Harley-Davidson is the most well-known American motorcycle brand in the world, but that status may be preventing the company’s future growth. Its core customers helped the company reach new heights, but Harley is facing challenges reaching new customers. And without new riders, the company might slowly erode.
Rise and Fall Of Harley-Davidson
Rider thoughts:
Harley Davidson is a life style company masquerading as a motorcycle company. What they have done over the decades is brilliant! They sell a vertically integrated dream: from the motorcycle to the clothing to the ethos! They pioneered social media before the internet. They command a premium price and get it. If they try to be something they are not they will fail. Recall the dismal AMF years. A Harley is not for everyone, but isn’t that the point!
Harley-Davidson stock price
Harley’s core demographic have aged and they have ignored young motorcyclist around the world for the better part which is why time and time new products failed to bring the success of old classic models They’re exorbitantly overpriced for what they are. The selling of a rebel image crap doesn’t work anymore, consumers are clever and picky than ever before that’s why they lean towards brands which offers much more ie Triumph. The motorcycle are basic, heavy, underpowered and did I say overpriced compared to other premium brands. For the better part, they ignored the shift in motorcycle culture a few years ago supersport were all the rage then it shifted to retro roadster and cafe racer then to a huge shift to adventure and touring… While all these were happening Harley was stuck with making 80hp 500 lb cruiser for the “Rebel.” The biggest offence was ignoring the giant Asian market. Harley made little to no effort to bring a small capacity motorcycle for Asian market even though they already established dealership in major cities.
One thing I see being older myself, is that Harley Davidson used to make many more bikes, from affordable mini bikes for kids, dirt bikes, and smaller cc bikes, all of them are collectibles that we grew up with. Remember, all of those smaller bikes took us to bigger Harleys. It was a starting stone for younger kids to say when I get older I will own me an Electra Glide or a Wide Glide and it was something to look forward too and work for. Today, all Harley’s are big and expensive and taking away the hope of owning one or to grow into a bigger bike as you get older. I hope Harley Davidson see’s this and starts once again to put smiles on kids faces and provide for them a means of growing into a bigger bike as it once use to be. Come on Mr Harley Davidson create it again, it worked once, and will work again. Just look and the monkey bike making a come back, people still want cool stuff and you certainly can create it for them.
