2012 Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two and Softail Slim Preview

[sarnali2]

Originally Posted by schizuki

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

Just sayin.'

Boy is that a coincidence or what? sheese...

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by sarnali2

Boy is that a coincidence or what? sheese...

Yeah well after that liquid-cooled boxer comes out it will drop all the way to 52 1/2.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

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.

Prolem is that too much attention is placed on HD's future when in fact the Boomers account for most of the Big4 sales too. When I was a teenager in the 60's everyone wanted a bike. Kids today seem to be far less interested.

[The Spaceman]

Have you ever had a Softail Slim's $5 shake? I don't know if that shake's worth five dollars, but it's pretty damn good.

[The_AirHawk]

Motorcycles is DANGEROUS, Yo! I might buy one, if they could like, put two more wheels on it, and surround the occupants with a cage or somethin', an' Airbags, an' AC, an' Heated Leather Seats, an' a Jammin'-big Stereo with a DVD/MP3 Player with a 9" HD LCD screen.....

You know - like a Goldwing....

[12er]

Originally Posted by The_AirHawk

Motorcycles is DANGEROUS, Yo! I might buy one, if they could like, put two more wheels on it, and surround the occupants with a cage or somethin', an' Airbags, an' AC, an' Heated Leather Seats, an' a Jammin'-big Stereo with a DVD/MP3 Player with a 9" HD LCD screen.....

You know - like a Goldwing....

Its hard to text on your bike, hence todays youth having nothing to do with bikes.

[schizuki]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Prolem is that too much attention is placed on HD's future when in fact the Boomers account for most of the Big4 sales too.

And that's the bottom line. Any talk of what post-Boomers are going to want to ride in ten years is speculation. Although they sure seem to be digging Sportsters.

I really don't see any manufacturer in any better position than Harley. I'd worry more about BMW. I'd bet several paychecks that a survey of 20-somethings would yield far more interest in H-D than BMW by a factor of about 20 to 1.

[schizuki]

Originally Posted by The_AirHawk

Motorcycles is DANGEROUS, Yo! I might buy one, if they could like, put two more wheels on it, and surround the occupants with a cage or somethin', an' Airbags, an' AC, an' Heated Leather Seats, an' a Jammin'-big Stereo with a DVD/MP3 Player with a 9" HD LCD screen.....

You know - like a Goldwing....

Airhawk is alive!

We were wondering where ya been, sunshine. Good to see you're kicking.

[schizuki]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

Have you ever had a Softail Slim's $5 shake? I don't know if that shake's worth five dollars, but it's pretty damn good.

Tell Marilyn Monroe to bring me one over.

[sarnali2]

Originally Posted by schizuki

Airhawk is alive!

We were wondering where ya been, sunshine. Good to see you're kicking.

Yeah where the hell ya been you ol sum' b*tch? we's worried about ya!