Both Harleys and S&W revolvers . . .

[Erich]

. . . are likely to have prices coming down sharply on used ones in ten years or so. If you're young, you might consider investing accordingly.

Harley Will Ride or Die With the Graybeards
Milwaukee-based company focuses on high-end motorcycles, but some say it isn't cultivating the next generation of buyers. 'You get older, you actually realize it's a really cool thing.'

wsj.com

 

[Bald1]

I think the Harley thing blew up in early 2000 with all the custom chopper shows on tv. Watching market place and CL I see $30k-$50k choppers barely used that can't bring $10k today. The fad is over. And that's fine by me. Now when my wife and I roll up on a bar some Saturday afternoon there's actually a place to park. All the Johnny come lately types are on to other things

 

[Faulkner]

That's the least of the problems facing the next generation.

 

[Rodan]

Don't forget Hot Rods and 60's Musclecars...

 

[mojave30cal]

Things just got too expensive with inflation and all. No one can
afford anything now, like new cars, trucks and even homes. My
purchases now are for needs, not wants. But that could change
if prices come down.

 

[arjay]

The prices I'm seeing on used Harley's around here are so tempting,but at 70 and having stroke damage……nah

 

[Mainsail]

I tried to buy one a few years ago, despite my loathing of the whole culture around them. I wanted their new Street Rod (not the Street or the V-rod) so I emailed several local dealers.

Unsurprisingly all responded back almost immediately. I told them what I wanted and asked for the out-the-door price. I was ready to buy, cash in hand, just give me a price so I can walk in the door, hand the money, sign the papers, and ride it home.

Crickets...

Finally a few responded back that I should come in and talk about the purchase. I told them I wasn't hopping on a ferry, driving to the dealership, haggling... none of that. Just tell me the number and I'll bring the cash or bank check for the amount and I'll ride home.

After getting jerked around for a month I told them not to contact me anymore, I wouldn't be buying a Harley, ever.

I picked up a Moto Guzzi V9 and am now glad the dealerships sucked so bad, because this is a way better and more sexy bike than any HD.

 

[ladder13]

The prices I'm seeing on used Harley's around here are so tempting,but at 70 and having stroke damage……nah

And with the amount of distracted, rude, and DUI drivers out there, no way. I had my fun, everything is intact and I'm ambulatory.

 

[dmar]

My dad bought me a mini bike the summer that I learned how to ride a bicycle, when I was about 5 years old. I've had a Harley since I was 23, long before folks were looking to be leather-wrapped weekend tough guys. I thought that what happened in the early 2000s with the explosion of Harley riders was an amazing cultural moment where people wanted to act out their inner angst. Didn't last too long though.

I look at things from a base human perspective. The way I see it, our society is continuing to get soft. Kids aren't introduced to motorcycles much anymore by their parents because 'they're too dangerous.' Our children are coddled and over protected, not encouraged to be physically bold. There's also less and less places for kids to ride dirt bikes. So, over time the pool of riders has diminished.

Also, Harley hasn't cultivated what little youth market there is, and their pricing hasn't helped them either. They used to market a low price point/affordable Sportster to new riders, I don't see that marketing focus anymore.

As for the haters, most Harley haters are guys that never had the balls to ride, so they just sit back and mumble pot shots. It's kind of like gun haters. Most anti-gunners have never touched a gun, never mind owned one, and deep down they're just afraid. America is evolving (devolving…?) into a more refined, emasculated society. "Toxic masculinity" anyone…?!

 

[dmar]

I tried to buy one a few years ago, despite my loathing of the whole culture around them. I wanted their new Street Rod (not the Street or the V-rod) so I emailed several local dealers.

Unsurprisingly all responded back almost immediately. I told them what I wanted and asked for the out-the-door price. I was ready to buy, cash in hand, just give me a price so I can walk in the door, hand the money, sign the papers, and ride it home.

Crickets...

Finally a few responded back that I should come in and talk about the purchase. I told them I wasn't hopping on a ferry, driving to the dealership, haggling... none of that. Just tell me the number and I'll bring the cash or bank check for the amount and I'll ride home.

After getting jerked around for a month I told them not to contact me anymore, I wouldn't be buying a Harley, ever.

I picked up a Moto Guzzi V9 and am now glad the dealerships sucked so bad, because this is a way better and more sexy bike than any HD.

That's a great looking bike, glad you found the right fit for you.. As a Harley guy, I'd say that Motor Guzzi took the Harley design and one upped it… The Italians really are the best at design. I really like Ducati bikes as well. Nice machines!

My neighbor had Motor Guzzis back in the early seventies, they were good bikes. Their styling has come a long way, they looked more like the then popular British bikes back in those days.

I also like the BMW cruiser that they were marketing a few years ago, another great looking motorcycle.

 

[Bekeart]

Also, Harley hasn't cultivated what little youth market there is, and their pricing hasn't helped them either. They used to market a low price point/affordable Sportster to new riders, I don't see that marketing focus anymore.

I liked the Sportster of Long Ago.
I could NOT afford one then.

Recently Looked at a modern Sportster.
IMHO it has not aged well.

The money is still in my pocket.

Years Ago I looked at Big HOGS and Gold Wings.
Thumbs Down!

