HD & Millennials Part Duex

[SnoBrdr]

It has been an iconic American staple since 1903, but in a world where motorcycle rider numbers have been fast falling and core loyalists are hanging up their leathers, Harley-Davidson (HD) has unveiled some bold changes to appeal to a crucial upcoming audience.

Just don’t call them millennials. In the brand’s view, it’s all about individuals and customizing.

“We definitely want to attract young riders, the 18-34 year-olds,” Paul James, Director of HD's Motorcycle Product Planning, told Fox News. “Bikes that are nimble, easy-to-ride and easy to park … but still motorcycles that you don’t throw away, passed on from generation to generation.”

This week, the motorcycle giant revealed a game-changing 2018 lineup – in line with its 115th anniversary and quest to add two million new Harley riders to the roughly 8.5 million total U.S ridership by 2027.

http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2017/08/23/ ... nders.html

Rest of the story there.

[5speed]

they canned the v-rod as well as the Dyna line.

[northwood]

Glad I am 35. Never been interested in any HD I have ever ridden. I am no millennial.

[Lucien Harpress]

As a millennial (I'm 29), I have to say HD is over-thinking it. Customization? Size? Model? All great points, but don't mean anything if it's not affordable.

I can't speak for everyone my age, but quite a few people won't, and are no longer able to, shell out extra money just for a name. Young people still ride Harleys, but 99% of them go for Sportsters, and mostly just for the cost.

Simple fact is that the money just ain't there anymore. I mean, I wouldn't mind owning a HD (there's a couple models that don't look half bad), but the sad fact is that, with my income and other obligations, there's no way I'd ever be able to afford them.

[SnoBrdr]

As a millennial (I'm 29), I have to say HD is over-thinking it. Customization? Size? Model? All great points, but don't mean anything if it's not affordable.

I can't speak for everyone my age, but quite a few people won't, and are no longer able to, shell out extra money just for a name. Young people still ride Harleys, but 99% of them go for Sportsters, and mostly just for the cost.

Simple fact is that the money just ain't there anymore. I mean, I wouldn't mind owning a HD (there's a couple models that don't look half bad), but the sad fact is that, with my income and other obligations, there's no way I'd ever be able to afford them.

That's sadly true for many, many people who are not millennials.

The days of lots of disposable income are sadly gone.

[5speed]

As a millennial (I'm 29), I have to say HD is over-thinking it. Customization? Size? Model? All great points, but don't mean anything if it's not affordable.

I can't speak for everyone my age, but quite a few people won't, and are no longer able to, shell out extra money just for a name. Young people still ride Harleys, but 99% of them go for Sportsters, and mostly just for the cost.

Simple fact is that the money just ain't there anymore. I mean, I wouldn't mind owning a HD (there's a couple models that don't look half bad), but the sad fact is that, with my income and other obligations, there's no way I'd ever be able to afford them.

That's sadly true for many, many people who are not millennials.

The days of lots of disposable income are sadly gone.

exactly. I would love to own a road glide...but at $38K+. I've never paid that for a car or truck..I'm certainly not going to spend it on something I can only enjoy 5 months of the year when my $800 1100 does the exact same thing.

[JSBail]

Not to mention there are so many used HD's available to choose from. Just a rough guess but 75 to 80% of the bikes I see on my local Craig's List are HD's. I personally know quite a few HD owners but only 1 of them had the funds to purchase theirs brand new, all the others bought a used one.

[Moto nut]

I agree, I could never afford a new HD unless I gave up a lot of my other hobbies and that's not going to happen, I bought a 04 roadking in 06 for $12000 and immediately sought out a big bore kit with cams, pushrods, cyclinders, pistons, also bought oil pump, clutch, dive belt, etc. for when things fail, because I knew if I waited till something failed I'd have to pay more now than what I paid, so far good 35000 miles later I still have all those parts in the cabinet, and this will be the last bike to go when I can't ride anymore.....if then... and yes if I could afford a new Harley I would buy one, also a Ducati, BMW, Honda, Triumph, and anything else with 2 wheels

[duke182]

I am fifty.
GenX, or so im told.
I own a harley.
Only way that happened was the guy who owned the bike wanted some of my junk more than I did.
We made a trade.
I got the bike and a bunch of space.
Had I wanted a new HD, I would still be wanting.
Imo if they want to sell more bikes, they need to get the money right.

[Beetleman]

Not to mention there are so many used HD's available to choose from. Just a rough guess but 75 to 80% of the bikes I see on my local Craig's List are HD's. I personally know quite a few HD owners but only 1 of them had the funds to purchase theirs brand new, all the others bought a used one.

I wish craigslist and cycletrader had a "no Harley" filter, it would save alot of time looking at bikes.

As far as melinials not having money or a good paying job, that's just part of being in your 20's. I've never met any body in their 20's that had money, unless their parents had money. Wait until you get in your mid thirties, then employers will start to take you a little more serious.

[x01660]

I think the issue is performance;

I'm sorry, but lean angle, braking and cornering are FAR more important to me than chrome and "heritage".

You know its sad when you can smoke most HD's on the road on a 38 year old motorcycle....

Sound is cool, but when that's what you're banking on (to the extent that they have -or tried to get- a patent) that instead of any metric (standard, more like ) of performance or reliability, you're gonna have a tough sell....

But we all know that opinions are like, well.....

And I am also a "millennial" (29).

And as much as I love my country, the Japanese know how to build a good motorcycle, and put HOG to shame....

[desertrefugee]

I'm sorry, but lean angle, braking and cornering are FAR more important to me than chrome and "heritage".

Boy, do I agree with this. But, I also cannot subscribe to the "lifestyle" and requisite pirate costume and persona. Almost seems to be a requirement.

[robin1731]

No different than the Gold Wing people with stuffed animals and vests on with their "club" colors. They are still riding motorcycles and enjoying life. We don't have to like what other's do but they have the right to do it.

.

[Dirty Dave]

I like some Harleys that I've tried like the Fat Bob.

What bugs me is that I hardly ever see any HD rider wearing a full face helmet. I always pass HD riders hunkered down beneath overpasses in the rain. Rain hurts your face at 60 mph. My buddy who did a face plant off his 76 Wing would be scarred for life, broken jaw and brand new teeth if had been sporting one o' them skull caps.

[desertrefugee]

No different than the Gold Wing people with stuffed animals and vests on with their "club" colors. They are still riding motorcycles and enjoying life. We don't have to like what other's do but they have the right to do it.

.

Actually, to extend this just a bit, I didn't pass judgement. I said I couldn't play along (subscribe). They have a right to play that way. I have a right to go in other directions.

I will say that I'm getting more "waves" from Harley riders than I ever did. I'm not sure why, but it suggests a more diversified, open-minded Harley clientele.