I think this is a test to see how well they do with moving the Pan America and Sportster line first. And if that move proves to do well then I can see them moving the rest of their bike production overseas. And at that point I'm done with them.
I think they will stop making air cooled engines soon and when they do, they will move everything but offices overseas to whatever nations they can make the most profitable.
Being from Thailand myself I can tell you the Softails and Tourers are already being assembled im the Rayong plant for the international market. Until now the engines are shipped from US powertrain factory. The Thai automotive industry is renowned for the assembly quality, why Triumph has moved all their production of non-limited motorcycle models to Thailand as well. Same goes for Ducati who also has production in Thailand. The kicker is that the reduction in production costs of a HD is unlikely to be reflected in the "Out the door" prices. Positioning of HD as a premium brand and higher prices than the competition could be justified in US production. Moving that production of domestically sold bikes abroad should result in lowered prices but that's not gonna happen.
@@billduppstadt7566 Don’t hire a CEO who isn’t already a lifelong motorcycle nut. He does not know what he’s doing, and it’s probably already too late.
They're not doomed. Just sit back and watch.. if others were like me. And got rid of their bikes. They'd be doomed. But, it ain't gonna happen and Harley knows this.
@@GixxerFoo They hired this guy to do just this. He is part of the group that is against companies that are not DEI and Climate Change "friendly". So they dismantle said companies to make them so. This is part of their plan. Leaked emails have shown this. Very very sad. :(
The CEO needs fired and anyone on their board tied to the WEF. Ridiculous. As a someone who lives in Kansas City, the bitterness is still lingering here.
It was D.Trump's fault ... Trump put tariffs on European alumium and steel product-import ... so the EU just responded to that Trump-tariff. Blame Trump to have pushed all this in the current direction.
@@robrobb4370 You're a RETARD, he didn't just put tariffs on metal but tariffs on everything. Metal should be made here like it used to be anyways. You go ahead and vote for that useless CUNT , Cameltoe Harris. Even democrats said she was the worst VP ever but all of a sudden she's going to be the best President ! What a bunch of Fucking RETARDS YOU ARE 🤦🏻♂️🤦♀️🤦
Been riding Harleys for almost 30 years, haven’t bought or worn a Harley piece of clothing in 15+ years. Don’t even wear a Harley leather jacket. I realized that I was paying big bucks to do their advertising. They should have been paying me. Don’t like the idea of being hoodwinked
Almost all motorcycle brands manufacture motorcycles in Thailand. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, Triumph and Ducati. I want a Japanese motorcycle made in Japan, a German motorcycle made in Germany, an English motorcycle made in England an Italian motorcycle made in Italy and a US motorcycle made in the US.
Make your motorcycle in your country. Brag about your product. Ride, maintain and improve your cycles without caving in to others ' agendas. Stop catering to stockholders that will abandon any firm that doesn't make them a quick, cheap buck. Pay appropriately those people that add value
Yeah I agree, don't buy a new one, keep your HD, upgrade it etc, keep the aftermarket boys going. And buy a second hand one if need be, stuff corporate HD.
Greatest thing about a Harley. Infinitely customizable and rebuildable for the most part. See no reason to get a new bike. I like my 05 king and when it needs work I'll do it!
My friend who works at Corporate swears everything I'm hearing about moving to Thailand is a lie. Well... He isn't my friend anymore. I still can't believe they closed Kansas plant and moved to Thailand. Additionally those employees get picked up from their houses and dropped off daily and get fed breakfast and lunch DAILY!!! Meanwhile many families struggled when they closed their KS plant. I can't stand HD for hurting our people and will forever be bitter with the Mo-Co for making that piss poor decision
What other company enjoyed the privilege of their customers PAYING to market for them? My father rode Goldwings for over 40 years. He had maybe 3 items (t shirts, belt buckles, hats, etc.) with any Honda/Goldwing emblems on them. Harley survived the AMF years. They sold to the “good guys” & “bad guys”, straits & deviants, young & old. And they thrived being a (mostly) recreational purchase through all kinds of economies. And in less than 5 years, under a Leftist loving CEO, we are preparing to write Harley Davidson’s obituary. The Left is a destructive cancer; and Harley is its latest victim.
The dirty little secret that HD has kept for years is that approx. sixty percent of the content was sourced overseas. Predominantly from Asia. Shipped to America to be “assembled in the USA”
Brazil, India, and Thailand. Secret? You know. We all know. And this is with *tariffs on their competitors*. How much profit do these guys need? They are still doing well. Facts: In India, Harley-Davidson has an assembly plant in Bawal, Haryana. Similar to the facility in Brazil, this plant assembles motorcycles from parts imported from the United States. The Bawal plant focuses on assembling bikes for the Indian market and other parts of Asia. Parts are shipped from the United States, and motorcycles are assembled in Brazil. In Rayong, Thailand, the plant assembles motorcycles and produces some components as well. Regan made HD soft and lazy.
I am completely at peace with Harley coming to an end. I have 3 that will last until the end of my riding days. Ive already stopped buying anything branded, quit visiting dealerships as this mess continues. Perfectly happy riding what I have and turning my own wrenches.
Between the old lady and I, we own four Harley-Davidson. And one Yamaha v star . So I think we'll be OK.. But I feel for the next generation losing the riding experience only a Harley-Davidson can deliver. Remember, it's not always about me!
@@Roadking556 Consider motorcycle rider numbers are fading. Younger folks are not filling the ranks. There will be plenty of used bikes for decades. Being mesmorized as a small boy walking inside a Harley dealership certainly steered me into the brand, that will be lost. I have thought recently about taking pictures of dealerships that are packed full of bikes just to have proof of "How it used to be".
HD Corporation will save money as it is systematically choked out and goes broke. They absolutely dont’ care enough about the tradition of building quality American bikes. Get a new concept of what a motorcycle is and who makes it and where it is made. F HD. Ride a bicycle.
I sent this letter to Harley-Davidson again just the other day: Your decision to align with the 'woke' movement will severely damage your company. It's baffling that a corporation as large as Harley-Davidson could make such a misguided choice. Just as Budweiser will face long-lasting repercussions for its poor decisions, so will you. Your loyal customer base is left puzzled, struggling to comprehend this level of misjudgment and why you chose to undermine your own business. Perhaps that was your intention all along. If so, congratulations-you've succeeded. I, too, will be boycotting Harley-Davidson and will no longer purchase motorcycles, parts, apparel, or engage with your brand in any way."
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion. Companies in the New World are basically graded on their D.E.I. policies and constantly monitored. If a company does not incorporate these policies the value of the company tanks, their credit rating takes a hit and any company that does business with them will get the same treatment, that is designed to keep everyone in line. Most companies in the world, not just the U.S. have these guidelines. Stakeholders, the 1% fat cats that control currency in the world, W.E.F. board members and associates. Mission statements and core values of major companies that most of us deal with everyday - who they support and donate to will blow your mind if you were to check into it. Indian will be in the same position soon, as they will be selling alot more bikes because of Harleys misfortune of having misguided leadership. When their sales go up, that's when the D.E.I. goons will put the pressure on them more and more to adapt to their woke agenda. And people will boycott them, just like they did Tractor Supply, Bud Light and others. Harley-Davidson to me has always been old school. It has always been here, the signers of the Declaration Of Independence rode their Harleys to The Pennsylvania State House Tavern in 1776 to have a beer and to sign that sacred document. 😁 Harley-Davidson is American. The Motor Company could have went Hi-Tech to match the Japanese bikes, but riders did not want that kind of bike when they bought a Harley-Davidson. They wanted that classic style and sound of a big American made V-Twin, so the factories kept on kicking them out. Harley-Davidson was built on tradition, and rode by people who were loyal to the the company. Harley-Davidson has been infiltrated by people that don't give two shits about Americans and they and have no loyalty to the tradition and heritage of an ICON known around the world and built non stop since 1903. Gas powered, Air cooled V-Twin chrome and LAF! It sure has been a hell of a run, hasn't it Old School? But guess what? That Fat lady ain't sang yet either!
Nothing wrong with that! I had a 2006 Dyna glide that I sold a couple years ago. Really liked it, but had some issues and had to give up riding. Still sport a few Harley t-shirts, but I won't be buying any new ones in the future.
Yea.. still own my 1978 Shovelhead. A Superglide. Needs work now but I'll never sell it. My "new Harley" is an 06 FLHTCI that I just rebuilt from 88 to 100 using all S&S parts. I live within walking distance of the local HD dealer but I travel miles to give my business to small independent shop. I have needed to buy things like fog lamps direct from Harley after a frigging buzzard crashed right into me at 60 mph. But otherwise I wouldn't set foot in there. The new bikes don't look right to me anyway. And sorry... at least 30% more than I'm willing to pay. 69 years old. Won't ever need a new bike. Might buy another Harley. But it won't be new....or from them.
