Very good comments folks. (see harley or Indian thread) In fact almost dead on to what I expected. I put the email out there at the urging of my neighbor. He is a long time Harley guy who also rented a Fatboy with me in Arizona. Oddly enough he had many of the same comments I did about the new Harleys. The question he had would other Harley owners notice the difference and see how things seemed to be converging with the *** bikes. My friend argued that the Harley group was a fiercely loyal bunch of guys who could not be fooled. You all certainly proved that with you comments. Good for you!
I told you all that I was an engineer. I am also the president of a 100 million dollar company and would kill for the type of brand loyalty you guys have. From a business point of view Harley has done some unbelievable things. Not only have they commanded a premium price (economics 101 supply and demand) for their bikes they have also created a frenzy around the purchase of clothing and accessories. This is actually an old marketing trick used by companies like Disney and makes a boatload of money. Believe me the Harley guys are doing it right! All companies are about making money and anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.
So what is my point? I think the Harley crowd needs to start practicing some tough love. I think there was only one comment that gave Indian any credit at all. I understand the comments about me. I loved the one about my lack of character. Given what I do for a living that’s pretty funny. Anyway, there are a lot of great bikes coming out on the market today. Indian, Big Dog and Henderson just to name a few. The Japs are coming along as well. This is some truly nice stuff. Harley is included in that mix. Just look at the V-Rod. Now that’s a bike designed to take market share! Sorry Harley purists but you business sense is for ****.
If I had any advice for Harley it would be this. Continue fighting nose to nose with the Japs. You are doing a great job! The place you have to worry about is the high end. Indian and Big Dog are on to something. All bullshitting aside they truly have a different feel then the new Harleys. The attention to detail gives them the feel of a custom at close to production prices. My guess is that if Indian is successful with their new motor and gets rid of some of the quality issues Harley will have a run for their money. Buy the way that’s a good thing. How cool would it be to see Indian’s and Harleys going nose to nose again! Now that’s American motorcycling at it’s finest!
Well sorry for the lecture. Keep riding those Harley they are great bikes!
I told you all that I was an engineer. I am also the president of a 100 million dollar company and would kill for the type of brand loyalty you guys have. From a business point of view Harley has done some unbelievable things. Not only have they commanded a premium price (economics 101 supply and demand) for their bikes they have also created a frenzy around the purchase of clothing and accessories. This is actually an old marketing trick used by companies like Disney and makes a boatload of money. Believe me the Harley guys are doing it right! All companies are about making money and anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.
So what is my point? I think the Harley crowd needs to start practicing some tough love. I think there was only one comment that gave Indian any credit at all. I understand the comments about me. I loved the one about my lack of character. Given what I do for a living that’s pretty funny. Anyway, there are a lot of great bikes coming out on the market today. Indian, Big Dog and Henderson just to name a few. The Japs are coming along as well. This is some truly nice stuff. Harley is included in that mix. Just look at the V-Rod. Now that’s a bike designed to take market share! Sorry Harley purists but you business sense is for ****.
If I had any advice for Harley it would be this. Continue fighting nose to nose with the Japs. You are doing a great job! The place you have to worry about is the high end. Indian and Big Dog are on to something. All bullshitting aside they truly have a different feel then the new Harleys. The attention to detail gives them the feel of a custom at close to production prices. My guess is that if Indian is successful with their new motor and gets rid of some of the quality issues Harley will have a run for their money. Buy the way that’s a good thing. How cool would it be to see Indian’s and Harleys going nose to nose again! Now that’s American motorcycling at it’s finest!
Well sorry for the lecture. Keep riding those Harley they are great bikes!