News from the sales floor...

[PapaUtah]

Leaks appearing under the Milwaukee Mastodon in the garage???

The average number of new Harley-Davidson’s™ per dealer surveyed was approximately 93 vs. 65 last winter. Pricing seems unchanged for 07 models. And almost all dealers report some form of discounting. Discounts usually involve free or discounted parts and accessories, finance incentives (provided by HDFS), and lower prices.

(Editorial comment: Sounds like more stuff is being made than what is making it out the front door...)

Reason number 1 for buying a Harley-Davidson™, the old resale myth, continues to be exploded on a daily basis…

“Demand is being met by newer bikes so it’s not like it used to be.”

Many of the dealers we spoke with indicated that used Harley-Davidson™ sales remain solid, but 85% noted that their used Harley-Davidson™ motorcycles were at even lower prices than last year, which was also a down year.

(Editorial comment: Every year has been a down year from the previous. Some just down more than others...)

But t-shirt sales are always brisk…

“Clothing, parts and accessories always do well for us even when bike sales are off because everybody wants to show off new stuff for the next riding season.”

(Editorial comment: Yep! A new black Harley-Davidson™ t-shirt for members of the Milwaukee mystical society!)

 

[FJRottie]

:huh:

Nobody cares.

 

[FJRMGM]

HD makes more on merchandise and licensing that on sales on bikes.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

The Motor Company has a deal with Lehman Trikes to offer 'Factory' H-D Trikes -- the future of motorcycling in America?

The one really interesting model -- Sportster XR1200 (prototype) -- will not be available to 'Muricans (say what?).

Nope -- Europe only (sound familiar?)

 

[mdisher]

I only know this...

Harley Dealers are all very nice, clean and well kept places.

Every other big four dealer (especially the ones that rep multiple brands) I have ever been in is a fookin mess. Bikes are crammed in you can hardly get to them, merchandise is always all over the place, etc, etc.

Sure they won't give me the time of day at the HD dealership because I ride in on a jap bike, but it still fun to stop in and check em out.

But I stop in every once in a while.

I do wonder how in the hell they manage to afford all these pretty new buildings and keep up with the costs of doing business. They have to be making a mint on all the branded stuff.

Aces and Eights in Cincy is friggin HUGE. What I wouldn't give for a nice big four dealership in this area.

https://www.a8hd.com/photo_gallery.asp

 

[HaulinAshe]

I only know this...
Harley Dealers are all very nice, clean and well kept places.

Every other big four dealer (especially the ones that rep multiple brands) I have ever been in is a fookin mess. Bikes are crammed in you can hardly get to them, merchandise is always all over the place, etc, etc.

+1

Image is everything to most current and prospective HD customers. You have to give the HD dealers credit for having both learned and accepted that.

It is a shame that we rice-burner patrons are so often forced to accept standards that would put other industries out of business in less than one year.

 

[PapaUtah]

They declared another 21 cent dividend for Q4 today. They still have a huge cash stash. Maybe more share buybacks in the future?? Should help shareholder value. Love HOG in the portfolio...

 

[Scoot]

Hey Renegade, if you like stopping in Harley dealerships on occasion, you should come up to Dayton and check out the new building that F&S Harley Davidson is moved into. Totally incredible facility. Very large showroom and a very large state of the art shop. Quite impressive actually. They're located on north Dixie Dr.

https://www.fshd.com/default.asp

 

[SMC]

:blink: Just an observation...had a layover in Orlando today and was walking around International Blvd and happened to see a Harley store. Walked in as I was killing time before the restaurant I wanted to have lunch at was open for business.

Well, first thing I noticed was all it was was Harley clothing, boots, coffee mugs, watches, knives and other stuff, one motorcycle on display near the front door, that's it one motorcycle in the whole store.

Then I walked out and looked up and saw it was a "Harley-Davidson Outlet Store".

Boy talk about selling an "image".

Scott.