Both Harleys and S&W revolvers . . .

[Model 15-4ever]

. . . 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.

I'm reading between the lines that your analogy to S&W revolvers, is that the demand for them will die out, as the boomer generation dies out.

I think that may be true. The high prices currently demanded for what in reality were plain jane models is not sustainable. S&W made millions of them. Once the nostalgia market dies off, you are left with millions of plain jane models that none of the succeeding generations remember, nor hardly care about.

 

[delcrossv]

I'm reading between the lines that your analogy to S&W revolvers, is that the demand for them will die out, as the boomer generation dies out.

I think that may be true. The high prices currently demanded for what in reality were plain jane models is not sustainable. S&W made millions of them. Once the nostalgia market dies off, you are left with millions of plain jane models that none of the succeeding generations remember, nor hardly care about.

Dunno. My kids love them. How many of you have taken a youngster shooting recently?

 

[Farmer17]

The fad for street bikes seems to rise and fall over time probably due to the danger factor of riding the road. I wanted a Harley in the early 2000s but thought about the risks of riding on the street all the time so I bought a Kawasaki dual purpose bike. I had a couple hundred wooded acres behind me and the neighborhood developer friend didn't mind if I rode it so I made a gate in my fence and had a blast. I also took it out on the street and had many near misses but luckily never got hit by a car, just got tired of the near misses as I got older and have stayed off the pavement ever since.

 

[Puller]

I beg to differ. Most Harley haters are knowledgeable and experienced enthusiasts, with the balls to really ride, not just bloviate around in large groups getting in the way.

I'd say most Harley haters are those who ride but can't afford to ride a new Harley.

 

[ridewv]

I just came across Harley's response to "Harley riders aging out", which is actually revealing.

"Thanks to growing penetration today, roughly 70% of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles are being financed through HDFS in North America. But crucially, HDFS allows us to understand our customers better through the unique insights and customer dynamics that we've access to. One of those insights that I'd like to call out today is our average age customer profile.

As we look back through our HDFS data over the past, we are able to see that the average age of our customers purchasing a motorcycle, used and new, is about 45. This is a fact-based metric that stands in contrast to the narrative that has been perpetuated by some commentators. As you can see in the slide that we provided as part of this presentation, the average age has not moved significantly in the last 10 years and even much beyond. In addition, nearly 30% of HDFS loan originations in the past five years were made to customers 35 and younger, with 75% 54 or under." – Jochen Zeitz, Harley-Davidson Chairman and CEO via Motley Fool Transcribing

Harley-Davidson Addresses Riders "Aging Out" - Adventure Rider

 

[ladder13]

Nothing like a V Twin.

 

[TAROMAN]

Some years back I was ticketed for riding my BMW R80 55 in a 45 zone. Guilty.
In kangaroo court, The judge asked "have you seen today's paper?"
"No your honor, I have not."
To which he stated "two of you old guys crashed their Harleys yesterday. One died and the other was life flighted. What do you have to say about that?"
"Well your honor, if it pleases the court, I'm neither old enough nor fat enough to ride a Harley."
Got a good chuckle from the other victims.
Cost me $97, but I guess it was worth it in the end.

 

[pharmer]

Local PD ridin' BMW's. A few years back 100% HD. Joe

 

[Farmer17]

Around here all the cops have traded in their Harleys for BMWs, I heard they were more comfortable and cheaper to maintain. Oklahoma Highway Patrol has Suzuki Hayabusa's, and with a top speed of 217 I doubt if many people can out run them.

 

[S&W Fan]

Having ridden for almost 56 years I've owned most everything out there, Harleys more than any other-all bought used so I saved myself a few pennies here and there-kinda like with my Smiths lol.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I love bikes. In my younger years, I used to race motocross a good bit. Finally got to where I could no longer afford to do it. Got a 79 Honda CX500 Custom that I really liked and rode it to work for a couple of years, but almost got killed by car drivers a couple of times. Over the last 20 years, 3 of my friends have been run over and killed by car drivers while they were riding a bicycle. Sold my bike and haven't ridden since, but still like them.

The car drivers now seem to think driving is the same as sitting on the couch at home, and don't pay attention to what is going on around them. I wish everyone who rides anything with 2 wheels, safe journey.

 

[BKLooney]

When the wife wants to ride, the '06 Goldwing comes into play! Bought this new in '06 and will probably have it to the end.

 

[BARgunner]

I bought my first Harley in December of 1969, a 1960 FL for a whopping $300. It was a ex police bike out of Detroit with a foot clutch and tank shift. I learned to ride on that bike and I have never been without a big twin Harley since then. I turned 73 on Tuesday and took my Electra Glide Classic ( the garbage scow, as I affectionately call it) out for my usual 80 mile ride out on the local country roads. I try and do that at least 3 time a week as long as there is no ice or snow on the roads and I take turns with the other two bikes I own. I don't want to make any of them jealous by favoring one. I sometimes ride with a group of older guys usually to some other town for breakfast and over the last few years I've seen more than a few drop out because of age related issues. I know it's going to happen but I sure hope it isn't anytime soon. Riding has always been good therapy for me and I usually ride alone. As most of you know it's hard to find a good riding partner. Anyways, I'm still out there enjoying it. A few pics are in order.

 

[ridewv]

Happy 73! I'm right behind you and enjoy getting out on 2 wheels myself. If nothing else just for an hour on one of the bikes around roads near the house here. But I did ride out to John Day, Oregon in June for the Moto Guzzi rally.