Why Bikers Are Questioning Harley-Davidson | NYT News 

0:43 "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand." These guys have more in common with hipsters than they would admit.

What they're saying just shows that buying a Harley is 90% about the image and 10% about the actual machine.

That moment the 'blue collar' motorcycle is more boutique and expensive than its european and asian rivals.

All of this talk but no real mention of how absurdly over priced their bikes are.

Just imagine when they find out their gas isn’t American

Harley Davidson = the most efficient way to turn gasoline into noise without the side effects of horsepower.

Harley-Davidson is the #1 cosplay supplier in the USA. CHANGE MY MIND

These people make us Harley riders look bad. Ride what you want, a Yamaha, a Suzuki, a Honda, just ride what you want and like. Enjoy riding brothers, dont make it full of hate. It's all personal preference.

My Honda was made in Marysville Ohio .

Brand loyalty, be it Harley, Chevy, Apple, Coke....none of it makes sense. Pledging your allegiance to a corporation that only see's you as MONEY and not a person is point less. Put down your phone and go outside

"Buy American " says the guy wearing ray ban sunglasses made in china by an italian company

“I don’t want to buy an inferior motorcycle” Welp, too late there, mate.

A 500 dollar leather jacket that says harley but is not made in the US, should tell people all they need to know about the brand.

That aren't made in America. They are assembled in America. And they are massively overpriced. Period.

Tattoo parlors gonna get rich covering Harley Davidson Tattoos if people take it this personal

"Inferior motorcycle" says the biker who rides technology from the 50's...

If I wanted something big, heavy, and slow, that only had 2 cylinders, I'd get a John deere.

Fact : 90% of all Harley’s manufactured after 1980 are still on the road. The other 10% made it back.

Harley riders are a meme in the biker world 😂 I remember like 5 years ago a tanker truck spilled oil almost the entire way across the island of Ireland before the driver realised and everyone posted pics of the oil streaks on the highway like “Looks like the Harley riders had their annual ride out early this year” 😂

I like HD but the Japanese make the best bikes hands down

Prices aside, I think their brand image just doesn't ring that well with younger generations.

No such thing as loyalty. Brand loyalty ? Made cheap and sold expensive !!

Overpricing is why HD has been failing Lack of innovation and reliability issues haven’t helped. Harley planned the Kansas city Factory closing, long before Trump. I live here, we knew it was coming a long time ago

My very first motorcycle was a Harley....I was 16. Two days later, I took off on a 3500 mile trip with my 15 year old brother sitting behind me, with almost no riding experience. For 15 years, I rode Harleys and would barely glance at anything else, putting 140K on four of them, including riding 100 miles a day for three years commuting to work. Because I was raising two sons, I made a decision to quit riding. Six months later, my ex brother in law rode up my driveway on a brand new Honda 750 and asked me to take it for an evaluation ride, so I did. Here was a bike that looked good, sounded better and was equipped with something which was a totally foreign concept to HD at the time...a front brake that actually worked, and, with a twist of the throttle, would also leave a Harley in the dust. It was at that point, I realized I wasn't tired of riding at all…..I was tired of Harleys. I bought my first Honda shortly thereafter and never looked back. Right now I have two Honda ST 1100's and am planning a major trip this summer, first to visit my brother in northern ID, then diagonal through CO, visiting Pikes Peak on the way to the UFO museum in Roswell, NM, before heading home.

In 2011 I decided to buy a bike. I researched everything. Honda 750 shadow is what I purchased. I Love Harleys, I can't afford one. I paid a third less for my Honda, drove it 40,000 miles. Still running strong.

$40,000 spent on the bike an then another $5000 in Harley merchandise. I always thought that was dumb. Guess I need some Acura an Chevy clothing.

Problem is Harleys are way overpriced for what they are. You can buy a Yamaha for a third of the price and it'll last you three times as long and with a third of the maintenance costs. If Harlyes were cheaper, I might even buy one and I'm not 55

Narrow mindedness is so heartwarming

HD not being associated with people who cosplay as pirates is the best thing that could happen to motorcycling in America.

"It's the sound, the feel, the rumble the shake" But not the performance tho Not the price tho Not the design tho Not the research and tech tho Not the racing history tho

I love looking at Harley's as I ride my Triumph smiling...........

Harly sold an image not a good product, all that noise and vibrations does not equal power

The Problem is not about moving their Facility to Overseas. It's about Younger Generation not buying into Harley Image (Old guy in beard, leather jacket, tatoos, cigarette smell) So their sales are not strong enough to keep them in states. I understand their concern though. Do you know some BMWs are made in states? some had GM parts in it? No BMW buyer would like that.

