Harley Riders gather

[Dnish]

Hmmm...that's interesting. Was at Sunhog a few weeks back and Chris told me that they don't do respray job and recommended that i do respray in M'sia where it is cheaper and quality is also better. Do you think they send your bike there for the paint job?

 

By the way, anybody know if it is possible to have a removable GPS holder made for the Sportster? I quite the topo-king and rely on my GPS alot. But with all the rumble and shake dunno whether GPS can tahan unless use a milgrade one.

 

For GPS, go to the accessories and GPS thread. a lot of information. I have the Garmin nuvi 500 and it works good with the Garmin motorcycle mount. I have seen the Ram mount and those look sturdier. No problems with vibrations, just used i this weekend for the ride to KL.

[IceZ]

greetings to all. hope u guys have a good lunch.

[christine55]

Friday, July 24, 2009

 

Wrong turn: Harley thought sales would pick up for Sportster, V-Rod

The Business Journal of Milwaukee - by Rich Rovito

 

+++

 

Harley-Davidson Inc. management made a mistake when it concluded consumers would buy less expensive motorcycles during a recession, the company’s top executive acknowledged recently.

 

Keith Wandell, Harley-Davidson president and chief executive officer, said in an interview with The Business Journal that the company mistakenly thought the recession would push consumers toward Harley’s Sportster and other less expensive motorcycles.

 

The company increased production of those types of bikes, but retail sales “didn’t materialize,” he said.

 

Harley dealers currently have a glut of the mid-priced V-Rod models.

 

Instead, many consumers who have been buying Harley-Davidson motorcycles have been buying more expensive custom and touring bikes, Wandell said.

 

“It left us with a bigger imbalance,” he said. “We have a lot of inventory.”

 

As a result, Harley-Davidson will shut down final assembly operations of the Sportster and V-Rod motorcycles and V-Rod motorcycle powertrain production in Kansas City, and production of Sportster motorcycle powertrains in Wauwatosa, for 14 weeks this year, including all of the fourth quarter.

 

“The primary thrust of what we are doing is realigning inventory with demand,” Wandell said.

 

In a July 16 conference call with analysts, Harley-Davidson interim chief financial officer John Olin said the company expected a “more robust demand” for lower-priced motorcycles to “meet the needs of what we expected to be a more value-minded customer in this tough economy.”

 

Pulling back production of certain models protects the value of the Harley-Davidson brand, Wandell said.

 

A July 17 research note from Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc., Milwaukee, said as much.

 

“Harley-Davidson is among the most valuable brands on the planet, but excess inventory causes discounting that diminishes the brand,” wrote Baird analyst Craig Kennison.

 

According to Kennison, dealers indicate more motorcycles are selling below manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

 

“With this in mind, we like the decision to cut production and reduce dealer inventory to protect the scarcity value of the brand,” he said, adding that management made difficult decisions to put Harley-Davidson on a “path to better returns.”

 

“We like the commitment to protect the brand, including the production cut, and endorse the mandate to address costs,” Kennison’s note said.

 

Kennison said he expects Harley-Davidson’s profit per motorcycle to drop to less than $1,000 this year from nearly $3,000 during a recent stretch, which underscores the need for changes such as a major work-force reduction and potential consolidation of the plant in York, Pa. A labor contract for hourly production workers in York expires in February 2010.

 

Management has determined that the York operations are not competitive or sustainable. The company is studying whether additional restructuring can make the plant more efficient and viable, or whether the company should move those operations to another U.S. location. The company anticipates a decision on the York operations later this year.

 

Quarter results plummet

Harley-Davidson announced July 16 that second-quarter earnings plummeted 91 percent to $19.8 million, or 8 cents per share, from $222.8 million, or 95 cents per share, for the same period in 2008.

 

Revenue fell 27 percent to $1.15 billion.

 

As a result of lower shipment volume, Harley-Davidson also announced that it plans to implement additional layoffs throughout this year, including about 700 hourly production jobs. Harley-Davidson also will reduce nonproduction work force by about 300, including at its Harley-Davidson Financial Services subsidiary.

