Waving to become extinct

[Maha]

There was a time when Fat Boys weaved.

And now they go to weaving classes....

Going by those figures, AMPs would have over 40% of the market share in Auckland?

[Big Dave]

Could be more if all the Suzukis and Yamahas were sold in Chch eg.

Sounds implausible though

[Slyer]

Hardly surprising considering that they don't sell any bikes under 750 and how expensive they are compared to other bikes.
Over 750cc must be what... 25% of the market?

Honda would still dominate overall.

On a side note, the XR1200 is one of the few Harleys I would actually consider buying. Good bike Big Dave?

[Big Dave]

I think it's a very good street or 'standard' motorcycle, Yeah.

Nice character v-twin with 90 something horsepower, showa suspension, nissin brakes, and dunlop qualifier rubber.
Perty thang too.

Good round town and as a day rider. No so good for a passenger or a long tour. Horses -> courses.

$17.5k. Ya know!

[KiWiP]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Harley-Davidson Inc reported a larger-than-expected quarterly loss on Friday and warned that 2010 would continue to present challenges, sending its shares down more than 4 percent

full article - http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/pro...22&id=11050844

I understood HD to be in the shit since this is their 4th quarter loss with no outs. They have massive borrowing and their outdated manufacturing processes are causing them to be more expensive than the market can bear. Yes they are selling more bikes but at such a price they are not making any profit. A business can not go on for too long like this.
Even though they are haemorrhageing money they still gave a 10c dividend in December. ("PLEASE don't sack us" squeak the board) They are restructuring but is it too late?

[Big Dave]

their outdated manufacturing processes are causing them to be more expensive

I think the expensive thing is US Union Labour - and you know, they are currently not *that* expensive.

Where it turned to custard is at the consumer end. Their typical US customer is hurting financially and recreational vehicles aren't on the agenda.

The product and its pricing is currently the best it has been in my time riding and following the brand.

[Big Dave]

Vehicles over 650cc.

[McJim]

I am so pleased not to be going with the crowd
It's all about individuality.

[KiWiP]

I think the expensive thing is US Union Labour - and you know, they are currently not *that* expensive.

Where it turned to custard is at the consumer end. Their typical US customer is hurting financially and recreational vehicles aren't on the agenda.

The product and its pricing is currently the best it has been in my time riding and following the brand.

Agree and I did say

more expensive than the market can bear.

Their core market is blokes with a lot of disposable income. There were a good few of them a few years ago but with falling investments worldwide this disposable income has dried up. This may be the same for all sectors of biking but if your margins are very tight (as with HD and high labour costs, and inefficient production) you need to sell a lot of bikes to overcome this shortfall in profits.

[Big Dave]

Yeah - and they have been doing some rather heavy pruning too.

[Elysium]

Yep..the number of retiring baby boomers is sure getting large.

[Big Dave]

Yeah - more disposable income as they get older. Not necessarily retired though. Of the two friends of mine that bought a Hog this month - one is a CEO of a health group, the other is Journo.

[Bren]

Give me a Rat over a Hog anyday

[Big Dave]

I like both. New Thunderbird I could quite happily ride the wheels off too.

[R6_kid:Me]

I saw no less than four Harley Davidson Iron 883's within about 15mins today. Are they the new GSXR?

From the advert "looking cool doesn't have to be expensive"...