Posted on 07/27/2010 8:18:00 PM PDT by wwcj
Harley-Davidson Inc. said Tuesday it expects the global market for motorcycles to remain challenging this year as more consumers opt for lower-priced used motorcycles instead of new ones.
Chief Executive Officer Keith Wandell said he expects Harley's shipments to be down 5%-10% from 2009, while the preference for used motorcycles and the weaker world economy have pushed year-to-date retail sales down 40% from the company peak in 2006...
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Ever listen to your basic Harley idle? I mean, the reason it speeds up and slows down is that the two pistons are hitting top at nearly the same time and then you have three more engine cycles before they do it again. That’s why the basic idle sounds like “b-Bang, WHIRR- whir, b-BANG, WHIRR-whir....” They could at least have the decency to make it a two stroke so they don’t have three dead engine cycles between hits....
Now, I don't care who you are, that right there is DARNED funny!
But it wasn't that long ago that things were a lot different. A friend of mine used to sell Snap-on tools and had a very large route with numerous bike dealerships. He told me that 95% of the work at Japanese bike dealerships was tuneups while most of the work at Harley dealers involved things like bearings, valves, cams, and generally all the things which tend to get riders injured while riding a two-wheeled vehicle when they fail.
He told me he saw one guy in one of those places all wrapped up in gauze, bandages and iodine like the mummy in the horror flick; the guy has been sitting at a light at night when the Harley idle shook his headlight apart and a car ran him over because the driver couldn't see him and the owner of the car was suing him....
Jap bikes rule. I like smoothness and staying together.
Lots of companies produce large (600cc) single cylinder dirt/dual purpose bikes that idle just fine, and rev out much quicker, cleaner and further than a Harley motor, despite it having the advantage of one crank and two pistons. I would love to see KTM bore and stroke their 990 twin and put it in a street cruiser. A guy in his jeans, tee shirt and cig could embarrass a lot of Ricky-racrers in their full-race leathers on their R1s and Z1s!
I have their stock! I haven’t paid much attention to the stock market lately so this is good news for me.
Right. Ever notice that those engines all have counterbalancers, short strokes, and say 'Made in Japan' on them? That would be beyond HD's capabilities.
True that. The rubber grommets on the front motor mounts give out early. Shops are replacing them with an after-market mount that is more rigid but increases the shake factor somewhat.
I had the mount replaced on my ‘03 Road King at 25k miles. The bike turned into a bone-rattler at standing idle but that beats chafing harnesses and hoses IMO.
I don’t know about “cheaper” used Harleys..
The used Night Rods that I have looked at are still 16.5 to 17k down here in the Houston area..
But I guess it is all a matter of prospective..
Still showing your ignorance.
Actually H-D does a lot of work with Porsche on the engineering side.
They thinking about making a Porsche with a long-stroke 45-degree V engine?
eh, that’s alright....I don’t ride that much myself. But when I do, I figure I’m spending about $200 per hour considering interest, gas, wear and tear, and insurance!
but I look SO good doing it! ; )>
Nice bike Wendy...everyone’s just giving you crap.
I get it all the time around here. LOL! : )>
I wouldn’t laugh too hard.
Moto Guzzis’, Triumphs Bonnevilles, Old School BMWs, etc.,... all cool bikes.
Jap bikes can go to hell.
2007 Black Road King Classic
White Walls
14” Ape Hangers
Sampson Fishtails
Corbin Custom Saddle
Saddlebag trim guard
Laydown license plate
Cateye rear views
Old School light covers
Elvis/Rockabilly style. ; )>
I like many brands, but I don’t like wannabe bikers that take shots at my choice of bike.
Your’s is nice too.
Let me change my last post... yours is damn nice.
yep... had a 2005 B&W Triumph Bonneville but sold it last year....was getting beat to death on the hwy.
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[IMG]http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h155/beltways1/DSCN1863.jpg[/IMG]
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