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Posted: 8/20/2017 6:41:47 PM EDT
I saw one yesterday that I liked the look of. Turns out it is this




So I look it up at http://www.cycleworld.com/2017-harley-davidson-softail-slim-s-0

$18,999.  Holy crap.

Serious question, what makes HD motorcycles so expensive?
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:43:50 PM EDT
[#1]
All the cutting edge engineering.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:45:13 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
I saw one yesterday that I liked the look of. Turns out it is this

http://www.cycleworld.com/sites/cycleworld.com/files/styles/medium_4x3/public/buyers_guide/2017/2017_Harley-Davidson_S-Series_Slim_4x3.jpg?itok=otnuuz4o

So I look it up at http://www.cycleworld.com/2017-harley-davidson-softail-slim-s-0

$18,999.  Holy crap.

Serious question, what makes HD motorcycles so expensive?
View Quote


Made with American labor.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:45:15 PM EDT
[#3]
That is the "S" model which has the bigger 110 inch motor.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:46:09 PM EDT
[#4]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
All the cutting edge engineering.
View Quote
On a Harley.....don't think so.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:46:33 PM EDT
[#5]
Branding.  They are that expensive because Harley buyers are willing to pay that price tag.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:46:35 PM EDT
[#6]
Kinda like buying a Colt AR when there is much better out there for the same price or less. The name.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:47:06 PM EDT
[#7]
Nice bike I like.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:48:24 PM EDT
[#8]
I ride one and I'll tell ya its not worth the money

I enjoy it but I don't enjoy it 2x more than I'd enjoy a jap bike for half the money
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:50:18 PM EDT
[#9]
Even BMW and KTM adventure bikes are more $$, and on the upper end BMW bikes, they sure could use better Suspension.

Unions$$ and demand too.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:51:21 PM EDT
[#10]
GD Harley thread.

In for the hate.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:53:42 PM EDT
[#11]
Also that paint adds at least $1,000 to the price.  Pictures don't begin to show how nice that color really is!!!!
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 6:56:42 PM EDT
[#12]
It's called a Slim . I have a 2014 and it has been a good bike .
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:02:04 PM EDT
[#13]
Because LOT's of people are stupid enough to pay that.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:04:00 PM EDT
[#14]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I ride one and I'll tell ya its not worth the money

I enjoy it but I don't enjoy it 2x more than I'd enjoy a jap bike for half the money
View Quote
I ride one. Had two Yamaha cruisers before; including the Road Star which was top of the line at that time. Wouldn't go back as the HD Road Glide outshines them all.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:05:17 PM EDT
[#15]
UAW
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:06:36 PM EDT
[#16]
You have to pay for the safety those loud pipes provide.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:07:07 PM EDT
[#17]
Think of the truck you could buy for that money.
With air conditioning, a roof, heat, a radio, etc...etc...

Motorcycle, ATV, side by side prices are just plain stupid.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:07:13 PM EDT
[#18]
Made in the USA.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:11:04 PM EDT
[#19]
The Japanese bike prices are getting up there and the new american made Indians are priced very close to the Harleys. Despite what you may think you know about bikes Harley still owns the segment and they make a good product. The top products are 20,000 bucks but they have cheaper models in every segment. No reason to believe that Harleys are over priced at this time.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:11:51 PM EDT
[#20]
Because Harley Davidson™
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:14:45 PM EDT
[#21]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
GD Harley thread.

In for the hate.
View Quote
Not a hate thread. I genuinely like the bike and would happily own it. Just wondering why the high cost. Materials, labor, R&D, etc?


The BMW, KTM, Triumph, Ducati, etc are packed with technology which helps explain their cost.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:16:13 PM EDT
[#22]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Also that paint adds at least $1,000 to the price.  Pictures don't begin to show how nice that color really is!!!!
View Quote
I rode behind that very bike yesterday (I on my Honda Ruckus ) It was a young guy riding, with Army plates, which made it even better. OEM pipes, so not loud.
and yup, truly gorgeous color.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:17:46 PM EDT
[#23]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Because Harley Davidson™
View Quote
This ..
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:19:05 PM EDT
[#24]
Harley has the best fit and finish of any bike out there in my opinion. They are as well built as anything on the market. They do not have the most power or technology. Their customers aren't interested in being the fastest or having the latest technological whizz bangs.

