2012 Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two and Softail Slim Preview

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by sarnali2

Well I still like the the 70's look Sporty, plus you don't have to worry about getting your bell bottoms stuck on the kickstarter and doing a face plant in front of the town Heat when you're drunk as sh*t like me and Dr Seruzawa did. A big plus for todays enlightened youth.....

Except that 70s Sportys had 18 and 19 inch wheels, not those stupid 16 inch rears. Did you know that you could hide several joints in the taillight?

[Duken4evr]

Some random thoughts -

Far too many of the "up and coming" generation are underemployed, broke, living in Mom & Dad's basement and saddled with at least 50K in student loans. I doubt they will form a strong base for Harley Davidson or anyone else for that matter. Where the economy is and how one's career starts after college graduation has a big impact on lifetime earnings potential. The trajectory and expectations get set. The kids are really not alright...

Seems the Japanese are in a funk. KTM is eating their lunch in the off road market and the ever escalating sport bike tech has reached a dead end of irrelevance. Dunno how 165hp at the rear wheel can be uninteresting, but Japan seems to be finding a way to make it so. Americans are not getting any smaller these days, yet the bikes are tiny. The average guy looks ridiculous on a 600cc sport bike, which costs over 10K by the way.

With the exception perhaps of the big Star bikes, the Japanese cruiser offerings have no soul. HD is in no real danger from them. I tend to like Victory, but to be honest, they lack the style of Harley too.

Seems Harley is doing well by staying the course. This contrasts with a world full of mindless BS like Jersey Shore and Kim Kardashian. Perhaps HD, (along with Ford as of late), is about the last consumer good produced by an American company that is at least perceived to be "authentic". Coming around to the idea that the boys in Milwaukee are smarter than I previously gave them credit for.

[Buzglyd]

Pretty damn good Duken.

Or as we said in the old days. . .

Best post here!

[sarnali2]

If I wasnt riding the GS I'd be on a Road Glide or possibly wait for the new Triumph Explorer, the Japanese just don't have anything that interests me. Maybe a Super Tenere` but realistically I'd get the Explorer or just keep the GS if I wanted an MUV. For a road bike HD's the only way to go, the whole package of quality, support and style is unbeatable.

Except maybe by an R1200RT........or if Triumph ever gets off the fence and builds a Trophy.... or even the Sprint GT which is pretty cool and doable if I wanted a sportier ride.....

[sarnali2]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Except that 70s Sportys had 18 and 19 inch wheels, not those stupid 16 inch rears. Did you know that you could hide several joints in the taillight?

That's true, I used to run Conti's on mine back when they were THE performance tire to have. We used to just take the left grip off and stick them in the handlebars...

[schizuki]

Originally Posted by sarnali2

Except maybe by an R1200RT........

Say, did you know the average age of a BMW rider is 53?

Just sayin.'

[schizuki]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

There is another generation on the way, maybe not as big as the boomers, but the idea that we have a dwindling population is just plain bogus.

I know, I was just making an academic point about how a statistic can't be judged in isolation.

[The Spaceman]

Originally Posted by schizuki

From your link:

"The average age of a Harley buyer is now about 47"

Ken, would you care to guess the average age of motorcyclists in general?

"In response to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Motorcycle Competitive Information Study, which reveals that the average rider age has increased from 40 in 2001 to 49 in 2010..."

Having facts is great. Having more is better. And analyzing them correctly is the important part.

I'm going to guess they're bout 49 years of age. How'd I do?

So the average age of motorcyclists is going up. That means the big "BB" bubble is moving off the right side of the chart. That's the same "nostalgia" bracket that went nuts for HD Big Twin bikes from the 90's to the early 2000's. Who is going to replace them, and are they going to be waiting in line to buy an Ultra or King like they were a decade ago? I think not.

How many HD dealerships have closed dealerships or changed owners in your area? 3 have between Ft. Lauderdale and Cocoa Beach.

[The Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

Pretty damn good Duken.

Or as we said in the old days. . .

Best post here!

Agreed, great post DK.

What part of the market is doing well? ADV bikes are worldwide. Standards (like the FZ- are picking up market share in the US. Low-cost, high-value bikes like the VStrom are selling very well.

Which HD models compete in those areas?

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

Agreed, great post DK.

What part of the market is doing well? ADV bikes are worldwide. Standards (like the FZ- are picking up market share in the US. Low-cost, high-value bikes like the VStrom are selling very well.

Which HD models compete in those areas?

The Buell Ulysses