Two more gone - Plymouth & Southampton Harley Davidson
Discussion
ChocolateFrog said:
Wonder how many they've sold to someone under 40 this year?
Any?
According to this the average age of a Harley buyer is 44-45 (worldwide) which is the same as an average BMW rider.Any?
Both way lower than the UK average motorcyclist which is mid-50s I think?
Pretty much all larger capacity motorcycles in the UK are now toys rather than transport, and Harleys, more so than most. But owning a Harley is, for many, not just about the toy itself, but all the bike and lifestyle add-ons that go with it, all of which come at significant cost.
It doesn't surprise me that the it's that end of the market that has suffered (relatively) most in a time when money is tight.
It's always sad when any dealer goes down the pan and I feel for those who worked in these dealers. Let's hope things recover soon and new dealers open to fill the gaps.
As for the average age of a Harley rider vs. other makes, I would suspect that, in the UK, the average Harley rider is significantly older than riders of almost any other make. It's not just the style of bike but the fact that Harley appear to have done very little to attract young/novice riders to their brand, which many of the other manufactures have done.
It doesn't surprise me that the it's that end of the market that has suffered (relatively) most in a time when money is tight.
It's always sad when any dealer goes down the pan and I feel for those who worked in these dealers. Let's hope things recover soon and new dealers open to fill the gaps.
As for the average age of a Harley rider vs. other makes, I would suspect that, in the UK, the average Harley rider is significantly older than riders of almost any other make. It's not just the style of bike but the fact that Harley appear to have done very little to attract young/novice riders to their brand, which many of the other manufactures have done.
Rough101 said:
It’s the final chapter.
Does feel a little like that. Ebikes (legal and illegal) must have eaten into the scooter and 125 market, inflation and legislative climate into everything else. Gone are the days of £7k 600's and £9k 1000's, and that was for the good stuff, not the watered down third tier of a manufacturer's lineup.
I sold up this year, so did 2 or 3 mates.
That said I'm off to Motorcyle Live tomorrow so the industry can fleece me of a few more quid, might be my last visit.
That's a shame, though not entirely surprising. The Harley image is rather off-putting to the younger generation, the whole scene around them is frankly a bit odd and the pricing puts them out of reach of all but ageing boomers who are getting too old to ride them. I've been in the the Southampton dealer for a look around and I'd say the average price of the bikes on sale must have been £25k+, some were pushing £40k.
Don't get me wrong, I like some of the bikes and would happily have a Fatboy in my garage but they're simply too rich for me.
Don't get me wrong, I like some of the bikes and would happily have a Fatboy in my garage but they're simply too rich for me.
With regards the whole HD 'lifestyle' thing I read somewhere that in the US they made the money on the finance and the bike was just a way to sell the finance to the customer. I'd imagine the same for the majority of factories now?
Look at the price of clothing too. Sell the bike at cost and make a killing selling the 'lifestyle'
Look at the price of clothing too. Sell the bike at cost and make a killing selling the 'lifestyle'
Lifeisalemon said:
And Triumph Plymouth have gone today, just announced on Facebook.
Was there just 2 months ago looking at 800XRT's and 900 GT pro's but they wanted top whack, so went elsewhere and bought virtually the same spec etc for £1500 less.....Bridge Triumph in Exeter have issued a statement saying they arent going anywhere gareth_r said:
The day before the Southampton Harley place opened, must have been 1996 or 97, there was an article in the local paper, it said if you turned up for the grand opening with a full bike licence you could take out a Harley.At the time I was riding a Honda VF1000F2, I took a mate pillion.
I went out on a short group ride on a Dyna Convertible, it was thought the bike was underwhelming in all regards, told the lady so and she handed me back my licence.
On the way home, up a slip road I unleashed the VF with my mate on the back, pulled a long low wheelie. A very memorable moment.
Never wanted a Harley since.
I have finally move on after owning my 883 for so many years, one quick trip to local HD dealer and they offering the same thing 20 years ago.
When the Japanese and European rival keep on making innovation change (for good or bad) HD keep the old fomular.
