How does H-D stay relevant in a changing market?
- Thread starter Pio1980
- Start date
604man
Super Member
INDIAN used a plunger suspension , starting in the early 40's .
The soft tail was invented by VINCENT in 1928.
Pio1980
AK Member
You mean rear suspension?
604man
Super Member
Yes.....I have a book on VINCENT and there is a sketch of the rear suspension.
and INDIAN had lief spring suspension front and rear in the early days.
Pio1980
AK Member
Don't recall seeing an FN at Barbers', but I did spot this Pierce inspired by the FN.Brass era FN four and 1908 Mitchell. 4 cyl. not a new idea.
604man
Super Member
I think the reckless young guys who used be attracted to HDs and being bikers are now attracted to crotch rockets. That HD’s image has gone from being a bike for blue collar roughnecks to a bike for old conventional guys might put them in a bind as this retired dentist on a HD thing may run it’s course.
Last edited:
Rebranding a crappy design is not the formula for success. I enjoyed reading the interview with Brad Richards.
"The new generation wants nothing to do with that archetype...They want subtlety, they want high quality experience,"
Clearly, H-D has failed to embrace the needs of the international market where Honda sells tens of millions.
Maybe their electric initiative will do the trick. Selling only expensive anachronisms from the rear view mirror won't.
Last edited:
jblnut
Don't Overthink It
I've been a rider all my life and I now own 2 ~20 year old Guzzis after also having owned Yamaha and (Hinckley) Triumph bikes. I've rented and borrowed HD's a few times over the years, so I'll offer my $.02 on the topic of staying relevant. To me, HD is an image bike, period. While they are great at cruising down the road at a relaxed pace, they offer nothing for the enthusiast who wants a more spirited ride. The bikes are overweight and the motor - while blessed with plenty of torque - has a very narrow powerband and is better at producing vibration than motivation.
My main gripe is the terrible design of the engine itself. Why in the world would you have an inline air cooled 45 degree twin ? The back cylinder gets almost no airflow and will eventually overheat. Nearly every HD owner I know, has at some point in their bike's life had to deal with a back cylinder rebuild. BMW and Guzzi got their twins out in the breeze decades ago...but HD sticks to an ancient design whose one and only selling point (trademarked I believe) is the sound and cadence of the motor.
The VRod motor got me excited and actually considering the brand a decade ago. I thought "hmm...I can't wait to see what Buell does with this motor". We all know what happened next. They didn't want to go after riders like me, and they killed the VRod and showed Buell the door.
I wish them well, but they HAVE to figure out a way to capture younger buyers or they are doomed. And that is never going to happen with that paint shaker antique motor, trademark "potato potato" sound or not.
jblnut
My main gripe is the terrible design of the engine itself. Why in the world would you have an inline air cooled 45 degree twin ? The back cylinder gets almost no airflow and will eventually overheat. Nearly every HD owner I know, has at some point in their bike's life had to deal with a back cylinder rebuild. BMW and Guzzi got their twins out in the breeze decades ago...but HD sticks to an ancient design whose one and only selling point (trademarked I believe) is the sound and cadence of the motor.
The VRod motor got me excited and actually considering the brand a decade ago. I thought "hmm...I can't wait to see what Buell does with this motor". We all know what happened next. They didn't want to go after riders like me, and they killed the VRod and showed Buell the door.
I wish them well, but they HAVE to figure out a way to capture younger buyers or they are doomed. And that is never going to happen with that paint shaker antique motor, trademark "potato potato" sound or not.
jblnut
Pio1980
AK Member
Harley will have a future from what I see in the linked articles I've posted, but it won't be mainlining their old core products. The demographic support is diminishing for that approach, nostalgia ain't what it used to be, and it's been how many decades since The Wild One put the polarizing "outlaw" image in the public perception.
I can see an updated upgraded liquid cooled V-twin line as a continuing heritage signature line that resembles the present line, but mainly for US highway riders and weekenders. As an export product, I wouldn't depend on continuing support from transient fashion statement purchasers.
I can see an updated upgraded liquid cooled V-twin line as a continuing heritage signature line that resembles the present line, but mainly for US highway riders and weekenders. As an export product, I wouldn't depend on continuing support from transient fashion statement purchasers.
Pio1980
AK Member
A couple decades back, there were a number of independent privateer Harley shops, some associated with clubs. I know of only one still in business in my region and at least two clubhouses shuttered, I expect there are more still around than I am aware, but there is a trend.
As much as the boutique HD dealerships get flak from the hard core, they are a vital element and advantage to HD's survival over worthy alternatives like Polaris/Indian. I am still amazed by how successful Indian's revival has been in a few years, but parts and service on demand everywhere is going to be vital to make it sustainable. HD is already there with their new interstate highways "boutique" weekend dealerships strategy, and that's a major practical advantage that will be difficult to match by challengers.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/ca...cycles-is-coming-for-harley-davidsons-throne/
As much as the boutique HD dealerships get flak from the hard core, they are a vital element and advantage to HD's survival over worthy alternatives like Polaris/Indian. I am still amazed by how successful Indian's revival has been in a few years, but parts and service on demand everywhere is going to be vital to make it sustainable. HD is already there with their new interstate highways "boutique" weekend dealerships strategy, and that's a major practical advantage that will be difficult to match by challengers.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/ca...cycles-is-coming-for-harley-davidsons-throne/
In 1973 when I was an apprentice I bought a Moto Guzzi Eldorado. When asked why I didn’t buy a Harley I replied that I didn’t want one.
A couple of pals had Sportsters back than and I have to say they were a blast to drive. But the Electra Glides? I rode a couple and they had no appeal to me.
A couple of pals had Sportsters back than and I have to say they were a blast to drive. But the Electra Glides? I rode a couple and they had no appeal to me.
Pio1980
AK Member
Not long after I retired from the Army, I bought a ten year old Ironhead Sportster from an old style dealership in B'ham, a funky little shop with a few new bikes and a couple of dicey looking characters hanging around. The dealerships were random in location and appearance, tho there was a variably generic look to most of them before the boutique franchises took over. I have my doubts that they would still be around with that as the business model, as nostalgic as the hard core may be for it.
Similar threads
