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And really, they had a golden opportunity right after DMG ran all the factories off.
I mean, effin Daytona was won with shop and garage teams for those few years.
Even his last bike, which was really cool, what was it. A 950 or something? Only problem was, it didn't fit any of the mainstream roadracingworld classes.
And really, they stuck with Buell for what, a decade?
If they were tech robbers with him, seems to me they would have pulled a Hero or scrap dealer thing.
U know, a year or 2 and then throw him to the curb.
Man, thinking about it it still pisses me off. Both HD and Eric could have us, America, in the hunt maybe not in motogp, but hey, everywhere else.
I dunno Average Joe. They canned The Griffin Project about the same time they did Buell. Maybe the bean counters told corporate hey, it's beginning to look like AMF all over, time to cut back and make sure we stay alive. And u can't fault them for that.
And their P&A has been way higher profit center even when their demand height in the 1990s.
Imagine if Honda sold CRFs AND they owned the biggest market share in aftermarket wheels, clutches, pipes, pegs, bars AND moto pants, boots, helmets, gloves, and apparel. Pretty impressive.
That said, no one wants their dad's "overpriced noisemaker". I agree and I have probably owned as many as 50 Harleys in my 40 years of riding bikes. When HD took off in the mid 1980s, the culture was completely different and primed to own a piece of Americana. But that biker culture and today's could not be more different. Harley needs to reinvent themselves in a declining street bike market. Not at all sure how they do it? Smaller bikes, less expensive bikes, some different styling? I hope they figure it out.
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
That one is not interested in building something only to sell asap, for pure monetary gain, is by no means an indicator of ambition. Or the lack thereof.
Hopefully this is an exception to the rule and HD can bring some economies of scale advantages to lower the price point and overcome supply issues they may have been facing.
How do u know what he will do?
You don't.
All we know is he's now not a player with his company, that vision, and the well being of those that helped him get there.
And yes, it's his right to sell, just as its Harley's right
to buy and do whatever they want with it.
And say what you will, HD are, and have been, one of the largest motorcycle companies, for longer than anyone. Anyone.
Debate that.
I dunno. It just seems to me, there's a ton out there, looking to design an app on what something should do, rather than doing something themself.
Pit Row
The fact that people are trying to draw parallels of any of these reported acquisitions to the Buell deal is laughable.
Keith Wandell was the demise of the Buell program, he believed that the historical Harley core customer (baby boomer) was the way to recover from the recession.
At this juncture it appears Harley is making an effort to build the foundation for a robust electric lineup. I, as a patriotic American would only wish the best for any American based company to be successful. The Alta deal strikes a sour note with all of us because I believe there was/is something truly special with their products. There is very little information available with the Harley investment and immediate 180 but I think it's short sighted to blame them for Alta's demise. Harley didn't formulate the Alta business plan.
Get rid of the fluff and get back to doing what they did well, making big cruisers.
And it worked. Both times.
The Alta thing, we went rounds here awhile back about that. Someone even put up a link to an interview one of the founders at Alta did on some business site.
Apparently the plan was to make a high performance, quality bike that would enter and win race events . Which would then create enough hype
to attract enough investors to take it to the next level. Which was to be the first electric 4 wheeler side by side. They were right on one thing, the 4 wheeler side by sides are one of the hottest segments in off road right now. That's where the big payoff was.
They just miscalculated on the cash flow needed to get there. It wasn't HD at fault. HD probably did what they did thinking there was something there they could use, and saw there wasn't. So they backed off. So what. That's business.
No, the Alta failure was all on those guys that designed the original business model. They got close, but no cigar. I agree with chase. Nobody's fault but their own.
Which is a bummer, I was really hoping they would pull it off.
Will the electric thing save HD? I have my doubts.
I mean, look at electric cars, look at solar power. Even with the massive government grants, that stuff still just creeps along. What makes them think bikes will be different, I just don't know.
As far as electric saving HD. With the current proposed future gas models and a full electric line I say they survive. It's going to be tough again for a while until they find their new identity but ultimately they will pull through.
I also believe that Alta was extremely close to success and that their business model was a calculated risk. Such a shame. As a motorcycle enthusiast, fan, and consumer both of these business decisions are huge losses, which is why they evoke so much emotion from many.
Sure.
But I answer to no one. Well, my customers at times.
I keep people warm when it's cold.
And cool when it's hot.
The beer at the local bar is cold, the meat in the walkin box won't go bad, because of what I do.
I give guys that want a job, and a trade if they stick around long enough to pick it up.
In other words, I make my own way.
What about you?
Edit. This was a response to someone that apparently had a question for me,
had second thoughts, and deleted his post. Kum by ya, bro.
They have shown, they will cut back, layoff, and close plants without batting an eye.
And believe it or not, there are still a few younger guys that want orange and black.
Enough to feed the monster at its present size, I'd think no. Even with the strong overseas sales they presently have.
They are survivors, have been, for over a century, and hopefully will be around for another one.
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