[yohji]

Wow .. I thought by buying an Iron, I can help them generate good sales figures .. Should have bought a VROD Muscle instead (and get the bike towed back few mths later)

 

But on a serious note, I thought Sportsters are flying off the dealership like nobody's business .. ?

[christine55]

Wow .. I thought by buying an Iron, I can help them generate good sales figures .. Should have bought a VROD Muscle instead (and get the bike towed back few mths later)

 

But on a serious note, I thought Sportsters are flying off the dealership like nobody's business .. ?

 

Sporty sales are probably lowest from the USA. As far as Asian countries are concerned, Sporster sales should still be doing alright as most of the riding in Asian countries are dominated by city riding. I really cant imagine riding an Ultra or even a road king as daily commute in Tokyo. Over here, the dynas and of course the sporsters sell well. Especially the nightster. I guess that goes the same for the small european roads. But europe has many twisty mountanous roads and so i guess that is where your ducatis and aprillas would dominate. Sports touring at its best.

 

But in the USA, where there are tons of highways with wide lanes and interstate touring is done very often, sporsters wouldnt sell too well as compared to your bigger harleys.

 

Check out the 2010 models...i love the trikes!

[yohji]

Sporty sales are probably lowest from the USA. As far as Asian countries are concerned, Sporster sales should still be doing alright as most of the riding in Asian countries are dominated by city riding. I really cant imagine riding an Ultra or even a road king as daily commute in Tokyo. Over here, the dynas and of course the sporsters sell well. Especially the nightster. I guess that goes the same for the small european roads. But europe has many twisty mountanous roads and so i guess that is where your ducatis and aprillas would dominate. Sports touring at its best.

 

But in the USA, where there are tons of highways with wide lanes and interstate touring is done very often, sporsters wouldnt sell too well as compared to your bigger harleys.

 

Check out the 2010 models...i love the trikes!

 

I always thought that the Sportsters sell well here because we Asians are smaller in build, hence tend to take smaller bikes but I think that is not very true because the women here are riding NIGHT ROD SPECIAL

 

After surfing overseas forums, I think most "ang mohs" think that Sportsters are small bikes meant for the ladies. So they tend to buy bigger Harleys to feel manly. That is why Sportsters are not that popular there? Not macho enough?

 

Looks like more models are joining the Dark Custom family. For 2010 they have a darked out Fatboy! The Trike looks scary! Massive road presence!

 

BTW christine55, do you know of any nice looking 2-up seat for the Sportster? I'm looking for one.

 

 

 

 

It's not even August yet ... sigh ....

[maxxmadness]

i would love to own a trike, but definitely not here in sg, the non-riding community will think i am a handicapped...

[christine55]

 

BTW christine55, do you know of any nice looking 2-up seat for the Sportster? I'm looking for one.

 

 

 

It's not even August yet ... sigh ....

 

Hi Yohji, good morning. You can try the La Perla Series with GEL. Those are very comfortable and even better after you have "run" them in. They will mould to your tooshie and are very comfortable for long distance rides.

 

Cheers

[mak]

i would love to own a trike, but definitely not here in sg, the non-riding community will think i am a handicapped...

 

haha! we wont!

[yohji]

Hi Yohji, good morning. You can try the La Perla Series with GEL. Those are very comfortable and even better after you have "run" them in. They will mould to your tooshie and are very comfortable for long distance rides.

 

Cheers

 

 

Thanks christine55,

 

I can't seem to find the seat. Seems like it's an underwear brand

 

I seldom go long distance anyway. Just looking for a pillion seat or pad that allows me to pillion occasionally

[garyhwk]

For GPS, go to the accessories and GPS thread. a lot of information. I have the Garmin nuvi 500 and it works good with the Garmin motorcycle mount. I have seen the Ram mount and those look sturdier. No problems with vibrations, just used i this weekend for the ride to KL.

 

Thanks Dnish. Checked out the website. Unfortunately they dun have a specific mount for Hewlett Packard. Will try to look for a universal mount.

[garyhwk]

Yohji, this is the site : http://www.lepera.com/. Very nice seats!

[yohji]

Yohji, this is the site : http://www.lepera.com/. Very nice seats!