It won't matter if the Milwaukee 8 production moves out of the US because we won't be buying anything from Harley until they change their ways. My EVO's work just fine and I don't see any reason to give Harley ANY business.
@@GixxerFoo I have an S&S Evo Superstock with a Baker 5 speed in an aftermarket frame so it's not a Harley anyway. It is made in America from American parts though. My Sportsters are Harley, well my Sportster chop is maybe 50/50 Harley. It still has the front of the frame, back brake and bottom end that's Harley. Lol
@@jameshill8498 shit. That's a real bike. I'd ride that over this woke bullshit any day. I literally just commented that I might as well build my own chopper from the frame up now. At least it'll have American parts.
@@white_devil73 will it though,I have been building choppers for decades and more and more aftermarket parts aren't american made even some that say they are.Much more now have designed in USA or packaged in the US not made in USA
Honestly they’ve destroyed everything now. I mean what doesn’t suck nowadays? Sports, news, tv shows, music, beer and now Harley. I still love all my pre-Jochen Zeits Harleys and I always will. I’m out in the garage playing with my bikes tuning the whole world out.
EQUITY. THAT MEANS THE CEO AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL ADD THEIR INCOME TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES INCOMES AND DIVIDE IT EQUALLY AMONG EVERYONE? YOU FIRST, I'LL CATCH UP.
No, it won't! Not all American manufacturers have abandoned or betrayed us. Keep the faith and vote with your wallet. Keep American companies strong and reject foreign crap!
I was a Toyota production engineer in Australia, we were benchmarked to Thailand Toyota production, the Australian factory was heavily government subsidized and yet still couldn't compete with the volumes and labor costs in Thailand.
I'm glad I'm an old geezer that's on the downhill slide of life. Not much is made in America anymore, and it's a damn shame. Our country is dependent these days and not independent anymore. We are killing ourselves from the inside. All because of greed for that almighty dollar. Can be made cheaper outside the US. The quality sucks and doesn't last very long, but we keep still buying. When HD closed Kansas, that was step one. Now Thailand is step two. Just a couple more steps and HD will be out the door.
I agree with you 110%. Once they move production over to Thailand. It'll be for good, NOT temporarily. And yes, they're testing the waters with these bikes that aren't selling well, from there once people get accustomed (because that's what most sheeple do, they forget the past and get accustomed ). Then they will eventually start moving production of the softails and then baggers. Sad but true. Greed greed greed.
I've been riding Harleys for 20 years now. I'm not debadging mine, destroying it, or selling it. I'm not happy with the CEO or the board of directors. I own a small amount of HD stock shares and due to my displeasure with HD management I vote my shares in a way to show my displeasure. Since our German CEO took charge share dividends have decreased. I had planned on buying a new bike in 2025, but at this time I have decided to just keep my current bike longer.
Good job, you're supporting the same sht somewhere else. They just had DEI policy statement on their site 2 days ago. They're owned by the same 3 vanguard, black rock, etc... they made a jack daniels bike the last 4 years, look up Jack daniels drag queen summer camp. It's everywhere the root of the problem is only going to be solved by education the next generation.
@@WolfinWolvesClothing713 There are degrees of 'wokeness' and Indian is far and above less woke than HD right now. Even their logo is still a red skinned American and their name is still the same. Harley-Davidson isn't even in the name of the new HD logo.
@@WolfinWolvesClothing713Indian isn’t literally paying for drag queen story hour , paying for sex changes for children, paying politicians for pedophile supporting laws, but Harley is. I just bought a new Harley so I de-badged it. I buy a new bike every 5-6 years and the next will be an Indian unless they fire the foreign freak CEO.
Hey im a fellow Motorcycle RUclipsr. I was one of the first people to buy a Livewire. I was lied to on every selling point. I was banned from Rockstar Harley Davidson after complaining that they couldn't service my bike and threatened to blow my warranty if I didn't leave it there. Long story short I ride the Livewire to Sturgis and got to meet the board. These are not motorcycle people. I was then attempted to have all my content down from Livewire... I hate them But they're why I have 100,800 subs...
Over 40 years...bought 10 HDs. Same here... light even ride to nearest Indian dealer tomorrow. Boxed up all my t shirts, caps, and hoodies this week. Men's ministry the next town over. Took down all my office HD wall art and shelf and desk stuff. Debadging comes next on my 2007 RK Custom.. if I'm keeping it. I found out I can buy oil and filters and gaskets...everything I need or would need and never have to buy from HD for anything again... I will not knowingly support woke, leftist, socialist, and anti American companies.
Vanguard, black rock, etc..own Indian too. Last 4 years they made a jack daniels bike. Look up Jack daniels drag queen summer camp. It's everywhere. We need to be educating the next generation to do better.
@@jmh4ggg Fine. I've had more issues with new bikes. People "usually" take care of their bikes and any new bike warranty problems have already been taken care of. Plus the original owner has taken the hit for depreciation. I can't see any reason to buy new bikes anymore.
Yeah, my total boycott of Harley Davidson is “temporary” too! This is what happens when you put someone from the nation that gave us Hitler, Goebbels, Dr. Mengele, Klaus Schwab, and the World Economic Forum in charge of a once honored American institution. (Charles Schwab was corrected to Klaus Schwab, thanks @alsnhassail)
@@alanhassall yep, that’s who I meant! I’ve been so programmed by those Charles Schwab tv ads from a couple decades back that I find myself saying “Charles Schwab” often when I actually mean “Klaus Schwab”. There’s a huge difference in what those two believe! Thank you for correcting me, perhaps I’ll remember the next time I mention a Schwab to make sure that I have the right one.
Everyone, stop supporting them. If you have integrity, don't buy a single thing from Harley. No parts, no service, no gear/apparel. Don't go to their dealerships or events.
Agreed, I was looking to put forward controls on my 2022 Low Rider; I already had them in my HD shopping cart, but now I am looking for aftermarket controls. I am also looking for an independent shop for service; warranty be damned!
I think marketers are a plague today. Because they do not think about the end consumer, the quality and the reputation of the manufacturer, they only think about profit, the more the better.🧐☝️
Your right, they don`t recognise the customer base when they make these stupid decisions, there`s a reason Harley`s been around for a while and it shouldn`t be dismissed
@@edpetrocelli2633 You are making the mistake of thinking they actually care to make a profit. THEY DON"T. The Board and the people that put the people on the Board want to transform not just America, but they entire planet. Money is of no concern to these people. Go watch the HD CEO's interviews and speeches. He says this specifically. He said it was less about making profit and more about transforming the company. THAT IS THE GOAL.
It really makes me sick what is happening to our beloved Harley Davidson. HD Corporate won't even respond to all these accusations. Can you say Bud Lite?
@@GixxerFoo HD cannot be trusted EVER AGAIN , they will not get rid of ALL the woke , they will pretend and make it TOP secret so no one can find out .
The corporate people at H-D do not give a damn about the US customers or those in any other countries. Profits before product quality, just like any other corporation. The most disgusting thing is that the crooked politicians still allow companies to shift manufacturing overseas. These companies want Americans to buy their product but they don't want to pay Americans to build the product. H-D has been one of those companies that has had nearly all of their "officially licensed" products made in china and at a higher cost than similar and better quality made in the USA products. Buy a $22,000 motorcycle and then GTFO, is the way the stealerships seem to operate here in the NYC area, you can't even get a service done on your 10 year or older H-D at one of them. CEO's say it's the stockholders decision but I sincerely doubt it. When they move production to Thailand, will they drop the price to reflect the non-union slave wages they will be paying the workers ? The cost will remain extremely high for what you get because lower salaries for labor only means higher salaries for corporate !
Just don't buy Harley's that aren't built in the U.S. I'm sure the U.S. is Harley's biggest customer. Yeah in 2021 over 66 % of Harleys were bought in the U.S. Money is power.
Trump was friends with epstien and admitted to wanting to date his own daughter and in his 50s bought miss teen America beauty pageant and then bragged on Howard stern about walking in while the teen girls were dressing bc he could. Yeah Mr just grab em by the pu55y 5x draft dodging traitor. P3d0 cheeto
@@robertolesen2349 When he was President he did it to all the companies that moved their production to Mexico. He basically abolished the fair trade agreement!
Imagine an anti-capitalist, pro-globalist, environmental whack-a-doodle was running Harley Davidson. No wait! Don’t imagine it! That’s who is running the show at Harley Davidson! Now look at the board of directors and discover that in just a few years, Harley Davidson will only be making $$ in America, as the bikes will be made anywhere but here.
