#1 seller of bikes over 650cc to the 18-34 crowd?

[SuperHans]

Since it's being used for marketing purposes, I'm sure the data says exactly what it was meant to say?

[Fourstring]

As the data point of the under 30 crowd, I'd say the majority of my friends who talk about buying a bike talk about Harleys.  But of those that actually buy a bike, they buy Ninja 250s.

[Spanky]

Economics at work. Lots of bikes I want (and have had).

I'm riding a $2600, 10 year old SV now.

Only because you have been banned by all the cool motorcycle brands. Moto Guzzi wouldn't even keep ya - Oy Vey  

[jeepinbanditrider]

I want an SV in the stable  

I see Harley sales climbing slight anyway due to the falling Dollar and rising Yen.  Just the market in general is not good for any motorcycle sales.  And the prices of some of the high end Japanese cruisers is getting pretty high.

[bomber]

I see Harley sales climbing slight anyway due to the falling Dollar and rising Yen.  Just the market in general is not good for any motorcycle sales.  And the prices of some of the high end Japanese cruisers is getting pretty high.

This may certainly be the case . . . .though I know of a large number of HD riders who would never consider anything else . . . the price of Japanese "competition" would never enter into their purchase decisions . . .

[atadaskew]

This may certainly be the case . . . .though I know of a large number of HD riders who would never consider anything else . . . the price of Japanese "competition" would never enter into their purchase decisions . . .

See now, that doesn't work anymore when Sportsters are often cheaper than their Japanese counterparts.
Harley makes a lot of bikes in the $7000-$14000 price range.

[tvpierce]

There is a HUGE population of males under 30 who feel the ultimate modes of transportation are pickup trucks, and Harley bikes.    To them, anything other than a Harley is a "rice rocket" -- and is of no interest to them.

[atadaskew]

There is a HUGE population of males under 30 who feel the ultimate modes of transportation are pickup trucks, and Harley bikes.    To them, anything other than a Harley is a "rice rocket" -- and is of no interest to them.

next thing you'll tell us is NASCAR is more popular in the US than Motogp.

[Orson]

With the clear understanding that I have no dog in this fight, and couldn't care one iota less who "wins" here, I just love the ongoing assumption that everyone who's awesome is on a sport bike doing 50,000 miles a  year in snow and rain and has raced 19 seasons before retiring undefeated, and only crusty old men are on Harleys and can't ride for shit, and never go anywhere but from bar to bar.

*yawn*

I seem to be able to end every ride with a smile, looking back on having fun, regardless of what I might have been riding at the time. Silly people.

that's a cross ya hafta bear

There is no issue with the bike. I think the issue is with the riders who fantasize about being hells angels. You might be an exception but, ya hafta admit that you are far outnumbered by pirates.

You don't see us over on the pirate forums whining because people say my stich makes me look fat  

[chilipeppernorm]

You're apparently making assumptions about the youth market, and that mythical "I'm under 30 and MUST have a SUPERGSXRZZRRXX1500 sport bike" mentality is presumed to be hard-wired into every human brain at that age..? Mayhaps a discussion with some of the bike-buying youth in question would yield results of understanding.

Actually Frenchman, with respect you're making assumptions about my position that my post doesn't support. My comparison was strictly about twins and nowhere did I mention or imply 4 cyl sport bikes. Since HD only makes twins I restricted my comparison to such assuming anyone wanting a HD must by default want a twin. I did choose the Sportster as that's HD's entry level bike and one of the few that isn't by default relegated to a feet forward cruising position. I'm not dinging HD, those who own, ride, like, or lust after HD. If one only wants HD, then HD is the only solution. I am pointing out that in the twin marketplace HD has deep competition on every level except zombie like product identification where HD is the undisputed king. As to the 18-34 demographic, I'm not seeing any appreciable numbers mounted on new HD's in my daily travels around the SF Bay Area nor from my 26 year old son who rides and his riding friends. Granted, we're not HD riders and my observations aren't scientific in any way.

