Quote:
Originally Posted by 2LZ
I love all the people who have opinions on Harley's who would never buy one anyway. It's the best part.
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I cant speak for the others, but for me you're mostly right. I liked my buddies night rod but would never have paid what he paid for it. I've got a 82 gs1100e that I paid $1200 for that isn't as pretty, but will do everything it did just as well (I never raced him but I think I could've beat him).
I have looked at a couple of the big Buells for sale around here, as I like the idea of a big torquey twin in a decent handling frame, but then I go home, jump on my nearly 40 year old air cooled 4 cylinder and realize that it's got everything I need.
The point I'm making, if I have one, is there are so many great bikes out there than will do everything as well or better than HDs at a fraction of the cost. Nostalgia is only worth so much.
HD has made its name selling bikes to a particular group of people, ones that think of hitting the road on a v twin machine and the sounds and vibrations that go with it. The problem is they need to either change their image to suit younger people, or start a new brand that sells to the rest of the market place with more competitive pricing and modern designs.
Either way, no matter what they do, they are going to have a hard time. Most of the the major bike brands are struggling and the current push to end ICE engines in general isn't going to make it easier.