[oldtoys1961]

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Check this out. Ran across it reading the gas situation.

http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/t...9/more-sales-trouble-for-harley-davidson.aspx

 

[oldtoys1961]

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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.

 

[oldtoys1961]

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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.

 

[oldtoys1961]

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First off, my very 1st opening post didn't bash anybodies Harley. It just pointed to a article that was on MSN in the business section yesterday. Don't see no names in there anywhere do you? Don't see me pointing a finger at anyones Harley do you?. The topic was plain and simple and in [General Motorcycle Discussion Forum
Discuss Goldwings, other motorcycles, dealers and accessories etc]. If the article offended someone, then write MSN Business. Apparently it struck a nerve with a few people(mostly those who bought a Harley). Because I pointed out an article that was about 4 months old, but when someone pops off and says "whats your point?" who just happens to own a Harley in the stable then I'll step up. I bashed no ones Harley in that opening post.Did I?

I get ribbing on rice burners and jap crap all the time from Harley riders, get looked down there noses because I wont ride one. Then they go home and get in their Nissan or Toyota or pop their TV dinner into a Samsung, and talk on their cell phone made in Japan. Yea, motorcycles are luxury items and IMO Harley is like a boat(a hole in the water you throw money into). 2500 on ebay now, 1500 Honda(210 Goldwings) Almost every one of Harley's on ebay alone are streetbikes. Honda has street,trail,scooters. All luxury items also. Harley is a luxury item....that's over priced and over rated. They survive on the sales pitch its All American, how many items in a Harley when stripped down turns out to be from a foreign country?not every nut and bolt and electronic piece is made in the USA I'd bet. And I'd be surprised that every shareholder/CEO/Exec keeps that American dollar made off them in the US too.

And NO, I'm not a bit jealous because someone owns both. You drop your drawers just like I do so whats to be jealous of. And still, if someone gave me a Harley I'd sell it(for what ever I could get for it) and buy a more economical,dependable, reliable ride, that looks just as good but doesn't have this all mighty Harley Davidson logo. Logo and image don't feed the bulldog. Guy ,you just got offended by MSN article. I've seen many a post on this forum that stated "they'd like to have one, but can't afford the maintenance" so what does that tell ya? GO tell them theyre bashing Harley.