HD hurtin?

motowebmaster · 11-26-2008

Lessee, where to start ...

Flip, I understand what you mean by sweatshop-manufactured clothing items being sold at ridiculous prices. There were some very cool shirts at my local H-D shop, that were actually "diminished" on the Harley Graphics, but still in the $50-$100 range. While it may seem excessive for us, the younger market is already accustomed to paying $100-$200 for T-Shirts with Goth-style artwork from names like Affliction; which has nothing to do with motorcycles; but a rising interest among today's younger group.

SpeedTrip, I'm happy to hear that H-D is reconsidering bringing the XR1200 stateside. My affinity with the H-D VRod/Muscle is over (seating position issues), but this bike may be fun to ride. It would make a good Eureka-bike.

Prophet, the thing to look for now is how H-D will go after the market they didn't have before. The sales manager at my local H-D Dealer doesn't know what a VFR/Interceptor is, but is willing to sit down at a computer and learn. He is a nice guy, but wouldn't have done that in the past. While dealers had kept Buell and other non-traditional bikes out of the mainstream before, they are learning to the that diversity will help them endure the hard times ahead.

SidecarFlip · 11-27-2008

That's an about face for ar an HD salesperson....to actually be receptive to something other that the 'HD way of thinking'.......

That is not the way it is at the local-to-me HD dealer. They don't even floorplan any Buell's and don't want them. They are purist V-Twin Winnebago people. I happen to know the service manager. He told me flatly that......we have no market here for Buells or anything like them so we refrain from having them in our showroom. Our customers want the traditional HD. We'd never sell a Buell here and we'd never have on on the showroom floor.

Wonder how long they will be around?

motowebmaster · 11-27-2008

I copied the image from the URL posted by Speedtrip and attached it below. Who knows if this particular "look" will catch on, but it is counter to the traditional Harley market.

Picture a bunch of guys wearing solid Orange/Black Harley clothes on high-powered Sportsters, Buells, and the occasional MV Augusta:

I'm not saying that it will overtake the traditional market, but profit isn't a dirty word. If we can stablize the economy, it has a chance.

Speedtrip · 11-27-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

we have no market here for Buells or anything like them so we refrain from having them in our showroom. Our customers want the traditional HD. We'd never sell a Buell here and we'd never have on on the showroom floor.

Wonder how long they will be around?

Just the opposite around here our local HD dealer actually has the only sportbike night in the area. They will demo any Buell they have and they are the first bikes you see when you walk in. Granted they don't get the space that the HD's get but they're not hiding them in a dusty corner either.

I think the reasoning is that if they get you on a Buell that they usually discount that sometime in the future you will come to your senses and buy an HD.

The Prophet · 11-28-2008

I just read somewhere yesterday - and now I can't find the darned thing - that H-D is going to limit US sales of the XR1200 to only 750 Bikes.

This goes along with their old policy of deliberately limiting bike availability to create supply and demand bartering.

Expect Dealers to jack up the price, because of the "rarity".

I searched the internet the best I know how, and cannot find any European Sales figures on this bike. It would interesting for the conversation to know how it went these past months.

Here in Illinois, Lake Shore Harley used to actively sell Buell bikes, and also - believe it or not - was a dealer for Royal Enfield! At least in '06 it was, haven't been in that area for the past year or so.

I expect we'll see examples at the Cycle World shows?

motowebmaster · 11-28-2008

The "limit" does set a negative impression with me, but to be honest time will tell if the U.S. Market can/would buy that many in the first place.

HOG stock is back up, could of made a few bucks

The Prophet · 11-29-2008

Here's a dealer where you can place an order. MSRP US$11,179Begs the question: What do you get that is ADDITIONAL from a 1200 Sportster? Harley-Davidson Trike conversions, california harley-davidson dealer, orange county, ca

Speedtrip · 11-29-2008

Buell cams reworked air intake, plastic body work, twin disk nissin front brakes, steeper rake and trail, cast aluminum swing arm, showa forks. It makes just 8.5 hp less than than the Buell Super TT.

It's not a sportbike but by HD standards it probably has the best suspension best brakes and best handling bike they make right now.

The price is a little high but to me it falls in that category of sporty retro twins like Bonnies, Duc Classics, and some Guzzis. I think it's a nice standard you could knock around on really reminds me of my T-Bird (that I loved). As far as the retro bikes I still like the Bonnie but if I was seriously going to get one it would probably be one of the Ducatis.

SidecarFlip · 11-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedtrip

Buell cams reworked air intake, plastic body work, twin disk nissin front brakes, steeper rake and trail, cast aluminum swing arm, showa forks. It makes just 8.5 hp less than than the Buell Super TT.

It's not a sportbike but by HD standards it probably has the best suspension best brakes and best handling bike they make right now.

The price is a little high but to me it falls in that category of sporty retro twins like Bonnies, Duc Classics, and some Guzzis. I think it's a nice standard you could knock around on really reminds me of my T-Bird (that I loved). As far as the retro bikes I still like the Bonnie but if I was seriously going to get one it would probably be one of the Ducatis.

Everytime I think Ducati, I think BMW, no not Bavarian Motor Works, Bring More Wallet....Ducks and the Desmodronic Valva Actuation and the 'You can't do squat at home in the garage except change the oil and filter'..... That, besides the overall layout, has always been a big turnoff for me with Ducks and to a lesser extent the cobbly look of the castings, especially on the 1000 retro bike.

I'm not sure but, following HD's archaic technology, the new bike probably has screw type valve adjusters, just like your lawnmower...easily adjusted in the garage.

Actually, any shim over bucket is pretty easy too. I have a neat little tool that extracts the shim without removing the cam.

Speedtrip · 11-30-2008

Thats the rub with Ducati, I love the Paul Smart Classic but not enough to give 12.5k for it, I already own one impractical bike. Next one will be a sport tourer or a cheap dual sport if I come across one.