Does make me wonder if HD would be better off coming up with a seperate marque for these bikes, something in the spirit of Scion or Genesis. I'm sure the marketeers thought about it
It's all about price. If they sold bikes for what Yamaha sells, they would be ahead of everyone. But that will never happen. Ever. HD can only be a premium expensive motorcycle.
It worked so well with Buell...
HD was the American made MC....how much of an HD is fullly US made, not just assembled?
I don't think it has anything to do with price. In the article, Cameron notes Packard as being a brand people aspired to own. Just like HD. Maybe not ALL the people but enough of them. If you cheapen that you loose that "enough of them" portion.
I owned a Harley for a while. I always liked them and still do, but it was completely wrong for the type of riding I do, where I live and the roads I prefer. In short it didn't deliver what I want in terms of function from a motorcycle, and I wouldn't have been any more satisfied with it at half the price I paid.
HD was a working man's bike . Now it's pretty close to elitist Street Glide for 30k is not a working man's bike . This is amplified in Canada with only 6 months riding .
It worked so well with Buell...
Also, Toyota folded the Scion brand because it's goal of appealing to a younger demographic failed
...So, yes they are an expensive bike for middle and upper middle class riders. Unless they import from India and Thailand, that's the way it's going to stay.