"Trade War"

[gsxbarmy]

So the tit for tat trade duty for goods entering the EU from the US is now announced following President Trumps "America First" - since last Friday there has been a 25% import duty on all American motorcycles, so no doubt H-D and Indian will find it difficult to justify prices going forwards.

http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2018/may/tradoc_156909.pdf

[Hooli]

They couldn't justify the prices before!

Still, should keep second hand values up for those with them.

[seth]

They'll be even more expensive as lots if parts are made abroad(china and japan) and assembled in the USA.
Double whammy.

[Mister Fishfinger]

They couldn't justify the prices before!

Still, should keep second hand values up for those with them.

Seriously though, the entry-level HDs are quite affordable. Street 750 from £5995 and Street Rod from £6745. I personally wouldn't buy one, but I assume there are people who would.

Indians are also a lot cheaper than the equivalent Harley. Again, I can't see myself buying one of those either but that's not the point. Whacking prices up 25% is going to hurt pretty much anyone's business really.

The problem with Trump is that he's like a stopped clock that's right twice a day. He throws out so much random stuff that is insane, but occasionally he has a point. I don't generally think a trade war benefits anyone, but it would be nice to see someone take on China over their lack of respect for intellectual property. Western companies are like a one-legged man in an arse-kicking contest trying to do business over there.

[Tony Nitrous]

It won't do Harley any favours.

The brand is already struggling, sales are down. They have started redundancies, closures and some down sizing. Share prices have fallen.

Harley have tried different avenues for a while, from putting their name on Italian 2-strokes, to more recently Buell and the V-Rod projects, none with great success.
I'm not convinced the Street 500 and 750 will be any better, they aren't that great (I've ridden the 500, the 750 isn't learner legal here and wouldn't compete against the 883) and there is a genuine argument they dumb down the brand. Having a Harley was always seen (buy some) as a bike you stepped up to, like MV's, Ducati's, Bimota's, Indians etc. Now a Harley is a made in India learner bike that an 18 year old can finance and put L-plates on.

[Mister Fishfinger]

I once heard Harley-Davidson described as "a clothing company that sells bikes".

[Tony Nitrous]

[Taniwha]

[VladTepes]

Harley have tried different avenues for a while, from putting their name on Italian 2-strokes, to more recently Buell and the V-Rod projects, none with great success.

Ah yes, the Aermacchis.


The Buells were great bikes I reckon. Something different. But Harley killed them bu bringing it in house. They as a company just didn't "get" them.

The V-Rod project was something quite different for Harley and they proved it could work, so they killed it.
I think they didn't want anything in there range which highlighted just how old-fashioned (i.e. shit) the rest of their range was. (and still is)

[Mister Fishfinger]

Bloke I worked with had a Buell, it sounded awesome and went pretty well. Some interesting engineering going on in there too. It was bloody unreliable though.

[Notty]

So Trump is introducing tarriifs to save U.S. jobs- so latest news - Harley-Davidson plans to shift some motorcycle production away from the US to avoid the "substantial" burden of European Union tariffs. that worked well then !!

[Kiwifruit]

Mate owns one......has all the garb to go with it. Proudly says ...l look in my wardrobe and its all black with HD written on it somewhere.
He says some of the new engines are  designed and engineered by Porshe.
I also asked why don't you ponces wave or give other bikers a nod......we just don't !!
Errr.....great answer.
He's a good bloke though......daughter was with us and mentioned some problems with flatmates. He says a few of us could pop in for a coffee if you like ??
He would give you the shirt off his back and his last $1.....old school mate from 45 years ago. I forgive his choice of bike.

[Hooli]

He says some of the new engines are  designed and engineered by Porshe.

Wasn't that the V-Rod they've now dropped? After all a company famous for an air-cooled spurts car are the ideal people to ask to help because you've got no experience of liquid cooling.

[Notty]

So Trump is introducing tarriifs to save U.S. jobs- so latest news - Harley-Davidson plans to shift some motorcycle production away from the US to avoid the "substantial" burden of European Union tariffs. that worked well then !!

in Australia, Brazil, India and Thailand.

[Mick_J]

Well Thailand already make most of the bits for their bikes as it is, same as a lot of other manufacturers including Triumph.