For the record I have six bikes from six different countries. Only one is a Harley and it is an antique. My daily ride is a 2016 BMW GSA. It is a technological wonder but the fit and finish isn't remotely in the same league as that Softail. Plus it cost more too ;)
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:19:07 PM EDT
[#25]
Everything is relative. Go compare the Harley and Honda Touring bikes.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:19:34 PM EDT
[#26]
I can say everything on my Harley is well made.  There isn't any chinese crap hardware or cast metal where there should be forged, etc.  In fact, I think it's better made than modern US made trucks.  The technology in that bike is incredible.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:21:51 PM EDT
[#27]
Ride one, then go ride some jap crap, it'll come to ya.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:22:05 PM EDT
[#28]
Dumb customers

Unions
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:22:06 PM EDT
[#29]



My favorite motorcycle is HD-expensive now, but it flies.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:23:53 PM EDT
[#30]
Fags.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:24:13 PM EDT
[#31]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
U don't ride....an Indian?




















I had to.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:24:31 PM EDT
[#32]
To each their own.

Not my thing at any price.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:24:40 PM EDT
[#33]
What makes Harleys so expensive?  Simple.  The United States Congress.  Back when HD was about to go bankrupt, in the '80s if I remember correctly, a bunch of politicians used that opportunity to "save an American Icon" and put a tariff on every imported motorcycle.  This artificially inflated the cost of all bikes and allowed Harley-Davidson to jack up the price of their bikes overnight until they could be profitable again.  It's been decades and HD doesn't need the help anymore, but when was the last time you saw the government repeal a tax?

And a quick search turns up this article from the NYT back in 1983 about this little bit of protectionism:  http://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/02/business/us-raises-tariff-for-motorcycles.html
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:24:51 PM EDT
[#34]
Bikers are the worst trash on earth. After seeing the picture you posted I may start cooking meth and join your ranks
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:25:39 PM EDT
[#35]
The letters: H. a. r. l. e. y.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:26:41 PM EDT
[#36]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


U don't ride....an Indian?




















I had to.
View Quote
That would be a little redundant, don't you think?
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:28:02 PM EDT
[#37]
You're paying for the American made labor, resale value and iconic feel.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:28:19 PM EDT
[#38]
Supply/demand.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:32:59 PM EDT
[#39]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Supply/demand.
View Quote
Yup....and right now, there's still enough in their market demographic to buy. This may change as their base grows a little older and other styles of motorcycle come into favor. Also, the overall market conditions for bikes overall over the long haul. Time will tell if the HD price has staying power. Adaptability to a changing market (whatever that may be) will be another factor.

They seem to be doing ok. They have done better in the past. They have also done worse.

If they can sell these.....and many of them for that price, then good for HD.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 7:49:07 PM EDT
[#40]
You're paying for the brand name and some towards dealer network, it's not supply/demand. Harley has posted negative quarter results for a long time now while other makers are going positive.

If I was buying an American made cruiser now I would be looking at an Indian.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 8:06:43 PM EDT
[#41]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
You're paying for the American made labor, resale value and iconic feel.
View Quote
The resale value is no longer true sadly.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 8:10:17 PM EDT
[#42]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Think of the truck you could buy for that money.
With air conditioning, a roof, heat, a radio, etc...etc...

Motorcycle, ATV, side by side prices are just plain stupid.
View Quote
I've considered bikes, even Harley's, and always paused when I considered the alternate uses for the cash.
ATVs prices are flat out nuts for recreational use, at least to me.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 8:17:37 PM EDT
[#43]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Ride one, then go ride some jap crap, it'll come to ya.
View Quote
I have owned Harleys, and Japanese bikes.
Harleys are quality built, but some Japanese bikes are equal or better quality than Harley.
Calling them "jap crap" is just ignorant.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 8:19:26 PM EDT
[#44]
Safest bikes on the road from what I hear....
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 8:19:31 PM EDT
[#45]
In a roundabout way... because they were recipients of yet another bailout a while ago.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 8:20:46 PM EDT
[#46]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
GD Harley thread.

In for the hate.
View Quote
Is it already Thursday?
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 8:25:02 PM EDT
[#47]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Branding.  They are that expensive because Harley buyers are willing to pay that price tag.
View Quote
Have you seen the guys who ride them?  Covered in HD shirt, hat, jeans, chaps, boots, underwear, etc. makes absolutely no sense to me to buy into a brand like that. Not my money though, so have at it fellas.
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 8:26:07 PM EDT
[#48]
Once you replace the seat, handlebars, cables, brakes, exhaust,front and rear suspension they handle and are quite comfortable

Motor doesn't last for shit. Do yourself a huge favor and get the extended warranty,

This is coming from a Harley snob. I have owned a few and a custom bike and even had a suzuki once. I have to admit i judge all bikes from my old hayabusa

Personally i will never spend more than 5k on a clean titled harley because your going to replace everything bolted to it anyhow
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 8:26:44 PM EDT
[#49]
And softtails suck, get a old dyna or fxr
Link Posted: 8/20/2017 8:33:17 PM EDT
[#50]
Supply and demand.  Lots of people are willing and able to pay that for a Harley.  If they didn't sell well, Harley would lower the prices.  Same reason Toyotas and iPhones command premium prices.
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