HARLEY DAVIDSON SPEAKS TO "DECLINING BIKE SALES”,BLAMING MILLENIALS.

dirtmike86
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dirtmike86 5/7/2019 9:00am
5/7/2019 9:00am
77Moto wrote:
But most millennials can't think for themselves. The rest could figure out how to hitch the horses to the wagon. Why do you think newer cars...
But most millennials can't think for themselves.

The rest could figure out how to hitch the horses to the wagon. Why do you think newer cars come with tire pressure monitoring systems?

Most can't use a tire gauge or know how to read the door jamb label or the max tire pressure on the tire. They need a screen to tell them to go to the dealer because the tire is low.


dirtmike86 wrote:
Pretty sure that's not why they invented tpms.
77Moto wrote:
Of course not, but did your verhicle insurance go down because now the vehicle is supposed to be "Safer" with correct pressures all the time? NOPE...
Of course not, but did your verhicle insurance go down because now the vehicle is supposed to be "Safer" with correct pressures all the time? NOPE. And the pressure is never exact anyway. As long as it is "In range"

But it did make people dumber and spend money at the dealer.

What about lane change warning indicators, and all the other crap they add to avoid accidents?
Any of that lower vehicle insurance because you might get into less accidents? NOPE.

Insurance went UP, because the cost to fix all this shit in an accident is way more expensive to fix and you're paying to insure a way more expensive vehicle.

Have accidents decreased? NOPE. Because now instead of people looking before they change lanes, they just yank it over and take out the guy next to them. Or they rear end them hoping the rig will stop itself.

And insurance companies never lose money long term.

Seriously, I don't need my seat to vibrate and a voice warning when I get close to the lane stripes.

Hey, I'am all for taking warning labels off everything and letting these idiots figure shit out the hard way.
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Buzzard167
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Buzzard167 5/7/2019 9:00am
5/7/2019 9:00am
Whenever I see a group of Harley riders come into the bar I always have to ask myself "bikers or bondage enthusiasts?"
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Dirty Points 5/7/2019 9:01am
5/7/2019 9:01am Edited Date/Time 5/7/2019 9:03am
77Moto wrote:
But most millennials can't think for themselves. The rest could figure out how to hitch the horses to the wagon. Why do you think newer cars...
But most millennials can't think for themselves.

The rest could figure out how to hitch the horses to the wagon. Why do you think newer cars come with tire pressure monitoring systems?

Most can't use a tire gauge or know how to read the door jamb label or the max tire pressure on the tire. They need a screen to tell them to go to the dealer because the tire is low.


dirtmike86 wrote:
Pretty sure that's not why they invented tpms.
77Moto wrote:
Of course not, but did your verhicle insurance go down because now the vehicle is supposed to be "Safer" with correct pressures all the time? NOPE...
Of course not, but did your verhicle insurance go down because now the vehicle is supposed to be "Safer" with correct pressures all the time? NOPE. And the pressure is never exact anyway. As long as it is "In range"

But it did make people dumber and spend money at the dealer.

What about lane change warning indicators, and all the other crap they add to avoid accidents?
Any of that lower vehicle insurance because you might get into less accidents? NOPE.

Insurance went UP, because the cost to fix all this shit in an accident is way more expensive to fix and you're paying to insure a way more expensive vehicle.

Have accidents decreased? NOPE. Because now instead of people looking before they change lanes, they just yank it over and take out the guy next to them. Or they rear end them hoping the rig will stop itself.

And insurance companies never lose money long term.

Seriously, I don't need my seat to vibrate and a voice warning when I get close to the lane stripes.

Either way, your notion that luxury/automatic features were added to vehicles to target millenials is so far off of the manufacturers' marketing and design demographic target, it is laughable.
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526
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526 5/7/2019 9:08am
5/7/2019 9:08am
sam hain wrote:
HR manager at the company I worked for in college was a Harley poser. 11months of the year he was clean cut, high end cloths, clean...
HR manager at the company I worked for in college was a Harley poser. 11months of the year he was clean cut, high end cloths, clean shaved, neat haircut. A month before bike week he stopped shaving and let he hair grow, dude would go to bike week in Daytona with a scruffy beard and long hair (dress like a pirate Smile ) and put on the Harley tough guy act for a week then come back with a haircut and cleaned shaved again. People in the company caught on to what he was doing and talked about him behind his back and laughed at him. Sad IMO to do all that shit to fit in and be someone you're not just to impress people.
Sierra Ranger wrote:
I wonder if anybody looks at motocrossers that way? (Pssst...that dude over there like to dress up in a neon costume every weekend and risks his...
I wonder if anybody looks at motocrossers that way? (Pssst...that dude over there like to dress up in a neon costume every weekend and risks his life for a $5 plastic trophy in that sport where everybody sits around and drinks Monster Energy. What a weirdo) Woohoo
Exactly those in glass houses should throw stones or do they laugh because 25 yrs ago MX suspension was horrible and they had steel handlebars, wore open face helmets because they can't let anything go and keep bringing things that happened 20,30,40 yrs ago like nothing ever progressed?

