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

[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.