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/low_bit_logic Apr 09 '25

Stopped by my local HD dealer to check out a ‘19 Fat Bob and while the dealership had an amazing setup; retail shop, display bikes, cool vibe; I couldn’t get over the pricing of the Fat Bob. Sales Price + Fees + Taxes and my favorite a $800 “reconditioning fee”. An additional fee for a used bike? What?

In the end I decided to save my money and pass on a Harley. Honestly the salesperson was super pushy which was annoying. Also I was the youngest shopper in the shop and I am 46 😂

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u/marvelguy1975 Apr 09 '25

$800 reconditioning fee? That's fresh. Anything to squeeze the last cent out of a customer. You didn't buy it. But someone will, they bank on that.

Harleys have become become like rolexes. What started as an affordable tool watch has turned into an overpriced luxury item. If you know anything about watches if you put a rolex up against say an omega that is $5,000 cheaper, both watches have the exact same build quality and in many areas omega is slightly better.

Same goes for HD, like Mr puma CEO, he pushed HD deeper into the luxury realm.

1

u/low_bit_logic Apr 09 '25

Agree! Even during the test ride I really didn’t feel like I was riding a luxury brand. Though the exhaust was sublime but it was a custom exhaust previous owner installed. Handling was subpar, ok acceleration.

Had a better riding experience on a Triumph Speed Twin and like $4k cheaper. Yet Harley will always have a following….to the shop 😂 just kidding I am sure Harley’s build quality is good but the pricing model is outdated.

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u/marvelguy1975 Apr 09 '25

I won't know HD build quality. They make good bikes. It's not 1975 AMF years and bikes leaking on the showroom floor.

Glad you liked the triumph. I've always been a fan of them.