That CEO is a slimy creep . It actually bothered me to see that good bike get shot apart . I have 3 HD , 81 shovelhead Super glide , 06 Springer Softail and a 07 Street glide . If i buy another it will be a used 2018 or older ( NO ZIETZS) or M8 as it doesn't sound like an HD to me and all the bikes are the same anymore not as much character to them ....all Softails underneath . My fav bike look was the Dyna with the rear shocks. If i could create a perfect HD it would be a Dyna chassis , wide glide forks and a streamlined , but usable batwing fairing . It would be a cruiser . tourer that would look / handle better than my Street glide, be lighter by at least 100lbs and still be able to go the distance while still offering good wind protection too.
I was in Thailand 6 years ago and it was already decided that the motor company would open up one of the largest markets in the world to Harley motorcycles, any imports into Thailand has 100% import tax placed on them, they are not the only country that does this either, and if a new Harley cost $30,000 here in America, they very same motorcycle would cost $60,000 once it is imported to Thailand. Not to mention that the Thai people are not as happy with large displacement motorcycles as we are here in the western world, A 500 cc motorcycle is considered a very large motorcycle there, so if Harley is to succeed in gaining a share of the market in this region it would have to do two very important things before they could even start, and the first thing they would have to do is build a plant to manufacture their products locally and then build much smaller models that would actually sell in Thailand, which would eliminate the 100% import tariffs on their products and allow them to open up one of the largest motorcycle markets in the world, also with the current trade agreements in place with other countries in the region like Vietnam, the Philippines and I believe even China as well as other countries, all accept goods made from Thailand as a whole different type of import tariffs and some of them have no restrictions or tariffs on imports from other Asian countries such as Thailand, and if they develop a model or even a series of models that become something that is wanted by western countries or even America, then so be it, bring them over and then they can make even more money! But, I can honestly say that there is a huge amount of western men who live in Thailand and would very much love to be able to ride a Harley motorcycle there if it wasn’t so expensive to get one! I checked into bringing my 04 Screaming Eagle RoadKing classic over to Thailand just for a few months to ride around on, and they don’t use any blue book to charge a tariff on any vehicles that are being imported into the country, whatever my motorcycle cost when it was brought brand new at the dealership is what they base it as and they want 100% of what it cost then. Which means that I would have to pay roughly around $40,000 just to have my own bike with me in Thailand, so opening up a plant in Thailand is a solid investment idea and I support it completely, but having a Marxist CEO of a company that manufacturers “The Most Recognized American Icon” on the planet, well I would like to say that is not a smart idea in my opinion. And all of that other stuff that is not American and caters to a class of people who don’t even know how to ride a bike or even have any interest or intentional of ever learning to ride a motorcycle, let alone buy one, and if they ever did buy one, I highly doubt that they would ever buy any American motorcycle, especially a Harley Davidson seeing that they actually hate America! Well I have to admit that a snowflake appeasing policy put in place by a Marxist CEO is pretty stupid
Well that's a kick in the goolies for our American cousins. Great work H-D. Just one more reason to keep hold of my 2005 FXDWG It's been over 20 years since i gave Harley Corporate a single penny - get my servicing and engine work done at a local independent shop and most of my upgrades have been S&S The way they've been behaving recently is almost like they want to go bust. Let them.
It's not just the CEO It's all corporate. HD has turned its back on customers and America years ago. I seen this back in 2012. Sold both my HD'S in 2013 and the 2013 I had only had 1400 miles on it. Went back to metric bikes because they stand behind warranty without having to hire a lawyer and even then having your bike pushed in the far back corner of the shop and ignored until the lawyer had to threaten them again.
This has happened to every American brand since the'90s, I've watched it happen. Buell is making some nice cruisers, maybe Victory will make a comeback.
Correction, due to 30% export tarriffs by many countries on the USA and it's products, including exporting HD's... ALL REST OF WORLD (ROW) or non USA model Milwaukee 8s are also produced in Thailand, to be distributed to Rest of World markets to lower their costs in those foreign market countries.
Politics aside, HDMC has taken some moves in the recent past that all combine to make me rethink my loyalty to HD. Ending Motor Company support for older models, squeezing family/locally owned dealerships out of business and moving production/jobs offshore - are about enough to have me hit the “pause” button on buying a new HD.
I'm looking into what I can do to keep my 2010 Roadking Classic running as long as possible without avoiding riding it. Talking to the old guys at my local indie shop, the 3 big things they recommend to keep a motorcycle forever: #1 do more oil changes than recommend. He referenced a shovelhead where the guy changed his oil every 3000 miles and it got over 1 million miles with no issues. Aparently the guy did double the required oil changes #2 heated garage over the winter. The hot/cold cycle will cause issues and rust. #3 expect to need to modify heavily from stock as things fail. A) switching from fuel injection to corberator. B), Switching from chain drive to gear drive C) redoing the entire wiring harness Could you do an episode on what you think I could do to ride my bike as long as possible? I see lots of vids on performance upgrades, but not many on reliability upgrades
The greedy bastards. If Harley builds them overseas, then they need to keep them overseas. I believe Harley Davidson will suffer for their bad decisions, and the sad part is the American employees will too.
Why did they hire a German to run an American company? I'm going to keep riding my pre-woke 2011 Fat Boy Lo until the wheels fall off. No more Harley parts for repairs. All after market parts from now on. Since they won't work on my bike (over ten years old) I have no reason to have anything to do with them at all. I did buy parts and tires from them, but no more. Just the fact that they won't work on my bike they can KMA. Fact is, I never did like the company. All this AMERICA, WE ARE ALL TOGETHER bullshit is just that. Bullshit. If I live long enough to wear this bike out I'll buy and Indian.
The lesson should be never sell all the controlling of your company to the public. I still remember what they did to the guy that created Men's Wear House. If you start a company that becomes successful, you and your family must protect it or you will loose it.
I buy American cars and American motorcycles for one simple reason: I want to support American workers. I love my Harleys and am going to buy a 2025 when they come out. If Harley shifts manufacturing operations for bikes I want to ride overseas, I will not buy another Harley.
@@GixxerFoo I'd rather buy products built by American workers who work for American companies. I hope Harley doesn't take that away from us. I appreciate that Honda builds vehicles in the US and employs Americans, but the profits go to companies in Japan. No disrespect to Japan or other countries, but I want to see Americans succeed.
Were you planning on buying a Pan America, Sportster S, or Nightster as your next bike? If the answer is no, then your bike is still going to be made in the US by US workers.
When I was a kid the Harley shop was a small quonset with a dirt floor on the edge of town. With real bikers and outlaws hanging out. No civilians. Now the last forty years plus the Harley shops feel more like the Gap.
I've bought 6 new HD's since 2004. My latest Zeitz built 22 has been my least favorite. Less painted parts, more plastic, higher engine tolerances. This 22 has noisy valves, excessive vibration and a shitty infotainment system. Each one of my HD's was more refined until this 22. He turned Puma around by taking cheap and making it pretty. My 22 is a shining example of that!
@VintageThaiLadyBoy stock holders only care about a return on their investments, this woke nonsense is the board of directors who can be voted out of office by the stock holders and sued for financial malfeasance. And the CEO can be fired for it.
Harley actually thinks it’s a great idea to move their manufacturing plant to Thailand? Simply ask any mechanic, home DIY person, or any car, motorbike or small engine enthusiasts how they honestly feel about parts and tools made in Thailand. 😂🤣😂.
A lot of Japanese bikes are built in Thailand these days. Also Triumph makes motorcycles in Thailand. It doesn't seem to be a problem, at least when you have Japanese engineers running the production facility.
Let’s be honest here. If I was on a production line here in the U.S. for those bikes I would be looking for another job. Where a door closes another one opens. Harley seems hell bent on self deleting themselves 😂
Another major reason is that the HD market is (hot) in Thailand. Only unless a vehicle is domestically built in Thailand they carry a 200% import duty. So building in Thailand lets them offer that market cheap motorcycles. FAR from defending what they are doing. I’m simply saying why it’s happening. BTW, real Harleys don’t have radiators!
There used to be a shop here that built old style new Harley bikes, they went out of business. I suspect we might see more of these if the prices can be competitive.
The technician in Thailand that will put your motorcycle together will earn $15USD / DAY. NOT / HOUR. You will have a poorly trained technician putting your HD together. I see quality issues in HD future. Now the CEO of HD is going Woke. So sell your stock now before it’s to late. This is worse than AMF buy out.
Now you know why I differentiate between modern Harley Davidson and 20th Century Harley Davidson. 20th Century Harley Davidson had it's problems, but they still made "Harleys." The end of Evo production was a turning point for MoCo. HD has, in my opinion, (which is always correct), sucked since the turn of the century and these latest moves by MoCo just confirm that I am, as usual, absolutely correct.
