Hypothetical - you're in charge of HD. What would you do?

[atadaskew]

Remember, you are held responsible to the employees, share holders, turning a profit.
You are running it as a business.

What would I do differently?  Nothing.

[black hills]

business as usual, why mess with success?

[DogBoy]

Hire Elton John for the 110th anniversary celebration.

[Prubert]

Give that handsome devil down in the Marketing a HUGE raise!  

[miles]

More bass-boat paint jobs.  Sparkles rule.

[Cricket1]

Try and retrieve the company from 1957..........  oh wait, they tried that with Buell.

[squeezer]

I'd have jumped over Audi to buy Ducati so I could sell it back a few years later for a buck.  

[atadaskew]

Try and retrieve the company from 1957..........  oh wait, they tried that with Buell.

So what would you do?  You haven't actually answered anything.
Remember, it's a business.  And right now they are doing extremely well again.

What would you change given the criteria in the original posting?

[Cricket1]

So what would you do?  You haven't actually answered anything.
Remember, it's a business.  And right now they are doing extremely well again.

What would you change given the criteria in the original posting?

Wow, that was easy to get you riled up. 

[atadaskew]

Wow, that was easy to get you riled up. 

Ahh, ok, so you have no suggestions.

Which in itself means that you don't think Harley should change anything that they are doing.

[DNA]

I'd add a scooter line- possible sold at in separate chanel.

Seriously - their demo is aging and the city kids these days are buying 'em up trying to be all euro.  

Scooters sell in he city like 4 wheels to rednecks.

If they can replicate the HD cache with scooters somehow (think Vespa) - that would be a big win that would fund future growth.

[garry]

HD is very successful, so why mess with a machine that prints money? From a selfish perspective, a bike like the XR1200X, but lighter, better suspended, etc. A true SPORTster from the factory.

[atadaskew]

I'd add a scooter line- possible sold at in separate chanel.

Seriously - their demo is aging and the city kids these days are buying 'em up trying to be all euro.  

Scooters sell in he city like 4 wheels to rednecks.

If they can replicate the HD cache with scooters somehow (think Vespa) - that would be a big win that would fund future growth.

Interestingly enough Harley did sell a scooter years ago - called the Topper.

And funnily enough Yamaha recently copied that design with their C3 scooter.

[highside]

Mostly i would keep doing what they have been doing. I would try introducing some different models to appeal to younger riders at a price point they could afford. I really think that something like the XR1200 flat-track back could have been something awesome if it had been done right. Smaller displacement standards to compete the Bonneville type retro bikes would probably be well received.

I would really like to try an in-house Buel type project and develop some more modern street bikes. Harleys do have some great attributes that could make for some fantastic street / touring bikes (i'm thinking 100,000 mile interval belt drives and tremendously low-maintenance motors that are cheap to fix). There is room to expand the line while keeping the core business going strong.

[coucours grad]

I'd offer a water cooled Shaft drive based on the Vrod on a geaser pleaser frame...



   I'd make it cool to wear helmets and gear....



  and I'd buy Moto Guzzi.... That way I could also sell 100 year old technology with alittle Italian flare!!!

[falconati]

Probably not much.

[veefer800canuck]

V-rod based heavyweight tour model. Full bags, topcase, the works.

[coho]

I'd have the special projects group build me something like the Motus for my own personal use, change absolutely nothing about the products that the pirate folk seem to be buying in droves and sleep like a baby on top of a big pile of money with many beautiful ladies.

[Carbonero]

I'd have the special projects group build me something like the Motus for my own personal use, change absolutely nothing about the products that the pirate folk seem to be buying in droves and sleep like a baby on top of a big pile of money with many beautiful ladies.

I like what you're thinking.

I also like the V-Rod-based tourer, except NOT in the V-Rod frame. It's not the tool for the job.

Put the 'Rod engine in the touring frame bikes, add 2" to the frame length and dedicate that to passenger compartment, get in bed with Traxxion Dynamics for the CVO bikes, then give clinics on EVERY SINGLE OTHER BIKE MANUFACTURER on how to PROPERLY build a fuel injection system.

Drop the price of the Dyna base models and the sportsters, each by $1000.

