User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 6/21/2017 7:17:24 PM EDT
[#1]
http://www.autoblog.com/2017/06/21/harley-davidson-enters-race-to-buy-italian-rival-ducati-sources/
Uh, rival? Snicker. ETA: Porn at link: 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/21/2017 8:45:54 PM EDT
[#2]
Oh hell no!
So you have the worst bike manufacturer trying to buy one of the best...what could go wrong? 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/21/2017 8:48:15 PM EDT
[#3]
Harley just wants to know the secret of getting more than 70hp out of a V-twin.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/21/2017 8:53:42 PM EDT
[#4]
what could potentially go wrong with this acquisition
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/21/2017 8:53:45 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Oh hell no! So you have the worst bike manufacturer trying to buy one of the best...what could go wrong? Let me guess, Harley are idiots for building bikes that their customers want. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/21/2017 9:13:13 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yea Harley is a terrible brand. I mean other than the fact they sell more bikes in the U.S. than everyone else combined. And they are masters of marketing. Not to mention there bikes have been extremely high quality for the past I don't know...40 years. Let me guess, Harley are idiots for building bikes that their customers want. They are both boutique brands that make more from t-shirts than they do from selling bikes. It might be a pretty good partnership. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/21/2017 9:25:36 PM EDT
[#7]
10/30/2009 Never Forget.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/21/2017 11:56:57 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yea Harley is a terrible brand. I mean other than the fact they sell more bikes in the U.S. than everyone else combined. And they are masters of marketing. Not to mention their bikes have been extremely high quality for the past I don't know...40 years. Let me guess, Harley are idiots for building bikes that their customers want.
You have been mis informed, |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 12:02:16 AM EDT
[#9]
I don't see it happening.
I sure hope it doesnt. Two Duc owner here. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 12:37:19 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yea Harley is a terrible brand. I mean other than the fact they sell more bikes in the U.S. than everyone else combined. And they are masters of marketing. Not to mention their bikes have been extremely high quality for the past I don't know...40 years. Let me guess, Harley are idiots for building bikes that their customers want. 
Get the fuck outta here with that nonsense.
ETA: harley needs to stay far, far away from Ducati. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 12:43:21 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Get the fuck outta here with that nonsense. He didn't notice the bubble popping. It happened right about when the stupid chopper buildoff shows went the way of the dodo, and the motorcycle cake decorators over at OCC went broke. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 12:49:13 AM EDT
[#12]
Cool, now they can fuck Ducati like they fucked Buell.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 12:56:57 AM EDT
[#13]
HD bought and killed Buell. i'm sure they have the same in mind for Ducks
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 1:09:36 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
HD bought and killed Buell. i'm sure they have the same in mind for Ducks 
I say this as someone that owned and loved several Buell bikes. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 1:13:07 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
He didn't notice the bubble popping. It happened right about when the stupid chopper buildoff shows went the way of the dodo, and the motorcycle cake decorators over at OCC went broke. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 1:15:16 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Cool, now they can fuck Ducati like they fucked Buell. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 1:18:46 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yea Harley is a terrible brand. I mean other than the fact they sell more bikes in the U.S. than everyone else combined. And they are masters of marketing. Not to mention their bikes have been extremely high quality for the past I don't know...40 years. Let me guess, Harley are idiots for building bikes that their customers want. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 1:19:34 AM EDT
[#18]
Yeah, but think of the cool Ducati leather vests that will come out of this sweet deal.
Maybe Polaris is the other bidder...... |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 1:21:07 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What horrible mark in motorcycle history. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Cool, now they can fuck Ducati like they fucked Buell. This cannot end well. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 1:40:18 AM EDT
[#20]
It would be better if Ducati took over HD.
