[Jeff]

July 16th 2009 HD is laying off 400 more. Saw this on the news here in Dallas. HD laying off from their Kansas City factory. I hate to see anyone loose their job but kinda saw this one coming. Anyone think they will fold??? HD stock is now under a dollar.

 

[hemibates]

Wow. It is sad when people loose their jobs.

 

[springmaker]

WHOA! Harley davidson stock is not under a dollar! they closed up today 5.94% at $19.94.
Harley is feelin the pinch, as is everyone else. But Jeesus, let's be accurate with our information!

 

[Jeff]

Just saying what I heard on the news. Sorry if Im wrong. They also said Harley will be shutting down the Sportster and V-rod lines for 14 weeks. Hope I heard all this correctly. I just watched it again on youtube.

 

[Vic]

HOG's not weathering the economic climate quite as well as Honda:

HONDA MOTOR CO ADR Share Price Chart | HMC - Yahoo! Finance

 

[LDJ]

Hate to hear of anyone losing their job. Especially in this economy where its hard to find another quickly. I wish nothing but the best for those workers.

 

[Brandon]

HD isn't going anywhere in my opinion. They've made it through tougher times.

It always sad to see fellow Americans being layed off.

 

[460brevill]

when HD was going down the tubes last time guess who bailed them out,you got it HONDA.

 

[Jeff]

Someday we just might see a Honda Davidson

 

[DeadSpider]

Someday we just might see a Honda Davidson

I hope so... then we could all get new Honda Davidson logo tattoo's

 

[Raventhdog]

If honda bought harley davidson, would all the bad ass harley riders sell there bikes and clothes and have there tattoos removed and redecorate there houses and pull all the stickers and hd accessories off there trucks in disgust?

 

[Saltydog]

I posted the following on the HDforums. True story, no BS. This was last Friday. I still love my Fury.

"I grew up in Milwaukee about a mile away from 35th and Juneau. Harley Davidsons have always been a common site. I've been watching the bikes, the company and the employees for years. Where I grew up three guys on my block worked at Harley for as long as I can remember. I played with their kids.

When I turned 16 I couldn't afford a Harley and couldn't fix up an old one so I bought a different bike. I think I always felt jealous of the guys who rode Harley's after that. I've been riding for 35 years and have never even rode a Harley.

I was on the Milwaukee Fire Dept and was stationed at the "first in" firehouse for Harley's historic factory on 35th street in Milwaukee. We would tour the factory for fire inspections and become familiar with the complex. (You know all those bikes in their museum? I saw all of them 15 years ago lined up in the attic) Still rode, still no Harley.

I recently purchased another new bike. For some reason I keep talking myself out of a Harley. I'm a bit of a loner and a contrarian and it seemed all guys my age were buying one. So I bought a Honda. I love it but as it turns out it wasn't suited for 2 up riding. So my first thought was another Honda more suited for two up.

The day I set out to purchase my new bike I read that Harley Davidson laid off a thousand people. 500 in Milwaukee. The town I was born, raised and protected with my life. That includes the Harley plant and it's workers. I could not buy a Honda on that day. I just couldn't do it.

The next day I purchased a brand spanking new 2009 FLSTC from Harley Davidson, Racine WI. My first Harley Davidson. I am a proud owner. I finally made that leap, joined the club.

I don't have to tell you what I think of it so far. As I've heard my entire life from Harley guys, "If I have to explain it, you won't understand" has turned out to be true.

P.S. I surprised my wife with it and she said "I always knew you wanted one". She knows me better than I know myself."

 

[Jeff]

Saltydog, congrats on the new bike.

 

[IllinoisFury]

Sad, truely sad! I hope they pull through and don't have to lay anybody off! I may have a fury but I never want to see any americans loose their jobs. I thought about buying a harley. The one I wanted though ( The Rocker C ) was no where in my price range!

 

[Rich_7785]

One of the problems with Harley is none of their bikes are within a decent price range. They do make some nice reliable bikes but wow what a price. With the economy as it is one would think they'd be somewhat more reasonable but they aren't. No wonder they are heading in the same direction as the dinosaurs.

Some months ago I almost bought a Fat Bob. Had a terrible time getting anybody to process anything or talk business (most harley dealerships are staffed by some of the most arrogant a$$holes I've ever met). I got the impression they want you to walk in with $20K in your pocket, plop it down without question and ride away without a word carrying a Harley accessory catalogue and willing to spend thousands more in upgrades.

Well I thought I had a deal but constant rain for almost a week interfered with the purchase. Finally got back and the price went up $900 on the very same bike and without any explanation other than I was buying a Harley and therefore a tradition of motorcyling etc. I told them I already had a Harley but it didn't change my personality, cause me to run out and get Harley tattoos, wear a leather vest, start to smoke or stop and park in front of every bar along the way. Made no difference. This was the price so I walked and never went back and they never budged on their price or stance and didn't act like they cared one bit even though they were not selling any motorcycles.

 

[Saltydog]

I will agree it was an uncomfortable buying experience. They weren't willing to negotiate what I considered a fair price. We all know it's a buyer's market and even though they are laying people off left and right the dealer still had an attitude. Maybe they should take a hard look at their dealers and realize times are a changing. I will not be giving them a glowing review when I get the company survey.

The only reason I bought at that dealer was I wanted to support my local economy as well. It kinda sucks when you go in with good intentions and leave pissed off.

 

[PREDATOR]

The Harley dealership here in AZ (Arrowhead Area) are some of the best dealers I've ever talked to. I felt bad when I bought a Honda, but I just could not justify the price of the Harley(s) I wanted: Fat Bob, the Muscle Bike and even the Night Rod.

I did have a Night Rod on order when they first came out through their Military Sales program, even then I couldn't justify the $17K+ price tag Cool looking bike IMO though.

 

[460brevill]

congrats saltydog.i dont care what you ride as long as you ride.the group i ride with is about 50/50.we all have a blast just rideing.sometimes i hear a harley person putting ahonda down and it pisses me off and i remark back.i also know its not the bike but the person.i dont have anything against the bike,i just ride honda.this story goes two ways.good luck and keep the rubber on the ground.

 

[Hydroboy35th]

Some of those salesmen are assholes but I will admit, Corey at AD farrow's in columbus ohio is one of the nicest salesmen I've ever met! I was looking at a iron883 for my girl friend so it wasnt like I was spending $20K either.

 

[Hydroboy35th]

Oh hey salty, Congrats on your harley!