They living on a aging customer group with high price tag and fail to attract younger generation (if Street rod is the best they could comw up with they deserve to fail) This is a kicking they need to realise the world around them and they are failing to adapt.
When the Japanese and European rival keep on making innovation change (for good or bad) HD keep the old fomular.
They living on a aging customer group with high price tag and fail to attract younger generation (if Street rod is the best they could comw up with they deserve to fail) This is a kicking they need to realise the world around them and they are failing to adapt.
Lifeisalemon said:
And Triumph Plymouth have gone today, just announced on Facebook.
Thanks. I was looking at a bike on the Triumph Plymouth eBay page last Friday and their eBay shop was pulled while I had the tab open and eBay directed me to another a page with other eBay shops on them.Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 20th November 11:54
Tango13 said:
With regards the whole HD 'lifestyle' thing I read somewhere that in the US they made the money on the finance and the bike was just a way to sell the finance to the customer. I'd imagine the same for the majority of factories now?
Look at the price of clothing too. Sell the bike at cost and make a killing selling the 'lifestyle'
Autocar did a piece in the 00s saying Ford made more money on finance than they did making cars. A former US employer gave shares as part of the performance bonus. An American colleague used their annual share bonus to pay off the lease on their truck.Look at the price of clothing too. Sell the bike at cost and make a killing selling the 'lifestyle'
I walked and lost a £200 deposit on a 7 month old fully loaded Triumph Trident 660. The independent motorcycle supermarket type place selling it mentioned and pointed to the invoice, whoever had it before spent around £10K, that was because the Trident 660 was fully loaded but also as they had also bought a Triumph jacket.
Hardly hear Harleys these days and it looks like the target market may have moved onto the Triumph Rocket or Ducati Diavel as I see quite a few of them about in the summer.
Harley are in a tough spot as they haven't kept up with the times, back in the 80's and 90's they were perceived as cool due to the USA outlaw image and probably in the 00's as well with Sons of Anarchy but these days not so much.
Harley are in a tough spot as they haven't kept up with the times, back in the 80's and 90's they were perceived as cool due to the USA outlaw image and probably in the 00's as well with Sons of Anarchy but these days not so much.
kurokawa said:
I have finally move on after owning my 883 for so many years, one quick trip to local HD dealer and they offering the same thing 20 years ago.
When the Japanese and European rival keep on making innovation change (for good or bad) HD keep the old fomular.
They living on a aging customer group with high price tag and fail to attract younger generation (if Street rod is the best they could come up with they deserve to fail). This is a kicking they need to realise the world around them and they are failing to adapt.
As far as the Big Twins are concerned, H-D are hamstrung by their customers' image of a Harley - air-cooled 45° V-twin and all the rest, and by the fact that they didn't fail decades ago like Indian and Triumph.When the Japanese and European rival keep on making innovation change (for good or bad) HD keep the old fomular.
They living on a aging customer group with high price tag and fail to attract younger generation (if Street rod is the best they could come up with they deserve to fail). This is a kicking they need to realise the world around them and they are failing to adapt.
I do feel that they missed a trick with the new "Sportsters". Should have tried the Triumph "modern classic" idea as well as copying the Indian Scout (but what do I know?
).Edited by gareth_r on Wednesday 20th November 12:33
Biker9090 said:
Someone said elsewhere about them shutting factories in the US?
Are people finally realising 30k for 60hp isn't a good deal?
Fourth and Fifth lines of their statement, seems to be the same issues impacting on all motorcycle dealers in the UK:Are people finally realising 30k for 60hp isn't a good deal?
Others have opined that some people paid to stay home during lockdown may've bought motorcycles.
I was out on the motorbike over Saturday and Sunday. I got slightly wet. I put another layer on before the ride home on Sunday and I didn't get cold.
You cannot use the performance available on British roads without risking licence and points. I wasn't hanging around, and about 30 miles over the weekend were on narrow, single track in places, lanes but pleased my bike thinks my average MPG has increased by about 4MPG.
I've gone round the houses to say it's all about torque. I think H-Ds may have sufficient torque.
If motorcycles are a lifestyle pose because you can't use the performance on our roads then H-Ds may supply the requisite pose value.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff