Posted on 07/30/2013 2:47:28 PM PDT by BraveMan
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In the past, Harley’s image was directly correlated to the devoted, young, hard-core, rebels that lived to ride. But the rebels of yesterday have aged, changing Harley’s base demographic. In 1987 half of Harley riders were under the age of 35. Today, the average Harley customer is a white, upper-class, 47-year-old man that rides as a hobby. Problematic? Not really.
According to Harley’s 2011, 2012, and 2013 10-Q financial statements, since Q3 2011 Harley averaged quarterly motorcycle sales growth of 6.44%, an EBITDA growth rate of 17.65% and a net income growth rate of 14.72%. And, at a stock price of $55.96, the stock has gained 454.06% since its low of $10.10 in 2009. While the new demographic of riders may or may not be driving new growth – it surely isn't hurting it.
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(Excerpt) Read more at beta.fool.com ...
Enter your favorite Hardly-Ableson joke here . . .
Nothing says, “I’m a conformist” like a Harley-Davidson.
Somewhere I read that Indian bikes were going to make a comeback.
Just bought a new bike recently. Looked at the HD Iron 883 and the Yamaha Bolt. Was having a lot of trouble making up my mind as they are very similar bikes. Then I rode the Triumph T-100 and it blew the other two away.
This was the first time I ever seriously considered a HD. Every time I walk into the show room, I get second class treatment because I don’t look like a typical HD customer. It is a real turn off. Also, too many HDs out there seem to be cars masquerading as bikes.
Own a Triumph Sprint myself. It was my daily commuter for years.
The only reason to ride a Harley is to be uncomfortable so far as I am concerned. I rode one on an 800 mile trip and was exhausted. Rode a GW on another similar trip and was very comfortable.
I don’t need image. I need comfort and reliability. You can hardly get one of the dang things past a gas station either.
nothing says ‘i want to piss off all my neighbors’ like a harley rider does.
i thought a lot of people really liked gw’s for touring.
Harley is a great American company.
Few these days remember the tariffs that were imposed in the Reagan years to help them withstand the Japanese assault.
I think their biggest problem today is convincing younger folks to pick up the “lifestyle” as the old riders get disabled and die off.
Interesting that you judge (quite erroneously) a whole line of completely different bikes by one ride on one model. Yes, a Sportster is a terribly uncomfortable bike....if it wasn’t a Sporty, it just didn’t have a decent seat or handlebars for you personally.
I’ll put my ‘09 CVO “Screamin’ Eagle” Road Glide up against any GW for comfort - only dangerous Harley I’ve ever had because after a big lunch you will fall asleep on it. And even my ‘97 Wide Glide is extremely comfortable. I did take 4 tries on the handlebars & seat to get there - but no bike is as customizable as a Harley. I can ride either on all day and be comfortable.......
I don’t fit the Harley demographic & had my first in ‘64. They were junk then, but now are very high quality - friend has 150k mis. on his and it’s never broken down and engine is intact. Ride ‘em, maintain ‘em, forget ‘em.
Key with Harley’s is NEVER buy new. Buy low mileage, used, still under warranty in Jan - Feb. Best value of any bike.
No, qualtiy still isn’t equal to Jap bikes - but the HD’s hold their value much better. Values on Jap bike drop like a rock. Terrible investment. I don’t bad mouth any makes - most are very good - I appreciate all. Except for sportbikes (my kids have them) - they are for the racetrack and not comfort. I rode plenty of Honda’s & Yamaha’s in the ‘70’s.........
The Triumph T100 is a great bike - may get one.
My first love’s were ‘60’s Triumph Bonnevilles and I have 3 classic old Triumph’s that I really love - unrestored, all original ‘71 Trophy 500 T100C, ‘72 Bonneville T120V I totally restored myself, and a totally restored ‘73 Trident T150V - 750 - 3 cylinder - and the reason I don’t need a sportbike........
I don’t badmouth any bikes - different strokes for different folks.....
To each his own. It was not a sportster but an EG. The Triumph Bonneville is a great bike as well but my preference is a GW or BMW. Have not ridden much more than that.
I’m not much of a rider anymore. Every time I think about getting a bike I think about how much city I have to ride across to get anywhere I want to do and then decide I don’t need a bike. Maybe someday when I get back out in the country. Dad rode his GW until a week before he passed. We had a nice loop of about a hundred-fifty miles with a good place to stop for a meal and some visiting.
My family lived in Naples, FL, and while my folks were living, I kept a Wide Glide down there to ride with my brother & wife (they each have a Harley).
But riding down there is a nightmare. Heavy traffic, crazy drivers (too old or snow-birds), nothing but straight roads. When my parents died, I sold the bike. My least fav place to ride on the planet (ok, Europe or South America would be worse in the cities). Oh, sold it to the Harley dealer for exactly what I paid for it.
I live in Virginia in the country where straight roads are less than 20%, and the hills, mountains, etc. are all around me. Little traffic, incredibly varied countryside, wonderful roads.
All make for great riding on any comfortable bike......I have 8 kids, they have 7 bikes - we have our own gang.......how many 68 year olds have their kids ask them to lead them on a good ride? Ride with them frequently? Ask, “Dad - can I ride your Bonneville today? or Trident?
My 66th birthday present was 2 sons asking me to lead them and 5 friends on a long ride.....the old man showing 7 young bucks 24 - 35 how to do it. Of course, the 35 yr. old on the superbike had to show me his rear on every straight-away........
Oh, the new Indian coming out Saturday should be exciting.... I have no doubt they will succeed. Put a dent in Harley? They tried that with Victory - good bikes, but didn’t work. They’ll take some market share, but it will take years to build a product line to compete with HD - and to prove they have both the quality and technology and to develop a loyal following.....
I am blessed......
My personal best was 622 miles on my Ultra Classic in one day.
With an air seat and cruise control I’m ready for the Iron Butt . . .
And no, I don’t give a damn what people think about what I ride.
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