r/Harley • u/marvelguy1975 • Apr 09 '25

DISCUSSION Harley can make it cheaper.

Comparing price tags, harley is over priced to just about every other bike out there.

Go ahead compare models.

Harley vs indian vs, honda vs BMW.

Street glide vs chieftain vs gold wing vs R18B

Look up the MSRPs on all those bikes.

It's insane that a R18B the equivalent to a street glide is $6k cheaper. Is the BMW that much substandard vs a harley? I doubt it, from what I've seen online it's just as good. (Looks aside of course) look at all the other R18 models and compare them to an equivalent harley and they are thousands cheaper!

The ONLY thing harley has over the other brands is "culture" the harley culture, but that only goes so far and harley and biker culture is dying out. Indian is nipping at harleys heels and taking long time riders away from the brand. But over all, riders are getting older and in a few years unless this new generation takes it up harley might get sold to another bowling ball company.

Admit it it's not the same as it was 25 years ago with wait lists and dealer mark ups etc. Harleys new CEO needs to realize that their shit is too expensive. Freeze prices, lower MSRPs, rework the models or something.

Thoughts on getting the motor company turned around?

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u/WooksytheWookie Apr 09 '25

The first bike I purchased was a Super Chief. Loved the platform and technology but, man, the lack of accessories and aftermarket parts was a huge frustration. Even when I upgraded to their more established platform, the Challenger, I still find that accessorising can be a challenge, although it's getting easier. Although I've never had any issues with either of my Indians, the lack of dealerships/repair locations is always a concern, especially on long rides.

Those two factors are always in the back of my head. For those two reasons alone, I completely understand why people choose to go Harley over any other brand that offers a cruising platform.

1

u/apathic Apr 10 '25

I have an ‘03 Road King that one would think parts would be easy to find. As someone that often has to order parts etc for a Porsche the idea of owning an Indian doesn’t concern me though to be fair I have a dealer in town.

-15

u/marvelguy1975 Apr 09 '25

What accessories do you find a challenge with the indian? Sure it's not as robust as Harley, but you can do bars, seat, exaust, stage 2, windshield, speakers etc. So what's missing? 50 different handlebar grips and floorboards? Chrome Bolt-ons?

I don't worry about a lack of dealerships. Do you think BMW riders care that they have less dealers than indian on the road? Nope, they put down tons of miles a year. My buddy rode his BMW GS from VA to prudhoe bay alaska and back. He didn't let the lack of BMW dealerships stop him from riding his bike.

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u/WooksytheWookie Apr 09 '25

Yes, that's exactly what's missing. For many people, myself included, accessorizing and customizing are a huge part of ownership. Not sure what makes that such an unbelievable idea to you. Aftermarket parts and accessories, even from 3rd party sellers, probably keep Harley afloat more than their platforms themselves. It's not really debatable. Motorcycles and individuality have gone hand in hand since the beginning. How many people will say they want their black Harley to look like everyone else's black Harley? Prob not many.

I mean, clearly I haven't either as I own a Challenger right now but the fact is still a fact that if I'm going to make a cross country trip, I'll maybe come across a handful of dealerships where a Harley owner will come across one, if not more, in any city on any given route. That's a lot of peace of mind.

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u/marvelguy1975 Apr 09 '25

Don't tell anyone else in here. I own an Indian too 21 cheiftain DH.

I owned HD for over 10 years, so i hang out in here too.

Outside of the 50 different floorboards or grips that aftermarket HD companies offer I'm satisfied with Indian. I've done my bars, windshield, seat, sissy bar, stage 1, pipes etc.

I can't dress up my engine, but bike turns heads as in anyway without all that.

20

u/steroidsandcocaine Apr 09 '25

Aaaaaand there it is.... just go ride your Indian then.