Pare down the Sportster line, put the missing 2" back in the ride height, put wheels that weight less than 40lbs on them (that alone could increase the handling and stability of those bikes), and make ONE - ONE - Sportster 883, move all others to the 1200.

Sell fewer pre-packaged trims of the Sportster, and just make the catalog items more affordable so it becomes more of a platform to build what the buyer really wants.

Put mid controls on everything, make forward controls a buy-up feature for a premium price. If it's going to ruin the riding experience, hurt your lower back and make you look stupid going down the road, it should be premium-priced.  

[Rincewind]

Get back into racing.  Get back into the dual-sport market and market to the military again.  As suggested, get back into the scooter market.  Push forward the plans for a 500cc or smaller model.  In other words - re-diversify and innovate beyond the existing models, as they have done previously.

And nix the metal flake, too.  

[Mac]

I'd add a scooter line- possible sold at in separate chanel.

Seriously - their demo is aging and the city kids these days are buying 'em up trying to be all euro.  

Something like this maybe:

[Carbonero]

Something like this maybe:

Annnnnnnd, there goes the idea of a serious discussion...  

[atadaskew]

V-rod based heavyweight tour model. Full bags, topcase, the works.

I think this is a good idea.  
I would go with the belt drive over shaft, because Harley's belt drive is smoother than any shaft drive I've experienced - my current Guzzi Griso SE, my old Wings (1200- 1800), my Valk, any BMWs I've ridden.

Harley knows how to make a perfect belt drive.  So why risk a shaft drive debacle?....

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

  and I'd buy Moto Guzzi.... That way I could also sell 100 year old technology with alittle Italian flare!!!

We're only 91 Years old!    

I would develop smaller 500 bikes.

[JReazor]

Go road racing in Europe. Build a modern, compact, water cooled V-Twin and put it in a sport bike. I'm not talking about the VR1000 homologation special that was only sold in Poland(I think it was Poland, could be wrong). Sell it for real. In Europe. It would be expensive but worth it. It would have top shelf suspension and brakes, carbon fiber for the sake of carbon fiber, you know, the usual. Think Panigale S.

Then a few years later I would release a lower priced. lower spec sport bike. I would also put a larger, stonkier version of that motor in an FJR/C14/Trophy/R1200RT competitor at a competitive price. Probably lower then the BMW but higher than the Kawi. A few years after that, I would bring them to the States.

In the mean time, I would develop an inexpensive 450 Sportster and turn the marketing machine on to get 18 - 25 year olds on them. There would be a spec road race series and a flat track class.

Oh, I'd also bring the FXDX back because it's awesome.

[bomber]

given their fiscal health  . . . . .  .the same thing they've BEEN doin . . .

[DogBoy]

Go road racing in Europe. Build a modern, compact, water cooled V-Twin and put it in a sport bike. I'm not talking about the VR1000 homologation special that was only sold in Poland(I think it was Poland, could be wrong). Sell it for real. In Europe. It would be expensive but worth it. It would have top shelf suspension and brakes, carbon fiber for the sake of carbon fiber, you know, the usual. Think Panigale S.

Then a few years later I would release a lower priced. lower spec sport bike.

How many times does HD need to crush Erik Buell? Once not enough?  

[JReazor]

How many times does HD need to crush Erik Buell? Once not enough?  

It does sound kind of familiar, doesn't it?

[Zixxerpilot]

Well, the biggest flung they had is what they did to Buell. Not just the killing off,  but the whole way Buell was treated and marketed.

They lost a major sales channel into the younger crowd right there. They now offer nothing for new riders and nothing appealing to most buyers under 35.

So, that would be my first remedy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

[Carbonero]

In the mean time, I would develop an inexpensive 450 Sportster and turn the marketing machine on to get 18 - 25 year olds on them. There would be a spec road race series and a flat track class.

Oh, I'd also bring the FXDX back because it's awesome.

I absolutely LOVE these two ideas.

[atadaskew]

They lost a major sales channel into the younger crowd right there. They now offer nothing for new riders and nothing appealing to most buyers under 35.

And yet the Dark Series bikes - especially the Sportsters - are by far and away the best selling bikes over 750cc in the 18-35 year old demographic.
Much better than any Japanese bike.