I prefer the quick maneuverability, for dogging pot holes, that I had on an On/Off Road Honda I rode in the past.

Think of a P-51 vs a B-17. Both do their designed job well.

 

[Bald1]

My dad bought me a mini bike the summer that I learned how to ride a bicycle, when I was about 5 years old. I've had a Harley since I was 23, long before folks were looking to be leather-wrapped weekend tough guys. I thought that what happened in the early 2000s with the explosion of Harley riders was an amazing cultural moment where people wanted to act out their inner angst. Didn't last too long though.

I look at things from a base human perspective. The way I see it, our society is continuing to get soft. Kids aren't introduced to motorcycles much anymore by their parents because 'they're too dangerous.' Our children are coddled and over protected, not encouraged to be physically bold. There's also less and less places for kids to ride dirt bikes. So, over time the pool of riders has diminished.

Also, Harley hasn't cultivated what little youth market there is, and their pricing hasn't helped them either. They used to market a low price point/affordable Sportster to new riders, I don't see that marketing focus anymore.

As for the haters, most Harley haters are guys that never had the balls to ride, so they just sit back and mumble pot shots. It's kind of like gun haters. Most anti-gunners have never touched a gun, never mind owned one, and deep down they're just afraid. America is evolving (devolving…?) into a more refined, emasculated society. "Toxic masculinity" anyone…?!

^^^^^^^^^ everything he said. Motorcycles????? Parents don't even want their kids playing football or hockey nowadays. Wrestling is almost a thing of the past as well. I got my first .22 rifle at 4. My first mini bike at 8 and real motorcycle at 10. I've been riding ever since. At one time I had 5 bikes in my garage. Now I'm down to just my Fatboy. I've had sport bikes, enduros, cruisers ( and one incredibly fast Yamaha VMax). I love them all. But there's something about a V Twin with just the right lope to it.

 

[Yendor357]

The under 40 crowd would rather sit on the couch and play video games. The only guns they buy are the ones in their games, or maybe a popular movie.

The Buell Lightning and Thunderbolt weren't really true Harleys. But I liked them. We used to ride up to Bloomington Indiana and go to their demo days. Those were a lot of fun.

The KTM 990 Super Duke out Buelled the Buells. I have a couple 2008 990 Super Dukes. They're still the greatest street bike ever made in my never to humble opinion.

Except for hunting, and some specialized matches, revolvers have been obsolete for decades now. But I still like them enough to buy one once in a while.

 

[BKLooney]

A lot of us grew up riding Harley's because they were cheap to build and spare parts were really dirt cheap...that really (really!) changed over the years...

The rigid Sportster below was my first ever build in 1976, it started as a 1972 XLCH Sportster engine, once all the parts were gathered and a lot of wrenching later I had a Harley.

The last one I ever built was back in 1999..

I've not been a Harley guy for a lot of years now

 

[Bald1]

Looney, the VMax sure has changed over the years. I remember as a 21 yr old kid laughing at any car they dared look at me at a stop light. I took particular satisfaction in smoking "yuppy guy" in his Porsche. They were not very nimble but they were a straight line rocket.

 

[jeffrefrig]

That green one really shouts to me "You're ONLY 67! Buy me!" All 3 are beauties.
My BIL rode Harleys all his life. Nice ones. The last bike he & my sister had was a Gold Wing; said it was the best bike he ever had!
I WOULD like to have 74 cubic inches rumbling beneath me again, but as stated, too many distracted drivers. It only takes a split second...

 

[arjay]

I sold my last bike 25 yrs ago due to all the nitwits yapping on their phones and trying to drive at the same time. The canyons around me were a great place to ride back then

 

[wood714]

I tried to buy one a few years ago, despite my loathing of the whole culture around them. I wanted their new Street Rod (not the Street or the V-rod) so I emailed several local dealers.

What is this "culture around them" you loath?

Did you not have a phone you could call and talk to a salesman? I've never tried to buy a bike or car by email.

Finally a few responded back that I should come in and talk about the purchase. I told them I wasn't hopping on a ferry, driving to the dealership, haggling... none of that. Just tell me the number and I'll bring the cash or bank check for the amount and I'll ride home.

Salesman probably get jerked around a lot by tire kickers. They might have thought if you were serious enough to buy a new bike, you'd at least want to discus the deal in person instead of by email.

After getting jerked around for a month I told them not to contact me anymore, I wouldn't be buying a Harley, ever.

Thank You!

 

[BKLooney]

I love pretty much all bikes, if we all rode the same thing it would be pretty boring.

If I can still hold one up I'll be riding right up until the big dirt nap!

I just got back from a ride I took to go over and see a good friend. Every time I get on the VMAX it does amaze me. I don't know if it's the bike or me, but together we're a dangerous combination...one cannot resist the throttle on that bike!

 

[jjrr]

I'm an old grey beard and I'm older than some of you guys who say you won't ride anymore, you are scaring me. The thing that I see now is guys on the "sport bikes" who blow me off the road on the inside of a curve going up toward the parkway. I stay on the back roads and if I have to be in a congested area ride after 7 in the evening. Can't say how Harley is doing but time will tell.my bike is an 09.