Harley Davidson CEO Forced To Resign.

[70 copo]

I think that's him.

[70 copo]

This is cool...

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/...xr750-replica/

[NorCam]

Mark...you just got that 65 FLH?

[Zedder]

No Graeme, that was a story that I posted on my FB page in 2016. I just cut and pasted it here However, I have made offers to get it and my 70 LS5 Corvette back this week

[GrumpyJeff]

Only homebuilt Pan & Knuck Choppers for me ! I did buy a 2017 Dyna Low Rider sport tho in the last year. And after talking a lot of smack on "newer" H-D"s for years , I gotta say it's a hell of a machine. But Harleys whole mystique is about the history & nostalgia. But as sad as it may be and as hard as Harley trys to market its brand & image it seems the younger guys just don't Care, or cant even afford too? My feeling is anybody who ever wanted a Harley already has one or Five ?!?! I grew up in a hard core Harley Lifestyle family and I'm afraid Harleys future is a sinking ship no matter who's in charge . the Nostalgia and History may be their only future ?

[70 copo]

Great Piece published yesterday by Business Insider that summarizes the current situation at HD and the current electric bike market in general:

https://www.businessinsider.com/elec...ecs-2020-3#-13

[70 copo]

A quote from HD as to the change in direction:

"In 2020 we will expand our focus from heavyweight motorcycle unit shipments to revenue from motorcycles and related products segment as a primary objective and measure for the year. This measure best reflects our comprehensive efforts to expand into new product segments and foster a customer-creation culture - one that is laser-focused on our riders and fans who are passionate about our great brand. Looking forward, our efforts will only intensify"

Link to Jalopnik article:

https://jalopnik.com/harley-davidson...ing-1842360193

[70 copo]

With the exit of Levatich and his replacement replacement, Jochen Zeitz, coming up with the "Hardwire" plan to return HD to its core marketing segment the hiring of Edel O’Sullivan to the position of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) has many who applauded the Zeitz moves scratching their heads and wondering aloud if She has ever owned a Harley or even ridden a motorcycle for that matter.

This will be interesting to see how this all plays out because She will need to have the strategic vision to help implement hardwire, which is by design an attempt to walk back to the core owner segment that Levatich literally tried to walk away from.

[Too Many Projects]

Not everyone wants a "Fat Boy"... Never did, never will. My Uncle bought a '47 74" Knucklehead after he got out of the Army and still owns it. I rode on it as young boy and drove it a few times as a young man. I've had a motorcycle every year but one since 1969. Mostly Honda's until 1975, when I bought a KZ 900, and yes the speedo needle will find the 160 mark. Traded that for a 1983 KZ1100D and kept that until 1998. I bought my first Harley in 1997 and the second in 2000. I had put my name on the wait list in 1997, just a short time before I bought a 1995. I sold that to get the 2000. Both are springer fronts with real spokes, just like they are supposed to be... Only feature I can't replicate is the tank shift.

[Stihl]

As pointed out, Harley has an aging customer base that in my area is selling/ trading in Harley's for ATV/UTV Side by Side recreation vehicles. They are not attracting new customers.
I started out as a kid riding dirt bikes, wishing for the day I could buy a Harley. I started with a Sportster. That is what I could afford. My last one was a Softail. My friends all grew up wanting Harleys also.
My son started on dirt bikes but never wanted a Harley. He bought a Kawasaki Ninja 500R. His friends are all in to the same bikes. That is the real issue for Harley. How to stay relevant when your core customer base is naturally declining.