Harley sales decline again

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SnoBrdr
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Harley sales decline again

#1

Post by SnoBrdr »

78 GL1000 Original Owner 131k
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5speed
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Re: Harley sales decline again

#2

Post by 5speed »

I think motorcycle sales are down in the private sellers market too. Our "craigs list" up here is full of bikes at mostly reasonable prices and none seem to be selling.
and imho..you see one full dressed harley you've seen them all.
Add to that the insane prices for new cruisers..
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
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1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Harley sales decline again

#3

Post by Lucien Harpress »

It's all about the $$$$$, or lack thereof.

(And that's all I'm saying about that.)
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
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flyin900
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Re: Harley sales decline again

#4

Post by flyin900 »

:joker What’s a Harley?

We were discussing electric motorcycles today and someone in the conversation said they had heard that the new electric Harley was almost sold out. So maybe that will be a stronger future for the brand for newer riders.
It is supposed to be a decent bike with a good amount of drive time for local rides.
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1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Harley sales decline again

#5

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Now, I'm not a smart man, but I could see the potential of marketing a "bar-hopper" type motorcycle as a first step in electric bikes. Somehow find a way to get bars to install charging stations, and at the very least it seems like a good foot in the door for the industry.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Whiskerfish
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Re: Harley sales decline again

#6

Post by Whiskerfish »

Pretty sure the "New Base" they are looking for is not Bar hoppers. It is a heck of a risk but with the decline of the baby boomer generation they have to find a new market. I hate to say it but I strongly suspect in the next few years the used bike market for traditional bikes (cruisers, tourers) is going to be absolutely flooded. The Base market is ageing. On many of the forums I follow I see post after post about guys with age related health issues forced to sell their pride and joy. And for the most part they are getting a fraction of what they should. May just be me but I really suspect it is going to get worse. The only market that seems to be holding it's own right now is the Adventure bikes.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
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and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

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Oldewing
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Re: Harley sales decline again

#7

Post by Oldewing »

I fully agree with Steve.

Used market is a soft as I have seen in 20 years.

Don't know the answer, ours is a group of like minded and that is so rare these days.....
82 GL1100 Interstate-Oldewing October 23 BOTM
06 GL1800 Road bike, as in Rode alot...
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5speed
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Re: Harley sales decline again

#8

Post by 5speed »

had a guy come look at my 750 shadow after he made me an offer that was $300 less then I was asking. I accepted via e-mail.
He shows up..picks the bike apart and because in his opinion the front tire needs to be replaced (I had it safety inspected in May..front tire was fine) he offers me $500 less then the price we agreed on..
Because I want it gone..I met him in the middle instead of throwing him off my property and that wasn't good enough.. :shock:
I told she who must be obeyed I'm done dealing with idiots and I'm keeping the bike.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
JSBail
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Re: Harley sales decline again

#9

Post by JSBail »

5speed wrote:had a guy come look at my 750 shadow after he made me an offer that was $300 less then I was asking. I accepted via e-mail.
He shows up..picks the bike apart and because in his opinion the front tire needs to be replaced (I had it safety inspected in May..front tire was fine) he offers me $500 less then the price we agreed on..
Because I want it gone..I met him in the middle instead of throwing him off my property and that wasn't good enough.. :shock:
I told she who must be obeyed I'm done dealing with idiots and I'm keeping the bike.
I hear ya on that. Years ago I was selling a 73 cb750 for my son, the buyer didn't want to travel all the way to my house to look at it so we met halfway. Once there the guy picked the bike apart mainly because it wasn't 100% original but it was in great shape and ran fantastic. My son whom I had on the phone had the final call on the price but I wasn't too happy about going out of my way to meet this guy then get lowballed, I was 1 step away of loading it back in my truck and going home but my son needed it sold and took the offer. If I ever sell a bike of my own and the buyer wants me to travel half way so he/she can see, the bike will go back in the truck immediately on the first hint of a lowball.
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Re: Harley sales decline again

#10

Post by Rat »

Looks different when you’re buying tho' .... :twisted:

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Re: Harley sales decline again

#11

Post by Track T 2411 »

RAT wrote:Looks different when you’re buying tho' .... :twisted:

Gord devil1
Isn't that the truth! However, I doubt I would expect someone to meet me half way, then lowball them, or the other way around. Maybe I'm too nice...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

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Re: Harley sales decline again

#12

Post by Whiskerfish »

When I bought the 08 he had it listed for 8,999 then after a couple weeks it dropped to 7,999 and I contacted him. We met up (I drove 400 miles hauling a trailer in the snow) and it was not exactly what I wanted. SO many upgrades that made for a very pretty bike but not stuff that meant a lot to me. I hmmm'd and hawwed and after about an hour he pushed me for an offer so I said 7,400 and he replied with 7,200. We shook hands.

I am still a bit confused how that all went about. But the bottom line is that he was happy and so was I :dunno: :dunno: :dunno:
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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JoelDean
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Re: Harley sales decline again

#13

Post by JoelDean »

Whiskerfish wrote:When I bought the 08 he had it listed for 8,999 then after a couple weeks it dropped to 7,999 and I contacted him. We met up (I drove 400 miles hauling a trailer in the snow) and it was not exactly what I wanted. SO many upgrades that made for a very pretty bike but not stuff that meant a lot to me. I hmmm'd and hawwed and after about an hour he pushed me for an offer so I said 7,400 and he replied with 7,200. We shook hands.

I am still a bit confused how that all went about. But the bottom line is that he was happy and so was I :dunno: :dunno: :dunno:
You must have been seriously interested to drive 400 miles in Winter road conditions! I applaud your determination (and the seller’s too...)
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