I think the new CEO's approach will be a disaster. He wants to make fewer and fewer bikes, so Harley can charge full MSRP for them. That's right, make more of the same, only fewer, and charge more for them! He seems to think he can turn HD into Ferrari! One of the main reasons Harley sales are in the tank now is they've simply gotten way too expensive for the average income (and even above average income) rider. Add in the "aging out' of the baby-boomer ridership and you have the problem Harley Davidson finds itself in.
Every ex-Harley ride I know says the same thing, the bikes have gotten too heavy for them. Harley needs to put some R&D into cutting the weight off their touring bikes, so old farts like me can extend their riding years. Set a goal of cutting 100 lbs off their bloated 900+ lbs full dressers. Use whatever exotic carbon fiber, magnesium, aluminum and (dare I say it) plastic that's needed. Don't see how it could cost any more that their $30,000 and up CVO's cost now. Call them "Electra-Lites" or "Ultra-Lites," but just get the weight down. 900+ lbs. with a tank of gas...Jesus!