 

Oh!! maxxmadness aka 35 had directed me to this site before. Nice seats indeed! Thanks

[christine55]

COLOR OFFERINGS – 2010 MODEL YEAR

 

DISCONTINUED COLORS :

Black Pearl

Pewter Pearl

Dark Blue Pearl

Pewter Denim

Red Hot Denim

Dark Blue Denim

Crimson Red Sunglo

 

CARRYOVER COLORS :

SOLIDS/PEARLS

Vivid Black

Flame Blue Pearl

Brilliant Silver Pearl

Black Denim

Red Hot Sunglo

Mirage Orange Pearl

Brilliant Silver Denim

 

TWO-TONES

Brilliant Silver Denim/Black Denim

Vivid Black/Mirage Orange Pearl Race Stripe

 

SOLIDS/PEARLS Scarlet Red

Black Ice Denim

Black Ice Pearl

 

TWO-TONES

Black Denim/Brilliant Silver Denim Race Stripe

Vivid Black/Brilliant Silver Pearl Race Stripe

Scarlet Red/Vivid Black

Flame Blue Pearl/Brilliant Silver Pearl

Vivid Black/Brilliant Silver Pearl

Vivid Black/Black Ice Pearl

Flame Blue Pearl/Vivid Black

White Ice Pearl/Black Ice Pearl

 

CUSTOM COLORS:

There are 2 Custom Colors in the 2010, offered on select models.

Merlot Sunglo/Cherry Red Sunglo: Available October-March

White Ice Pearl/Black Ice Pearl: Available January-May

 

MODELS DISCONTINUED IN 2010

FLHT, FLTR, FXSTB, FXCW, FXDL, XL883C

 

FLHT - Electra Glide Standard

FLTR - Road Glide Standard

FXSTB - Softtail Night Train

FXCW - Rocker

FXDL - Dyna Low Rider

XL883C - Sportster Custom

[maxxmadness]

wow rocker got discontinued real fast...only 2 years in the market?

 

night train has always been one of my favorite

[christine55]

wow rocker got discontinued real fast...only 2 years in the market?

 

night train has always been one of my favorite

 

Yup. I was surprised too. But i think this is only the standard rocker and not the rocker C. the Rocker C with all its chrome bits should still be around. I am awaiting my Osaka dealer to confirm as well.

 

You are correct. I think only been 2 years since the Rockers were launched. I guess it was too expensive and not really pillion friendly. I did sit on one with the 'floating' pillion seat before and really...didnt give me any confidence at all. Quite terrifying especially when cornering no matter how mild the corner was.

[yohji]

The seat on the Rocker C looks like it can break anytime but the bike is really cool looking. The idea of a hidden pillion seat is really innovative too! How I wish Sportsters have that!

 

BTW does discontinued models mean they can fetch better value in the 2nd-hand market? Since there is no more in production. But in the case of the Rocker, there is still the "C" around .. unless the Rocker has something that is unique from the the Rocker C?

[mak]

hey guys wanna ask some technical questions

 

1) when i move off in first gear n when i clutch in fully, there seems to be a soft metal grinding sound coming from the exhaust area, (sounds like those dry clutch bike when in neutral) but this is softer

 

2) when i start up my bike there is engine diagnostic light came up and at the same time, got a teeeeeeeeet, sound, when i light goes off the sound goes off too. i had noticed that nowadays after riding awhile, as in moving off and stopping at the traffic light, i cld hear a faint but audible continous 'teeeeeeeeeeee' sound.

 

anyone cld help me out? i had just completed 3.2K km, kinda worried

[Dnish]

hey guys wanna ask some technical questions

 

1) when i move off in first gear n when i clutch in fully, there seems to be a soft metal grinding sound coming from the exhaust area, (sounds like those dry clutch bike when in neutral) but this is softer

 

2) when i start up my bike there is engine diagnostic light came up and at the same time, got a teeeeeeeeet, sound, when i light goes off the sound goes off too. i had noticed that nowadays after riding awhile, as in moving off and stopping at the traffic light, i cld hear a faint but audible continous 'teeeeeeeeeeee' sound.

