| Author |
Message |
    
Ezblast
| | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2010 - 01:33 am: | 
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Yeah - HD could sell that - but they will never think of it.
EZ |
Hr_puffinstuff
| | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2010 - 08:20 am: |
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starter chaps.
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Tramp
| | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2010 - 08:37 am: |
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That Blue & Yellow Blast is THE baddest looking Buell I've ever seen!
dang! |
Elvis
| | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2010 - 08:58 am: |
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I think they can easily build a cool little affordable cruiser around the Blast engine, but here's the thing:
Willie G. would have never allowed it.
I don't see eye-to-eye with Willie G. on many things. He's a form-over-function guy and I'm a function-over-form person, but Harley is a form-over-function brand.
Willie G. Understands the brand far better than Keith Wandell ever could (and I'm willing to admit I don't truly "get" the brand myself in the way a true devotee such as Willie G. does).
Willie G. Understands that he can sell low-performing bikes at high prices because he's not selling a motorcycle, he's selling an image.
If you're selling an image, you have to be very careful to protect that image and when he had more of a say, Willie G. understood and protected that image.
Part of the Harley image is that it's a "man's bike". It's a big, heavy bike. It's also expensive, but in the Harley mind-set it's worth that price.
A small, low-priced beginner bike is going to seriously damage that image. When debutantes are getting "Harleys" for their sweet-sixteen parties, what will that do to the brand?
Wandell is destroying the brand. If he has his way, he'll source the cheapest parts he can to create bikes that will be - except for the shield - indistinguishable from the metric cruisers.
The fact that he would suggest they might move out of Milwaukee illustrates that he doesn't understand the history and heritage of the brand that has managed for so long to get people to pay too much for their bikes.
The fact that he would dump Buell and refuse to sell them illustrates that he doesn't understand the spirit of the Harley brand - that used to stand for freedom, individuality, American Manufacturing and just plain coolness.
What he did to Buell clearly illustrated that the Harley management doesn't actually believe in any of those ideas.
Even though I'm not a "Harley guy", I can, in some form, recognize and appreciate the unique things they do and I hope they continue to offer their unique vision for the next 100 years.
. . . but unless Wandell can be removed before he does too much long-term damage, I'm afraid we may be in the final days of Harley being a truly unique and iconic brand. |
Birdy
| | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2010 - 04:14 pm: |
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Don't cha mean Harrey Daviyson-Chin?
I was in a Stealership for the first time in over a year to get a hand full of gaskets, O-rings and filters today. Really made me sad to think what could have been.
BUT Erik'll be back and I'll sell the XB and buy what he brings to market and H-D can go down the tubes for all I care. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2010 - 06:09 pm: |
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that MX 250 is still selling for obscene rates
A light right priced well powered DS/SM bike with flat track styling could have filled the need on so many levels
1) The adventure market continues to grow
2) Light weight bike a good entry into heavier brands in the ling
3) An inexpensive alternative to keep people off of rice/pasta/kraut/panda/kurry
4) Offer the trade in package incentive
5) a bike they will never build because it makes too much sense.
dumb azz MBA too much academia not enough riding passion. |
Barker
| | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2010 - 07:47 pm: |
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XR500X? |
2kx1
| | Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2010 - 06:28 am: |
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They will probably just copy what Mac motorcycles was trying to produce.
HD's creativity is gone and anyone can make what they have done with a couple cans of semigloss spray paint. |
Babired
| | Posted on Monday, July 05, 2010 - 12:31 pm: |
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HD's creativity is bland, restrictive, and old. When Erik Buell Racing started to put merchandise out it was a huge eye opener to me. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, July 05, 2010 - 02:19 pm: |
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Made in India, guaranteed. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Monday, July 05, 2010 - 03:24 pm: |
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The bikes will be imported as completely built units (CBUs). That's why there is 100 per cent import duty. However, we will see how the market matures and we are open to manufacturing in India if it is viable. We are here to create a new culture of leisure riding,” said Mr Prakash.
Included in the Harley-Davidson range of bikes is the FXDC Super Glide Custom, priced at Rs 15.40 lakh ex-showroom, which will enable cruiser bike enthusiasts to add custom modifications to the motorcycle.
Healthcare went to Mumbai... Harley Next.
Hell I wonder what a beach cabana sells for? |
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