I have no doubt as to a portion of new riders wanting HD, and I have no idea if new (to motorcycling) buyers actually take training and get their license first and then comparison shop via test ride or simply seek their dream ride/brand and plunk down their cash. Not all buyers in the 18-34 demographic have to be first time buyers, and for those who aren't and decide to comparison shop the twin marketplace in a given category they are going to have alot to compare and consider unless they simply must have a specific make.

[atadaskew]

There is no issue with the bike. I think the issue is with the riders who fantasize about being hells angels. You might be an exception but, ya hafta admit that you are far outnumbered by pirates.

Good thing no-one on farkled dp bikes riding down to the coffee joint is fantasizing about being filmed riding around the world.
Or all the power rangers on their ninja bikes pretendin' to be Rossi.

I'm guilty too of chanelling my inner Gregory Peck while I am buzzing around Venice on my 2 stroke Vespa...

 

[tvpierce]

next thing you'll tell us is NASCAR is more popular in the US than Motogp.

   Say it ain't so!

I think a lot of this boils down to urban vs rural cultures -- and by that I don't mean black vs white.  In a more urban area, the vehicle of choice for the typical under-30-male is a pimped, slammed Asian import with a fart can muffler and a sub woofer.  (the 4 wheeled equivalent of a tricked out 600cc sport bike).  In a rural environment, the typical vehicle for that same demographic is a lifted, V8, 4WD pickup. (the 4 wheeled equivalent of a Harley)
 

[MichiganMan]

Unpossible!  You can't look as cool in shorts and flip-flops on a Harley as you can on a Gixxer.  

Case closed.

[falconati]

Everybody says that kids my age are retarded...

[Fun Dog]

I facepalmed so hard at these figures I lost teeth.

:eek:That's what I'm talking about!  That's some face-palming right there boyeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[Scottyfizz]

My wife and I should be the perfect demographic for a Chrome Dream of some sort. Mid 40's with an{ahem}certain amount of excess cash flow.Alas we both find the {TM}Lifestyle absurd in the pale.
Meh.We all have our dreams.


Don't piss on my life choices and I won't laugh at your Live to Ride/Ride To Live lifestyle.

[Orson]

Good thing no-one on farkled dp bikes riding down to the coffee joint is fantasizing about being filmed riding around the world.
Or all the power rangers on their ninja bikes pretendin' to be Rossi.

The difference is that no one here is whining about being lumped in with the Rossi wannabes.

water off a duck's back.

as opposed to some who go into hysterics anytime someone mentions the word pirate in conjunction with Harley.

It's fine if you want to ride a Harley wearing a full face helmet and a 'stich. Just don't whine because of the pirate association  

[atadaskew]

The difference is that no one here is whining about being lumped in with the Rossi wannabes.

Well, lezzbe honest most people here ride bikes that, erm, have a protective layer of filth.  To match the stuff applied to their textile gear and hi viz helmet.

No way would Rossi be caught in such a get up.
 

[Espada]

Being that I turned 30 this past November, I still think I can recall my 20s.

Since I rode/ride with fellas in there 20s I have to tell you, they are NOT on Harleys in the DC Metro region.  That said, I have been riding since 2005 and my riding experience is primarily in this area.  All I can report on is all I have seen.  The breakdown goes something like:

If you are > 38-ish years old, you are on a sports bike

If you are < 38-ish years old, you are on a cruiser

Of course that is NOT the case writ-large, but it is what I have been seeing.

Hell, when I go to the big, multi-brand dealer in my area (Coleman Powersports) I can tell you this: the dudes in their roughly mid-30s and on down are certainly not looking at the cruisers on the showroom floor.

[atadaskew]

When I wuz in college in SoCal/LA, I remember some sorority girls squealing when they found out I rode a motorbike.
They asked what was the colour of my Harley.

They seemed to be less than enthusiastic when I told them my ride was a Kawi...

(1984 Gpz550 in 1988)