Former HD owner who had enough of exploding gearboxes.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 1:53:07 AM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
HD is a clothing and home accessories company. They have no idea how to make a competent motorcycle, and they will suffocate everyone in Ducati who does. This cannot end well. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 6:12:10 AM EDT
[#22]
Lorenzo riding for HD? Bwahahahahahaha!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 7:16:14 AM EDT
[#23]
It's obvious you guys are emotionally attached and trying to argue from your feelings. The fact is Harley does make a very high quality bike. The fact is despite "the bubble" they are still kicking the shit out of everyone's sales. The fact is they have a massive dealer presence.You may not like cruisers, you may be too cool to ride one, but those are the facts.
Now before you guys get all uppity and think I am biased, I am getting ready to ride to work on a BMW R1200 GSA. I am just open minded when it comes to business. Hell, I wish my company had the marketing of Harley. I wish I sold as many T-shirts as them. That is a very smart business move. And when we talk about Ducati their reputation is improving. Sure they were always considered sexy and a bit exotic. But also finicky and expensive. They really started to change that with the monster I think. But now what they are really doing right is their cheapest and their least powerful bike...the Scrambler. Which is being marketed to the hipster and fringe ADV crowd. So basically to have a bike that everyone in the industry is talking about they had to build a bike more people wanted and that actually meant going backwards...sounds familiar. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 7:27:24 AM EDT
[#24]
I don't see an upside for Ducati.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 7:34:29 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Cool, now they can fuck Ducati like they fucked Buell. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 7:37:07 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I don't see an upside for Ducati. If HD applies their philosophy of "Put trash components on bike, sell them slightly less trashy parts through parts counter", Ducatistas will immediately flee the brand. And trying to lure most HD riders away from the traditional cruiser doesn't work either. The V-Rod is a perfect example of that failed idea. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 7:50:36 AM EDT
[#27]
Except of course Harley has made V-rods for sixteen years and sold only God and the Motor company know how many. I see them all the time.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 7:56:41 AM EDT
[#28]
I am not happy with this. I don't think HD has the management or leadership or vision to make this a win for anybody. HD is losing business as the article says. If they cannot do a complete and successful makeover of the products, they are in trouble in my opinion.
The main market is going away and newer riders do not want 900 pound bikes with air cooled, overheating engines. One issue is liquid cooling. No idea how HD took a perfectly good engine (V-ROD) and wasted it. They are discontinuing the V-ROD. Of course, Porsche designed that motor. HD could not figure out how to design anything other than the 1903 engine that they still use today. The smaller VROD Junior bikes, the Street models, suck. They are made in India and are in NO WAY competitive with all the other mid size offerings out there. I personally think HD is in trouble. This coming from someone who has owned: three Ducatis (still own one), five Harleys (dumped last one in Feb), BMW, Hondas (own two now), Triumphs, Suzukis, Yamahas, etc. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 8:15:08 AM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I am not happy with this. I don't think HD has the management or leadership or vision to make this a win for anybody. HD is losing business as the article says. If they cannot do a complete and successful makeover of the products, they are in trouble in my opinion. The main market is going away and newer riders do not want 900 pound bikes with air cooled, overheating engines. One issue is liquid cooling. No idea how HD took a perfectly good engine (V-ROD) and wasted it. They are discontinuing the V-ROD. Of course, Porsche designed that motor. HD could not figure out how to design anything other than the 1903 engine that they still use today. The smaller VROD Junior bikes, the Street models, suck. They are made in India and are in NO WAY competitive with all the other mid size offerings out there. I personally think HD is in trouble. This coming from someone who has owned: three Ducatis (still own one), five Harleys (dumped last one in Feb), BMW, Hondas (own two now), Triumphs, Suzukis, Yamahas, etc. They beat everyone in sales and it's not just old people. Pretty sure they were #1 in the 25-35 age group too but I can't remember where I read that. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 8:15:41 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I am not happy with this. I don't think HD has the management or leadership or vision to make this a win for anybody. HD is losing business as the article says. If they cannot do a complete and successful makeover of the products, they are in trouble in my opinion. The main market is going away and newer riders do not want 900 pound bikes with air cooled, overheating engines. One issue is liquid cooling. No idea how HD took a perfectly good engine (V-ROD) and wasted it. They are discontinuing the V-ROD. Of course, Porsche designed that motor. HD could not figure out how to design anything other than the 1903 engine that they still use today. The smaller VROD Junior bikes, the Street models, suck. They are made in India and are in NO WAY competitive with all the other mid size offerings out there. I personally think HD is in trouble. This coming from someone who has owned: three Ducatis (still own one), five Harleys (dumped last one in Feb), BMW, Hondas (own two now), Triumphs, Suzukis, Yamahas, etc. I have been listening to Harley being in trouble for 25 years now. If Harley is in such bad shape than maybe Ducati should buy them instead. Personally I hate to see the purchase as well as I like the market to have variety and I hate to see old brands sold off. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 8:15:46 AM EDT
[#31]
If it happens, will we see the return of the XR1200 series of bikes?