The younger crowd is attracted to what is hip, urban, and cool.  Japanese supersports do not hit that mark.

[DogBoy]

And yet the Dark Series bikes - especially the Sportsters - are by far and away the best selling bikes over 750cc in the 18-35 year old demographic.
Much better than any Japanese bike.

The younger crowd is attracted to what is hip, urban, and cool.  Japanese supersports do not hit that mark.

Thats confusing because; 1) the Japanese sell ten of thousands of under 750cc bikes to that demographic in the US, and; 2) isn't the recently discontinued Nightster among the "dark" Sprotsters?
 
Do you have any numbers on sales? I don't doubt they are selling a lot the urban Sportsters. The Nightster, 883 Iron and Forty-Eight are damn cool looking bikes.

[atadaskew]

Thats confusing because; 1) the Japanese sell ten of thousands of under 750cc bikes to that demographic in the US, and; 2) isn't the recently discontinued Nightster among the "dark" Sprotsters?
 
Do you have any numbers on sales? I don't doubt they are selling a lot the urban Sportsters. The Nightster, 883 Iron and Forty-Eight are damn cool looking bikes.

http://investor.harley-davidson.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=87981&p=irol-demographics

I think the Nightster was dropped because of the Iron, 48 and now 72 bikes.

•Harley-Davidson sells more motorcycles to young adults 18-34. Harley-Davidson captured the all displacement (all cc) market leader position with the young adult 18-34 segment in 2008, and expanded this leadership position in 2009 to 2011. All displacement motorcycles include on-road performance, touring, custom and standard motorcycles of all engine sizes. Based on national R.L. Polk & Co. motorcycle registrations 2006 through 2011.


•Harley-Davidson is relevant to new generations
In 2011, Harley-Davidson sold more new motorcycles to today's Millennial generation young adults in the U.S. than it did when the Baby Boomers generation (today's "Core Customers") was 18-34 (1988). Based on internal Company demographics and/or studies.


•Dark Custom™ Motorcycles resonate with young adults
Purchasers of new Harley-Davidson Dark Custom™ motorcycles contain a higher percentage of young adult men and women age 18-34 than any Harley-Davidson family of motorcycles. Based on national R.L. Polk & Co. motorcycle registrations 2006 through 2011.

[DogBoy]

Thanks for the link.

I see where HD states they sell "more" bikes to that demograhic but I don't see "far and away".

I'm taking issue with the "far and away" comment in your post and your theory that Japanese supersports don't appeal to the "younger crowd" where you state Japanese supersports "miss the mark". I'd have a real hard time believing the overwhelming majority of Japanese supersports aren't sold to 18-35 year olds.

Poking around the site we see HD shipped* about 50,000 Sportsters to dealers, domestic and international, in 2011. Even if we guess that that 80% percent of those were to 18-35 year olds that would probably be right in the range of US supersport sales from the Big 4. Supersports are big sellers for the Japanese brands.



* Remember, shipments don't always equal sales numbers to customers.

[jpaul]

I would take some pictures and articles of the Motus down to engineering and ask everyone there why they didn't think of that engine concept as an idea do broaden the HD product line. Then I'd bitch slap everyone who didn't come up with an acceptable answer.

[Cricket1]

I would take some pictures and articles of the Motus down to engineering and ask everyone there why they didn't think of that engine concept as an idea do broaden the HD product line. Then I'd bitch slap everyone who didn't come up with an acceptable answer.

Yeah you are correct, problem is that you would be bitch slapping all of them. 

The response from Harley would be:

 ITS NOT A V-TWIN!!!

We make an assload of money on V-twins, and we are the MARKETING GODS of the WORLD!!!  ITS NOT A V-TWIN!!!!!

You go away with your V four little girly engine.

[falconati]

They could just sell it as a bike with TWO HARLEY ENGINES!!!  

[misanthropist]

I don't have any idea how feasible this is but if I were running the show over there I would probably look at developing and sponsoring some form of motorcycle racing that HD bikes could dominate.

