Is the Harley boom bust?

[Dakota rube]

I'm not a motorcycle owner, but I recall several friends who waited MONTHS and paid over invoice to get their Harley-Davidsons. Now, it appears the bloom is off the rose. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7487543/ So what's the deal? Is this an Early Economic Indicator; are other bike makers catching up; or a sign of the impending collapse of Western Civilization?

 

[Bergdorf Goodwill]

I haaate that aesthetic. Hopefully it's replaced by Triumphs or BMWs or something.

 

[benchan]

are other bike makers catching up

If you mean mechanically, sure, I think many bikes have surpassed Harleys. Stylistically, it is subjective. As an American icon, I think the Vette had evolved much better than the Harleys.

I think one reason for the decline is that consumers are now blessed with more choices than ever. For cruisers alone, Triumph Rocket and Kawasaki Vulcan are really formidable bikes. And then the advent of naked bikes also pull some would-be cruisers buyers away, esp the younger generation who hope their bikes handle as well as it looks. I for one would consider a Buell rather than a Harley if I were made a purchase.

 

[PHV]

I'm not a motorcycle owner, but I recall several friends who waited MONTHS and paid over invoice to get their Harley-Davidsons. Now, it appears the bloom is off the rose. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7487543/ So what's the deal? Is this an Early Economic Indicator; are other bike makers catching up; or a sign of the impending collapse of Western Civilization?

what's it with you and that phrase of "impending collapse of human civilization".

 

[petescolari]

I think they are also losing out to city and state contracts to fulfill motorcycle needs for police. There has always been complaints aimed at them that their bikes are terrible for the needs of the police. I have slowly seen a rise in BMW bikes being outfitted by the police here in MA. Ever since I was a kid growing up here, HD was the only game in town.

 

[Dakota rube]

what's it with you and that phrase of "impending collapse of human civilization".

I'm Lutheran; we're trained to watch out for that kind of stuff.

 

[thelakes]

Your probably Missouri synod 0o

 

[Dakota rube]

Amazing. (In spite of the misspellings.)

 

[thelakes]

I am a chronic mispeller. However I bet my moms hot dish beats your moms.

 

[Dakota rube]

My dearly-departed mother's hotdish was only, sadly, so-so. She was, you see, a Presbyterian, and consequently never mastered the art of preparing a "dish to pass".