Will we see Duc making more Moto Guzzi like bikes? Will HD pull Duc out of MotoGP? (That sells a lot of merchandise, so maybe not ;) ) |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 8:16:50 AM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Except of course Harley has made V-rods for sixteen years and sold only God and the Motor company know how many. I see them all the time. As the previous owner of several V-rods, they pretty much abandoned that bike the day it hit the showroom. It was never considered a Harley by the airheads. I heard "Hardly Davidson" too many times to care. I owned a first model 2002. In 15 years, it got a couple cosmetics, a fatter tire, 70cc, and a slipper clutch. Oooh! Dumped my most recent one last year for an XDiavel. Now THAT is an amazing motorcycle. It was developed as a V-rod killer, and HD took ONE look at it, and did just that. Killed the V-rod. Because figuring out how to get 50% more HP, at 80% of the weight, all while adding some amazing traction tech, was not going to happen at HD. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 8:18:06 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You say newer riders don't want a harley. I would like to know what you are basing that on. I feel like they are more popular now than they were 10-15 years ago. They beat everyone in sales and it's not just old people. Pretty sure they were #1 in the 25-35 age group too but I can't remember where I read that. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 8:22:42 AM EDT
[#34]
As for the V-rod...I despise the way they look. Have absolutely zero interest in them. I just know I see them riding around all the time.But is it really dead? We shall see. The bike was long in the tooth and needed some serious updates. I bet they dont abandon the motor. I have never, not once seen a Diavel off the showroom floor. But, Ducati sales are like a fart in the wind compared to Harley sales and I live in a place where Harleys are a life goal so it is no way a fair comparison.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 8:36:02 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You say newer riders don't want a harley. I would like to know what you are basing that on. I feel like they are more popular now than they were 10-15 years ago. They beat everyone in sales and it's not just old people. Pretty sure they were #1 in the 25-35 age group too but I can't remember where I read that. One difference you see from 10-15 years ago is a lack of sales to the white collar crowd. You used to see a Harley in just about every other driveway in my area in the early 2000's. Now there are none. I think I have seen only 2-3 Harleys on the road so far this year (and one was a vintage model). The doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc. of this generation aren't interested. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 9:14:58 AM EDT
[#36]
Maybe they will buy Ducati and then sell it back to Audi at a 25% loss...
