In case you have not seen Harley-Davidson's New Business Plan-

[DK Custom Products]

In case you have not seen Harley-Davidson's New Business Plan-

Here it is. Get Ready!

No Sportster or Softail models mentioned at all.

Electric is second on their list.

Kevin

 

[peteg59]

With all of the world's focus on electric vehicles of every type, you'd think some rocket scientist would have already developed a battery that will hold a charge for longer than 200~400 miles.:xzqxz:

Guess we'll see where that goes in the years to come.

Hope I'm gone when, not if, all IC engines are "obsoleted" by the gov't. ...

 

[Seaweed]

Sportsters show under "Street" tab and Softails under "Cruiser". Had me worried there.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Sportsters show under "Street" tab and Softails under "Cruiser". Had me worried there.

They're boiling that frog slowly, but they are doing it.

No where under the Street tab does the word Sportster appear.

No where under the Cruiser tab does the word Softail appear.

Also, look closely under the Cruiser tab...where is the Heritage?

Now look under the Touring tab...you will see the Heritage there.

They are blurring the lines, and getting prepared to do some pretty big things over the next couple of years.

It won't be long until there is a whole new crop of HD riders who won't even know what the words Softail or Sportster mean.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Yep...

With all of the world's focus on electric vehicles of every type, you'd think some rocket scientist would have already developed a battery that will hold a charge for longer than 200~400 miles.:xzqxz:

Guess we'll see where that goes in the years to come.

Hope I'm gone when, not if, all IC engines are "obsoleted" by the gov't. ...

...and yep.

Kevin

 

[bikerbillone]

HD is slowly destroying it's history, that transition is gonna cost them big. Of course HD has some great minds figuring all that out. And yes, where is Willie when they need him, maybe he could care less these days, or if he did, it wouldn't matter.

 

[trikermutha]

I think Willie is running the Museum

 

[1dn5up]

I think Willie is running the Museum

Naaa , he’s into clothes , his sister does R&D.

 

[ISP-FL]

My screen saver I use is still my old white Wide Glide. I guess I'm still mourning over that getting dropped.

When I first transitioned to a TG back in 2016 it was more because all of my riding was 2-up. The DW didn't have to pay attention and could move around back there and therefore be more comfortable. We still had a small group of friends who were on Ultras and TG's that we rode with.

Even that is changing. Newer friends at our winter home are not Harley owners/riders. Early this winter season another friend invited them to follow on one of our rides in their corvette. So now whenever two or three of us take off there is a vette following us with another couple and a dog in it. Can't turn the clock back and I'm not liking the new one!

 

[Halfnormal]

When I first transitioned to a TG back in 2016 it was more because all of my riding was 2-up..........Newer friends at our winter home are not Harley owners/riders. Early this winter season another friend invited them to follow on one of our rides in their corvette.

I stopped riding around 10 years ago when a cager tried to run my wife and I off the road. My wife said it was getting too dangerous to ride anymore so I sold my Victory. We talked over the years about riding. A trike was the only way she would ride again.

When I started looking to buy, most of the listings were people selling due to how dangerous it has gotten to ride anymore. I was surprised when I told some of my coworkers that I had purchased a new bike and now I could ride with them, they told me that they were going to or have sold their bikes due to riding conditions. They did say they would love to ride their cages with the group when we ride.

What I find most telling is that I do not see any young people at the dealer when I go there. Mid 40's and up. The sporty's were the entrance to the Harley world and of course affordable. I know most people cannot afford a $15,000 starting price for a motorcycle that they will not use everyday.

I think Harley is going after a market that does not exist anymore. I am sure they make as much money on their merchandise as they do on their wheels.

I am glad that I have been around to see the hey day of riding!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Two things I observed in the last week-

1. A twenty-something guy who has been riding since he was 10, the last 4 years on his Sporty, told me he was selling it. It has gotten too dangerous for him to ride with all the inattentive cagers out there.

2. Devin (the "D" in DK) stopped by a Dealership and saw the Harley Balance Bikes for kids. See them at this LINK

He is getting one for his son, Gabe, for his upcoming 4th birthday.

That, I believe, is how Harley plans to stay in the motorcycle game.

