Your host at the headwaters of the Arkansas River.
Breitbart ran an article on Harley that implied that the drop in sales was due to his feud with President Trump. While I agree, without holding myself out as a representative of the the rider community, that most riders are Trump supporters. Most of them know that presidents come and go. What doesn’t come and go is our love for the country. The Harley brand has always stood as a symbol of our country. When Harley decided to move some production to Taiwan (or wherever OCONUS) for money, it showed that that the firm was less interested in Harley as a symbol of America as long as they were able to line their pockets. While I no longer ride, I believe that those that do will bring the leadership of Harley to their bony knees.
The company has treated it’s long time supporters (bikers) like shit since the mid eighties to pander to the yuppie community anyway. Us old timers knew this many moons ago. Most, like myself, ride older models we’ve kept up with aftermarket parts because HD won’t make parts for older bikes anymore, they quit that shit in the 90’s. We don’t need ’em nor do we want ’em. They blame the drop in sales on Trump’s tariffs, but how about the recalls on pretty much every model the last few years because of their cheap Chinese electronics. Electronics… on a bike… dumasses…
Some people defend the brand, bikers, real bikers, never did. A Harley comes as a kit, then ya finish it the way ya want it. That’s why ya never saw yuppies on ’em before the late 80’s. Now the kits are too damn expensive and loaded with shit parts, that’s the reason older model basket cases are so spendy. If ya ever wanna know where bikers do their bike parts shoppin’, hit a swap meet. Build it right and it won’t leak and will run better and longer then anything else on the road.
I’ll keep my old ’88 Evo, which I bought in ’97. I’ve ridden it all over the western U.S., thousands of miles there and many more around here. It gotta top end rebuild a few years back at about 155K, and will probably outlast my tired old ass…
By the way, I’m 63. Started ridin’ a Honda 90 in 1968, moved up thru steps, 350, 550, to a 750-four in ’73 and got my first Hawg in ’76. Was a 1%er till I decided to sober up in ’88. I know a little of which I speak.
Just my 2 cents.
Harley’s never recovered since they sold out to a bowling ball manufacturer. I’m sorry, that’s the truth. I’d by an Indian before I would support Harley. It would be great if some Harley Customers would take that organization over.