"Refusing to be defined by my age!"
A few years back I rekindled my love of riding two wheels of terror. Not all the time is there terror. There are moments of absolute solitude. You - One with machine / road - Adrenaline surging. It s hard to explain if you do not ride.
One of the best simplistic descriptions is: "You driving a car - You ride a motorcycle." You smell the air, feel the wind, and experience time / distance with intensity.While purchasing my older/used bike about 5 years ago during Covid, I handed my Drivers License (still motorcycle certified after all the years) to the small shop owner. He studied it carefully, and commented, "I don't think I have ever sold a bike to anyone your age." My response, "Don't you have a better sales pitch than that?" After I assured him I could ride and still had somewhat reasonable cognitive abilities. Although buying a motorcycle (at my age) may not have been proof of that. With eyebrows raise, he happily completed the sale.
That bike was over 15 years old, with very low miles. Even then parts were becoming an issue as *Harley distanced itself from what turned out to be an engineering marvel, marketing failure. One drop could render it a total-loss, if the right/wrong parts became damaged. After a lifetime collection of Japanese bikes, it was my first Harley. I traded it one year ago for the new bike below. it was still in great running shape.
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| Harley 2023 Softail Standard |
On many weekend days there are "ride-in's" at my local dealer with free hotdogs and beer. There is some solitude in knowing I am not the oldest there. Although many of the older biker diehards are now on trikes, (three wheel motorcycles).
I guess you never lose the desire for freedom and exaltation, that only riding provides.
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*Why did Harley stop production of the VRod in 2017? It was was simply too radical for the traditional Harley-Davidson customer. At the final reckoning, the Harley-Davidson V-Rod’s biggest problem was also its biggest strength: it was unlike anything else Harley had ever built before or was building at the time.
I am going to provide a comment on my take of Harley's sad future.
Rhonda, have you ever been to the Harley Museum in Milwaukee ? Fabulous examples of all models of their bikes ( and that's just in the parking lot ! ) . One of the first exhibits you come to is the Engine Room, with cutaway examples of all their famous powerplants, many of which have audio files of them in full song !
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth the trip .
I was in Milwaukee and missed the opportunity. Choose a beer tour instead. Being I have a Harley now something I will need do.
DeleteThanks for the comment.
Harley Davidson is an American icon. Few companies or products can say that. It defined a lifestyle, a leisure product and at times, engineering marvels. Its fate over the years has waxed and waned and at times almost slipped into extension. Reinvention has never been a strong option with such a loyal base of customers willing to see it through and continue to buy its sometimes-inferior products.
ReplyDeleteSad truth: Their loyal base is old. Many, instead of buying the latest Harley bikes are now loyal customers of big pharma; hoping for the magic pill that will offer a few more years. Young riders are nonexistent, and Harley is doing nothing to attract this demographic.
In 2024, Harley-Davidson's global motorcycle shipments decreased by 17% compared to the previous year, while revenue was down 15%, with the fourth quarter showing a 53% drop in motorcycle shipments and a 47% drop in revenue.
How has Harley responded: For 2025, an average prices increase of about $2,000 above 2024 levels (pre-tariff). Harley has bikes topping as much as a well equipped sedan. Example: The vanilla touring Roadglide starts at $28,000 MSRP. Just a few options will push the price to over $30,000 easily. There are models that cost over $50,000.
What are the dealers doing to help? Nothing. Most dealers are adding outrageous markups, premium shipping, setup fees, addon options, and just plain additional profit. Never again would I buy from a Harley Dealer. I had to go to Small Claims Court to undo some of the hidden fees added that I was not informed about.
So, will Harley survive “again”? Not likely if it continues with the current business model and dealer subterfuge. Sad to see an American icon self-destruct.
Just one other comment on my dealer experience. I got in trade what I wanted for my trade in VROD. The dealer than added and hid enough fees to wipe out my trade. I gave away my trade. I did not even realize I had done that until a few days later. OMG - what did I do?
DeleteThis shows a really cool side to your many layers that have been fun to read about :)
ReplyDeleteI am an even more impressed fan. I have a 98 Harley softtail custom. I really enjoy it. It is too loud though. Friends say they can hear me from a mile out of town. A word of advise that a friend had told me when I was first riding." ride like you are invisible and that every one is going to run into you." Be safe.
ReplyDeleteGood Suggestions - Thanks
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