I am sure there would be a way to set up restrictions on the bikes so that it would heavily favour air cooled twins with a certain minimum displacement or something so that H-D bikes would be the obvious competitors, and then tag on to stock car racing or some sort of popular US racing sport, and convince a lot of people that HD bikes are not just the most luxurious or best constructed (as many believe) but also the best at a particular type of racing.

The Japanese and Italian manufacturers could conceivably compete but I would guess their racing budgets are pretty much spoken for, in classes they can do well at already.

That might pull in a whole new generation of more adrenalin-focused buyers.  It also might generate more Roadster-type Harleys, which would be good for people like me.


Sent from my brain using my hands

[Carbonero]

Yeah you are correct, problem is that you would be bitch slapping all of them. 

The response from Harley would be:

 ITS NOT A V-TWIN!!!

We make an assload of money on V-twins, and we are the MARKETING GODS of the WORLD!!!  ITS NOT A V-TWIN!!!!!

You go away with your V four little girly engine.

You might want to talk to someone who actually works for the company before making the declarations. There's a whole R&D office doing stuff, and in the end, it all comes back to what will SELL TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC.

On the upside, I won't be hiring too many ST.Ners to run my business any time soon.  

[Cricket1]

...... and in the end, it all comes back to what will SELL TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC.

On the upside, I won't be hiring too many ST.Ners to run my business any time soon. 

Exactly my point.  It's what will sell.  Time and again the Harley faithful have proved over and over, if it's not a Vtwin, they won't buy it.

There is nothing wrong with that, because as has been pointed out here many, many, many, many, many times, its a business and they do a great job making money.  Since their customers have ZERO interest in anything except a Vtwin my response to Jpauls post makes sense.  To think that anyone at Harley would seriously entertain the thought of using a V four liquid cooled engine ala Motus??  ... I just don't see it happening.

[DogBoy]

I don't have any idea how feasible this is but if I were running the show over there I would probably look at developing and sponsoring some form of motorcycle racing that HD bikes could dominate.

I am sure there would be a way to set up restrictions on the bikes so that it would heavily favour air cooled twins with a certain minimum displacement or something so that H-D bikes would be the obvious competitors, and then tag on to stock car racing or some sort of popular US racing sport, and convince a lot of people that HD bikes are not just the most luxurious or best constructed (as many believe) but also the best at a particular type of racing.

The Japanese and Italian manufacturers could conceivably compete but I would guess their racing budgets are pretty much spoken for, in classes they can do well at already.

That might pull in a whole new generation of more adrenalin-focused buyers.  It also might generate more Roadster-type Harleys, which would be good for people like me.


Sent from my brain using my hands

AMA Flat Track has existed for decades. Its dominated by HD and HD spends a lot of sponsorship money on the series and local dealers also spend quite a bit to support flat track racing. It would be nice if HD put in enough money for more TV coverage or at least getting the existing coverage on bigger networks. There is also the single make Vance & Hines XR1200 series as part of AMA Pro Road Racing but I'm under the impression that is mostly backed by V&H. Maybe Prubert would know if HD corporate is also supporting the XR1200 series in any way. The purses and points fund in the XR1200 road racing series are among the best in motorcycle racing in North America.

[misanthropist]

Well, if I'd had that idea fifty years ago, I sure would have looked smart today.

I didn't know that racing class still existed.  In that case I change my answer to "make it more famous".


Sent from my brain using my hands

[DogBoy]

Agreed.  

[Ramming Speed]

Google Jim Feuling's W3 engine.  

[stevent]

I always thought they screwed up with Buell. What they sold as Buells should have become the Sportster line up. The current Sportsters would be renamed as Roadsters or something along those lines. When the Sporty was introduced it was considered a hot rod meant to take on the Brit's, selling Buells as Sportsters would continue that tradition and would have added to their credability instead of treating them as red headed step children.

A V rod engined bagger is a no-brainer as well though it would need a redesigned frame. I'm pretty happy with the direction they're going and I love the sparklers. I'm on my 8th HD and love every minute of it.

[falconati]

Renaming the historical Sportster line?!  Are you serious?!

[DogBoy]

There is a lot of "New Coke" in this thread.  

[Cricket1]

There is a lot of "New Coke" in this thread. 

Yeah well, the original post is kind of a troll.... at least to the Harley faithful here on STN.

