For discussion: Op-Ed about Harley’s future

[Peter Cooke]

The motorcycle customer has changed quite a bit. Just a few years ago, very few 16-25 year olds were into motorcycles or motorsports at all. I am heavily involved in motorcycle dragracing and saw very little participation from teenagers or early 20's wanting to get involved. Now that seems to be changing a bit. There are more younger people showing up and getting back into it. It seems motorcycles may have skipped a generation, but I think there is hope. I see it with people wanting to learn hands on trades and work on engines, etc. Younger people seem to be getting back into it.

It appears you may be onto something....

The USA’s New Top-Selling Motorcycle Brand May Surprise You: It Shouldn’t Though

"Team Green makes some of, if not the best, entry-level motorcycles across multiple platforms, namely the Kawasaki Ninja 500".

[jim d]

I have bought a number of new Harleys over the last 50 years, mostly all touring bikes which I was riding a good amount. Doing some long distance trips most every year. The last two have been Hertiage models a 2020 that had 35K on it and a 2024 Hydra Glide base on the Softail platform. I think the later model Hertiage Softail bikes are the best bang for your buck. And don’t have nearly as much electronic controls on them.. But a lot of the other manufacturers are loaded with electronic controls and carry high prices similar to Harley. And for the most part I don’t care for their styling which looks like a angry insect to me.

[droptopford]

... And for the most part I don’t care for their styling which looks like a angry insect to me.

They're just designing the looks to match the sound.

[BigLakeBob]

They're just designing the looks to match the sound.

Well described!

[Buster]

Just got to post my 3 cents worth on this. I have six Harleys but have never and never will buy a new one. Last times I have gone to a dealership to buy 50wt oil; one dealer employee told me I could not park in parking since my Shovelhead was leaking oil on the asphalt and at another time, I had a girl dressed like a pirate in the parts department tell me that Harley has never made a bike that used 50wt oil. In my opinion the last genuine Harley Davidson was the Evolution model. All models manufactured after that time are just bikes made to resemble and sound like authentic Harleys for sales purposes. I do have one late model Harley, a Twin Cam I use only for traveling distance. If it broke down at home, I would not trust anyone in my local dealership repair it. If it broke down on a long trip, there would be some Harley dealers that would not work on it since they would consider a Twin Cam to be obsolete. I probably have not been in a dealership in last approx. 10 or more years and do not plan to go in one again. Harley has created their own problems, and I have no symphony for them. Now, I feel better.