Harley Davidson ran a one-page ad in the Wall Street Journal (May 11, see below) appealing to the public to join their fight against the 56% EU tariffs against HD motorcycles. Thought this was a clever ad since it build awareness for their issue while also serving as a ad for their latest Pan America adventure bike featured at the top.
That's probably to cover the cost of picking up all of the nuts and bolts that fall off 'em...... Joking! ish...
These clowns flood the media with ads. Why not spend your ad budget on engineering and you might have something worthwhile to sell ? ...J.D.
I've got to say though that they are being hit because they are an icon of Americana. Trade retaliations targeting the US, target H-D. That isn't fair to them and, like the ad says, they had nothing to do with it. And yes, they have to start making more models people—especially younger riders—would want to buy.
I may be totally wrong here but wasn’t it a trump thing to impose tariffs on various goods from the EU and thats what they got in retaliation ????? You and HD said it, retaliation. If so, fairs fair...
Someone shared this with me. H-D has been a beneficiary (and instigator) of import tariffs on foreign bikes to protect their US market share. What goes around, comes around! Source: 1983 Motorcycle Tariffs, Wikipedia
These companies that market thier product so agressively are like politicians. The more they talk, the less I like them. ...J.D.
This from the same company who enjoyed massively increased import tariffs on Japanese bikes back in the 70's and 80's as the Government tried to protect them against falling sales? Deal with it! Also who in their right mind would buy that bike over here or in Europe as opposed to a GS or Tiger?
Personally, I have nothing against Harleys. Had one for 10 years w/out a single hitch and I beat the absolute everloving sh-t out of it. My Triumph on the other hand had a warranty issue about a month after riding it off the showroom so there's that. Also- the design team engineers for the Evolution Motor, the engine that is credited with saving HD, were by and large recruited from Mercedes. Harley people on the other hand I often can't stand, but then there's nothing more pathetic than someone who completely defines themselves by one aspect of their lives, and that describes MANY Harley riders. I've had to teach a couple of them a lesson or two on the road after they tried to school me in traffic, obviously not realizing what an absolute ferocious beast the Speed Twin is.
FYI- 6 mos from purchase and currently dealing with my 2nd warranty issue. I’ve been bikeless for a week and a half waiting on whether or not Triumph will even honor the warranty. Again… 10 yr Harley rider, not a single issue.
I am a lot more picky. You don't get to sell me crap, charge an outrageous price for it. THEN when it's auto-disassembly mode kicks in due to vibration, they expect you to buy another one. I am not that stupid. ...J.D.
Well then read my previous posts in this thread concerning HD vs my current Triumph. Trust me… the truth hurts. The only thing I can add to that is the old "if it has wheels, tits, floats, f*cks, or flies it's going to be a pain in the ass" adage. That reason and that reason alone is why I give my beloved Speed Twin a pass… and I just got her back from her 3rd warranty issue in 6 months. She's been laid up back at the dealer for like 20% of the cummulative time I've owned her so far.
GOLGATHA: If you notice, my newest Triumph is 19 years old. I am not buying their stuff either. I am not real pleased with the direction the industry is going, but H-D is last on my list. Don't like their bikes. Don't like the company propaganda. Don't like the image they portray. For now my money stays in the bank. ...J.D.
Without providing any references / citations etc...as these are readily available. As noted above, the US generally dislikes anyone producing something competitively priced e.g. lumber, steel, aluminium, vehicles, oil, nat. gas....etc. They simply cry It's not fair! (I'm not talking about Chinese & others dumping on the market as we all suffer that). The new regime is equally, if not more protective, and has already shutdown some agreements with Canada as a result... As for Aluminium tariffs from CA to US - they didn't even realize that CA provides much of the Al to keep their rolling mills, extrusion plants, etc. operating! Everyone, including Canada, is always complaining it's not fair, for one reason or another. Anyway, back to the topic, after all these years, I still can't truly understand why people over here "worship" H-D's - sure, they can look pretty, but.... The answer is to vote with your wallet i.e. cash (remember that stuff?) …and definitely not with your consumer credit card or finance options!
