TRUMP CURSE: Fabled American Company Slumps After Defying The Donald [H-D]

constitution.com ^ | July 24, 2018 | By Andrew West

[wmileo]

"HD products are over priced for what they are, especially when compared products offered by competitors of HD."

Is Indian one of those considered a serious competitor to HD? I asked because my son-in-law is considering a bike purchase (used or new) in 2019.

[Red Badger]

Our HD dealer has DOZENS of ‘Black Chrome’ bikes he cant sell.

They all look like they were painted with a spray can of flat black Rustoleum grill paint........

[Red Badger]

Yes,..................

[Red Badger]

Correct, thanks............

[BitWielder1]

Aren't most bikers patriots?

[Reno89519]

Actions have consequences. Shame on Harley-Davidson.

[DoodleDawg]

...sales in Asia dropped 7.1 percent.

Dropping out of TPP left them liable for tariffs. That's why they're shifting manufacturing to Thailand as well. Harley has a host of problems but one thing is sure. Manufacturing bikes here for foreign markets makes no sense because of the tariffs levied on them. Harley's best chance for growth is still overseas. They may well go out of business anyway. But without overseas markets that death will come sooner rather than later.

[Pravious]

It’s not a “Trump curse” - it’s called you abandoned our country in order to make some bean counter happy by making your crap overseas - and the American people said “screw you. We’ll ride OTHER motorcycles, losers.”

Good thing.

Now if we could only figure out a way to get Hollywood out of the country...

[Red Badger]

That is true, but they ain’t stupid..................

[mad_as_he$$]

The local Harley dealer is next to the gun range that I frequent. I am always shocked at the number of new bikes in their inventory. They spend hours every day just moving them around to open and close.

[Red Badger]

True, but overseas markets already have Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, Benelli, MotoGuzzi, etc.

[Red Badger]

Same here...............

[BitWielder1]

If HD is dissing the President, there are other American made MC brands to choose from.
Could that be what many are doing.
I'm not a biker myself so I'm asking.

[deport]

A good article comparing the two company's history
dated Mar 9, 2018 from Popular Mechanics.

Indian Motorcycle Is Coming for Harley-Davidson's Throne

[Salamander]

Snortin’

;D

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Actually, the growth trend over in Europe and the sluggish demand in US was already a feature well before H-D decided to move production overseas. And that overseas move itself was a result of this trend, not because of Trump’s tariffs. When H-D claims that the tariffs are the reason, they are being disingenuous.

Of course, this article riffing on this years-long trend as if it just started appears to be blatant pro-Trump propaganda.

[Salamander]

Considering that the vast majority of bikers voted for Trump, HD must have lost their freaking minds.

[Red Badger]

HD has been in financial trouble for quite a while.

Their bikes are ‘old school’ and their customer base is shrinking.

They have modernized to an extent, but not enough.........

[Macoozie]

Nearly 100 years ago, HD made the best, the fastest , and most tecnically advanced bikes in the world. For decades now, they haven’t.
Lots of other choices out there.
Some company should make a standard model for tall (6ft+) riders.

[Red Badger]

Went to the Indian Dealer in Pensacola back in the Spring. It was crowded.

The HD Dealer was across the street. Nobody there...............