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tprice07
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tprice07 5/7/2019 9:11am
5/7/2019 9:11am
Millennials aren't buying homes
Millennials aren't buying cars
Millennials aren't having kids
Millennials aren't getting married
Millennials aren't buying harley's

Meanwhile, Harley ships their factories overseas and we are the assholes.

Dear Harley, you build an overpriced product that this generation can't afford. Do some market research and adapt.
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aFACEdismembered 5/7/2019 9:11am
5/7/2019 9:11am
kb228 wrote:
People who make comments like that about millennials are really out of touch. Youre talking about a small percentage of students at berkley in california. Not...
People who make comments like that about millennials are really out of touch. Youre talking about a small percentage of students at berkley in california. Not millennials
captmoto wrote:
Dead fucking wrong. Talk to anybody that runs or manages a business, The attitudes of millenials sucks out loud and isn't contained in Berkley at all.
Theirs that saying "Evolve or Die" and if you're trying to market or interact with millenials the same way you would to Boomers or Gen X you'll be disappointed. We grew up in a different world with different expectations. We're more invested in having a work/life balance We also have the ability to research anything we want before making a purchase so there's less "impulse" decisions and more justified decisions. Our attitudes are not shitty, you're just approaching us wrong. We have personal problems your generation NEVER had to deal with growing up because they didn't exist in the social constructs of your society.
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peltier626
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peltier626 5/7/2019 9:13am
5/7/2019 9:13am Edited Date/Time 5/7/2019 11:06am
Sierra Ranger wrote:
I wonder if anybody looks at motocrossers that way? (Pssst...that dude over there like to dress up in a neon costume every weekend and risks his...
I wonder if anybody looks at motocrossers that way? (Pssst...that dude over there like to dress up in a neon costume every weekend and risks his life for a $5 plastic trophy in that sport where everybody sits around and drinks Monster Energy. What a weirdo) Woohoo
I had a fellow employee ask me why do we dress like power rangers to ride our bikes. I laughed my a$$ off because I couldn't really give him any logical response. I'm 37 and I guess I fall into the millennial category but do not by any means fit the typical stereotype but do find their reasoning hilarious.
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ZM956
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ZM956 5/7/2019 9:19am
5/7/2019 9:19am
I'm a millenial. Ever since I was a kid I loved being in the shop with my dad whether he was working on his Harley's or our dirtbikes. I'm 26 now, and I have a dirt scoot and also my ole HD super glide. Bought used, nothing fancy, and none of that bs chrome or screaming eagle shit. I do all my own maintenance and work for the most part on both my machines, and you won't find one Harley t shirt in my closet.. or leather haha. With that being said, you won't ever catch me buying a new bike from HD or casually shop in the dealership. They would rather have some joe blow who doesn't know how to turn a wrench instead of a normal dude like me who just enjoys riding and anything two wheels in general. As much as I poke fun at Harley, and the posers that come with it, I still can't bring myself to buy anything other than a HD machine! Shits weird I know, but I firmly believe HD should be pointing the finger right back at them for their decline in sales.
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Prestonb769
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Prestonb769 5/7/2019 9:23am
5/7/2019 9:23am
Maybe we don't want to buy Harley's because they are $30,000 bikes that are not fast, can't stop, can't turn, weigh 800+ pounds, and have a 50+ year old design..