[Prubert]

Maybe Prubert would know if HD corporate is also supporting the XR1200 series in anyway. The purses and points fund in the XR1200 road racing series are among the best in motorcycle racing in North America.

V&H sponsors it, H-D supports it....until 2014.

[Grainbelt]

They are going to miss the bus on the cafe craze if they don't put something out shortly.

I like what they've done with the Nightster and Iron, but I'd like to see something with real suspension. The Roadster didn't sell because it didn't really look like anything - they'd have to offer it with at least a bikini fairing and some relevant accessories.

[atadaskew]

They are going to miss the bus on the cafe craze if they don't put something out shortly.

You don't think the XR1200X was a cafe bike?  Maybe they should have put lower bars on it.

[misanthropist]

I didn't really think of it as a cafe bike, personally.  I did like it and seriously considered one for a bit, but it didn't seem like a cafe bike to me.  Too tall and dirt-tracky, I thought.  I did like it though.

I also liked the roadster but I agree it needed either more pizazz or more panache.  Not sure which though.

Test rode a roadster and don't have it for the sole reason that somebody bought it out from under me while I was making up my mind.


Sent from my brain using my hands

[Carbonero]

I didn't really think of it as a cafe bike, personally.  I did like it and seriously considered one for a bit, but it didn't seem like a cafe bike to me.  Too tall and dirt-tracky, I thought.  I did like it though.

I also liked the roadster but I agree it needed either more pizazz or more panache.  Not sure which though.

Test rode a roadster and don't have it for the sole reason that somebody bought it out from under me while I was making up my mind.


Sent from my brain using my hands

IIRC, the Roadster was the one Sportster anyone should ever really buy... 4.5 gallon tank, twin discs up front, regular height suspension, particularly NON ape-hangy bars and absolutely no "harley guy" crap pre-installed. Tubeless tires on cast wheels.  

(although all the pictures I find have the peanut tank installed)  

[Rattlehead]

IIRC, the Roadster was the one Sportster anyone should ever really buy... 4.5 gallon tank, twin discs up front, regular height suspension, particularly NON ape-hangy bars and absolutely no "harley guy" crap pre-installed. Tubeless tires on cast wheels.  

(although all the pictures I find have the peanut tank installed)  

I keep telling myself my next bike WILL be a 1200R.

Here you go, with the 4.5gal tank in a nice huge "desktop" size (pic only shows up if your logged in, sorry):

[Carbonero]

I keep telling myself my next bike WILL be a 1200R.

Here you go, with the 4.5gal tank in a nice huge "desktop" size:

I once built the 883 version of the Roadster from a base model. Loved that bike.  

[Rattlehead]

I once built the 883 version of the Roadster from a base model. Loved that bike.  

That is one of the true beauty's of the Sporty. Can't find the exact model you want, just make one. It is probably the best "blank canvas" ever made.

[Justin]

What would I do differently?  Nothing.

+1

[Cricket1]

Nothing

Ding, ding winnar!  It only took 3 pages, but someone finally answered with what the OP was looking for all along. 

[atadaskew]

IIRC, the Roadster was the one Sportster anyone should ever really buy... 4.5 gallon tank, twin discs up front, regular height suspension, particularly NON ape-hangy bars and absolutely no "harley guy" crap pre-installed. Tubeless tires on cast wheels.  

I wanted one of those so bad with the bright blue paint job.  But apparently most people didn't, as it was dropped for the Custom (chrome, bigger spoked wheels etc) and Low versions.
But, they are a business and the market spoke.

[misanthropist]

I wanted one of those so bad with the bright blue paint job.  But apparently most people didn't, as it was dropped for the Custom (chrome, bigger spoked wheels etc) and Low versions.
But, they are a business and the market spoke.

That was the exact one I nearly bought.


Sent from my brain using my hands

[atadaskew]

That was the exact one I nearly bought.


Sent from my brain using my hands

And now we both ride Guzzi Grisos....

[misanthropist]

Yeah, eh?  That's interesting, for sure.  We must have similar visions of what "motorcycle" is supposed to mean.


Sent from my brain using my hands

[Orson]

I remember reading a Willie Davidson interview back in the 1980s or 90s where he wuz asked why Harley didn't try building sportier bikes.