The Twin Cam and rubber mounted EVO Sportsters are superior to the big twin EVOs and rigid Sportsters in many ways! Power, paint, comfort, brakes, controls, lights, etc......FACTS! 👌
HD has been on the brink for decades, that's just the way it is. I've been riding imported sport bikes for 50-years and finally purchased my first HD (FatBoy) last year. I could have bought three imports for what the bike cost me but decided to finish my riding on a HD (I'm old and the racing days are over). The younger generation doesn't ride mc's anymore (scooters maybe), and the yuppie riders are all about price. It was inevitable that they would seek lower manufacturing costs out of this country. After us older riders with money are gone there will be no one left to buy their products.
It is happening throughout the auto industry. Premium brands are making cars and bikes in China, India, Thailand, etc. There is nothing wrong with this on its own and I would buy a new Royal Enfield quite happily. What is wrong is asking a premium price for a product based on the buyer assuming it is made in the USA, Germany, Austria, Britain because of the badge on the vehicle.
Those 2 bikes will go away in America. The production of them will not come back. When Trump gets back in office in November and puts 100 plus tariffs on goods made outside the USA these bikes will be more expensive and HD knows this so this is the last the USA will see these bikes.
My wife and I have an 01 Heritage Springer (mine) and a 01 Fatboy(hers) and we love them. I will not be buying anything else or getting rid of our current models. I saw this coming for several years now. I could not stand the CEO when he first took over. Its was my understanding he didnt even ride a motorcycle when he took the job. Kind of a red flag to me. Oh well. He needs fired.
Zeitz needs to go! I'll do what I can to keep my 20 year old Road King going indefinitely. But I'll be damned if I buy a new one until he is gone. That's my last straw.
It’s just a matter of time, capitalism is all about the bottom line. Harley-Davidson is caught in a demographic death spiral, the folks that can afford to purchase 25 to 50 thousand $ Harley’s are ageing out of riding( what’s the average age of Harley riders?) and motorcycle registrations are down in America. It will be a slow and ugly demise of a once American Icon, but on the bright side my 85 evo FXRS and 2013 FLD will keep me IN THE WIND.
Oh brother, this again. The HD customer has been "aging out" sense the 60's. Most of the people who are willing to pay those prices are the 40-60 demo, and always has been for HD. HD has managed to keep a 35% share of the over 35 male market for decades. If your actually curious about it, your just clicks away from seeing for yourself.. Or you can just repeat what has been said about HD customers sense the 60's. Oh, and they leak oil too. :/
One more nail in the coffin for HD. It's amazing to see the slow motion destruction of an icon. Oh well, the Indian Chieftan Dark Horse is one gorgeous bike!
Time to boycott. Put Harley out of business if they move to Thailand. They have always stood on there being an American company. now they’re awoke bud light snowflake company moving to Thailand. I guess this goes back to things just ain’t as good as they used to be.
Not a Harley guy, but the question that always comes to me, is this. Is there an actual reason to buy a new Harley, over keeping the old one? Harleys are expensive, they seem to last a long time, and they don't really seem to change much from year to year. If I were a Harley guy, I think I'd look upon the Harley in my garage, that was already paid for, as being a much more attractive proposition than dropping $30k at the dealership to get the latest iteration. Especially now that they've started putting mufflers on them.
That’s why my Harley’s are going GOODBYE ! Hello Buell super cruise and super touring ! First because of WOKENESS, and now overseas production ! I’m OUT after 50 years of riding Harley’s !!
I'm keeping the 3 I have. Waiting on the Buell Super Cruiser to hit the street and enjoying what I have. No more visits to dealerships across the southeast, no more purchases of branded anything.
Do you think Harley-Davidson is going to shift production of the Softail and Touring motorcycles overseas to Thailand?
I think this is a test to see how well they do with moving the Pan America and Sportster line first. And if that move proves to do well then I can see them moving the rest of their bike production overseas. And at that point I'm done with them.
I think they will stop making air cooled engines soon and when they do, they will move everything but offices overseas to whatever nations they can make the most profitable.
It’s not a real sportster anyway and there’s so many more adventure, bikes, better than that piece of crap they sell!!!
Being from Thailand myself I can tell you the Softails and Tourers are already being assembled im the Rayong plant for the international market. Until now the engines are shipped from US powertrain factory.
The Thai automotive industry is renowned for the assembly quality, why Triumph has moved all their production of non-limited motorcycle models to Thailand as well. Same goes for Ducati who also has production in Thailand.
The kicker is that the reduction in production costs of a HD is unlikely to be reflected in the "Out the door" prices.
Positioning of HD as a premium brand and higher prices than the competition could be justified in US production. Moving that production of domestically sold bikes abroad should result in lowered prices but that's not gonna happen.
I would bet that those bikes sell better overseas . Will they be in the American market for sale then ?
Don't hire a CEO that's not American.
There are plenty of Americans who would do the same crap.
Especially a woke WEF shill!
Unfortunately the Board of Directors are woke and come from the same cloth as the German CEO.
@@positivelynegative9149maybe but this guy is a nazi
@@billduppstadt7566 Don’t hire a CEO who isn’t already a lifelong motorcycle nut. He does not know what he’s doing, and it’s probably already too late.
Harley is doomed, they will not admit they are wrong and go down with the ship. The noodle-nibbling CEO needs to be fired immediately.
They're not doomed. Just sit back and watch.. if others were like me. And got rid of their bikes. They'd be doomed. But, it ain't gonna happen and Harley knows this.
100% CEO needs to go!
Fire the CEO!
I surprised the whole board hasn't been dumped, I imagine once sales really slump the investors will call for it.
@@GixxerFoo...might be too late for that...the move and production will already have been done and dusted. 😔
ROUND-UP TIME
The board in so different, it's up to the public and their shareholders to force them into making changes.
@@GixxerFoo They hired this guy to do just this. He is part of the group that is against companies that are not DEI and Climate Change "friendly". So they dismantle said companies to make them so. This is part of their plan. Leaked emails have shown this. Very very sad. :(
The CEO needs fired and anyone on their board tied to the WEF. Ridiculous. As a someone who lives in Kansas City, the bitterness is still lingering here.
The problem was they hired a non American to run the company
They hired a communist
To run an American company 🧐
It was D.Trump's fault ... Trump put tariffs on European alumium and steel product-import ... so the EU just responded to that Trump-tariff. Blame Trump to have pushed all this in the current direction.
@@robrobb4370 if you think Trump created any increase in anything for our economy then you are a bot or an idiot. Which one?
@@robrobb4370 You're a RETARD, he didn't just put tariffs on metal but tariffs on everything. Metal should be made here like it used to be anyways. You go ahead and vote for that useless CUNT , Cameltoe Harris. Even democrats said she was the worst VP ever but all of a sudden she's going to be the best President ! What a bunch of Fucking RETARDS YOU ARE 🤦🏻♂️🤦♀️🤦
Once the CEO of Harley Davidson has ruined the company he’ll just take a job @ BMW.
Harley Davidson, a tee shirt company that also sells motorcycles.
Soon to be "Used to sell motorcycles"
Real original. Great intellectual addition to the conversation.
@@WolfinWolvesClothing713They also pander to man babies that like to dress up as tough guys and whine about gays all day.
@@WolfinWolvesClothing713well it is a bunch of Harley guys so...
Been riding Harleys for almost 30 years, haven’t bought or worn a Harley piece of clothing in 15+ years. Don’t even wear a Harley leather jacket. I realized that I was paying big bucks to do their advertising. They should have been paying me. Don’t like the idea of being hoodwinked
Tip: Anyone working in sales at a dealership, you might want to seek employment elsewhere.
Temporary? “Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program” - Milton Friedman
Glad I found someone who gets it!
@yonniestone
If it moves, TAX IT!
If it continues to move, REGULATE IT!
If it stops moving, SUBSIDIZE IT!
- Big Gov -
Almost all motorcycle brands manufacture motorcycles in Thailand. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, Triumph and Ducati. I want a Japanese motorcycle made in Japan, a German motorcycle made in Germany, an English motorcycle made in England an Italian motorcycle made in Italy and a US motorcycle made in the US.
Norton, India. We be Dinosaurs, and the Chicxulub Asteroid is comin' in Hot.. ;/
Make your motorcycle in your country. Brag about your product. Ride, maintain and improve your cycles without caving in to others ' agendas. Stop catering to stockholders that will abandon any firm that doesn't make them a quick, cheap buck. Pay appropriately those people that add value
Keep your old bikes going as long as you can. Might as well call it CHARLEY DAVIDSON now.👍🇺🇸
Still riding my Shovel haven't dealt with HD the company for decades anyways.
Yeah I agree, don't buy a new one, keep your HD, upgrade it etc, keep the aftermarket boys going. And buy a second hand one if need be, stuff corporate HD.
Greatest thing about a Harley. Infinitely customizable and rebuildable for the most part. See no reason to get a new bike. I like my 05 king and when it needs work I'll do it!
@@steveheizman1905 That’s what I did with my 07 softail standard. Rebuilt the engine in February and it’s good to go!