Always love the "funny" jokes that the "know it all generation" comes up with. Geee wiz there ol' johnny, that was a knee slapper.
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byke
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byke 5/7/2019 9:29am
5/7/2019 9:29am
SeaClassExpert wrote:
There is a 200% chance that the OP who posted this is A. 50+ years old B. Thought this was genuinely funny C. Thinks chili's and...
There is a 200% chance that the OP who posted this is

A. 50+ years old
B. Thought this was genuinely funny
C. Thinks chili's and Applebee's are fine dining
D. Send memes they find funny to their co-workers in an email, along with funny dog videos on Facebook

Delete your account and this post you fossil
All caps and copy/paste chainmail give it away?
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aFACEdismembered 5/7/2019 9:30am
5/7/2019 9:30am
Replace "planet" with literally anything their generations ruined and blames us for.
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SeaClassExpert 5/7/2019 9:31am
5/7/2019 9:31am
byke wrote:
All caps and copy/paste chainmail give it away?
I imagine their eyesight is so poor because of age that they couldn't read the fucking text without all caps
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Canadad
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Canadad 5/7/2019 9:32am
5/7/2019 9:32am
After reading this thread, I realized the OP missed one....


24) Millennial's sensitivity to butthurt precludes them from riding any distance on a motorcycle seat
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kb228
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kb228 5/7/2019 9:33am
5/7/2019 9:33am Edited Date/Time 5/7/2019 10:36am
kb228 wrote:
People who make comments like that about millennials are really out of touch. Youre talking about a small percentage of students at berkley in california. Not...
People who make comments like that about millennials are really out of touch. Youre talking about a small percentage of students at berkley in california. Not millennials
captmoto wrote:
Dead fucking wrong. Talk to anybody that runs or manages a business, The attitudes of millenials sucks out loud and isn't contained in Berkley at all.
Two public figures; andy frisella & dave ramsey both have a majority of millennials working for their multi million dollar companies and they have nothing but good things to say about them.

The attitudes of people unwilling to do something sucks. Its not a millennial problem. Its a problem with losers from every generation. I know more losers that wont work over the age 35 than people my age(25).
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psg119
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psg119 5/7/2019 9:38am
5/7/2019 9:38am
There are a lot of people who have a lot to say about millennials on here. It's all relative. Am I lazy sometimes? Yes. But I can guarantee you every single person on here is at times. I like to kick back after a long week to have some beers and watch the races. But you can bet your ass I'm a hard worker. I bought my first house at 23. At my new age of 28 now (as of Saturday) my new wife and I are looking to sell my second home to buy a third in a nicer neighborhood to start a family. After the improvements I have made to this house I will also be able to buy a 4th house shortly after we get settled in our new home toward the end of the year with what I make off this sale. ALL of my friends have the same mindset as me. Some may be further than others but they also had better head starts with the way they were raised. In no way are my parents poor and I got to race motorcycles which a lot of other kids never had the opportunity to. But if I screwed up or didn't put in the work for school/training... bye bye racing. My parents taught me to work hard for what I want in life and the value of a hard earned dollar. Some of the people on here know I just recently started riding again with 8 years of not having a bike and not doing what I love. Most of that was due to family reasons and some of it was to help save money to spend on improving my homes. I can save a dollar, spin a wrench, swing a hammer, and can work a computer and smart phone too. And I know a ton of people my age like that, including some on here. It's pretty awesome. My parents raised me this way. That has everything to do with everything. Not what generation I was raised in.
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psg119
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psg119 5/7/2019 9:40am
5/7/2019 9:40am
kb228 wrote:
People who make comments like that about millennials are really out of touch. Youre talking about a small percentage of students at berkley in california. Not...
People who make comments like that about millennials are really out of touch. Youre talking about a small percentage of students at berkley in california. Not millennials
captmoto wrote:
Dead fucking wrong. Talk to anybody that runs or manages a business, The attitudes of millenials sucks out loud and isn't contained in Berkley at all.
kb228 wrote:
Two public figures; andy frisella & dave ramsey both have a majority of millennials working for their multi million dollar companies and they have nothing but...
Two public figures; andy frisella & dave ramsey both have a majority of millennials working for their multi million dollar companies and they have nothing but good things to say about them.

