Posted on 01/23/2010 3:23:00 PM PST by opentalk
Harley-Davidson, the motorcycle maker, reported a fourth-quarter loss Friday, its first quarterly shortfall in 16 years, hurt by restructuring costs and the sluggish economy. Harley-Davidson has come under pressure over the last year as the tight credit markets and the weak economy led consumers to shun purchases of its high-end, heavyweight motorcycles. The company has been reorganizing its business through layoffs, factory closures and closing or selling unwanted brands.
Harley said shipments of its bikes to dealers in 2009 fell 27 percent, to 223,023.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
If its sun shiny tomorrow I’m going to take my glide for a ride .
They did, and I (briefly) owned one: a used and abused H-D 1951 Hummer. At the time, it was considered less "cool" than a Heathkit mini-bike. After unsuccessfully trying to restore it, I gave the parts away in disgust. Wish I hadn't.
Mr. niteowl77
I hear ya! I’m 51 and ride an 88” Shovelhead stroker in a rigid frame. Kick only,no electric start. The front end is off an ‘89 cbr600,though, because I only paid $75.00 for it, complete, and I love dual disc stoppers. It’s a beautiful thing!
I frequently visit a friend at a high end retirement community. Obama stickers were everywhere last spring but not so much now, did not see any McCain, though I did see a don’t tread on me flag at one home. BTW, my friend drank the koolaid too but he hates bambi now, in large part because of me....:) It was white guilt, but its over, it was a one time shot and won’t fly again, especially with seniors who are horrified at Obamacare.
The Harley bust was writing on the wall long before the economic slowdown... that just caused it to happen faster.
I had an uncle who worked at Kearney and Trecker back in the day.
Riding that thing would be like wearing a dress in public.
A lot of seniors insanely voted for him. Baby boomers too. I can see stupid young people but anyone over 25 who failed to have the common sense to voted against him deserves ObamaCare.
High end community? They all thought they are immune, safe and above it all. LOL! Obama wants them dead, wants their IRA, 401K and retirement $$ for his illegal alien hordes. When liberals start thinking their marxist can get their money - they often get very conservative. Evil idiots.
Unfortunately, the Dems rigged our primary with the Manchurian idiot who was set up to lose.
Wo hoo! Ducati - sweet. The Ferrari of motorcycles. I would love 996 or 1081 (I forget the model numbers). Awesome bikes.
Japanese tools and the engines still sound and run like s**t? Is the HD engines based on an old tractor motor?
The new HD bike engine was designed by Porsche’s engineering arm at Weissach. Smooth.
I will take a Ducati thank you.
right on, I’m 57 ride a 92 Heritage Softtail Classic. I’ve got over 90K miles and gonna ride it still I die.
Cool, I’m currently working on the wife’s ‘79 Shovel in a 4 speed swingarm frame. It has one of the last 74 cu. in. engines they produced.
I will take a Ducati thank you.
I’d take one of their front ends, an older one, not one of those ugly inverted ones.
I had a Monster... scared the **** outta me.
Fixed it for ya'.
You the Man! I like the old school rides you have. My wife has a 97 1200 Sportster that my brother-in-law bought new. He had more money that sense and the only thing that ain’t chrome is her.
Yeah.. I got sick of cleaning oil on the floor of the garage years ago.
Superior Technology indeed...
Too each his own, right...
LOL! It’s a freaking racing bike.
Each new year the Ferrari F1 team has their drivers and team at a press event of skiing and snow sports in the Italian alps. This year they had the Ducati team and riders Nickey Hayden and Casey Stoner there.
The Yamaha team actually has Fiat sponsor them. Ferrari is larely owned by Fiat but Italian 9 time Moto GP champ Valentino Rossi rides for Yamaha.
Rossi is testing a Ferrari F1 car and his times are so good that Yamaha is worried he may leave Moto GP.
Very Cool my friend. Ride Safe!
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