The way future sales look, it will called Hardly Ableson!
My friend who works at Corporate swears everything I'm hearing about moving to Thailand is a lie. Well... He isn't my friend anymore. I still can't believe they closed Kansas plant and moved to Thailand. Additionally those employees get picked up from their houses and dropped off daily and get fed breakfast and lunch DAILY!!! Meanwhile many families struggled when they closed their KS plant. I can't stand HD for hurting our people and will forever be bitter with the Mo-Co for making that piss poor decision
I can ride mine for life and give my money to the aftermarket.
Exactly my thoughts. Us Johnsons are bloody brilliant. 🤙🇺🇸😎
What other company enjoyed the privilege of their customers PAYING to market for them? My father rode Goldwings for over 40 years. He had maybe 3 items (t shirts, belt buckles, hats, etc.) with any Honda/Goldwing emblems on them.
Harley survived the AMF years. They sold to the “good guys” & “bad guys”, straits & deviants, young & old. And they thrived being a (mostly) recreational purchase through all kinds of economies.
And in less than 5 years, under a Leftist loving CEO, we are preparing to write Harley Davidson’s obituary. The Left is a destructive cancer; and Harley is its latest victim.
Ya china lol
Exactly
The dirty little secret that HD has kept for years is that approx. sixty percent of the content was sourced overseas. Predominantly from Asia. Shipped to America to be “assembled in the USA”
Brazil, India, and Thailand. Secret? You know. We all know. And this is with *tariffs on their competitors*. How much profit do these guys need? They are still doing well.
Facts:
In India, Harley-Davidson has an assembly plant in Bawal, Haryana. Similar to the facility in Brazil, this plant assembles motorcycles from parts imported from the United States. The Bawal plant focuses on assembling bikes for the Indian market and other parts of Asia.
Parts are shipped from the United States, and motorcycles are assembled in Brazil.
In Rayong, Thailand, the plant assembles motorcycles and produces some components as well.
Regan made HD soft and lazy.
I am completely at peace with Harley coming to an end. I have 3 that will last until the end of my riding days. Ive already stopped buying anything branded, quit visiting dealerships as this mess continues. Perfectly happy riding what I have and turning my own wrenches.
@@carlbruhn1772 yup same here. If I do get another bike it will be an older one or an Indian or custom chopper.
Between the old lady and I, we own four Harley-Davidson. And one Yamaha v star . So I think we'll be OK.. But I feel for the next generation losing the riding experience only a Harley-Davidson can deliver. Remember, it's not always about me!
@@Roadking556 Consider motorcycle rider numbers are fading. Younger folks are not filling the ranks. There will be plenty of used bikes for decades. Being mesmorized as a small boy walking inside a Harley dealership certainly steered me into the brand, that will be lost. I have thought recently about taking pictures of dealerships that are packed full of bikes just to have proof of "How it used to be".
HD Corporation will save money as it is systematically choked out and goes broke. They absolutely dont’ care enough about the tradition of building quality American bikes. Get a new concept of what a motorcycle is and who makes it and where it is made. F HD. Ride a bicycle.
Overpriced crap, call it now " Hardly a Davidson ".
I am a lifetime Harley Rider and will continue to ride my 2002 heritage, put Harley-Davidson will never get another Penny on my money
Yea they will.
@@rickcole8587 same.
I've got a 1988 Sporty and Ill be riding that until I'm ready for an Indian.
Screw Harley Davidson... can't wait to buy an Indian
I sent this letter to Harley-Davidson again just the other day:
Your decision to align with the 'woke' movement will severely damage your company. It's baffling that a corporation as large as Harley-Davidson could make such a misguided choice. Just as Budweiser will face long-lasting repercussions for its poor decisions, so will you. Your loyal customer base is left puzzled, struggling to comprehend this level of misjudgment and why you chose to undermine your own business. Perhaps that was your intention all along. If so, congratulations-you've succeeded. I, too, will be boycotting Harley-Davidson and will no longer purchase motorcycles, parts, apparel, or engage with your brand in any way."
Well Done.
Very well done!@@carlbruhn1772
I sent a letter as well. It started with “dear dumbass kraut”
Anhueser-Busch made 32 BILLION dollars in profit last year (2023, up 1.6%). I think they are going to be ok for awhile..
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion. Companies in the New World are basically graded on their D.E.I. policies and constantly monitored. If a company does not incorporate these policies the value of the company tanks, their credit rating takes a hit and any company that does business with them will get the same treatment, that is designed to keep everyone in line. Most companies in the world, not just the U.S. have these guidelines. Stakeholders, the 1% fat cats that control currency in the world, W.E.F. board members and associates. Mission statements and core values of major companies that most of us deal with everyday - who they support and donate to will blow your mind if you were to check into it. Indian will be in the same position soon, as they will be selling alot more bikes because of Harleys misfortune of having misguided leadership. When their sales go up, that's when the D.E.I. goons will put the pressure on them more and more to adapt to their woke agenda. And people will boycott them, just like they did Tractor Supply,
Bud Light and others.
Harley-Davidson to me has always been old school. It has always been here, the signers of the Declaration Of Independence rode their Harleys to The Pennsylvania State House Tavern in 1776 to have a beer and to sign that sacred document. 😁
Harley-Davidson is American. The Motor Company could have went Hi-Tech to match the Japanese bikes, but riders did not want that kind of bike when they bought a Harley-Davidson. They wanted that classic style and sound of a big American made V-Twin, so the factories kept on kicking them out. Harley-Davidson was built on tradition, and rode by people who were loyal to the the company. Harley-Davidson has been infiltrated by people that don't give two shits about Americans and they and have no loyalty to the tradition and heritage of an ICON known around the world and built non stop since 1903.
Gas powered, Air cooled V-Twin chrome and LAF!
It sure has been a hell of a run, hasn't it
Old School?
But guess what? That Fat lady ain't sang yet either!
I have an 02 Road King with 85,000 miles on it, I will never sell it no matter what Harley does. I love my bike. Not the company
Nothing wrong with that! I had a 2006 Dyna glide that I sold a couple years ago. Really liked it, but had some issues and had to give up riding. Still sport a few Harley t-shirts, but I won't be buying any new ones in the future.
@NotchFox yeah, I wouldn't want a new Harley, I love my old twin cam and I think it's a better made bike than the newer ones.
@jasondaugherty9239 There goes a HD "woke" person down the road, mom.
@@davidvasquez3564 🤣
Yea.. still own my 1978 Shovelhead. A Superglide. Needs work now but I'll never sell it. My "new Harley" is an 06 FLHTCI that I just rebuilt from 88 to 100 using all S&S parts.
I live within walking distance of the local HD dealer but I travel miles to give my business to small independent shop.
I have needed to buy things like fog lamps direct from Harley after a frigging buzzard crashed right into me at 60 mph.
But otherwise I wouldn't set foot in there.
The new bikes don't look right to me anyway.
And sorry... at least 30% more than I'm willing to pay.
69 years old. Won't ever need a new bike.
Might buy another Harley.
But it won't be new....or from them.
It won't matter if the Milwaukee 8 production moves out of the US because we won't be buying anything from Harley until they change their ways.
My EVO's work just fine and I don't see any reason to give Harley ANY business.
Crazy to think you could get a remanned factory Evo up until around 2014.
@@GixxerFoo I have an S&S Evo Superstock with a Baker 5 speed in an aftermarket frame so it's not a Harley anyway. It is made in America from American parts though.
My Sportsters are Harley, well my Sportster chop is maybe 50/50 Harley. It still has the front of the frame, back brake and bottom end that's Harley. Lol
Rebuild my '85 Evo a while back.
It will last longer than me.
@@jameshill8498 shit. That's a real bike. I'd ride that over this woke bullshit any day. I literally just commented that I might as well build my own chopper from the frame up now. At least it'll have American parts.
@@white_devil73 will it though,I have been building choppers for decades and more and more aftermarket parts aren't american made even some that say they are.Much more now have designed in USA or packaged in the US not made in USA
Honestly they’ve destroyed everything now. I mean what doesn’t suck nowadays? Sports, news, tv shows, music, beer and now Harley. I still love all my pre-Jochen Zeits Harleys and I always will. I’m out in the garage playing with my bikes tuning the whole world out.
It sucks. American made will be just a memory.
EQUITY. THAT MEANS THE CEO AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL ADD THEIR INCOME TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES INCOMES AND DIVIDE IT EQUALLY AMONG EVERYONE? YOU FIRST, I'LL CATCH UP.
No, it won't! Not all American manufacturers have abandoned or betrayed us. Keep the faith and vote with your wallet. Keep American companies strong and reject foreign crap!
Hopefully. American made means unreliable and overpriced.
@@alandabyea they just overcharge us for that American flag stamp 🎉
@@brandonmacon3317 Can't argue with that.
