Sales and profits are skyrocketing at Harley

[atadaskew]

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/568/12900/Motorcycle-Article/Profits--Sales-up-in-Harley-1Q-Financial-Report.aspx

Harley-Davidson posted its best first quarter results in years, reporting a 44% jump in 2012 first quarter profits bolstered by a 20% sales increase worldwide. U.S. sales jumped 25.5% over the same period last year, with 39,762 new Harleys rolling out of dealers’ doors.

20% increase in sales!  

[Cablebandit]

That's good news regardless of your thoughts on their products.


I have to believe that Haulmark will be posting similar gains.  

[atadaskew]

It seems Harley's competitors still have a long way to go.
The new Yam Raider 'custom' thing (fugly paint and graphics, some more chrome) is now $20K!!!!  $20K!!!!  Seriously I cannot get over that.  It does have a great motor and chassis, but so does the regular Raider.  Problem is massive doses of ugliness.
And the Victories still have lousy gearboxes and whining transmissions.  It doesn't matter how much power they pack into them if the bike whines incessantly going down the road.  Which was my experience in test rides maybe 5 years ago; and to see they still do that..
http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/04/17/victory-cross-country-long-term-test-update-2/

Yup, no surprise that HD is kicking a$$ in sales again.

[veefer800canuck]

I have to believe that Haulmark will be posting similar gains.  

Good 'ol Concho and his Cousin Vee Twain knew this, and already bought 51% stock in Haulmark. A wise choice indeed.

They're somewhere out on the Great Plains, trailering on through the night!

[Cricket1]

It good their sales are up since it indicates the economy is turning and people are starting to buy toys once again.  Keep in mind, the 20% increase is compared to a rather down year. Still a ways to go getting back to 2006/ 2007 levels.

[atadaskew]

It good their sales are up since it indicates the economy is turning and people are starting to buy toys once again.  Keep in mind, the 20% increase is compared to a rather down year. Still a ways to go getting back to 2006/ 2007 levels.

25% increase in the US.  Almost 40,000 bikes.

How are the Japanese doing with their big bikes?  Judging by the dust on them at my LA dealerships....

[Rincewind]

The Dark line-up seems to be selling well for them.  I seem to see a lot of Irons and Nightsters around.  Also I respect their outreach program oriented toward women.  

[ZZR12]

I test rode a 2012 Harley StreetGlide a few weeks back. The 103 motor does a nice job, the six speed shifted nice, and the only vibration was at idle. The wind protection was great, and the factory cruise was great, but it listed for $23000, my 2012 Chevy Cruze is optioned out, and only cost me $22000. Why can't the metric cruisers come with cruise control?

[atadaskew]

I test rode a 2012 Harley StreetGlide ...it listed for $23000, my 2012 Chevy Cruze is optioned out, and only cost me $22000.

Some Victories, Hondas, BMWs etc cost more than $23K.

But, all of those (including the Harley) are no longer worth it to me.
I found out that the amount of fun I was having was not dependant on the price of the bike.  

[Cricket1]

25% increase in the US.  Almost 40,000 bikes.

How are the Japanese doing with their big bikes?  Judging by the dust on them at my LA dealerships....

Wow, kinda touchy, and a bit defensive..  Relax...

[atadaskew]

Wow, kinda touchy, and a bit defensive..  Relax...

Quit poking me with that stick..  QUIT IT!

[falconati]

This just goes to show that the gay agenda is alive and well in the USA.  Fags on the rise...

[atadaskew]

This just goes to show that the gay agenda is alive and well in the USA.  Fags on the rise...

rumble rumble rumble rumble

[falconati]

 

[Rogue]

It good their sales are up since it indicates the economy is turning and people are starting to buy toys once again.  Keep in mind, the 20% increase is compared to a rather down year. Still a ways to go getting back to 2006/ 2007 levels.

Yup +1.

Sales of Domestic auto are up, and all of them are double digits.  Chrysler, Hyundai up in the 30%+ range.

H-D's biggest sellers are the stripped out models with black paint.  This is either the "in-thing" or just that the traditional Put-Everything-On-It custom-bike crowd have all gone back to basics since they can't mortgage their homes for that $35k motorcycle anymore!

[atadaskew]

Akshully their baggers are still selling really well.

[atadaskew]

Also, Japanese marques are all reporting sales being ~24% up in March of 2012 from March of 2011.  

Finally some good news.
It sucked seeing so many shops go under.