Smaller, Lighter, Cheaper Harleys...

[spd2918]

Stock Blasts were carbed --

You are correct.  The lack of a choke threw me off.

[Frankienuckles]

But for the most part, Harley-Davidson make up one of the very, very few pure motorcycle manufacturers

I thought they also made alot of clothes, doo-rags, belt buckles, coffee cups and other genuine accessories.   Just kidding!

[Baz]

Reuters) - Harley Davidson Inc's (HOG.N) chief operating officer Matt Levatich said the company will offer motorbikes that are more "physically and financially accessible" to buyers both in the United States and abroad, but it will continue to keep its manufacturing operations almost entirely in the country.

Selling in China (and that will be their target market) is not going to be easy. Just ask GM, China just hit them with a whole whack of new taxes. (You can do this in China)

So my bet is that Harley will soon be manufacturing things there, and in order to make any impact into that market once they get addicted to volume, they will soon loose their made in America goal. Especially once the ageing boomers stop buying in North America.  

When I was in Thailand, I saw some sales numbers on Honda's 125 dream. They sell something like 3 million units a year alone in that one tiny country.

Now think China.

Over a billion potential buyers in a much younger market for potential, especially when their current market is drying up. No one successfully sells anything in China for long unless part of it is made there, and you hand over your technology. The cost factor is huge as not many Chinese middle class cab afford any current made in America Harley models.

Potentially, HD in a successful drive, could make more proffit off one affordable model in Asia, than they ever could selling in the current US market. Of course it is not going to be easy because a 120 lb Chinese guy would be intimidated by a 700 lb Road King, so they are going to have to carve our a new niche there.

Just about any fortune 500 company is in or wants in the Chinese market, and if Harley gets into that market by selling made in America products, they would be one of the very few ever to do it.

I mean even Boeing makes things in China now.

[bomber]

You are correct.  The lack of a choke threw me off.

Without wishing to kick a man while he's down, there was, in fact, and automatic choke . . . to make the whole thing easier for newbs, who were the target audience.

;-}

[TuffguyF4i]

Actually, I think they have.

If you can get over the marketing BS (and it is here that HD is their own worst enemy), the big twin touring bikes are very very good mile eaters, so long as those miles are paved, and not Deal Gap.

That most of the folks that purchase HD products are recovering members of the High School AV Club in no way detracts from the usefulness of the bikes . . .

Yes, but you can buy a similar cruiser for much less money from the japanese.  The badging adds $5k to the price.

[bomber]

Yes, but you can buy a similar cruiser for much less money from the japanese.  The badging adds $5k to the price.

I'll grant you similar, and also agree that the badging leads to full retail, but the aftermarket loves the daylights outa HD, while it seems to be mildly fond of the big 4 cruisers . . . .I write "seems" as I have no diect knowledge of this stuff . . . .

[spd2918]

Without wishing to kick a man while he's down, there was, in fact, and automatic choke . . . to make the whole thing easier for newbs, who were the target audience.

;-}

The lack of a manual choke lever threw me off.  Are you happy now, Mr. Blast expert?  

[County Tar]

When starting, the carb had a nasty habit of backfiring and blowing the rubber boot off air intake, if I recall correctly.

[Rogue]

Selling in China (and that will be their target market) is not going to be easy. Just ask GM, China just hit them with a whole whack of new taxes. (You can do this in China)

Many of China's best selling cars are made by GM (in China).  Buick and Chevy are big overy there.

This last new tariff that China passed was for non-Chinese made cars with big engines.  It mainly hits high end cars not only from GM but other makes.  According to industry news, the cars it affects will not lower the sale of Chinese made GM cars, only high end cars bought by wealthy Chinese whill not blink at paying the extra tariff.  The Tariff is symbolic to counter a US Anti-dumping law of cheap Chinese goods into the US.  Most cars sold by GM/Ford in China are made in China for the Chinese market.  GM also has a joint-venture with a Chinese automaker there.