I was a Toyota production engineer in Australia, we were benchmarked to Thailand Toyota production, the Australian factory was heavily government subsidized and yet still couldn't compete with the volumes and labor costs in Thailand.
I'm glad I'm an old geezer that's on the downhill slide of life. Not much is made in America anymore, and it's a damn shame. Our country is dependent these days and not independent anymore. We are killing ourselves from the inside. All because of greed for that almighty dollar. Can be made cheaper outside the US. The quality sucks and doesn't last very long, but we keep still buying. When HD closed Kansas, that was step one. Now Thailand is step two. Just a couple more steps and HD will be out the door.
I’ve said it before…….”built in America” but the parts aren’t……..should be “assembled in America”……….
I agree with you 110%. Once they move production over to Thailand. It'll be for good, NOT temporarily. And yes, they're testing the waters with these bikes that aren't selling well, from there once people get accustomed (because that's what most sheeple do, they forget the past and get accustomed ). Then they will eventually start moving production of the softails and then baggers. Sad but true. Greed greed greed.
I've been riding Harleys for 20 years now. I'm not debadging mine, destroying it, or selling it. I'm not happy with the CEO or the board of directors. I own a small amount of HD stock shares and due to my displeasure with HD management I vote my shares in a way to show my displeasure. Since our German CEO took charge share dividends have decreased. I had planned on buying a new bike in 2025, but at this time I have decided to just keep my current bike longer.
Traded mine for a Indian today I’m done with Harley
Good job, you're supporting the same sht somewhere else. They just had DEI policy statement on their site 2 days ago. They're owned by the same 3 vanguard, black rock, etc... they made a jack daniels bike the last 4 years, look up Jack daniels drag queen summer camp. It's everywhere the root of the problem is only going to be solved by education the next generation.
@@WolfinWolvesClothing713 There are degrees of 'wokeness' and Indian is far and above less woke than HD right now. Even their logo is still a red skinned American and their name is still the same. Harley-Davidson isn't even in the name of the new HD logo.
@@WolfinWolvesClothing713Indian isn’t literally paying for drag queen story hour , paying for sex changes for children, paying politicians for pedophile supporting laws, but Harley is. I just bought a new Harley so I de-badged it. I buy a new bike every 5-6 years and the next will be an Indian unless they fire the foreign freak CEO.
Smart move
@@WolfinWolvesClothing713 Got it. Don't buy anything. We will own nothing and be happy the World Economic Forum (WEF)
Hey im a fellow Motorcycle RUclipsr.
I was one of the first people to buy a Livewire. I was lied to on every selling point. I was banned from Rockstar Harley Davidson after complaining that they couldn't service my bike and threatened to blow my warranty if I didn't leave it there.
Long story short I ride the Livewire to Sturgis and got to meet the board. These are not motorcycle people.
I was then attempted to have all my content down from Livewire...
I hate them
But they're why I have 100,800 subs...
Been riding over 50 yrs, never buying another Harley. Looking at Indians now.
Indian removed “DEI” from their website a few days ago so they’re no different. Those DEI managers are still in place there.
Over 40 years...bought 10 HDs. Same here... light even ride to nearest Indian dealer tomorrow. Boxed up all my t shirts, caps, and hoodies this week. Men's ministry the next town over. Took down all my office HD wall art and shelf and desk stuff. Debadging comes next on my 2007 RK Custom.. if I'm keeping it. I found out I can buy oil and filters and gaskets...everything I need or would need and never have to buy from HD for anything again... I will not knowingly support woke, leftist, socialist, and anti American companies.
Vanguard, black rock, etc..own Indian too. Last 4 years they made a jack daniels bike. Look up Jack daniels drag queen summer camp. It's everywhere. We need to be educating the next generation to do better.
They probably don't want your business anymore. No love lost.
Me too, I have never really liked those shinny turds.
Harley and Davidson is only a name of memory at this point of industrial manufacturing , it's not about the product....
I haven't bought a new Harley since 07'. Too expensive. All my Harley purchases since then have been from private sellers.
How reliable have they been?
@@jmh4ggg
Fine. I've had more issues with new bikes. People "usually" take care of their bikes and any new bike warranty problems have already been taken care of. Plus the original owner has taken the hit for depreciation. I can't see any reason to buy new bikes anymore.
Friend of mine just got an Ultra for 7k... it only had 8k miles on it. Looks brand new. Deals are out there. No need to drop 50k on a new bike.
Yeah, my total boycott of Harley Davidson is “temporary” too! This is what happens when you put someone from the nation that gave us Hitler, Goebbels, Dr. Mengele, Klaus Schwab, and the World Economic Forum in charge of a once honored American institution. (Charles Schwab was corrected to Klaus Schwab, thanks @alsnhassail)
I think you mean Klaus Schwab. He is the guy from the WEF.
Oh and you forgot Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach who invented the first internal combustion, petroleum fueled motorcycle!
@@alanhassall yep, that’s who I meant! I’ve been so programmed by those Charles Schwab tv ads from a couple decades back that I find myself saying “Charles Schwab” often when I actually mean “Klaus Schwab”. There’s a huge difference in what those two believe! Thank you for correcting me, perhaps I’ll remember the next time I mention a Schwab to make sure that I have the right one.
Everyone, stop supporting them. If you have integrity, don't buy a single thing from Harley. No parts, no service, no gear/apparel. Don't go to their dealerships or events.
Agreed, I was looking to put forward controls on my 2022 Low Rider; I already had them in my HD shopping cart, but now I am looking for aftermarket controls. I am also looking for an independent shop for service; warranty be damned!
Fire the CEO is how I feel about it. He obviously was not born and raised in the USA. Who hired him to begin with? What did they expect?
Klaus Schwab
I think marketers are a plague today. Because they do not think about the end consumer, the quality and the reputation of the manufacturer, they only think about profit, the more the better.🧐☝️
Boeing. Danger danger will robinson
Wrong. If you psycho analyze any corporation, they are psychopaths.
Hello….. what happened to a airplane manufacturer who lost their way….?
Your right, they don`t recognise the customer base when they make these stupid decisions, there`s a reason Harley`s been around for a while and it shouldn`t be dismissed
@@edpetrocelli2633 You are making the mistake of thinking they actually care to make a profit. THEY DON"T. The Board and the people that put the people on the Board want to transform not just America, but they entire planet. Money is of no concern to these people. Go watch the HD CEO's interviews and speeches. He says this specifically. He said it was less about making profit and more about transforming the company. THAT IS THE GOAL.
the CEO of H-D is obvious but that entire board of directors is backing his agenda.
It really makes me sick what is happening to our beloved Harley Davidson. HD Corporate won't even respond to all these accusations. Can you say Bud Lite?
Top it off they are responding to it exactly the way Bud did.
@@GixxerFoo HD cannot be trusted EVER AGAIN , they will not get rid of ALL the woke , they will pretend and make it TOP secret so no one can find out .
The corporate people at H-D do not give a damn about the US customers or those in any other countries. Profits before product quality, just like any other corporation. The most disgusting thing is that the crooked politicians still allow companies to shift manufacturing overseas. These companies want Americans to buy their product but they don't want to pay Americans to build the product. H-D has been one of those companies that has had nearly all of their "officially licensed" products made in china and at a higher cost than similar and better quality made in the USA products. Buy a $22,000 motorcycle and then GTFO, is the way the stealerships seem to operate here in the NYC area, you can't even get a service done on your 10 year or older H-D at one of them. CEO's say it's the stockholders decision but I sincerely doubt it. When they move production to Thailand, will they drop the price to reflect the non-union slave wages they will be paying the workers ? The cost will remain extremely high for what you get because lower salaries for labor only means higher salaries for corporate !
Just don't buy Harley's that aren't built in the U.S. I'm sure the U.S. is Harley's biggest customer. Yeah in 2021 over 66 % of Harleys were bought in the U.S. Money is power.
Former HOG officer here. I just donated ALL my Harley gear. The bike went bye bye. Never again to ride. 😒
If Trump gets elected President Harley will have to pay a tariff tax on every bike imported back. That may change their minds.
Trump was friends with epstien and admitted to wanting to date his own daughter and in his 50s bought miss teen America beauty pageant and then bragged on Howard stern about walking in while the teen girls were dressing bc he could. Yeah Mr just grab em by the pu55y 5x draft dodging traitor. P3d0 cheeto
You need to understand tariffs are an import tax slapped on the end customer, ie. American end buyers.
@@robertolesen2349yep that’s the idea. I hope that happens.
Yes but it’s also to try and keep American companies from moving production out of the country also.
@@robertolesen2349 When he was President he did it to all the companies that moved their production to Mexico. He basically abolished the fair trade agreement!
If it's not manufactured in the USA it's not a Harley but just another import.