 

anyone cld help me out? i had just completed 3.2K km, kinda worried

 

Well, its a new bike so why not take it back to dealer and let them look at it. Should be under warranty. Otherwise, may want to buy the bike service manual and can look up the code under diagnostic.

[Dnish]

The seat on the Rocker C looks like it can break anytime but the bike is really cool looking. The idea of a hidden pillion seat is really innovative too! How I wish Sportsters have that!

 

BTW does discontinued models mean they can fetch better value in the 2nd-hand market? Since there is no more in production. But in the case of the Rocker, there is still the "C" around .. unless the Rocker has something that is unique from the the Rocker C?

 

Harley has a habit of discontinuing a model and then reentering it some time later. Imo, the Rocker will not likely go up in value unless hold for many years. It may have been to appeal to the custom crowd, which is on its way out, anyone watch American Chopper anymore?.

 

There is an article where they lowered the seat to be flush with the fender, its a kit and really looks good.

[christine55]

The seat on the Rocker C looks like it can break anytime but the bike is really cool looking. The idea of a hidden pillion seat is really innovative too! How I wish Sportsters have that!

 

BTW does discontinued models mean they can fetch better value in the 2nd-hand market? Since there is no more in production. But in the case of the Rocker, there is still the "C" around .. unless the Rocker has something that is unique from the the Rocker C?

 

Some discontinued models do fetch better value.

 

EG: Dyna Super Glide Sport FXDX. IMHO, this is still the best dyna around. I have no idea why HD would want to remove this from their line up. This was an awesome handling big harley with twin discs as stock.

 

As for the Rocker, i dont think it sold well when it was around and so, even in 2nd hand, may not fetch a good value. It may even be undervalued and a good opportunity to grab an ultra cheap one if it is around.

[lunloon]

Some discontinued models do fetch better value.

 

EG: Dyna Super Glide Sport FXDX. IMHO, this is still the best dyna around. I have no idea why HD would want to remove this from their line up. This was an awesome handling big harley with twin discs as stock.

 

Love it when you are talking about the ride below my butt.

[yohji]

Harley has a habit of discontinuing a model and then reentering it some time later. Imo, the Rocker will not likely go up in value unless hold for many years. It may have been to appeal to the custom crowd, which is on its way out, anyone watch American Chopper anymore?.

 

There is an article where they lowered the seat to be flush with the fender, its a kit and really looks good.

 

Oh I see. Maybe it will come back a couple of years later. I don't subscribe to SCV so can't watch American Chopper.

 

 

Some discontinued models do fetch better value.

 

EG: Dyna Super Glide Sport FXDX. IMHO, this is still the best dyna around. I have no idea why HD would want to remove this from their line up. This was an awesome handling big harley with twin discs as stock.

 

As for the Rocker, i dont think it sold well when it was around and so, even in 2nd hand, may not fetch a good value. It may even be undervalued and a good opportunity to grab an ultra cheap one if it is around.

 

Wow I wonder how can you pple remember the "FXDX" thing. You need a Harley dictionary around to decode those Maybe demand was low and they decided to produce other more popular models at that time?

 

The Rocker looks quite nice to me. Especially after some mods You pple seen the Honda Fury? I got to say that it is dam sick looking for a Honda.

[christine55]

Love it when you are talking about the ride below my butt.

 

Wow cool! Great that you still have it. I still get very excited over this bike. I truly believe it is still the best harley out there. They developed the XR1200 but got rid of the FXDX...? Still makes no sense to me. You have a real keeper there. Throw in some webbers, beef up the forks...and you have a monster there to keep for the ages.

 

heh heh...enjoy!

 

Red or Black? Or another colour?

 

[lunloon]

Wow cool! Great that you still have it. I still get very excited over this bike. I truly believe it is still the best harley out there. They developed the XR1200 but got rid of the FXDX...? Still makes no sense to me. You have a real keeper there. Throw in some webbers, beef up the forks...and you have a monster there to keep for the ages.

 

heh heh...enjoy!

 

Red or Black? Or another colour?

 

 

Black. I feel much stable on the FXDX than the XL R rode previously. And dun feel too big for it.