Gabe will have his first Harley at age 4. At some point down the road he will probably get a Harley E-Bike. Then when he turns 16 and gets his license, he will get a Harley motorcycle....probably an electric one. That will be what he has known since is first one at age 4.

It's a whole new world!

Kevin

P.S. Here's a photo of a bike I would have loved to have as a kid! In fact, I'd like one now, but I know I would hurt myself. :laugh:

 

[Papa Zook]

The Sportster will never go away, it's one of their best selling bikes to this day and it will be around forever in one form or another.

 

[DK Custom Products]

The Sporter will never go away, it's one of their best selling bikes to this day and it will be around forever in one form or another.

Yeah, I agree, but not sure it will be called a Sportster, but I think there is a high probability it will look something like this.

This bike is supposed to be out in 2021 and is called a Custom and is 1250 cc.

Kevin

 

[Jack Klarich]

This is proof H D is not polling nor listening to the riders

Every time H D makes a change it seems desperate IMO

The clothing line , boots jackets and trinkets have been made in China for years

This kept cost down and profits high

Many of the parts on our bikes are made in Mexico for that same reason, at least our bikes for the American market are still assembled here

I have doubts the Sportster line is going away, it does need an engine make over IMO

 

[Bubber]

Harley is a clothing company that sometimes sells motorcycles.

Look at their revenue stream it is mostly from their overpriced clothes.

As someone once said, they have the best marketing of any company, ever! :toilet:

 

[Papa Zook]

Yeah, I agree, but not sure it will be called a Sportster, but I think there is a high probability it will look something like this.

This bike is supposed to be out in 2021 and is called a Custom and is 1250 cc.

Kevin

I hope you are wrong, their model name recognition has real value and ditching the Sportster model name would be idiotic.

That new bike looks like an Indian Scout knockoff. The most knocked off mc brand has now become the one knocking off others.

I was at the Indian, BMW, Triumph dealership yesterday and all three brands are building some really impressive HD inspired bikes. Wide range too from baggers to small and medium displacement bobber style bikes.

I noticed they had lots of used Harley trade ins.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

There is a Indian dealer about 50 miles south of me and they are currently offering very low trade ins for HD,because they have so many used ones they don't want any more for now.That seems like a double edged knife because you want to sell new Indians but on the other hand what do you do with all the used ones,take them to the auction and hope for the best.

 

[Papa Zook]

There is a Indian dealer about 50 miles south of me and they are currently offering very low trade ins for HD,because they have so many used ones they don't want any more for now.That seems like a double edged knife because you want to sell new Indians but on the other hand what do you do with all the used ones,take them to the auction and hope for the best.

Our local Indian dealer wholesales them to other dealers or sends them to the auctions.

 

[v4bob49]

Unfortunately motorcycle sales continue to decline throughout the industry, not just for Harley. The Big Four Japanese manufactures used to all have an extensive line of "cruiser style" V-Twin bikes. Now the have hardly any. Polaris discontinued the Victory line altogether.

It seems to be easy to bash the MoCo for what they are doing. But the reality is that they have to try to become more efficient in order to remain competitive. Such as closing the Kansas City plant and consolidating production at York.

They simply did not need the production capacity any longer. Sad situation, but that's the reality. At least H-D is trying to recruit new riders/younger people. I don't know how successful they've been so far.

As for where their revenue comes from, here are the numbers for 2019 taken from their fourth quarter report on their website:

Total vehicles shipped: 213939

Revenue from motorcycle sales: $3,538,963,000.00

General merchandise sales: $237,566,000.00

Parts & Accessories: $713,400,000.00

Total: $4,489,929,000.00

While the total revenue for 2019 is almost $4.5 billion, it is actually down about 8% from 2018 and when it was almost $5 billion.

Also, the total number of vehicles shipped is down 6.4% compared to 2018. UK

 

[jonfjr]

Here it is. Get Ready!

No Sportster or Softail models mentioned at all.

Electric is second on their list.

Kevin

Kevin,

It is also interesting to note that HD isn't the only OEM trying to reshape the future of sales and new bikes.