The attitudes of people unwilling to do something sucks. Its not a millennial problem. Its a problem with losers from every generation. I know more losers that wont work over the age 35 than people my age(25).
I know you mean "nothing but good things to say about them" because I listen to andy from time to time. haha.
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Spudnut
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Spudnut 5/7/2019 9:41am
5/7/2019 9:41am
Or Harley’s are just wack
aFACEdismembered 5/7/2019 9:41am
5/7/2019 9:41am
byke wrote:
All caps and copy/paste chainmail give it away?
SeaClassExpert wrote:
I imagine their eyesight is so poor because of age that they couldn't read the fucking text without all caps
Don't forget replying to the AllCo email instead of replying to the ONE person you're directing your response to so that all 84 people in the office have to see your stupid shit.
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psg119
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psg119 5/7/2019 9:50am
5/7/2019 9:50am Edited Date/Time 5/7/2019 9:50am
Also, the only way I'll buy a Harley is for flat track... used. And even then I'd probably buy a Japanese bike or Indian.
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scrallex
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scrallex 5/7/2019 9:52am
5/7/2019 9:52am
psg119 wrote:
Also, the only way I'll buy a Harley is for flat track... used. And even then I'd probably buy a Japanese bike or Indian.
Singles looks like way more fun anyway. I feel you, but I doubt I'll ever own HD, especially for flat track.

But what do I know I'm just a whiney millennial with a STEM degree, job, house, vehicles, and bikes. What do I know?
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psg119
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psg119 5/7/2019 9:55am
5/7/2019 9:55am
psg119 wrote:
Also, the only way I'll buy a Harley is for flat track... used. And even then I'd probably buy a Japanese bike or Indian.
scrallex wrote:
Singles looks like way more fun anyway. I feel you, but I doubt I'll ever own HD, especially for flat track. But what do I know...
Singles looks like way more fun anyway. I feel you, but I doubt I'll ever own HD, especially for flat track.

But what do I know I'm just a whiney millennial with a STEM degree, job, house, vehicles, and bikes. What do I know?
I agree. Singles are where it's at. Short track looks so fun.
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Indian_Dunes_4ever 5/7/2019 9:56am
5/7/2019 9:56am Edited Date/Time 5/7/2019 10:06am
Harleys.... not the best handling or best performing street bikes made...but it ain't about that. Ridden a lot of street bikes and nothing compares to a Harley for "soul". Raw and unrefined is the draw. I'm not a fan of the newer ones though...they're trying too hard to remake themselves.

To knock them and those who ride them is just ignorance....which this board excels at.

Yeah...I own a Springer Harley...no...I don't dress like a pirate with leather chaps/vests and such.



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Brad460
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Brad460 5/7/2019 9:57am
5/7/2019 9:57am
JohnnyD13 wrote:
Lol. Sad but true. Try to find one that can drive a stick shift.
whateversclever69 wrote:
Hi. Millennial here. I work 50 hours a week, bought a house when I was 22 solely off of my income and support my wife and...
Hi. Millennial here. I work 50 hours a week, bought a house when I was 22 solely off of my income and support my wife and daughter. I’ve purchased several motorcycles in adulthood without financing or help with a single dollar from anyone. I drive a stick shift Toyota, wear Levi’s that fit me well and am cool with gay people getting married and folks smolking pot.

Blanket statements and assumptions suck and so does this thread.
Typical Millennial- Easily offended...Everything you pointed out everyone else has been doing for years..

Did you want a trophy for leading a normal life?
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mattyhamz2 5/7/2019 10:00am
5/7/2019 10:00am
psg119 wrote:
There are a lot of people who have a lot to say about millennials on here. It's all relative. Am I lazy sometimes? Yes. But I...
There are a lot of people who have a lot to say about millennials on here. It's all relative. Am I lazy sometimes? Yes. But I can guarantee you every single person on here is at times. I like to kick back after a long week to have some beers and watch the races. But you can bet your ass I'm a hard worker. I bought my first house at 23. At my new age of 28 now (as of Saturday) my new wife and I are looking to sell my second home to buy a third in a nicer neighborhood to start a family. After the improvements I have made to this house I will also be able to buy a 4th house shortly after we get settled in our new home toward the end of the year with what I make off this sale. ALL of my friends have the same mindset as me. Some may be further than others but they also had better head starts with the way they were raised. In no way are my parents poor and I got to race motorcycles which a lot of other kids never had the opportunity to. But if I screwed up or didn't put in the work for school/training... bye bye racing. My parents taught me to work hard for what I want in life and the value of a hard earned dollar. Some of the people on here know I just recently started riding again with 8 years of not having a bike and not doing what I love. Most of that was due to family reasons and some of it was to help save money to spend on improving my homes. I can save a dollar, spin a wrench, swing a hammer, and can work a computer and smart phone too. And I know a ton of people my age like that, including some on here. It's pretty awesome. My parents raised me this way. That has everything to do with everything. Not what generation I was raised in.
There are quite a few homes for sale up this way and it's a great area to raise a family. A bunch of local tracks and tons of tracks in the hills Whistling
1
psg119
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psg119 5/7/2019 10:04am
5/7/2019 10:04am
JohnnyD13 wrote:
Lol. Sad but true. Try to find one that can drive a stick shift.
whateversclever69 wrote:
Hi. Millennial here. I work 50 hours a week, bought a house when I was 22 solely off of my income and support my wife and...
Hi. Millennial here. I work 50 hours a week, bought a house when I was 22 solely off of my income and support my wife and daughter. I’ve purchased several motorcycles in adulthood without financing or help with a single dollar from anyone. I drive a stick shift Toyota, wear Levi’s that fit me well and am cool with gay people getting married and folks smolking pot.