Imagine an anti-capitalist, pro-globalist, environmental whack-a-doodle was running Harley Davidson.
No wait! Don’t imagine it! That’s who is running the show at Harley Davidson!
Now look at the board of directors and discover that in just a few years, Harley Davidson will only be making $$ in America, as the bikes will be made anywhere but here.
These are horrible machines and disturbing good people with all the noise..
Not another dime for ANY of these work companies. Not another DIME.
That CEO is a slimy creep . It actually bothered me to see that good bike get shot apart . I have 3 HD , 81 shovelhead Super glide , 06 Springer Softail and a 07 Street glide . If i buy another it will be a used 2018 or older ( NO ZIETZS) or M8 as it doesn't sound like an HD to me and all the bikes are the same anymore not as much character to them ....all Softails underneath . My fav bike look was the Dyna with the rear shocks. If i could create a perfect HD it would be a Dyna chassis , wide glide forks and a streamlined , but usable batwing fairing . It would be a cruiser . tourer that would look / handle better than my Street glide, be lighter by at least 100lbs and still be able to go the distance while still offering good wind protection too.
@@steelwheels327 You can create a perfect Harley. Harley riders have been doing that for over 100 years.
At this point, I'll just build my own chopper from actual American parts. Frame up.
Black Rock is definitely pulling the strings at HD!
Boston Partners owns more of HD than Black Rock…
@@gregmacd2829 which is owned by ORIX Corporation of Japan.
@@hawkdsl I did read that, thanks
With our retirement money.
Everyone should pull out
I didn't know real bikers give a sh__ about what corporate America does.
It's about moving to a non-union shop. More shareholder money less worker money.
It's crazy to think that even when Honda realizes the importance of building here and that's whey the Gold Wing is built in the US.
I hope this isn't true. Unions are the backbone of America.
@@GixxerFoo
Honda closed the Marysville Motorcycle Plant in 2009!
I was in Thailand 6 years ago and it was already decided that the motor company would open up one of the largest markets in the world to Harley motorcycles, any imports into Thailand has 100% import tax placed on them, they are not the only country that does this either, and if a new Harley cost $30,000 here in America, they very same motorcycle would cost $60,000 once it is imported to Thailand. Not to mention that the Thai people are not as happy with large displacement motorcycles as we are here in the western world, A 500 cc motorcycle is considered a very large motorcycle there, so if Harley is to succeed in gaining a share of the market in this region it would have to do two very important things before they could even start, and the first thing they would have to do is build a plant to manufacture their products locally and then build much smaller models that would actually sell in Thailand, which would eliminate the 100% import tariffs on their products and allow them to open up one of the largest motorcycle markets in the world, also with the current trade agreements in place with other countries in the region like Vietnam, the Philippines and I believe even China as well as other countries, all accept goods made from Thailand as a whole different type of import tariffs and some of them have no restrictions or tariffs on imports from other Asian countries such as Thailand, and if they develop a model or even a series of models that become something that is wanted by western countries or even America, then so be it, bring them over and then they can make even more money! But, I can honestly say that there is a huge amount of western men who live in Thailand and would very much love to be able to ride a Harley motorcycle there if it wasn’t so expensive to get one! I checked into bringing my 04 Screaming Eagle RoadKing classic over to Thailand just for a few months to ride around on, and they don’t use any blue book to charge a tariff on any vehicles that are being imported into the country, whatever my motorcycle cost when it was brought brand new at the dealership is what they base it as and they want 100% of what it cost then. Which means that I would have to pay roughly around $40,000 just to have my own bike with me in Thailand, so opening up a plant in Thailand is a solid investment idea and I support it completely, but having a Marxist CEO of a company that manufacturers “The Most Recognized American Icon” on the planet, well I would like to say that is not a smart idea in my opinion. And all of that other stuff that is not American and caters to a class of people who don’t even know how to ride a bike or even have any interest or intentional of ever learning to ride a motorcycle, let alone buy one, and if they ever did buy one, I highly doubt that they would ever buy any American motorcycle, especially a Harley Davidson seeing that they actually hate America! Well I have to admit that a snowflake appeasing policy put in place by a Marxist CEO is pretty stupid
Time for another visit 😊
Well that's a kick in the goolies for our American cousins. Great work H-D.
Just one more reason to keep hold of my 2005 FXDWG
It's been over 20 years since i gave Harley Corporate a single penny - get my servicing and engine work done at a local independent shop and most of my upgrades have been S&S
The way they've been behaving recently is almost like they want to go bust. Let them.
@@denerumsby6789 agreed! Guess I'll keep my 2004 Low Ridsr and my carbed 2005 XL1200C. ♥️
It's not just the CEO It's all corporate.
HD has turned its back on customers and America years ago. I seen this back in 2012. Sold both my HD'S in 2013 and the 2013 I had only had 1400 miles on it. Went back to metric bikes because they stand behind warranty without having to hire a lawyer and even then having your bike pushed in the far back corner of the shop and ignored until the lawyer had to threaten them again.
This has happened to every American brand since the'90s, I've watched it happen. Buell is making some nice cruisers, maybe Victory will make a comeback.
Polaris dropped Victory to acquire Indian Motorcycles. Victory will not be coming back... those factories are making Indians now.
Correction, due to 30% export tarriffs by many countries on the USA and it's products, including exporting HD's... ALL REST OF WORLD (ROW) or non USA model Milwaukee 8s are also produced in Thailand, to be distributed to Rest of World markets to lower their costs in those foreign market countries.
Living 30 minutes away from Harley HQ this feels more personal to me. People are freaking out over here 😔
I would really like to see the museum before bankruptcy locks the doors
I live in Australia. My M8 2022 Sport Glide was built in Thailand. This is not a new concept.
Is it true that Thai food has become sort of an unofficial national cuisine of Australia?!?
Politics aside, HDMC has taken some moves in the recent past that all combine to make me rethink my loyalty to HD. Ending Motor Company support for older models, squeezing family/locally owned dealerships out of business and moving production/jobs offshore - are about enough to have me hit the “pause” button on buying a new HD.
I'm looking into what I can do to keep my 2010 Roadking Classic running as long as possible without avoiding riding it.
Talking to the old guys at my local indie shop, the 3 big things they recommend to keep a motorcycle forever:
#1 do more oil changes than recommend. He referenced a shovelhead where the guy changed his oil every 3000 miles and it got over 1 million miles with no issues. Aparently the guy did double the required oil changes
#2 heated garage over the winter. The hot/cold cycle will cause issues and rust.
#3 expect to need to modify heavily from stock as things fail. A) switching from fuel injection to corberator. B), Switching from chain drive to gear drive C) redoing the entire wiring harness
Could you do an episode on what you think I could do to ride my bike as long as possible?
I see lots of vids on performance upgrades, but not many on reliability upgrades
You'd start to think all these,American companies are being destroyed by design. Budweiser, Harley Davidson, I'm sure there are others.
It s by desıgn for sure , when you break them apart you can make the bıg $$$$ . Thats called prıvate equıty
Hollywood and the video game industry also.
All part of the WEF agenda.
A major U.S. corporation lied to everyone??? No way! This could very well be the final nail in Harley's coffen.
Been to the Harley Davidson shop in Manila. Bought T shirts, but told them ride a Shovelhead. Planning on keeping my 1983 FXWG running.
The greedy bastards. If Harley builds them overseas, then they need to keep them overseas. I believe Harley Davidson will suffer for their bad decisions, and the sad part is the American employees will too.
Why did they hire a German to run an American company? I'm going to keep riding my pre-woke 2011 Fat Boy Lo until the wheels fall off. No more Harley parts for repairs. All after market parts from now on. Since they won't work on my bike (over ten years old) I have no reason to have anything to do with them at all. I did buy parts and tires from them, but no more. Just the fact that they won't work on my bike they can KMA. Fact is, I never did like the company. All this AMERICA, WE ARE ALL TOGETHER bullshit is just that. Bullshit. If I live long enough to wear this bike out I'll buy and Indian.
Money makes the world go around, - and jobs go to the lowest labor costs. Corporate greed runs rampant these days. 🤔
Harley Davidson was dying before the woke crap!!! Now they just put the final nail in the coffin.
This will not end well For Harley .
The lesson should be never sell all the controlling of your company to the public. I still remember what they did to the guy that created Men's Wear House. If you start a company that becomes successful, you and your family must protect it or you will loose it.
I buy American cars and American motorcycles for one simple reason: I want to support American workers. I love my Harleys and am going to buy a 2025 when they come out. If Harley shifts manufacturing operations for bikes I want to ride overseas, I will not buy another Harley.
I do the same as well, I don't mind buying something from Honda, Yamaha or Kawasaki if it's made here in the US. The Gold Wing is built in the US.