For an example, Yamaha will not be selling the FJR 1300 in Europe after mid year due to the new EU 5 emissions regulation (fook Europe I say).

I have read that the FJR will still be sold in the USA, but for how long who knows. Yamaha was hoping to sell many "Niken" 3 wheels bikes but the MSRP was quite high (had to recoup R&D costs I guess). In general the sport touring segment in the USA has been on the decline for a number of years and this is why BMW went with the bagger (K1600B) to try and compete with HD as GS sales (adventure bikes) is what you ride to go to Starbucks

BMW GS and R1200/1250 RT sales are keeping sales positive for the Bayerische Motoren Werke, but there are only so many people who need/want bikes.

IMHO the HD big V Twin is a work of engineering art and I have always loved that "unique sound".

The fact that HD will bring to market an off road adventure bike is commendable and I wish them luck with that.

One last note;

My friend was a sales Manager of a once popular BMW shop (now closed) said that new riders (not knowing brands or having any experience riding) were offering ridiculously low prices on new bikes.Their understanding of profit margins weren't a concern for them which resulted in a sale going south so to speak.

What will be will be, but I hope that HD will be able to weather the storm.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Unfortunately motorcycle sales continue to decline throughout the industry, not just for Harley. The Big Four Japanese manufactures used to all have an extensive line of "cruiser style" V-Twin bikes. Now the have hardly any. Polaris discontinued the Victory line altogether.

It seems to be easy to bash the MoCo for what they are doing. But the reality is that they have to try to become more efficient in order to remain competitive. Such as closing the Kansas City plant and consolidating production at York.

They simply did not need the production capacity any longer. Sad situation, but that's the reality. At least H-D is trying to recruit new riders/younger people. I don't know how successful they've been so far.

As for where their revenue comes from, here are the numbers for 2019 taken from their fourth quarter report on their website:

Total vehicles shipped: 213939

Revenue from motorcycle sales: $3,538,963,000.00

General merchandise sales: $237,566,000.00

Parts & Accessories: $713,400,000.00

Total: $4,489,929,000.00

While the total revenue for 2019 is almost $4.5 billion, it is actually down about 8% from 2018 and when it was almost $5 billion.

Also, the total number of vehicles shipped is down 6.4% compared to 2018. UK

Thanks for posting this up.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin,

It is also interesting to note that HD isn't the only OEM trying to reshape the future of sales and new bikes.

For an example, Yamaha will not be selling the FJR 1300 in Europe after mid year due to the new EU 5 emissions regulation (fook Europe I say).

I have read that the FJR will still be sold in the USA, but for how long who knows. Yamaha was hoping to sell many "Niken" 3 wheels bikes but the MSRP was quite high (had to recoup R&D costs I guess). In general the sport touring segment in the USA has been on the decline for a number of years and this is why BMW went with the bagger (K1600B) to try and compete with HD as GS sales (adventure bikes) is what you ride to go to Starbucks

BMW GS and R1200/1250 RT sales are keeping sales positive for the Bayerische Motoren Werke, but there are only so many people who need/want bikes.



IMHO the HD big V Twin is a work of engineering art and I have always loved that "unique sound".

The fact that HD will bring to market an off road adventure bike is commendable and I wish them luck with that.

One last note;

My friend was a sales Manager of a once popular BMW shop (now closed) said that new riders (not knowing brands or having any experience riding) were offering ridiculously low prices on new bikes.Their understanding of profit margins weren't a concern for them which resulted in a sale going south so to speak.

What will be will be, but I hope that HD will be able to weather the storm.

I know it is crazy/foreign to think of Harley making electric bicycles, balance bikes and motorcycles. But they are doing what they believe they need to do to capture the market that is currently being raised on smartphones, screens and other influences so far from ours it is almost inconceivable.

There is a method in their "madness" that I have seen as clear as day recently.

A month ago I purchased and E-Bike for exercise. (a regular bike is just too hard on my knees).

I've been reading some on a few e-bike forums, and almost all folks that have e-bikes (and never ridden a motorcycle) talk about how "freeing" it feels to twist the throttle and go...about the fun of being "in the wind", about the "freedom they feel" when riding their e-bike.