Just like they did with MV (essentially paid the Cas brothers $20m to take back MV). |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 10:07:14 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Well, if you like em, you better grab one because this is their last year. Gone. Kaput. As the previous owner of several V-rods, they pretty much abandoned that bike the day it hit the showroom. It was never considered a Harley by the airheads. I heard "Hardly Davidson" too many times to care. I owned a first model 2002. In 15 years, it got a couple cosmetics, a fatter tire, 70cc, and a slipper clutch. Oooh! Dumped my most recent one last year for an XDiavel. Now THAT is an amazing motorcycle. It was developed as a V-rod killer, and HD took ONE look at it, and did just that. Killed the V-rod. Because figuring out how to get 50% more HP, at 80% of the weight, all while adding some amazing traction tech, was not going to happen at HD. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 10:21:35 AM EDT
[#38]
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/11-ducati-motorcycle-chat/667521-harley-make-bid-ducati-4.html
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 10:38:51 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Despite the fact this is only meant to be spurious and is completely untrue lets just pretend it is true... I say again, Harley builds the bike their customers want. I build log homes and I have a hydrodipping business. I don't design and build only the houses I want and if you come into my Hydrodipping and cerakote shop I promise I will let you pick the pattern or color. I loved the Buell idea but despite the handful of us that loved them the company saw the writing on the wall. They have been doing this for a long, long time and like all companies have their ups and downs but obviously they are a powerhouse. I have been listening to Harley being in trouble for 25 years now. If Harley is in such bad shape than maybe Ducati should buy them instead. Personally I hate to see the purchase as well as I like the market to have variety and I hate to see old brands sold off. 
Buell wasn't an "idea" of Harley. It was Americas greatest chance to bring real sports bikes to market and Harley kept them suppressed the whole time. I wish Erik never sold them a majority stake. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 10:42:58 AM EDT
[#40]
Desmo Harleys.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 10:53:19 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Oh hell no! So you have the worst bike manufacturer trying to buy one of the best...what could go wrong?
Will probably look elsewhere 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 11:08:12 AM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
As for the V-rod...I despise the way they look. Have absolutely zero interest in them. I just know I see them riding around all the time.But is it really dead? We shall see. The bike was long in the tooth and needed some serious updates. I bet they dont abandon the motor. I have never, not once seen a Diavel off the showroom floor. But, Ducati sales are like a fart in the wind compared to Harley sales and I live in a place where Harleys are a life goal so it is no way a fair comparison. But HD is looking hard at electric now, and I don't see them, with the new Milwaukee, figuring out how to put the revo in any of their current offerings. Electric makes loads of sense from a torque perspective, but again, would they put that in a traditional cruiser frame? I doubt it. And muh pipes? Looking at Ducati? It all looks to me like grasping at straws. HD has fallen on hard times before when traditional cruisers went out of fashion. AMF was a disaster, and HD doesn't know how to just scale down, lay low, and just wait for the next pendulum swing. But I don't want them buying Ducati. Hell no. They'll source parts from China, the dealerships will get surly and unappreciative, and the HD name wouldn't draw anyone to a Ducati bike. A lot would leave though. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 11:23:27 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Buell wasn't an "idea" of Harley. It was Americas greatest chance to bring real sports bikes to market and Harley kept them suppressed the whole time. I wish Erik never sold them a majority stake. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 11:26:41 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It would really be a shame to dump that motor, but I just don't know where they would put it if not the V-rod. The traditional crowd wants nothing to do with liquid cooled, and they're slowly being weaned with the new cooled heads. It's a far better HD motor than the shovel and twin cam I've had. But HD is looking hard at electric now, and I don't see them, with the new Milwaukee, figuring out how to put the revo in any of their current offerings. Electric makes loads of sense from a torque perspective, but again, would they put that in a traditional cruiser frame? I doubt it. And muh pipes? Looking at Ducati? It all looks to me like grasping at straws. HD has fallen on hard times before when traditional cruisers went out of fashion. AMF was a disaster, and HD doesn't know how to just scale down, lay low, and just wait for the next pendulum swing. But I don't want them buying Ducati. Hell no. They'll source parts from China, the dealerships will get surly and unappreciative, and the HD name wouldn't draw anyone to a Ducati bike. A lot would leave though. The only reasonable thing for Harley to do if they win the bid is to set up a better dealer network here in the US and market to more folks. Then step back and let Ducati be Ducati. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 11:26:53 AM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What horrible mark in motorcycle history. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 11:34:57 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It's obvious you guys are emotionally attached and trying to argue from your feelings. The fact is Harley does make a very high quality bike. Quote HistoryQuoted:
