Smaller, Lighter, Cheaper Harleys...

[Rincewind]

...may be on the way per the HD COO.   Is this when Harley turns from being niche custom bikes to Global bikes?


(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.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/12/us-manufacturing-summit-harley-idUSTRE7BB25Q20111212

[Biking Sailor]

Thanks for the link, interesting.

I was a bit taken back on his view that India, for example, "grew up on bikes" but they are only looking at that market as "Leisure" and not basic transportation.  Seems they think they can do well only selling to the weekend rider and not the masses that are commuters, where I thought the traditional market was.  I would think a smaller version of their lineup, with low maintenance and solid reliability would be an attractive offering in the India's and China's of the world.

I wish them luck and success.

[bomber]

HD goes into the smaller and cheaper market about once a generation . . . the efforts succeed to a modest degree, and then, historically, the US economy recovers well enough to boost the sales of their core products, and they get out of the smaller cheaper market.

Had they been strategically serious about this niche, they had a pretty good wedge into it 2 or 3 years ago, and 86'd it.

I, too, with the company success.

[Rincewind]

HD goes into the smaller and cheaper market about once a generation . . . the efforts succeed to a modest degree, and then, historically, the US economy recovers well enough to boost the sales of their core products, and they get out of the smaller cheaper market.

The last time that they made small engine bikes (less than 500cc and NIC Buell) was the 1950-60's Hummers, no?  It seems they have skipped quite a few generations there, or were there others?  I know they made 750's in the 1970's, but those aren't very small.

[bomber]

The last time that they made small engine bikes (less than 500cc and NIC Buell) was the 1950-60's Hummers, no?  It seems they have skipped quite a few generations there, or were there others?  I know they made 750's in the 1970's, but those aren't very small.

Don't forget the Aermachhi (sp?) produced Sprint 250s and 350 of the 60s and early 70s . . . .

From the same factory they sold back for a dollar a couple of years ago, oddly ;-}

[Xanth]

"Physically and financially accessible" is vague enough to be useless.

Levatich said India represents a considerable opportunity for Harley-Davidson bikes -- which he considers to be strictly a "leisure" product -- given the acceptance of motorcycles in that market.

[Biking Sailor]

Thinking about it, a 500cc pushrod V twin with belt drive (low maintenance) in a semi-light weight scrambler format would be kinda cool.  Bet it would give Enfield a run for their money if done right.

[bomber]

Thinking about it, a 500cc pushrod V twin with belt drive (low maintenance) in a semi-light weight scrambler format would be kinda cool.  Bet it would give Enfield a run for their money if done right.

Perhaps, but not in India -- Indians are very, very proud of Enfield -- they are the bike most riders aspire to, occupying a simialr niche as HD in the states.

[County Tar]

Do you see them using the Blast engine?

As despised as that bike was by the m/c press it was actually kind of a fun bike, in a retro way.  I could see them using an updated version of that engine in a lightweight frame, but only if they kept the ergos straight up and not foot forward.

[phoenix]

The COO only opens his mouth to try to get the stock price to improve. Him and the investors are f'in clueless.

[bomber]

Do you see them using the Blast engine?

As despised as that bike was by the m/c press it was actually kind of a fun bike, in a retro way.  I could see them using an updated version of that engine in a lightweight frame, but only if they kept the ergos straight up and not foot forward.

Actually, those who owned Blasts that weren't beat to death loved em -- we had one in our motr pool for a couple of years, and it was the 21st Century moral equivalent of a Honda 305 . . . . . .

[spd2918]

Actually, those who owned Blasts that weren't beat to death loved em -- we had one in our motr pool for a couple of years, and it was the 21st Century moral equivalent of a Honda 305 . . . . . .

A small, good handling thumper with fuel injection.  What's not to like?

[Frankienuckles]

Not picking on harley's at all as I like some them, but I think they sell a lot if not most of their bikes to people who want a "Harley" specifically and primarily because it's a harley. As such I wonder if these smaller bikes will get the same cold shoulder as the Buell's did from many harley riders and dealers. I don't think this will matter as much in eastern markets. It would be ok if there was a little fresh thinking in the motor company. Good luck to 'em and even better if they are made here.

[X1Glider]

5 years ago when HD was talking about entry level Sportys, I thought they might spoon a Blast engine into one.  Maybe even scale the chassis down a litlle.  Could have brought some of the size 0-4 women into the market.  Obviously it was only my dream.  It's not like the Blast was a bad bike.  I enjoyed the ones I rode.  Made me giggle because they were so maneuverable even though they were gutless.  A larger bore one could have powered an entry level sport easily.

The HD race department used the Blast engine (I'll say that they used an interpretation of one) in their TT bikes instead of the 750 twins like in the flat trackers.

[bomber]

A small, good handling thumper with fuel injection.  What's not to like?

Stock Blasts were carbed --

Still and all, other than having a case of the uglies, they were great scoots . ...

[Biking Sailor]

Why on Earth would anyone think putting a Blast engine into the existing Sportster frame would be viable and worth the effort?

You people already think the 883 is a gutless wonder. Having actually owned one, I think they deliver power just wonderfully. But there is no room in that heavy package to decrease power and make it remotely palatable. The frame, wheels and suspension are just too heavy for a 1/2 sized thumper to feel good. The Blast was just fine as it was.

I was thinking the other way, shoehorn a 883 (or similar configured smaller motor such as a 500 or 600 V twin) into a 400#ish scrambler type set-up.

[TuffguyF4i]

If they want to be competitive, they are going to have to make a product that can stand on its own two feet apart from the shielded badge HD.  
I'm 33 and i don't think they have done that in my lifetime.  

[bomber]

If they want to be competitive, they are going to have to make a product that can stand on its own two feet apart from the shielded badge HD.  
I'm 33 and i don't think they have done that in my lifetime.  

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 . . .

[bomber]

I agree that is not going to succeed in the market place . . .

I wonder (but know enough about the tax code) if it could be a nice way to improve their tax stance . . . . . I dunno.

I DO know that HD never, ever sticks with product offering outseide of their core product line . . . .few with any sense of history (or the ability to use the internet) will be rushing to buy something that the parent company will desert toot sweet.

[County Tar]

I think a lightweight classic thumper would sell.  There is no need to shoehorn an 883 V-twin in one; all that adds is weight and complexity.  Take the Blast motor, juice it up a bit and keep the total bike weight below 350lb.