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Harley-Davidson to launch first electric motorcycle within 18 months, but KC plant to close
bizjournals.com ^
| 1/30/2018
| Patrick Leary
Posted on 01/30/2018 10:32:22 AM PST by rktman
Harley-Davidson Inc. announced early Tuesday with its fourth quarter 2017 earnings report that it is on track to launch its first electric motorcycle within 18 months and that it will invest more aggressively in the electric avenue in an attempt to inspire ridership. But on the flip side, the motorcycle manufacturer also revealed plans to close its Kansas City, Mo., plant and fold those operations into its Pennsylvania facility.
The Milwaukee-based company's (NYSE: HOG) announcement on its significant commitment to the future of its motorcycle technology and plant closure comes as motorcycle sales fell 6.7 percent worldwide in 2017, with the sales decline even shaper domestically, falling 8.5 percent.
(Excerpt) Read more at bizjournals.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Philosophy; US: Missouri; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: babyboomers; manufacturing; motorcycles; roaringforth; trends
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Well, that should reduce the intimidation factor about 120 db. ;-)
1
posted on
01/30/2018 10:32:22 AM PST
by
rktman
To: rktman
As well as the annoying factor by about 95%.
2
posted on
01/30/2018 10:35:21 AM PST
by
ConservativeWarrior
(Fall down 7 times, stand up 8. - Japanese proverb)
To: rktman
Maybe if they weren’t charging $25k for a bike that is more plastic then steal. I have a 2004 Heritage, it is bullet prof, but some of the components are obviously as cheep as they could get away with. Though about buying a new one, but it was unbelievably cheaply made and was $25k for the base model.
3
posted on
01/30/2018 10:38:33 AM PST
by
JoSixChip
(Repeal and replace the gopE.)
To: rktman
They should add a small gas motor to make the noise!
4
posted on
01/30/2018 10:39:34 AM PST
by
FatherofFive
(Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
To: rktman
Remember that publicity stunt where they tried to trademark the “potato, potato” sound?
5
posted on
01/30/2018 10:40:23 AM PST
by
robroys woman
(So you're not confused, I'm male.)
To: FatherofFive
Nah, just a couple of 15” subwoofers mounted with a sound track ready to scare some seniors at a moments notice. They could make them look like saddle bags.
6
posted on
01/30/2018 10:43:32 AM PST
by
rktman
(Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)
To: rktman
Most of the battery life will be taken up by a 300 Watt sound system, emulating the roar of a blown muffler, plus the classic idle sound, “potato, potato, potato, potato”...
7
posted on
01/30/2018 10:44:25 AM PST
by
SERKIT
("Blazing Saddles" explains it all.......)
To: SERKIT
8
posted on
01/30/2018 10:50:00 AM PST
by
rktman
(Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)
To: rktman
I’m not surprised to see a plant close. Too many cell phones out there. Getting too dangerous to ride.
9
posted on
01/30/2018 10:54:41 AM PST
by
aimhigh
(1 John 3:23)
To: rktman
My neighbor has a lot of bikes. He told me he prefers Triumph and Indian, and that Harleys are mostly made in India. Triumph is now made in Ga. and actually British. The BRit president of Triumph relocated to Ga. after he fell in love with an American woman.
To: aimhigh
I have 8 bikes in the garage. A 2008 XL1200R (Sporty Roadster) and a 2009 FXDF (Fat Bob) in the group. Not likely to purchase another Harley. The current ones will last as long as I want to ride. The Yamaha bikes include a 2007 Roadliner (full bagger arrangement) and a 2008 TW200 Dual Sport. I'm contemplating trading the TW200 in on a 2018 SR400. The TW200 only has 669 miles. I just never have time to get out in the dirt to ride it. The SR400 would be a fine thumper for making a cruise to Idaho Falls. The Kawasakis include a 2009 Versys (20,000 miles). Great freeway bike. Great for twisties. The 2012 VN900 is a nice little cruiser. My youngest son was riding it for a time. The other two bikes belong to my wife. Twist and go. BV500 Maxi scooter and a Honda CTX700. The CTX gets 61 MPG. The SR400 gets 66 MPG. A nice pairing for cruising the local roads.
My Fat Bob is really my long distance touring bike. It's the right engine and seat configuration for long trip. 5 gallon gas tank. 49.8 MPG on the last 1900 mile round trip.
11
posted on
01/30/2018 11:07:24 AM PST
by
Myrddin
To: ConservativeWarrior
Got that right. You have to wonder about the long term exposure to that noise and what it would do to someone’s hearing too. (the rider)
12
posted on
01/30/2018 11:09:23 AM PST
by
DoughtyOne
(01/26/18 DJIA 30 stocks $26,616.71 48.794% > open 11/07/16 215.71 from 50% increase 1.2183 yrs..)
To: beergarden
My last British bike was a BSA BX50 500cc thumper. Very cool bike. I sold it before I got married in 1978 as I had nowhere to ride it anymore. Not street legal, so I had to push it a mile to the trail head. It was an awesome bike. Starting it was a tenuous chore. Vigorous pressing of the primer button on the carb, then a very carefully coordinated use of the compression release and kickstarter. Do it wrong and you go over the handlebars. The SR400 I'm considering from Yamaha is fuel injected. Has a sight glass on the valve cam to properly position the piston. Kickstart only. Should be simple to start.
13
posted on
01/30/2018 11:12:09 AM PST
by
Myrddin
To: aimhigh
Amen.
I ride year round. Riding through town has become a terrifying experience. Literally every other vehicle you pass has the head-down, phone-in-her-lap texting chick at the wheel...
Somewhere back in my lizard brain, I know those same people are out on the two-lane, but for some reason riding through town scares me more.
14
posted on
01/30/2018 11:15:59 AM PST
by
Hugh the Scot
("The days of being a keyboard commando are over. It's time to get some bloody knuckles." -Drew68)
To: rktman
I was buying a used car last week. There was a Harley in the showroom. I was looking at it and my wife said you are 70 years old. Right. Now that I’m able to afford one I’m too old to ride it.
15
posted on
01/30/2018 11:22:04 AM PST
by
Starstruck
(I'm usually sarcastic. Deal with it.)
To: Hugh the Scot
I have pretty much given up riding my softtail. Everyone is staring at their crotch and not watching the road.
It was bad enough before cell phones.
16
posted on
01/30/2018 11:28:06 AM PST
by
Newbomb Turk
(Hey Newbomb, where is your bothers ElCamino ?)
To: Newbomb Turk
I have pretty much given up riding my softtail. Everyone is staring at their crotch and not watching the road. It was bad enough before cell phones.Who wants to live forever? I just try to be extra vigilant. I look at crossing roads even closer than I used to.
17
posted on
01/30/2018 11:48:32 AM PST
by
zeugma
To: Starstruck
🏍💨. I know the feeling. 😹
18
posted on
01/30/2018 11:53:13 AM PST
by
rktman
(Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)
To: rktman
It will still have that tooka tooka sound track...
To: refermech
👹
20
posted on
01/30/2018 11:58:48 AM PST
by
rktman
(Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)
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