It's obvious you guys are emotionally attached and trying to argue from your feelings. The fact is Harley does make a very high quality bike. The study, conducted among the 3 million subscribers to the publication's magazine and website, had responses from 1 million automobile owners, and got responses from more than 11,000 motorcycle riders. They shared their experiences and opinions on more than 12,000 individual motorcycles purchased new from 2008 to 2014. The survey found that the Japanese brands Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Kawasaki were the most reliable brands, while Triumph, Ducati and BMW were, in the report's delicate language, "more repair-prone." Harley-Davidson owners are twice as likely to experience problems that require repairs as owners of the Japanese brands, with 26% of new bikes needing attention. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 11:38:30 AM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It would really be a shame to dump that motor, but I just don't know where they would put it if not the V-rod. The traditional crowd wants nothing to do with liquid cooled, and they're slowly being weaned with the new cooled heads. It's a far better HD motor than the shovel and twin cam I've had. But HD is looking hard at electric now, and I don't see them, with the new Milwaukee, figuring out how to put the revo in any of their current offerings. Electric makes loads of sense from a torque perspective, but again, would they put that in a traditional cruiser frame? I doubt it. And muh pipes? Looking at Ducati? It all looks to me like grasping at straws. HD has fallen on hard times before when traditional cruisers went out of fashion. AMF was a disaster, and HD doesn't know how to just scale down, lay low, and just wait for the next pendulum swing. But I don't want them buying Ducati. Hell no. They'll source parts from China, the dealerships will get surly and unappreciative, and the HD name wouldn't draw anyone to a Ducati bike. A lot would leave though. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
As for the V-rod...I despise the way they look. Have absolutely zero interest in them. I just know I see them riding around all the time.But is it really dead? We shall see. The bike was long in the tooth and needed some serious updates. I bet they dont abandon the motor. I have never, not once seen a Diavel off the showroom floor. But, Ducati sales are like a fart in the wind compared to Harley sales and I live in a place where Harleys are a life goal so it is no way a fair comparison. But HD is looking hard at electric now, and I don't see them, with the new Milwaukee, figuring out how to put the revo in any of their current offerings. Electric makes loads of sense from a torque perspective, but again, would they put that in a traditional cruiser frame? I doubt it. And muh pipes? Looking at Ducati? It all looks to me like grasping at straws. HD has fallen on hard times before when traditional cruisers went out of fashion. AMF was a disaster, and HD doesn't know how to just scale down, lay low, and just wait for the next pendulum swing. But I don't want them buying Ducati. Hell no. They'll source parts from China, the dealerships will get surly and unappreciative, and the HD name wouldn't draw anyone to a Ducati bike. A lot would leave though. I ended up with a VTX in 02 after looking at a bunch of bikes but she he Vrod never appealed to me. Give me something similar to a Dyna Glide with that motor and it would have been pretty appealing. I think it probably could have worked in a touring bike as well where it would be a lost easier to hide it with cowling. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 11:50:17 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That is actually a lie. http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-consumer-reports-motorcycle-ratings-20160127-story.html |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 12:04:46 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I always thought they messed up by not offering the Vrod motor in at least one traditional looking cruiser rather than jumping in with a whole new platform. They could have solidified the drivetrain and then offered the new platform down the road. I ended up with a VTX in 02 after looking at a bunch of bikes but she he Vrod never appealed to me. Give me something similar to a Dyna Glide with that motor and it would have been pretty appealing. I think it probably could have worked in a touring bike as well where it would be a lost easier to hide it with cowling. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/22/2017 12:11:23 PM EDT
[#50]
Ducati has a passion for engineering, performance, style, and racing.
Harley Davidson has a passion for marketing. I hope this doesn't happen. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