Realistically Harley was going to be losing these customers anyway. They're the same people who have rejected and sabotaged every attempt Harley has made to modernize and bring in new customers, they're the reason Harley still primarily makes air-cooled v-twins when every other manufacture has largely abandoned them in favor of more powerful and efficient designs. Bending over backwards to please these "loyal" Harley riders at the expense of not bringing in new customers is why their sales base was shrinking long before Trump ever even thought about starting a trade war. Harley's latest attempt at building a more diverse and modern line of motorcycles was just as likely to alienate these old guard bikers as opening a factory overseas, and is more likely to help save the company than continuing to make poor business decisions just to please a bunch of crotchety old boomers.

Harley riders typically trailer their bikes to events like Daytona Bike week and Sturgis....whereas real bike riders ride to their destination

In a group where everyone thinks the same, isn't much thinking going on..

I love HD. But lets be honest they’re on their way out. The Glory days are behind us

Harley and BMW have something in common, endless money pits

harley davidson was an American Icon, now you can't even get apparel that's made in America. screw them and build one your self, then you can take even more pride in your ride

The one guy said, “if I owned the company I would do exactly the same thing”. Obviously a man with business smarts.

Same people complaining about harley probably have a foreign vehicle in their driveway!!!

Welcome to capitalism boys

And where do they think all the parts that comprise their bikes come from...

Wherever they are made, it's still 1990's technology at 21st century prices.

If Harley wants more business then they would stop over pricing their soft tails by 5-6k Embarrassing. Illogical. Out of touch. Careless. Nonsense.

Best line from an old HD rider: It’s a giant vibrator. Once she gets on...you can get her off 😜 And it’s true 😉👍

As a Mexican American I have always wanted a classic Harley. Unfortunately the more I got into motorcycles the more I realized the sort of crowd that rides them kinda hates me. And for the same price I could just get a Honda that looks the same but costs half as much and will last me twice as long. Unfortunately Harley Davidson is in a lose-lose in my opinion and having the bikes be made overseas is the least of their worries.

The funny thing is the guy saying " I'm not buying a inferior product " lol harleys are literally decades behind most other motorcycle brands. Harley davidson yesterday's tech at tomorrow's price

Harley is losing sales in the US because they do not appeal to a younger generation..........current customer loyalty is the over 45 crowd......tariffs are an excuse for them to do something, anything, to boost sales....... :-)

Ahhh... Harley riders. Rugged individualists. That all ride the same bike... Dress alike .... And seem to all end up growing the same grey beard.

Harleys sold in the USA will be made in the USA. Harleys sold in EU will be made in the EU. Riders, don.t buy the lies.

They love Harley Davidson because all their friends have got one. Express your unique personality buy buying the same bike as everyone else in your group.

This confirms it. Harley Davidson is just about dead, because their buyers are, you know...

In 2009 Harley trashed Buell and destroyed the factory in East Troy, Wisconsin as well as close to a thousand direct American jobs plus many more indirect jobs. In 2017 they trashed the Vrod along with again close to a thousand direct American jobs and many more indirect. Harley needs to revaluate their business strategies.

Harley is moving some production to Europe because it is their best market for growth (better GDP, population & redistribution of resources = bigger market). Bikes sold in the USA will still be made there but as the product has been loosing popularity (avg age of owner: 50) production will naturally decrease. So I really dunno what they are on about, especially since the vast majority of pieces making up the bikes already come from overseas.

"Evangelical bikers for Christ" -- I'm out

American made from foreign parts.

But Harley Davidson IS an inferior motorcycle😂

Harley Davidson Is way out of line it’s there pricing on bikes and merchandise

Bahahaha.... Meanwhile rest of the world using Kawasaki, Ducati, Suzuki and Honda 🤣😂

“If they manufactured them in a foreign country I wouldn’t buy them” You’re a little late on that one, mate

Buys Harley Takes it to German aftermarket shop Comes out with bike 100 times better than original.

We live in a very small tourism town. I could not do business for minutes on end because some Harley riders were reving & blasting their music at levels that were not only deafening - but no one in our store could hear each other. I don’t care if you love your Harley. But PLEASE get it on the road & do not disrupt the ability for us to hear our customers. It’s not your right to interrupt r business.

Original Harley owners wouldn't own Harley's today. Why?, They were into racing and HD makes slow piles of overpriced crap.

Made in America more like Assembled in America.

Harley-Davidson is "The Inferior Motorcycle"

I don’t understand this thing of people think they are able to criticize and call names because they think they are right! Remember never treat anyone on the computer worse than you would if they were standing in front of you! If someone is face to face and your rude you might get cracked in the mouth!

OMG...I think Harley only exists in movies. I have never seen it in MotoGP, Super bike, Moto Cross etc

ill stick with southpark when it comes to harley riders.

The image and persona associated with Harley Davidson has been tainted by old punks who think they are badass. Harley has some cool motorcycles, but a lot of the people who ride them are not. Harley is extremely late in marketing to younger, newer riders. Affordability, practicality, cool and fun. Nail these four key areas, and Harley wouldn’t have any problems. Also your bikes are called hogs cause they weigh too much. Should have learned from Buell.

''Deckard there are ZZ Top replicants everywhere.''

they go overseas to keep costs down, yet the prices of the bikes feel like they were made here. That sounds like BS to me.

