nklr: short write-up on h-d waning market

[Lourd Baltimore]

http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/17/autos/harley_davidson_fall.fortune/index.htm?hpt=C2 Probably not news to many of us on the list, but a lightly interesting read. The article mentioned H-D getting rid of Buell and MV Augusta.However, it was never mentioned how to solve their woes from an R & D perspective.That is, what sort of new products would help H-D in the face of their dwindling core market segment.I'm no business man, but I would think that's the lifeblood of any serious company that would ensure survival. One thing I did not realize is they were selling over 300K bikes at their peak and predicting 400K in 2007!I find it hard to believe they did not foresee a drop in sales with the rate of bike they were producing. Anyways.  I never plan on buying a Harley or buying into the lifestyle, but I do wish them the best of luck as an American company.I would hope that they start making products that I (and the other market segments they've left untapped) want. In the meantime, give some love to the other US underdogs: Highland MotorcyclesThis is what you get when a Swede gets invited to Oklahoma to build v-twin and single-cylinder off-road and road bikes!Some of these are insane.http://www.ushighland.com/bike_gallery.php Fischer Motor CompanyHailing from my native Maryland.  Yeah it's a 650 Hyosung v-twin (similar design to the SV-650 engine), but they make the frames and try to source many parts from the US.  Ohlins suspenders and Brembo stoppers are standard.  A nice, American sport bike for less than $8,000.http://www.fischer1.com/Fischer_Motorcycle.htm The re-incarnation of BuellWhat can you say, that man is a thoughtful and driven motorcycle maker.  If anything, he's untethered now and probably a bit wiser after his separation from H-D.http://www.erikbuellracing.com/ ATKMakers of off-road bikes.  However, they seem to have a cunning new plan to resell Hyosung cruisers in select H-D dealerships.  The plan is for these bikes to be feeder models for customers who will eventually move on to an H-D big twin.  Sounds like a familiar story.http://www.atkusa.com If I've left any good ones out, please add to the list. Josh.

[Fred Hink]

You may find this interesting... http://motorsportsnewswire.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/harley-davidson-inc-declares-dividend-0916103/   I say the reason for the downturn on sales of new Harleys is totally the result of the economy.   It's tough all over. Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com     [b]From:[/b] lourd_baltimore@... [b]Sent:[/b] Monday, September 20, 2010 3:35 AM [b]To:[/b] dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] NKLR: Short Write-Up on H-D Waning Market  

http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/17/autos/harley_davidson_fall.fortune/index.htm?hpt=C2 Probably not news to many of us on the list, but a lightly interesting read.

[Horton Oliphant]

I just read that three of the main people of the Highland Motorcycle company were killed in a plane crash! Bummer!  Alan Henderson A13 Iowa n the meantime, give some love to the other US underdogs:

Highland Motorcycles This is what you get when a Swede gets invited to Oklahoma to build v-twin and single-cylinder off-road and road bikes! Some of these are insane. http://www.ushighland.com/bike_gallery.php

[Kevin Powers]

How would you like to be a dealer who took out a loan to pay for the HD corporate mandated "boutique" showroom upgrade? Those guys were also required to take on a lot of inventory so that HD could tout a sales record for their anniversary year. -- Kevin Powers White Bear Lake, MN

On Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 11:55 AM, Fred Hink wrote: You may find this interesting... http://motorsportsnewswire.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/harley-davidson-inc-declares-dividend-0916103/ I say the reason for the downturn on sales of new Harleys is totally the result of the economy. It's tough all over. Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com