Blanket statements and assumptions suck and so does this thread.
Brad460 wrote:
Typical Millennial- Easily offended...Everything you pointed out everyone else has been doing for years..

Did you want a trophy for leading a normal life?
What he said goes against every millennial stereotype. He's doing everything your generation says we don't do. You seem easily offended at his success... Offer some respect instead of trophies.
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GoonRider93 5/7/2019 10:05am
5/7/2019 10:05am
People don't buy new Harley's because they're junk and overpriced. At this point they're relying on the brand name competently as quality has gone out the window.

Older Harley's? That's another subject altogether.
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aFACEdismembered 5/7/2019 10:09am
5/7/2019 10:09am
*says we're snowflakes and gets triggered when we do the "old school" thing and stand up to them*

"How dare you defend yourself with facts! Just sit there and take it "old school" like our generation did!"
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psg119
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psg119 5/7/2019 10:09am
5/7/2019 10:09am
psg119 wrote:
There are a lot of people who have a lot to say about millennials on here. It's all relative. Am I lazy sometimes? Yes. But I...
There are a lot of people who have a lot to say about millennials on here. It's all relative. Am I lazy sometimes? Yes. But I can guarantee you every single person on here is at times. I like to kick back after a long week to have some beers and watch the races. But you can bet your ass I'm a hard worker. I bought my first house at 23. At my new age of 28 now (as of Saturday) my new wife and I are looking to sell my second home to buy a third in a nicer neighborhood to start a family. After the improvements I have made to this house I will also be able to buy a 4th house shortly after we get settled in our new home toward the end of the year with what I make off this sale. ALL of my friends have the same mindset as me. Some may be further than others but they also had better head starts with the way they were raised. In no way are my parents poor and I got to race motorcycles which a lot of other kids never had the opportunity to. But if I screwed up or didn't put in the work for school/training... bye bye racing. My parents taught me to work hard for what I want in life and the value of a hard earned dollar. Some of the people on here know I just recently started riding again with 8 years of not having a bike and not doing what I love. Most of that was due to family reasons and some of it was to help save money to spend on improving my homes. I can save a dollar, spin a wrench, swing a hammer, and can work a computer and smart phone too. And I know a ton of people my age like that, including some on here. It's pretty awesome. My parents raised me this way. That has everything to do with everything. Not what generation I was raised in.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
There are quite a few homes for sale up this way and it's a great area to raise a family. A bunch of local tracks and...
There are quite a few homes for sale up this way and it's a great area to raise a family. A bunch of local tracks and tons of tracks in the hills Whistling
Alisa just got hired at Murrieta Valley School District so we will be heading down that way haha. That would be sick though! Whats the price point up there right now in your area?
BD233
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BD233 5/7/2019 10:13am
5/7/2019 10:13am
Indian's sales are strong though. Sounds like marketing and refusal to innovate to me.
vdrsnk04
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vdrsnk04 5/7/2019 10:19am
5/7/2019 10:19am
So what HD is saying is that the field of possible buyers of their motorcycles is changing, like our ever changing world...but it's the changing world's fault, not the fault of HD for not adapting to those changes, makes sense...

Then again, it's a typical thought process of HD.

Down the road when HD finally shuts down operations i will not be surprised. I've seen so many companies not adapt to the ever changing world. For all of them the world didn't change back to the past for them to succeed, they stuck to their ways and failed miserably...

Time will tell.

For me as a business owner. I don't care if my buyer is a millennial who only operates through life on a phone, I adjust and sell to them through using a phone, if my buyer is a baby boomer who only likes to operate through phone conversation and no computers, then i only sell to them through phone conversation. This is just an example. But what i am getting at is if you aren't adapting and moving forward, then you are quickly falling behind.
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