Posted on 04/09/2025 10:17:24 AM PDT by Red Badger
Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz is set to step down from the company after years of declining sales, which many have attributed to his woke agenda.
The decades-old, world-famous company confirmed the news in a press release on Tuesday.
Zeitz oversaw the company’s recent sales decline, which ultimately resulted in a rollback of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Between 2022 and 2024, motorcycle sales dropped in all but one quarter compared to the same quarter from the previous year, according to data from Harley-Davidson Investor Relations, via the Daily Caller.
In August, the company announced it would ditch DEI initiatives and restructure its Business Employee Resource Groups (BERGs).
According to a post on SHRM CEO Action, the company described the BERGs as its “version of affinity groups and networks.”
Three of the BERGs — African American, Latina, and Asian — were labeled with racial or ethnic categories.
The reversal came after activist Robby Starbuck alleged the company “funded an all-ages pride event” that hosted drag queen story time, forced employees to train to be LGBTQ allies, and even dispatched white male employees to a segregated diversity training.
READ: VP JD Vance Issues Inspiring Message to Young Men: ‘We Want You Guys to Thrive’
Starbuck also said that Zeitz put his signature to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge.
Zeitz received backlash from the company’s customer base.
“Harley needs to stick with building bikes and leave the wokeness alone,” said Earnest Chapman, a 30-year Harley owner.
Another biker, 56-year-old Nick Randall, said, “I just can’t figure out why he was installed in that role if this is what is happening now,” adding, “They need to figure out a way to get rid of his ass.”
Zeitz appeared hell-bent on pushing his motorcycle company into wokeness, even declaring he would be transitioning their bikes to be all-electric.
He was so focused on environmental policies that he said he earned the moniker “sustainable Taliban” during a talk at the Zermatt Summit Foundation, a public interest group of business and other stakeholders.
Zeitz also slammed President Trump for withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords in 2017.
“Sadly with this decision the Trump Administration is choosing to turn its back on the rest of the world,” he said.
Is HD a representative of the people in Wisconsin?
Ever notice how they vote.
I’ve owned Harleys but turned my back on them after they treated Eric Buell so badly in 2008. Eff ‘em. Waaay overpriced. BMWs too for that matter. Both are overpriced high maintenance cost marques.
Young males are either playing video games or watching porn. Those that ride are riding rice rockets. HD is not really a player anymore with anybody under the age of 50. I don’t know how they fix that.
I have a Honda ST1300, but I recently met a guy who bought an Indian and said he loves it.
They could fix it by making bikes affordable................
It wasn’t previously a cop bike was it?....those 2nd hand police motorcycles are notorious for electrical issues.
No, it was used, but one owner that had kept it well maintained and had a logbook and receipts for everything.
But no electrical problems were noted..............
Just like car dealerships some Harley dealers can be greedy as well.
I bought my ‘09 Electra Standard new from a smaller dealership in the next county. A couple of months later I had occasion to go into the much larger dealer that’s a lot closer to my house.
The exact same bike sitting in the show room was every bit of $4k more than I paid.
Of course a few years later the larger dealership bought out the smaller one and closed it.....of course. SMH
98% of all Harleys are still on the road.
.
.
The other 2% made it home from the dealer.
Last time I checked the HD electric bike was $30k.....nobody’s gonna buy that thing at that price......it’s crazy.
I don’t understand HD. First they allow AMF to destroy the brand. They boot AMF and build back the brand and then hire a liberal woke Zeitz to destroy the brand again. Is HD a representative of the people in Wisconsin?
++++++++++
This kraut clown CEO at HD is like obama becoming POTUS. Their job was to destroy the brand. Zeitz probably is getting a 2nd salary from BMW to destroy HD. BMW however is no better as they too are destroying themselves.
Cue the meme of obama with the destruction in the background - My work here is finished.
I often hit the showroom at San Diego Harley. I saw lots of merchandise that I liked, but priced higher than I wanted to pay for a bike. I did buy a helmet and some accessories there.
Harley service is expensive, but not nearly as painful as my Porsche 914.
The disappointing thing about HD apparel is much of it is made in china of all places.....that’s a damn shame. SMH
“Harley Davidson. Turning motorcycle riders into mechanics for over 100 years.”
regular maintained my 1998 Electra glide classic 411k miles bought in 2000 with 13k. also have 1997 Road king 140k no problems.
So...........make more of them in Thailand and China?
I’m riding a FSLTN from 94’ that this year allowed to get an antique tag. I’ve taken good care of the bike for over 20 years and it will be the last bike I own. HD made these to restore their reputation after AMF degraded them and they have an EVO engine that goes forever. The colour scheme was pearl white/silver with red lining with the cowhide bags and seat. I’ve worn out the cowhide seats and found unused ones on the secondary market but now their value has quadrupled since then so I use aftermarket seat and bags and keep the original stored for shows I take long trips on it a couple of times a year and it still handles 80 mph for long periods well.
I work on all of mine. Harley, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, Piaggio. My wife has the Honda and Piaggio bikes. Lots of things are routine. No reason to pay shop rates. Replacing the fuel pump and filters inside the Fat Bob gas tank was no big deal and saved me a bundle. Had to do the same on the Piaggio BV500. Repairing my wife's LX150 after the consignment dealer lost the master key was more entailed. $350 in parts for the lock cylinders, keys, and ignition system security interface. I had to pick the wafer locks because the keys were gone and even the local locksmith shop couldn't do it.
Maintenance and preventative Maintenance is key.
Over the years I’ve had people suggest to me that Harleys still leak oil.
Damn, that was back in the AMF days......I guess with some people HD will never live that down.......of course the people that think that have never actually bothered to own one. SMH
You ever even owned a Harley? Or any make bike for that matter?
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