These are all things that we, who ride motorcycles, already know. These folks on e-bikes are just discovering it. Most do not even know that they would love riding a motorcycle...and, in fact, they are riding one already, albeit a small one.

Now, picture a kid with an e-bike...especially a HD branded e-bike. A huge percentage of them are going to grow up and want to take the next step and get an electric motorcycle. It will be a natural progression for them.

In my opinion, HD is doing what it needs to do to survive. The biggest challenge they have is competing in regards to cost of production.

Kevin

 

[jonfjr]

I know it is crazy/foreign to think of Harley making electric bicycles, balance bikes and motorcycles. But they are doing what they believe they need to do to capture the market that is currently being raised on smartphones, screens and other influences so far from ours it is almost inconceivable.

There is a method in their "madness" that I have seen as clear as day recently.

A month ago I purchased and E-Bike for exercise. (a regular bike is just too hard on my knees).

I've been reading some on a few e-bike forums, and almost all folks that have e-bikes (and never ridden a motorcycle) talk about how "freeing" it feels to twist the throttle and go...about the fun of being "in the wind", about the "freedom they feel" when riding their e-bike.

These are all things that we, who ride motorcycles, already know. These folks on e-bikes are just discovering it. Most do not even know that they would love riding a motorcycle...and, in fact, they are riding one already, albeit a small one.

Now, picture a kid with an e-bike...especially a HD branded e-bike. A huge percentage of them are going to grow up and want to take the next step and get an electric motorcycle. It will be a natural progression for them.

In my opinion, HD is doing what it needs to do to survive. The biggest challenge they have is competing in regards to cost of production.

Kevin

Cost of production is a good comment kevin.

When I see some of the MSRP tags on HD or BMW it makes me wonder if they could reduce these prices. BMW production employees are in a union and so are HD employees so that is one constant but does it drive the cost of making these bikes? I am sure it is relevant at some stage of the costing analysis.

 

[David792]

The Harley web page really stinks this year. Indeed, they are trying to bring in some fresh riders, and if that's what they need to do to stay in business then good for them. Considering most "kids" can't even change a flat tire, I guess they have to find a product they will purchase. As for the layout of the web page... having worked in a corporate job once, the top usually has no clue as to what goes on below. They probably hired a third party business to create that page for them. Someone with no clue. Okay, that's enough from me.

 

[jonfjr]

The Harley web page really stinks this year. Indeed, they are trying to bring in some fresh riders, and if that's what they need to do to stay in business then good for them. Considering most "kids" can't even change a flat tire, I guess they have to find a product they will purchase. As for the layout of the web page... having worked in a corporate job once, the top usually has no clue as to what goes on below. They probably hired a third party business to create that page for them. Someone with no clue. Okay, that's enough from me.

David,

Totally on the same page as you.

HD isn't the only Company that suffers from the "where do I go" from here web page design, but other Companies do as well. I made that point recently to a well known Company about the minefield of navigating their web site when the agent asked me to upload a file! I duly responded with, "where is the link for that" :Shrug:

Don't management check anything these days? Look at Boeing as an example of "out of sight, out of mind".

Nuff said.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Here's a link to a pretty well organized look at the newly labeled HD line-up.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/index.html

I have noticed that the HD websites for other countries are still showing Sportsters and Softails.

Kevin

 

[arnie]

Cost of production is a good comment kevin.

When I see some of the MSRP tags on HD or BMW it makes me wonder if they could reduce these prices. BMW production employees are in a union and so are HD employees so that is one constant but does it drive the cost of making these bikes? I am sure it is relevant at some stage of the costing analysis.

I am retired from a union manufacturing job. At my time of employment the Co. told us we were 5% or 6% of the cost of the product! Union workers are making less now then the period i'm referring to. I'm thinking it's the top end that's added heavily to the cost, I know for a fact it is not the bottom!

 

[rae mendonca]

sportster

Here's a link to a pretty well organized look at the newly labeled HD line-up.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/index.html

I have noticed that the HD websites for other countries are still showing Sportsters and Softails.



Kevin

Who really cares which column they put it in, they are still sportsters and still look like sportsters. Any one wanting a sportster and doesn't know what they look like arent really interested anyway