ZN

[GoldOxide_imp]

+$275M USD capital spending per year:

Offer up a:

* HD single or twin cylinder scooter that ...
* Does not leak anything,
* Starts up every time,
* Is fuel efficient,
* Runs on regular octane gasoline,
* Vibration levels that are competitive (lower the better),
* Is usable for occasional freeway stints,
* Has some practical storage,
* Can be used on all four seasons with
* Some supporting aftermarket options for the buyer,
* Can be configured for some sort of offroad use,
* Is durable and looks "Harley cool" like no other scooter ever conceived,
* Has a price tag that is not outrageously out-of-reach compared to competitive "top-shelf" offerings.

Who can do that with that kind of extra annual capital?

Yes, other unrelated projects can also be done out of the same capital.

- - -

Even Honda found areas of optimization by sourcing their scooter engine production out of Italy - scooter mecca.

https://in.reuters.com/article/us-harley...NKBN1W91ZN

[NovaCB1100_imp]

maybe, but that was the golden opportunity for them to turn it around around '12 when he 'retired'. My guess is that since he's still around and carries power, not much was changed in the board room for the past 7 years regarding approach. Typical corporate actions (understandable) but it will be their demise. Too little for too much too late. case in point where they should have been ahead of this: https://www.foxnews.com/auto/zero-motorc...eP8w7hTECw

My friend Dan has one of the new zero's, its identical to the baby blue one in the article, and its flat out impressive. And was about half the money of the livewire msrp out the door when he bought 6? weeks ago. I think harley needs to get the pricing down to reality, people are asking 'what am i really getting for 'x' amount? ' thats mostly what i hear at bike nights, etc when this comes up for the conventional or electric HD models.

The 'culture' they sold had a lifespan, they should have seen that coming (with all the research they should have been doing on their market), and that culture is dying out.

Not to hijack the thread, but the Zero Dealer near me had a demo day and I rode the SR/F; 110hp, 140 TQ. No clutch or gears, just twist to go, reverse to slow. Extremely well balanced, handles like my Ducati and brakes are really good. Ran through all of the riding modes, ECO, Street and Sport, and the whole experience was very user friendly.

I've never rode an electric bike before, so it was quite odd to hear nothing except for the wind. The only noise it makes is when you're slowing down, you can hear the "WHIRR" of the electric motor. But when you twist the throttle, HOLD ON, because mother of all things holy, this thing takes off like a rocket. A quick flick and you can go from 40 mph to well over triple digits and then right back to 40 mph.

Can't say what the Livewire experience will be like, but it would have to be A LOT better than the Zero to justify the price difference. And I think it would be very difficult to top the SR/F especially when you can get it for circa 20k.

[the Ferret]

That Zero looks a lot better than the one I tested. Well maybe not better, more modern. It was a great experience. First stop I came to I thought the thing died lol, but I twisted the throttle and off it went. I thought the suspension on the one I rode was board stiff, other than that it was a great ride. Too bad they are so expensive. At $6-8k it would be a fun toy.

[NovaCB1100_imp]

That Zero looks a lot better than the one I tested. Well maybe not better, more modern. It was a great experience. First stop I came to I thought the thing died lol, but I twisted the throttle and off it went. I thought the suspension on the one I rode was board stiff, other than that it was a great ride. Too bad they are so expensive. At $6-8k it would be a fun toy.

The Zero rep I spoke with told me the company is committed to making great motorcycles, that are "also electric" which is pretty evident with the RS/F at least. It looks and feels like a great bike and happens to be electric. The USD forks and trellis style frame kind of make it look like a Monster or Streetfighter, and TBH it's looks are what piqued my interest first.

It's an absolute blast to ride! I'm just not quite there yet on going electric as my only bike....which is actually the crux of the issue for HD on the Livewire as well. If HD is really committed to diversifying their product lines they will have to face a few realities such as a decrease in ridership as we know it (although female ridership is actually increasing, which is good) and how to evolve an image they have actively cultivated into what that will look like in the future. I'm not sure if they can do it, but I hope so.

FWIW, I grew up steeped in HD everywhere and my folks still ride Harleys, as do all of their friends. I even worked in a HD shop over a few summers and wrenched on them as an apprentice, but I never got the bug. I always preferred Triumphs, Nortons, Ducatis, and of course Hondas!

[peterbaron]

Today, while driving with my son, we took a pic of white, nice, sleek and simple HD.
Can someone identify it, please.

[GoldOxide_imp]

In terms of location, I'd say based on the building it is somewhere in godforsaken Brampton, Ontario. Steeles sign helps a bit too.

RE HD: Too bad, all that HD and yet, running shoes.

[peterbaron]

GO: correct

mis: this one is sleek, compared to others bumpy