Harley Shutting down in India

[peterbaron]

Just a week ago, I rode by beside an HD store located some kms away from Toronto, ON...no bikes or any traffic outside, possible closed??

[pekingduck]

Just a week ago, I rode by beside an HD store located some kms away from Toronto, ON...no bikes or any traffic outside, possible closed??

Hopefully, that was on a Sunday or a Monday.........

I'm down in North Carolina riding right now and there is nothing down here but Harleys. Seems like thousands of them. I made the comment more than once in the last couple of days, that it's hard to believe that Harley Davidson is in financial trouble.

They may be everywhere, but if they've owned them for years, or bought them secondhand, then HD isn't making fresh money.

Same for us CB1100 owners who bought them used, or years ago. It's thanks, but what have you done for Honda lately?

They may be everywhere, but if they've owned them for years, or bought them secondhand, then HD isn't making fresh money.
Yea that is something we have discussed with Harley riders down here. The ones we talked to admitted they bought their bikes used because new ones are too expensive, they havent changed much, and there are plenty of low mileage used ones around at good prices. They all are wearing tons of Harley branded gear. THey said the Harley Shop here by the Dragon doesnt even carry bikes, just clothing.

They may be everywhere, but if they've owned them for years, or bought them secondhand, then HD isn't making fresh money.
Yea that is something we have discussed with Harley riders down here. The ones we talked to admitted they bought their bikes used because new ones are too expensive, they haven't changed much, and there are plenty of low mileage used ones around at good prices. They all are wearing tons of Harley branded gear. They said the Harley Shop here by the Dragon doesn't even carry bikes, just clothing.
The problem for H-D is the dealers can't sell new ones. Much of their customer base is aging out and selling their bikes, glutting the market. An owner can't buy a new bike if the dealer can't give them a good trade, because there are so many used ones.

For fun, I just checked some a couple local H-D dealers, and Bartel's H-D had 30 new and 63 used Harleys. Glendale H-D had 25 new and 25 used, LA H-D had 59 new, 66 used.

Not sure if it's a valid comparison, but Bert's Mega-Mall, largest multi-brand dealer (no H-D) had 605 new, and 44 used.

[Houtman_imp]

Should I start a scrap metal company myself : what do you guys think of that idea ?

[peterbaron]

Should I start a scrap metal company myself : what do you guys think of that idea ?

Yes John, right away... and make me vice-president, GO to be a treasurer, PekingD an executive director.., so we can complete this project smoothly, fast and with a 100% satisfaction...+ no more hydrocarbon in the air...
Must first start in Ontario, please...

[Houtman_imp]

Should I start a scrap metal company myself : what do you guys think of that idea ?

Yes John, right away... and make me vice-president, GO to be a treasurer, PekingD an executive director.., so we can complete this project smoothly, fast and with a 100% satisfaction...+ no more hydrocarbon in the air...
Must first start in Ontario, please...

Yes John, right away... and make me vice-president, GO to be a treasurer, PekingD an executive director.., so we can complete this project smoothly, fast and with a 100% satisfaction...+ no more hydrocarbon in the air...
Must first start in Ontario, please...

OK Peter , I will be there on Thursday morning . Any sleasy motels I can stay cheaply ....

[peterbaron]

Should I start a scrap metal company myself : what do you guys think of that idea ?

Yes John, right away... and make me vice-president, GO to be a treasurer, PekingD an executive director.., so we can complete this project smoothly, fast and with a 100% satisfaction...+ no more hydrocarbon in the air...
Must first start in Ontario, please...

Yes John, right away... and make me vice-president, GO to be a treasurer, PekingD an executive director.., so we can complete this project smoothly, fast and with a 100% satisfaction...+ no more hydrocarbon in the air...
Must first start in Ontario, please...

OK Peter , I will be there on Thursday morning . Any sleasy motels I can stay cheaply ....

Yes John, right away... and make me vice-president, GO to be a treasurer, PekingD an executive director.., so we can complete this project smoothly, fast and with a 100% satisfaction...+ no more hydrocarbon in the air...
Must first start in Ontario, please...

OK Peter , I will be there on Thursday morning . Any sleasy motels I can stay cheaply ....
As a president, you must stay in the 1st class hotels, no le$$ than 5*****, sorry.

What is that red ! in your post??

[pekingduck]

Does the bike get it's own room, or do you share a suite with it?

[peterbaron]

Does the bike get it's own room, or do you share a suite with it?

How come such a question...sure the bike will get its own garage and overnight clean up/spa

[GoldOxide_imp]

I'm down in North Carolina riding right now and there is nothing down here but Harleys. Seems like thousands of them. I made the comment more than once in the last couple of days, that it's hard to believe that Harley Davidson is in financial trouble.

The industry is definitely broken. I can live in a world with HD. I can do without the faux herd culture attitude that has been a drag for too many decades. Maybe I am too harsh ... I have known some civil and real people who ride HDs.

It is a pity all the incredibly wonderful HD metal will go to scrap.

[activedirt_imp]

Well my half a cent worth is:

(1) In 2018 when HD reworked a good number of their bikes I took a Fat-Bob for a test ride. I thought is was a great bike, to heavy and expensive, buy a very nice bike to ride. If it cost a lot less and weighted mucho less I would have considered buying one that day.

(2) For sentimental reasons I hope that Harley is able to rebound and that they continue strong into the future. Some companies (like Apple) have had, at times, a tendency to turn things around but only under dire circumstances. I think that I remember that Apple was close to going under about three times. One time Bill Gates and Microsoft purposely purchased millions of dollars of their stock just to help them stay afloat.

(3) Lastly, this is not the first time that HD has been in trouble. But lots of companies have financial troubles, GM, GE, Tesla, Chase Bank, Disney.

Yup, sentimental ole biker here just rant-en-on.