[elcid1970]

“...the market is saturated with low mileage used [Harley-Davidson] bikes...”

Verrry interesting! Why should that be so?

[Sequoyah101]

Boomers are growing out of the Harley affection / affliction.

People who do ride discover they really want a comfortable bike and buy something else after selling the Harley and, if they are lucky, pocketing some cash.

The bikes never did get ridden that much because while they are cool they are not very comfortable. I made one 1,000 mile trip on one I was able to borrow and said never, never, never again on a Harley. No amout of cool is worth that much discomfort.

[rottndog]

“...the market is saturated with low mileage used [Harley-Davidson] bikes...”

Verrry interesting! Why should that be so?


For many, Harley is more of a lifestyle than a specific bike...lots of people see that and think they can buy into that lifestyle. But when they actually get on the bike and share space with much larger vehicles in traffic, it's not so appealing. People will spend a great deal of money on a new bike and all the accouterments, only to figure out that they really don't like to ride. So there are LOTS of low mileage and very low mileage bikes sitting in garages...and eventually those hit the used bike market.

This is exactly what happened in 2007...motorcycles became a fad and a status symbol, and the fad ended. Add that to the housing bubble collapse, and there was just too many very low mileage bikes on the market competing with new bikes. Supply and demand takes over, and new sales collapsed. I think we are in that position now.

But there is a big issue with Harley specifically...they are way overpriced, and notoriously unreliable. Not to mention very high maintenance costs in general. Harley has pushed the lifestyle instead of pushing a good product, actual motorcycles. They are reaping the rewards of what they have sown, and should be left to fend for themselves. Tariffs will only serve to help Harley continue to fail.

[discostu]

Motorcycles are a lot like boats. People really want them until they own them. Then they find out that in most weather riding sucks, and with the general lack of skill of American drivers it’s somewhat suicidal, so they sell it.

[RS_Rider]

““...the market is saturated with low mileage used [Harley-Davidson] bikes...”

Verrry interesting! Why should that be so?”

Texting drivers

[WVMnteer]

Because weekend warrior Baby Boomers are hitting old age and their wives are telling them to give up the bike before they kill themselves.