Harley CEO asks investors for patience as sales, stock slide

[MKA_5966]

Sounds like HD is sticking to its gun with no discounting of any kind on its scooters...

www.reuters.com/article/us-harley-d...r-patience-as-sales-stock-slide-idUSKBN1FX1EE

 

[16FLHXS]

I get that they dont wanna lower prices just to move bikes, but how do you have a profit if your not moving bikes.......

I just watched the motorcycle.com big dam bagger shootout, alot of guys didnt choose the harley, they like it, but if they had to spend their own money, they would buy something else.

 

[NGOT8R]

Maybe if MoCo and the dealerships weren't so greedy, they would sell more bikes. I went to my local dealership and tried to buy my 2018 115th anniversary model and they told me that they needed to get $32,099 for it. They really thought I would pay that, but they were wrong. I ended up getting mine for $26,434 out the door and not a penny more, but had to go 3 1/2 hours east of me to get it. What's even crazier is, the same local dealership told me that they sold a 2018 CVO Limited for $56,000. If they approached things differently and started selling bikes under MSRP by $500 or so, they might sell more and in the long run, make more money. A lot of times many dealers want a brand loyal customer base, but don't want to match that by being loyal to customers. If the MoCo is telling dealers to sell bikes for as much as they can get, or even allowing them to do that, then that's clearly where the problem lies.

 

[Lean angle]

The bottom line is ALL motorcycle sales are lagging, not just Harley. Though as an old guy I will say that their base is literally kicking the bucket. Go to Sturgis, it now looks like a geriatric convention, very little non-white hair. My belief is the days will soon return of limited HD production, like the old days. They will sell 100k bikes instead of 250k. just sayin'

 

[t8ness]

I’m a young guy (30s) and I never thought I’d buy a Harley, but I did few years ago, 14 Street Glide. I love it, but lord the technology is so far behind a BMW RT for example...why don’t Harley’s have Tire Pressure Monitoring, no traction control, and for almost 30k, the suspension sucks. The wife permitting, I’d buy an RT for rigorous trips, and the Harley would be just for cruising...maybe bending a little, offering incentives for buyers, and basic technology that’s found on other touring bikes would help sales.


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[BluesBelly]

The bottom line is ALL motorcycle sales are lagging, not just Harley. Though as an old guy I will say that their base is literally kicking the bucket. Go to Sturgis, it now looks like a geriatric convention, very little non-white hair. My belief is the days will soon return of limited HD production, like the old days. They will sell 100k bikes instead of 250k. just sayin'

Lean angle,
As One gray hair to another I agree with you 100%. It seems there are two schools of Harley-Davidson that make the Motor Company work: New School folks who support the Motor Company with their cash donations to overpriced clothing, pretty parts, follow the crowd options, CVO extravagance, and various upgrades of Stage I, II, III, IV, etc. and Old School guys like us who enjoy wrenching on any Harley be it Pan, Shovel, Evo, or Twinkie and making our own parts or sourcing them at a reasonable price.
No offense to any folks in any realm of HD enjoyment as we all enjoy our Harleys be it Old School or New School, but our breed is dying. Many of us drive newer four wheeled daily driver vehicles with standard LED lighting, Navigation, Bluetooth, Sirius XM Radio, auto dimming headlights, etc. Yet when Dealing with HD we fight for quality OEM audio, we spend big $$$$ to get a couple more HP and TQ, we upgrade our seating because OEM HD seats suck, countless dollars are spent on aftermarket suspension components because HD OME components are as cheap as it gets, and stock Harey-Davidson lighting is as pathetic as as can be with antiquated 1156 and 1157 bulbs.
Long story short, we spend too much money upgrading an antiquated product in need of virtually every aspect involved in performance, comfort, visibility, current technology.
If Our beloved Harley-Davidson brand is to survive and maintain its current customer base while expanding to include young, new interest, the Motor Company must re-evaluate its current "Traditional" standing and seek a compromise between high tech with vintage styling. I think this can be executed but time is running short.
There will still be plenty of room for aftermarket growth. As A life long street rod owner and enthusiast I have seen this happen.

My .02
Blues

 

[t8ness]

Lean angle,
As One gray hair to another I agree with you 100%. It seems there are two schools of Harley-Davidson that make the Motor Company work: New School folks who support the Motor Company with their cash donations to overpriced clothing, pretty parts, follow the crowd options, CVO extravagance, and various upgrades of Stage I, II, III, IV, etc. and Old School guys like us who enjoy wrenching on any Harley be it Pan, Shovel, Evo, or Twinkie and making our own parts or sourcing them at a reasonable price.
No offense to any folks in any realm of HD enjoyment as we all enjoy our Harleys be it Old School or New School, but our breed is dying. Many of us drive newer four wheeled daily driver vehicles with standard LED lighting, Navigation, Bluetooth, Sirius XM Radio, auto dimming headlights, etc. Yet when Dealing with HD we fight for quality OEM audio, we spend big $$$$ to get a couple more HP and TQ, we upgrade our seating because OEM HD seats suck, countless dollars are spent on aftermarket suspension components because HD OME components are as cheap as it gets, and stock Harey-Davidson lighting is as pathetic as as can be with antiquated 1156 and 1157 bulbs.
Long story short, we spend too much money upgrading an antiquated product in need of virtually every aspect involved in performance, comfort, visibility, current technology.
If Our beloved Harley-Davidson brand is to survive and maintain its current customer base while expanding to include young, new interest, the Motor Company must re-evaluate its current "Traditional" standing and seek a compromise between high tech with vintage styling. I think this can be executed but time is running short.
There will still be plenty of room for aftermarket growth. As A life long street rod owner and enthusiast I have seen this happen.

My .02
Blues

From new school to ol school, you’ve hit the nail on the head brother!


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[Erilflynn]

I get that they dont wanna lower prices just to move bikes, but how do you have a profit if your not moving bikes.......

I just watched the motorcycle.com big dam bagger shootout, alot of guys didnt choose the harley, they like it, but if they had to spend their own money, they would buy something else.

I watched it too. Pretty interesting. I didn’t even realize Yamaha had a new bagger out although I knew they had a new big dresser.

 

[BillyBob]

Maybe if MoCo and the dealerships weren't so greedy, they would sell more bikes. I went to my local dealership and tried to buy my 2018 115th anniversary model and they told me that they needed to get $32,099 for it. They really thought I would pay that, but they were wrong. I ended up getting mine for $26,434 out the door and not a penny more, but had to go 3 1/2 hours east of me to get it. What's even crazier is, the same local dealership told me that they sold a 2018 CVO Limited for $56,000. If they approached things differently and started selling bikes under MSRP by $500 or so, they might sell more and in the long run, make more money. A lot of times many dealers want a brand loyal customer base, but don't want to match that by being loyal to customers. If the MoCo is telling dealers to sell bikes for as much as they can get, or even allowing them to do that, then that's clearly where the problem lies.

Yes, dealers are getting greedy!


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