[Spinetingler]

All I read is posts that are envious that H-D's success. Can we just drop this old argument and agree that HD is successful, they are still selling strong, and that they not only benefit HD, but the entire motorcycle community. All the other comments make the writers appear like whiney losers. No one complains about the prices BMW charges for their motorcycles. Now, they've come out with a bike to address the Japanese / European crowd, and you're still not happy.



Anyway, the true 'staying power' of Harley will be the end of next quarter. It's too soon after teh tradgedy of 9/11 to truly measure the effect on sales.



In any event, 12% increase in stock price isn't bad for one day, is it?

 

[Spinetingler]

Re: Just for the record...

I agree - for who? Even though BMW's are technologically sophisticated, does that mean every biker would want that?

There are down-sides to that stuff as well, like when a clock in the dashboard drains the battery over the winter. Or the valve adjustments you have to perform on the boxers (I think they are too often). I'll agree that if someone gave me a BMW, I'd ride it, hell, I may even buy one for commuting (they're great bikes). My point is that year in and year out (underpowered, overpriced, less sophisticated, poser) HD bikes keep on selling in record numbers. How can one explain that?

I'll explain it - the general mass of motorcyclists in America want a HD, no matter what the gearheads that post on this board think. Until those anti-Harley motorcyclists can come back with facts, such as HD is not selling as much as they're making, the general public perfer Jap/ other bikes to HD, no one wants to be associated with HD, etc., can't it just be accepted that HD is out-"doing" all other manufacturers no matter how impossible to believe this is happening because of pre-conceived notions that a less technologically should naturally sell worse than the most efficient bikes in the world???

Otherwise, all of the bantering back and forth whether HD should command the price they do is BS because they're doing it. Of course, the motorheads 'on high' on these posts believe they should not. However, the riders on the street are proving they should.

The facts stare all of us in the face daily; their product sells, their name recognition is terrific, and they're capitalizing on it. Welcome to America. Also, God bless America.

Go ride.

 

[Spinetingler]

Re: Be careful . .

Yes - just afriad to drag those t-shirts from the '60's out because, "You meet the nicest people on Hondas."

Yikes!!!

 

[Spinetingler]

Re: Their share price performance is unmatched in the biz

I question that logic - Indian has been out for many years but (finally) made a comback (although they're just a rebranded HD). If the government did not step in, someone else may have, and it's unfair to brush such broad strokes. Much of the turmoil at that time had to deal with being nice vs. a 'bad-ass biker,' which was the typical moniker given to HD owners. HD owners were (are) loyal for many years, even through the bad times.

You also do not know what type of monies were given to other companies, like Japanese companies from their governments because it's not (this is a great country, indeed). Also, the HD you drive is manufactured by a union specialist that lives in these United States that has a higher cost of living. They're not living stuffed in a box with 6 other people, i.e., they (overseas workers) live with less means and less amenities. Think about that for a minute and then ask if the playing field was fair. HD could have gone over seas to manufacture, but they didn't. Looking at the economic make-up of the situation, all things were not fair.

I'm interested in seeing how the Japanese respond to the 'opening' China market; where there are few copyright / licensing laws and names like Suzuki can be changed to Suzuka and there is no penalty to pay while sales of the knock-off eat into your higher quality machine sales. Not a pretty picture. I hope the Chinese can place more fair rules in place.

I do deem what HD did as heroic. Like many companies, they could have just folded. But the spirit (and eagle) live on. The care displayed for the product at the factory is indeed impressive. If all of us took such pride in our work and products, more items would be manufactured here. But you can't find the quality / cost labor factor, unless you go overseas. Look at our trade deficit and ask why other countries do not live as well as the USA. Now ask if the playing field is fair.

 

[Spinetingler]

Good, quick bike, but flimsy frame (in my opinion). Not worth the 50% depreciation you'll experience in 1-1/2 years of ownership. I like your bike except for these last points, which is why I didn't buy one. Also, the cheap chromed plastic is a bad attempt (check out your shock cap). I love Suzuki's engine; it's quick, they stacked it correctly (I believe it has 2 carbs) and it has gobs of power. However, it looks like:

1) Crap

2) a Girl's bike

3) It's hard to accessorize.

4) It depreciates quickly.

5) The original model made >10 years ago.

6) Girly handlebars.

7) A Battery that takes more than 5 mins. to access.



Now that I trounced a non-harley bike, and not for being a non-harley bike but for some of the items on the bike, does the argument that people should buy what they want hold up? Should we really care about HD's success? Isn't great that an American company does so well, and it's not an internet company or a computer company?



PS: I'm glad you're happy with your bike - I often admired the original Intruders (800 & 1400) for what they offered. They are good bikes for the money. Just not what I want.