Yeh you wouldn't want a bike of a company that can't build a primary chain tensioner!

Here's the logic. "Buy American" would work with any brand(Honda, Ducati, etc.) if it's about employing workers at high wages, it'll boost the economy, strengthen the dollar globally. Current "Buy American(brand)" is all about corporate profit. What did you expect?

As much as it galls me, I have to agree, to a point. This recent move isn't about keeping costs down and tariffs, it's about share holders keeping their stock profits. I can't do squat about it, but I'll keep my '78 Sporty and when I can, will buy an Indian. After all, it was the first motorcycle made in this country.

These people whine about American Made but 90 percent of there clothes, household goods, etc etc are made overseas. Yeah makes perfect sense

Kinda sad I dont really see anyone from my age group. I love Harleys.

sorry but y'all need to take some of that hard earned money you waste on harleys and Harley merchancise and get a clue. its not about loyalty, sorry but Harley is in business for one reason, money.

I hate the noise. Peace and quiet are valuable, and are stolen and vandalized by these jerks.

The "FAB FOUR"...John, Paul, Larry and Curly. My FIRST Harley, which I still own , is an 1978 Sportster. ANY REAL BIKER knows they were under AMF,,,,the Bowling Ball People. Most parts were Japanese. From forks to Carb. I'm older than these "wannabes"..."sidewalk commanders" . I bought mine on the income I was making not my retirement. Harleys continuation to catering to these FAKE FOUR types will be their downfall.

The price nowdays is freaking redicilous!

1982 Honda cb450 1982 Honda cb900 2006 Kawasaki KLR 650 1993 Honda cb750 NightHawk. I don't foresee myself buying a rumbling Harley anytime soon.

I had a Virago and now a 1200 Sportster. There’s not much comparison: the Harley is more fun, the sound is right, the feel is right, it’s just better.

I love the Indian Scouts and Chiefs !

I even have the tee shirts that were made in Milwaukee, now all you find is the made in china ones, and the old ones used to last a lot longer

This BS is nothing new for Harley. They've had money issues for many, many years. Remember when they sold out to Brunswick AMF back in the day? Now they're just finding a new scapegoat to pin this on.

When the guy says "if I have to explain, then you wouldn't understand"...that says it all.

There's enough HDs on Craig's list to last 20 yrs.

These Mericans are ignorant. How many other items do they buy that are made overseas? If they truly care about buying American made products, they would have to pay more and be limited to a few selected products.

Overpriced, slow, bad handling, terrible build quality and overpriced.

I have 14 years of riding on me, and I've always wanted a Harley, and as I progress and upgrade, it's people like these that makes me want to not buy one. I have a love for the sporter and we all know what these people says about them. I've since graduated to Ducati and BMW, there's no down grading now

Nothing is all amerian any more. If you think other wise your living in a dream and need to wake up.

Wait a minute, unfair trade practices abroad? So the idea is to impose tariffs on foreign countries that result in tariffs against our goods? Corporations are mandated to make profits for the shareholders. They aren't mandated to make good products or to make them in the US. They're mandated to make money. MONEY! That's what HD really does, and they do it by using the product they produce, the commodity known as the Harley Davidson motorcycle. Tariffs will cut in to HDs profits enough to make shareholders seriously consider dumping shares. In the end, they don't give a crap about the motorcycle or where it's made of the people that ride them. Their end game is simply to MAKE MORE MONEY! And that's what they'll do by moving manufacture overseas. Our President is calling to boycott a company that employs a lot of Americans. Every day he does one or two or three or more things to betray my trust. What's your opinion? Hate on me if you want, but it really hasn't gotten anyone anywhere yet...

America - where everything dumb is great 👍🏻 ,..!!!!

"Were still relevant! Notice us dammit!!!" - Harley riders

I really thought when Harley sought help from Porsche for a modern reliable engine, that they were gonna move into the 21st Century at last. Harley may be the only company that couldn’t turn a Porsche connection into sales and profit.

I like how the guy at the beginning says other bikes are inferior to an HD LMAO!!!!. Harley makes bikes that are middle of the pack.

Harley sales are down. Big expensive bike sales arent necessarily down. They make an inferior product

An inferior bike? Please! You are ON an inferior bike. A bike that has had to resort to protectionism (tariffs in the 1980s) rather than actually make a quality product. A bike that refuses to become modern (Porsche designed the engine for the vrod, sorry guys), quashes innovation (Buell), doesn't protect its dealers (too many), and is more focused on selling tshirts and Barbie Dolls than bringing in new customers to their Needless Markup bikes. HD has watched its customers get older (see also: Cadillac) and done very little to innovate. They are finally realizing their world value as a brand and going after new customers overseas. Harley is NOT "all bikes". They are one very specific (and popular!) bike: a v-twin cruiser. That's all they make. Period. Nothing wrong with that, but if you want to ride a v-twin, American made cruiser, try Indian (RIP Victory).

Can't blame Harley one bit.