His reply wuz sumthin along the lines that, the Harley faithful wouldn't react positively to such a move  

[Cricket1]

Yeah, he is correct.   Harley is the marketing genius', and knows their customer very well.  Straying from the tried and true?  Ask Erik Buell about that.  

[Orson]

Buell failed because not enough chopper fans bought his bikes?

[miles]

No- Buell failed because Erik didn't recognize the absolute necessity of turning the HD engine sideways, as all true v-twins should be.

[atadaskew]

No- Buell failed because Erik didn't recognize the absolute necessity of turning the HD engine sideways, as all true v-twins should be.

Akshully (TM Orson) he did, problem was he turned the rest of the bike sideways too.

[eurofan]

No- Buell failed because Erik didn't recognize the absolute necessity of turning the HD engine sideways, as all true v-twins should be.

Albeit possibily hurting, the truth is he failed because Buells were not good enough. Why would anyone buy an uglier, less accomplished and less reliable version of a Ducati?

[1KPerDay]

Hire Elton John for the 110th anniversary celebration.

[RedCBRRider]

I'd suck out all the cash, and replace it with so much leveraged debt that it could no longer support it.  Pay myself and all my cronies millions in bonuses with the cash and borrowed money.  Then declare the company bankrupt, and fire all the employees.  Next I would collect huge fees for managing the bankruptcy, and liquidate all the assets.  You, Romney/Bain style.

[Nodaclu]

They are going to miss the bus on the cafe craze if they don't put something out shortly.

I like what they've done with the Nightster and Iron, but I'd like to see something with real suspension. The Roadster didn't sell because it didn't really look like anything - they'd have to offer it with at least a bikini fairing and some relevant accessories.

Like this maybe?  

[FBRR]

If I were in charge of Harley, I would get rid of ALL those dealers. You can find one in just about any town of any size. BMW and Ducati have TWO in our state, Guzzi ONE, Triumph three.
Next I would loose the belt drive that never needs service and make it a Chain that needs to be oiled and throw crap all over the rear wheel OR use a Shaft drive just like BMW so Harley riders can also try and find a new one when it breaks on the road.

I would also change all those pesky metal parts like Fenders and tanks and side covers to Plastic. Then Harley could replace thier tanks ever years just like Ducati!

Also like Ducait, Harley could have much higher maintence costs of they would change the valves to adjustable from hydralic that never need adjusting.

Maybe make their fuel lines pop off like Guzzi so the riders can get to know various service station personnel around the country. And also like Guzzi make those dash panel fail when WET! They are far to robust today for a good rain to make everything go loopy ( Like  GUZZI).

Perhaps make the final drive belt that only last one year.

[atadaskew]

Perhaps make the final drive belt that only last one year.

Yes, it's a shame they got rid of Buell.

[mjrfd99]

Make EVERYTHING on the dealers floor from bikes to socks in the US.  F every foreign slave labor product they sell.

[Carbonero]

Make EVERYTHING on the dealers floor from bikes to socks in the US.  F every foreign slave labor product they sell.

Yeah, good luck with those $50 t-shirts, then.

[atadaskew]

Yeah, good luck with those $50 t-shirts, then.

Why?
American Apparel clothes are made in downtown Los Angeles.
Their Tshirts are $18 to the public.  So Harley could obviously get them for much less.
Slap on a Harley design.  And I'm sure they can sell them for a lot less than $50
If they wanted to....
 

[DogBoy]

Hire Elton John for the 110th anniversary celebration.

Guldernit! I was sooooo close.


Kid Rock set as 110th Harley anniversary headliner

Harley-Davidson Inc. has revealed its first headliner for its 110th anniversary celebration in Milwaukee over Labor Day weekend: Kid Rock.

The rocker will perform Saturday, Aug. 31, at Summerfest’s Marcus Amphitheater as one of three headliners for the weekend. The other two will be announced later this spring.
Harley-Davidson, the Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer, has also signed on as the title sponsor of Kid Rock’s “Rebel Soul” tour that kicks off Saturday in Kansas City.

[Carbonero]

Guldernit! I was sooooo close.


