| Author | Message | ||
     Steveford |
https://investor.harley-davidson.com/static-files/ 1bdc12c4-f26d-49d7-8ddd-bcb4e44d3ede Street fighter, adventure tourer, smaller bikes - why does that sound familiar? | ||
| Court |
Very interesting document. More interesting when compared to the confidential work I did at M.I.T. in 1997. I . . . much to the chagrin of Harley-Davidson . . . . kept all the program notebooks, the video of the presented final work product and all the correspondence during the effort. Bottom line . . . if Harley-Davidson had listened to one thing Erik Buell had said and come off their "the internet is a passing phase. . . make'em go to our dealers" . . . .they would be leading now, not playing catch up. In addition, they have let their most fervent and loyal customers slip away to other brands and in doing so find that they could get great performance and better quality. I'm certain there are some smart folks at Harley-Davidson now . . . it'll be interesting to watch as they advance this strategy. I confess . . . I can never seem to shake the bug for another dresser. (Message edited by court on October 14, 2018) | ||
| Alchemy |
Court says, "In addition, they have let their most fervent and loyal customers slip away to other brands and in doing so find that they could get eat performance and better quality. I'm certain there are some smart folks at Harley-Davidson now . . . it'll be interesting to watch as they advance this strategy." There may be a point where the smart people become fewer and fewer as they head for the door. HD domestically is really facing a cloudy future. There are a bunch of electric bikes and motorcycles in development. Fewer US youth are even getting drivers licenses. A big leap would be to use the dealer network for a change rather than being used by the dealers. Motorcycles are a limited future but will exist on some level. Electric cars are in need of dealers. HD could leverage into the EV sales/support business without adding competition to their base product. EV business would help leverage their new E bikes riders. The reality is that the auto dealers are too hooked on the service business to make an easy transition to an EV world. HD on the other hand is about the right size and has the basic skill set to be of value to a NIO (just as an example). It is a long shot but it might offer a lifeline that could work as a bridge into the future. | ||
| Crusty |
Well; I just found it interesting. Yes; Erik was way ahead of his time, and the decision makers at the time were too myopic to see the future. I won't rant about Jackass Wandell; but hopefully, now that he's gone, there'll be some people who have their heads screwed on straight. The plan looks good; but then again, it's supposed to. I don't feel the call of another Dresser, but I do like the new Roadster enough that I'm planning to get one within the next year. | ||
| Court |
Matt Levetich . . . who, at the time I was at Buell, was the European Buell guy . . . . is running Harley-Davidson now. I had limited dealings with Matt but I had at least two that were intense, both related to the "recall nightmare" and found him to be articulate, resourceful and intelligent. I presume that plays a role in how one gets to be Chairman of Harley-Davidson. Harley-Davidson has had their cheese moved. How they respond, adapt and execute will dictate their future. It will either be spectacular or dismal . . . I have trouble seeing any middle, mediocre, ground. They have a lot of cards to play. It'll be fun to see how they play them. I will see, in my lifetime, the total demise of the internal combustion engine . . . as it joins the steering column mounted spark advance lever in the realm of things we can't possibly do without. | ||
| Rsh |
I don't know if the demise of the internal combustion engine will happen in our life times, they are getting very efficient these days. The demise though can be accelerated by government regulations, a path California seems to be taking. Alternative energy being electric cars, solar, wind, et al would be nowhere without federal and state subsidies, those subsidies look to be coming to an end. Currently, electric does not offer enough bang for the buck unless you can afford Tesla prices, although the Chevy Bolt isn't to bad. I am interested in the Zero FX dual sport bike, seems an ideal way to sneak to the local fire roads for a silent blast, it is a bit pricey but has tax incentives. | ||
| Court |
>>>I don't know if the demise of the internal combustion engine will happen in our life times, they are getting very efficient these days. Actually, your statement makes more sense and is more accurate than mine. There are several things conspiring to alter the slope . . . . increased efficiency, government regulations and "luddite momentum". I LIKE my internal combustion engines for the same reason I like my old car . . . the memories and great feelings they evoke. To a degree, the internal combustion engine is etched in our culture . . . America was built on industry and the ability the car provided us, in terms of being able to "go somewhere" was a game changer for Americans. Get Erik Buell on that talk sometime and you'll quickly learn how that Slughi drew him into the world of motorcycles. Some of the new motors are amazing. | ||
| Shoggin |
The way they can manipulate the combustion in new motors (especially diesel) boggles my mind. They are so refined for max MPG, emissions, and still max power (780hp rock steady idle and a factory warranty??) But still the old motors are amazing too. Hugely less efficient, but still amazing. My only car is now exactly 61 years old and the noise from a high compression V-8 with a terribly inefficient camshaft at idle will always stir my soul.  | ||
| 1313 |
I confess . . . I can never seem to shake the bug for another dresser. Just a question from an inquisitive mind, but have you considered or investigated Indian's analogous model? I'll have to expound further later on, but I see something in the plan that bears further discussion... | ||
| Xb9sxvtwin |
Bottom line . . . if Harley-Davidson had listened to one thing Erik Buell had said and come off their "the internet is a passing phase. . . make'em go to our dealers" . . . .they would be leading now, not playing catch up. ^ Wise accurate words. | ||
| Crusty |
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