Intersting Harley story on MSN

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Harley’s sales have gone crazy now for many years. Remember when the Harley craze first took off there as a 2 year waiting list to get one. You have to wonder if at some point they will saturate the market.

The other thing that can hurt Harley is the Japanese knock offs. These bikes are just as good, or better, but much cheaper. Of coarse, they don’t have “Harley Davidson” written on them.

One thing Harley has going for them is there is still a strong market for their over priced costumes.



If I had the money I would have a brand new red Heritage Softtail sitting next to my Goldwing. No costume.

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oldtoys1961 wrote:

My point is I wish I had a Harley, I'd trade it in on a 1500 or 1800 Goldwing. lol
Harley's are pretty bikes, but not my cup of tea.

Obama will bail'em out like GM and Chrysler and like the government did in 1983-1985. Remember the foreign bikes getting tarrifs placed on them in order to move more Harley's?
Ride what you like, I'll take my old rice burning jap crap anyday. I'd ride my old rice burner to hell and back,its that dependable.

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HERE WE GO AGAIN !!! AMEMBER BASHING OTHER MEMBERS HARLEY'S !

OK, oldtoys1961. I will ask again for JIMBO83 ... WHATS YOUR POINT ?

The answer you gave is crap! Not your Bike ... Could it be that you are jealous of others who have a Harley and a Goldwing ? Or didyou just want to offend other "FellowGoldwing owners and Steve Saunders Members" who also Own HARLEY DAVIDSONS ? Yes I am sure this was your Point ...
It's always a fewwho destroy it for all , And I have been getting really pissed off with the constant bashing of Harley by " A FEW " not all... I don't see anythingabout Victory's sales down 49%or any otherAsian or UKbrand salesthat are down . OH know... it's only HARLEY !Just like it's "ONLY HARLEY RIDERS "who don't wave... what a bunch of BS...

I respect any member who say's they can't afford a Harley or don't feel comfortable on a Harley, These are Financial and Riding Opinion's and are justified and understandable, But when you set out to cause controversy and anger fellow Members, Then thats where the line should be drawn. But it continues, WEXMAN say's "Follow Forum Rules" But will not stop the DisrespectingandBlatantly obvious attempt to start a fire storm with fellow members... I would like to ask my Fellow members to step in and condemn the bashing... On the grounds that your fellow members are getting offended notbecause you like Harleys...



Remember, Oldtoys1961 , Harley is American Owned and American Built by American Labor and no matter how you feel about Harley, You CAN NOT call yourself a " TRUE " AMERICAN if you put down an AMERICAN icon that started in 1903 ...

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OK jk-1, then I'll give you in non-crap answer to the point.

Point is Harley's been hurting for years due to a self inflicted gunshot wound to the foot. They been on the decline before the economy tanked. Hence the marketing ploy: Buy American.(because if you don't then your not a patriot) YOu can bleed red/white/blue be a bad boy and get chicks if you buy a Harley, you can be elite and better than anyone else on any bike if you buy their bike. Their latest market strategy is the female riders, now building smaller and lower bikes(I do like that but there is many bikes that shorter people can fit already), since the public has become more aware that Harley is just a name in today's high profit,low cost new millennium market with extreme competition building more reliable,cost efficient and dependable, reliable and costing much less in the long run.
I have met several Harley riders disgusted with their service say they wish they'd bought a Goldwing. Surprising,NOT. Considering everything that goes on a Harley cost darn near twice what a Honda,Suzi,Kaw costs. And now with the economy in the crapper a non-economically maintained bike is not on the list. People are wanting low costs.Harley has darn near priced themselves out of business. Ever wonder why you see so many on ebay,craiglists, classifieds? People are finding out chicks don't jump on the back anymore at redlights just because they're on a Harley and they spent so much money trying to obtain that holy grail that it ain't what all the hype was made out to be. Heck, 2 years ago any crackhead or homeless person could buy a Harley with $99 down. Theres too many other bikes out there on showrooms twice as good for less and I don't need anybody telling me I'm not patriotic because I don't buy a Harley.

And if you run your VIN you'll probably find out like me your Goldwing was built by American laborers with jap parts in Marysville OH. So you get the best of both worlds.

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Ok oldtoys, I'll put in black and white for you. I have a Harley Davidson in my garage that will outrun, outlast, out brake, out handle, and outdo in any way, anything Honda has ever made (in a sport/cruiser). Its a VROD. Powerplant designed by Porsche, watercooled, and yes chicks will still jump on the back on almost any given weekend (even though thats not my cup of tea, I am married) The reason there are so many Harley's on craigs list and ebay is because a motorcycle is a luxury item to most people and the first thing they sacrifice, not a 40mpg vehicle driven by crumudgeonly old men to save money on gas (sound familiar?) Yes Americans workers were paid to build our Goldwings since the early 80's but the vast majority of profit went straight to Japan. I am not a flagwaver though so thats not a problem for me, I believe in competetition from abroad. It makes our products better. Don't forget Harley has the powerplant from the VROD at their disposal and could put in in an Ultra Classic at any time. If they do, you would have a Goldwing killer for sure. As far as Harley being overpriced, last time I checked a brand new Ultra was around 23k and I was just in a Honda showroom and a 2009 Goldwing was 24k. As I stated before, I love my Goldwing and I love my VROD. 2 machines that serve 2 completely different purposes. If you want to be an instigator and incite the passions of Goldwing riders that also appreciate a Harley, its your right but be prepared to be called out on it each and every time.