Posted on 11/26/2007 4:14:57 PM PST by LibWhacker
MILWAUKEE
Some 5,400 Harley-Davidson Inc. workers are out of work this week as the motorcycle maker cuts production because of falling sales.
The Milwaukee-based company announced in September it would shut down production at plants in Wisconsin, Kansas City, Mo., and York, Pa., this week as part of a planned cut in production.
A shorter layoff is better than a long one, said Frank Larkin, a spokesman for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents workers at Harley-Davidson plants. At least workers were able to prepare for it, he said.
"We were informed early on this was being proposed and we were able to relate to our members they would need to begin planning financially for one week without a paycheck," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
I guess everybody who’s going to buy one already did?
Two kinds of bike owners: those that have fallen off and those who are about to.
I guess this sad news merits a modification of one stock-trading maxim:
“Hog-builders get slaughtered”.
I love America but you could not give me a Harley
I’ve owned 24 bikes so far and grew up in a machine shop.
I’m not interested in potato-potato-potato noise
over real technology.
The difference between a Harley and a Hoover Vacuum cleaner is that the Hoover has the dirt bag on the inside.
.....Bob
I wonder if Harley will be able to take advantage the weak dollar? Not just overseas, but Canada as well.
Guess they are running low on those late in life crisis clowns.
Real motorcycles:
Harley
BMW twin cylinder bikes
triumph bonneville
Goldwing...ok that’s japanese, but I don’t care. Its a dam good design.
Yamaha roadstar/warrior...ok that’s japanese too but it’s such a wonderful harley imitation that it gets a pass too.
A lot of boomers bought Harleys with home equity loans and extra discretionary income. I think that wave is over, without regard to the credit and housing markets. The motorcycle market is flooded now.
not if in places like south korea where folks would purchase them but for the 400 percent import duty.
owned one for years and no crisis pal, just one of many toys.
But you just sit back in a soft chair there little lady.
I hope you’re right. But a good indicator of the accuracy or your post would be to check the sales of other luxury items.
How do you tell the difference between a lady and a slut?
A slut can suck-start a Harley.
Three thoughts....
The motorcycle “fad” spurred on by shows like ‘American Chopper’ has run it’s course,
Which leads to a glut of hardly used motorcycles on the market undercutting new bike sales,
And a softening and uncertain economy which leads people to cut back on recreational spending.
True, but HD is also a fad that has run its course. All the 50-something boomers wanted one as a status symbol. Now they are passé. I'll buy the economic argument if things like boat sales trend in the same direction.
Also designed and built here in the States. And, most likely, has at least if not more 'American' content than the average Harley.
Sad thing is they don’t sound like that off the production line. People ‘adjust’ their bikes on purpose, on their own, to sound like that. Drives me up a wall.
It’s a violation in our area to make your motor vehicle (car or bike) to sound like that. They only go after cars. All the bikers b1tch it’s a safety thing. Well, I say if you want to be noticed, mandate all bikes have to be equipped with those friggin school bus strobe lights and keep the damn noise down.
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