@@GixxerFoo I'd rather buy products built by American workers who work for American companies. I hope Harley doesn't take that away from us. I appreciate that Honda builds vehicles in the US and employs Americans, but the profits go to companies in Japan. No disrespect to Japan or other countries, but I want to see Americans succeed.
Were you planning on buying a Pan America, Sportster S, or Nightster as your next bike? If the answer is no, then your bike is still going to be made in the US by US workers.
@@GixxerFoo
Goldwing WAS built in the US. Honda moved it back to Japan a few years ago.
I loved my Pan Thailand. It was an innovative approach to adventure biking.
When I was a kid the Harley shop was a small quonset with a dirt floor on the edge of town. With real bikers and outlaws hanging out. No civilians. Now the last forty years plus the Harley shops feel more like the Gap.
I've bought 6 new HD's since 2004. My latest Zeitz built 22 has been my least favorite. Less painted parts, more plastic, higher engine tolerances. This 22 has noisy valves, excessive vibration and a shitty infotainment system. Each one of my HD's was more refined until this 22. He turned Puma around by taking cheap and making it pretty. My 22 is a shining example of that!
Stockholders have legal recourse if they are brave enough to sue.
You don't think it's the shareholders who want this move?
@VintageThaiLadyBoy stock holders only care about a return on their investments, this woke nonsense is the board of directors who can be voted out of office by the stock holders and sued for financial malfeasance. And the CEO can be fired for it.
Just don’t buy the new ones if you disagree with the company don’t destroy what was made
Great piece of advice
Agree. my bike is an 02, and Willy G was still around. My HD is an HD. However, it's my last HD. I checked out when computers got in the frame.
Never forget...
A corporation is a sociopath in business.
Workers always take it on the nose. As long as I can get parts for my Evo I'll survive.
Same here. Plenty of aftermarket parts for my old evo will keep me riding as long as my body lets me.
I have a brand new Indian Persuit sitting in my driveway. Last week it was an Ultra Limited. Never going back, ever!
Harley actually thinks it’s a great idea to move their manufacturing plant to Thailand? Simply ask any mechanic, home DIY person, or any car, motorbike or small engine enthusiasts how they honestly feel about parts and tools made in Thailand. 😂🤣😂.
A lot of Japanese bikes are built in Thailand these days. Also Triumph makes motorcycles in Thailand. It doesn't seem to be a problem, at least when you have Japanese engineers running the production facility.
Let’s be honest here. If I was on a production line here in the U.S. for those bikes I would be looking for another job. Where a door closes another one opens. Harley seems hell bent on self deleting themselves 😂
Buel comes to mind
Have many production lines are still in the US. When these jobs go, they don’t necessarily come back.
@@MotoLopez1kBuell seems like a real long shot. I own a 2003 and love it, but Buell never seems to last very long.
Another major reason is that the HD market is (hot) in Thailand. Only unless a vehicle is domestically built in Thailand they carry a 200% import duty. So building in Thailand lets them offer that market cheap motorcycles.
FAR from defending what they are doing. I’m simply saying why it’s happening.
BTW, real Harleys don’t have radiators!
Not selling my Evo, and won’t buy new.
That's my attitude.
Both Big Twin + Sportster Evo, and a couple of Shovels that will keep me in the breeze till I'm dead.
There used to be a shop here that built old style new Harley bikes, they went out of business. I suspect we might see more of these if the prices can be competitive.
The technician in Thailand that will put your motorcycle together will earn $15USD / DAY. NOT / HOUR. You will have a poorly trained technician putting your HD together. I see quality issues in HD future. Now the CEO of HD is going Woke. So sell your stock now before it’s to late. This is worse than AMF buy out.
I do miss the old rickety shelf in the background!.... just feeling nostalgic today!
I really need to throw another one together, that was a few beers and stuff I had laying around so I threw it together lol.
Same 🇦🇺
HD has been a disappointment for years.
Now you know why I differentiate between modern Harley Davidson and 20th Century Harley Davidson. 20th Century Harley Davidson had it's problems, but they still made "Harleys." The end of Evo production was a turning point for MoCo. HD has, in my opinion, (which is always correct), sucked since the turn of the century and these latest moves by MoCo just confirm that I am, as usual, absolutely correct.
The Twin Cam and rubber mounted EVO Sportsters are superior to the big twin EVOs and rigid Sportsters in many ways! Power, paint, comfort, brakes, controls, lights, etc......FACTS! 👌
HD has been on the brink for decades, that's just the way it is. I've been riding imported sport bikes for 50-years and finally purchased my first HD (FatBoy) last year. I could have bought three imports for what the bike cost me but decided to finish my riding on a HD (I'm old and the racing days are over). The younger generation doesn't ride mc's anymore (scooters maybe), and the yuppie riders are all about price. It was inevitable that they would seek lower manufacturing costs out of this country. After us older riders with money are gone there will be no one left to buy their products.
Temporary is just corporate speak for just the tip. I bet the CEO wants to find every reason to continuously visit Thailand, wink wink
"Just the tip." 🤣🤣🤣
Who doesn't? 😉😉
It is happening throughout the auto industry. Premium brands are making cars and bikes in China, India, Thailand, etc. There is nothing wrong with this on its own and I would buy a new Royal Enfield quite happily. What is wrong is asking a premium price for a product based on the buyer assuming it is made in the USA, Germany, Austria, Britain because of the badge on the vehicle.
Those 2 bikes will go away in America. The production of them will not come back. When Trump gets back in office in November and puts 100 plus tariffs on goods made outside the USA these bikes will be more expensive and HD knows this so this is the last the USA will see these bikes.
That's what happened the first time was tariffs, they wanted to go overseas and that put a stop to it for a while.
😂He's, not getting back in.
It's over for Trump. He's a feeble old man now.
Trump should move to Thailand! 🤣
Good the sportster S is junk
My wife and I have an 01 Heritage Springer (mine) and a 01 Fatboy(hers) and we love them. I will not be buying anything else or getting rid of our current models. I saw this coming for several years now. I could not stand the CEO when he first took over. Its was my understanding he didnt even ride a motorcycle when he took the job. Kind of a red flag to me. Oh well. He needs fired.
Zeitz needs to go!
I'll do what I can to keep my 20 year old Road King going indefinitely. But I'll be damned if I buy a new one until he is gone. That's my last straw.
At this point just buy a Honda.
"You meet the nicest people on a Honda" .. slogan from the 1960s! ❤
It’s just a matter of time, capitalism is all about the bottom line. Harley-Davidson is caught in a demographic death spiral, the folks that can afford to purchase 25 to 50 thousand $ Harley’s are ageing out of riding( what’s the average age of Harley riders?) and motorcycle registrations are down in America. It will be a slow and ugly demise of a once American Icon, but on the bright side my 85 evo FXRS and 2013 FLD will keep me IN THE WIND.
Oh brother, this again. The HD customer has been "aging out" sense the 60's. Most of the people who are willing to pay those prices are the 40-60 demo, and always has been for HD. HD has managed to keep a 35% share of the over 35 male market for decades. If your actually curious about it, your just clicks away from seeing for yourself.. Or you can just repeat what has been said about HD customers sense the 60's. Oh, and they leak oil too. :/
@@hawkdslman, you beat me to the "they leak oil." So, I'll do the other one, "overpriced piece of junk." These people are just parrots.
One more nail in the coffin for HD. It's amazing to see the slow motion destruction of an icon. Oh well, the Indian Chieftan Dark Horse is one gorgeous bike!
Time to boycott. Put Harley out of business if they move to Thailand. They have always stood on there being an American company. now they’re awoke bud light snowflake company moving to Thailand. I guess this goes back to things just ain’t as good as they used to be.
The Union Shook down HD Big Time a year or two ago. I wonder how many HD Lovers pay $59.00 per year to be a H.O.G. Member?
I still do, not sure if I will continue though.
Both of my bikes are over 15 years old. Doesn’t look like I’ll be buying a new one anytime soon!
Still riding my carbureted 2002 and I will never sell her.
Not a Harley guy, but the question that always comes to me, is this. Is there an actual reason to buy a new Harley, over keeping the old one? Harleys are expensive, they seem to last a long time, and they don't really seem to change much from year to year. If I were a Harley guy, I think I'd look upon the Harley in my garage, that was already paid for, as being a much more attractive proposition than dropping $30k at the dealership to get the latest iteration. Especially now that they've started putting mufflers on them.
What's new? I worked in a Harley dealership forty years ago. All of our customers hated us back then too! 🤣
That’s why my Harley’s are going GOODBYE !
Hello Buell super cruise and super touring ! First because of WOKENESS, and now overseas production ! I’m OUT after 50 years of riding Harley’s !!
Things have really started to crater in a hurry for Harley.
I'm keeping the 3 I have. Waiting on the Buell Super Cruiser to hit the street and enjoying what I have. No more visits to dealerships across the southeast, no more purchases of branded anything.