Kid Rock set as 110th Harley anniversary headliner

Unrelated to HD, but my brother's fiancé is the road accountant for a bunch of acts including Kid Rock. She's not personally a fan of his music (generally speaking, I am), but she's *very* complimentary toward him. He's apparently a really nice guy, but also he's something of a showmanship savant. Has a lot of input on the lighting, sound checks, choreography, etc. He's way more of a showman and overall entertainer than it might seem.

[Kraz]

Like this maybe?  

   No.  Nodevenclose.

More like this:



I would add a Cafe Sportster and dual-sportster models to be sold in limited numbers...  I wouldn't make any money doing it - but some things ought to be done for pure 'cool'.  Actually, a few of these kinds of bikes might not sell huge, but they may bring people into dealerships.  Get HD more attention.

Regarding the Motus engine - I bet HD could sell something with that motor.  The motor isn't a HD twin, but with roots in the Chevy 350 small block, there's plenty of 'Merica in there for the HD faithful to love and buy into it, imo.  I don't know if corporate should try touch it, but I were a big HD dealer, I'd certainly sell the Motus... if it ever hits the streets.

[Nodaclu]

   No.  Nodevenclose.

Yeah I know. Just playin' mostly.  

But unlike that one, I could ride mine for more than 20 minutes and be able to walk the next day.  

[UFO]

Define "in charge."

Majority stock holder in charge?  I'd try to take the company back and make it private, then I could do what I wanted.  Innovate without the Wall Street breathing down my neck.  Create an American sportbike.  Maybe get back in to racing.

Or hired CEO in charge?  Well, since I would be a slave living at the whim of the board, shareholders, and Wall Street.  I would have to keep churning out big, heavy, expensive pieces of lard with high sticker prices and high margin to try and prop up the stock price.  And of course Buell would have to go.  In other words, status quo.

[Motozeke]

I'm listening to a book about Apple's management style, and one comment seems apropos: Apple's people design stuff they want to own. I suspect that spirit is alive at HD too, but I couldn't run the company because they don't make stuff I want. If they did they might not be Harley.

[Rabon1]

Well, the biggest flung they had is what they did to Buell. Not just the killing off,  but the whole way Buell was treated and marketed.

They lost a major sales channel into the younger crowd right there. They now offer nothing for new riders and nothing appealing to most buyers under 35.

So, that would be my first remedy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

Every year there is a large herd of riders who just turned 35, they are beat to Hell and really don't want to ride for 1 increments between breaks. Every year Harley has a large herd of well built, comfortable motorcycles waiting for them. It works. Why Dick with something that works ?

[Trekker]

Seems as if HD has painted themselves into a corner..... they've marketed a style, image & brand to a specific market segment... with little room allowed for reasonable innovation by the core of that market. So... if I were in charge, I would be working hard in determining any future cultural change in the market that could be exploited. That might include dialing back on the current market imaging if it didn't have too large an impact on sales.

[Baz]

I am pretty sure they have researched the hell out of the idea of an "American Sport bike" and have come to the conclusion that it is a crowded market in which they would have nothing to gain other than perhaps bragging rights. (Might be the reason that Mr. Buell never received much R&D money)

Then also factor in the fact that even if Harley did build a sport bike, (venturing into a place they know little about) it would in no way guarantee them success. Their are many companies that drained their bank accounts trying to be all things for everyone. Getting back into racing, building a sport bike, would be a great way to part with lots of cash.  (Public or private companies always have people to answer to when they bleed cash)

I would just leave them alone to build couches at very strong margins until the line ups of old buggers diminished. Their survival I would bet, will not come from the North American market anyway.  While not everyone loves their product line, you have to admit they do very well at what they do and you can't argue with success.

Spend lots of money convincing Chines people to think "Choppa"  

 

[Carbonero]

Everyone is always trying to redefine what Harley should be doing.

It really cracks me up.

[black hills]

Everyone is always trying to redefine what Harley should be doing.

It really cracks me up.

   hard to argue with success

[Rabon1]

Every year there is a large herd of riders who just turned 35, they are beat to Hell and really don't want to ride for 1 hour increments between breaks. Every year Harley has a large herd of well built, comfortable motorcycles waiting for them. It works. Why Dick with something that works ?