[Annihilator]

I guess they've been trying to void the warranties of motorcycles that were maintained or repaired by the owners or private shops.

FTC Takes Action Against Harley-Davidson and Westinghouse for Illegally Restricting Customers’ Right to Repair

The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC and Westinghouse outdoor generator maker MWE Investments, LLC for illegally re

www.ftc.gov

 

[Annihilator]

My guess is they're probably desperate. Sales are nonexistent but they're still on the hook for warranty repairs which are bleeding them dry. I'm telling you, this company is going to be bankrupt in short time. Probably the only way out is to sell to China or the Saudis who will buy that company just for the brand name and dissolve any US involvement.

 

[ArthurY]

Sales are nonexistent ...

Not sure if you know that their ADV bike Pan America is the best selling ADV bike in North America since its launch.

 

[hogcowboy]

Sales are nonexistent...

The HD dealership I visit almost every week can't keep bikes on the floor they sell them so fast. They had 25 2 weeks ago and this week there was just 15 left on the floor and 2 of them had SOLD signs on the seat. So I guess sales are nonexistent.

 

[Annihilator]

Not sure if you know that their ADV bike Pan America is the best selling ADV bike in North America since its launch.

Thats a meaningless triumph for Harley if ADV bikes are a only microscopic portion of new motorcycle sales in the US. ADV is a low volume niche motorcycle. It won't save the company.

 

[Menthausen]

That's right, they are taking the right action.

 

[ArthurY]

Thats a meaningless triumph for Harley if ADV bikes are a only microscopic portion of new motorcycle sales in the US. ADV is a low volume niche motorcycle. It won't save the company.

I am not in any way associated to HD (I don't even have an HD product) but, having said that, HD has been rumored to go bankrupt since the Carter's Administration. Somehow, something/someone has stepped in to save them, like Ronald Reagan. Again, I'm not sure if that was the right thing to do for Reagan but I'm just stating the historical facts.

 

[Annihilator]

I am not in any way associated to HD (I don't even have an HD product) but, having said that, HD has been rumored to go bankrupt since the Carter's Administration. Somehow, something/someone has stepped in to save them, like Ronald Reagan. Again, I'm not sure if that was the right thing to do for Reagan but I'm just stating the historical facts.

The reason someone always stepped in to save them is because the company was beloved by Americans. But those days are long gone. The people who are in charge today have no nostalgia and no interest in HD. Only a handful of people would care about keeping HD alive and American.

And supposedly HD has been buying up their own stock for years in order to keep the value up, which coincidentally makes it that much easier for them to sell to a foreign buyer when there are few shareholders involved.

 

[WintrSol]

The HD dealership I visit almost every week can't keep bikes on the floor they sell them so fast. They had 25 2 weeks ago and this week there was just 15 left on the floor and 2 of them had SOLD signs on the seat. So I guess sales are nonexistent.

Or, perhaps, they just can't get them. I was at a local non-HD dealer, and their showroom was nearly empty, except for Triumph. Salesman said they can get all the Triumphs they can sell, but they have to order and wait for anything else.

 

[Porky]

"Only a handful of people would care about keeping HD alive and American."

What a preposterous and ridiculous statement only designed to Trigger dissent and anger---in my very Humble opinion.

Ride in some big events, like Sturgis, Daytona, Ride to the Wall, Bikes, blues and BBQ's, Laughlin River Run, 4 Corners Rally, Veterans' events, etc etc and all bikes seen are predominately AMERICAN made, including INDIAN.

Don't belabor the fact that some parts and even some bikes are made or sourced from other countries as this is Globalism 101.

I was at a SUPERSTORE Harley Dealer yesterday, in Joplin, MO and it was about 2 PM and they had sold 8 new Big Twins since opening @ 9 AM. Their showroom floor had about 20 new bikes on display.

Last week, still in Joplin, I stopped in at a Multibrand Powersports dealer to buy a new 2022 Honda CT125, just for a TOY to play with and they were almost completely out of stock, on all makes.?? NO CT's for 3 to 4 months.

Covid has affected the economies world wide and basically stopped Bike production everywhere. Now we have Monkeypox and G a y pox and the Government to throw wrenches into all recovery efforts by allowing inflation to run wild.

I'm glad that the FTC has come down on nefarious business practices like are mentioned in the OP's link but rest assured, that the entire Motorcycle Industry does the same thing as Harley does: Let BUBBA at the corner Piggy Wiggly/ gas station, use a Chinese EBAY part to fix your new Bike and if there is a subsequent failure, it will be deemed a 'causal' event and the warranty will be denied, as it should be.

I haven't bought a new Harley since 2010 and have owned at total of 3 so far but I like the 'Fraternity and Family involvement' of the brand.

MAGABANH-

Sam

 

[Annihilator]

"Only a handful of people would care about keeping HD alive and American."

What a preposterous and ridiculous statement only designed to Trigger dissent and anger---in my very Humble opinion.

Ride in some big events, like Sturgis, Daytona, Ride to the Wall, Bikes, blues and BBQ's, Laughlin River Run, 4 Corners Rally, Veterans' events, etc etc and all bikes seen are predominately AMERICAN made, including INDIAN.

But what is the average age of the people attending those events? The only thing I do even remotely like that is the CT United for 9/11 ride and the average age there looks be at least mid-60s. They aren't going to be buying too many more motorcycles. By having only catered to one generation for 50 years, H-D constantly lost market share but now at this point they can jack up the price of the bikes because their aged customers can now afford it at this stage in their life.

I'm not trying to trigger anyone, I'm dead serious that the only way out is probably going to be China or the Saudis. Seeing what the Saudis did with golf is why I'm thinking this. I'm not advocating for it. But I'm sure there are several foreign entities that would be quite eager to have the H-D brand for themselves.

I mean, maybe I'm a little amused because H-D is staying on the path to nowhere. Its not too late to try something new.

 

[cattzap]

The "you gotta bring it to us only" is what has kept me away from owning a HD

And the"you gotta wear one of our $180 shirts to be cool" keeps me away as well.

 

[Annihilator]

They already have the factories and tooling built, all they need is the brand name.

Chinese Brand Shineray Clones Harley-Davidson Evolution V-Twin

Chinese brand Shineray presents an air-cooled, 1200cc V-twin that heavily resembles Harley-Davidson's legendary Evolution V-twin engine

www.rideapart.com