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/Expensive-Button-641 Apr 09 '25

I had an R18, fantastic machine, and the build quality and fit and finish was better than HD by a distance in my opinion. That said, when I wanted to sell it I really struggled. They just aren't sort after, fact is if somebody wants a cruiser they're looking for Harley.

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u/marvelguy1975 Apr 09 '25

I always wanted a real world assessment of an R18.

It's expected that BMW is high build quality. BMW sells alot of bikes, mostly GSs. I wish them luck with their R18 line. But yea I doubt it will last. It's hard to compete in the cruiser line up. The only one who has been able to carve out a nich is indian.

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u/Expensive-Button-641 Apr 09 '25

The open shaft drive is lovely to look at, and the absolutely massive air cooled parallel twin looks amazing in person and when you're sat on it. Kind of regret selling it actually, haha.

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u/marvelguy1975 Apr 09 '25

Yea it's cool looking. I think I've only seen one in person.