Harley-Davidson EATING Itself In Freefall (Riders Have the Power)

Harley-Davidson is eating itself alive and it keeps getting worse. We as riders have another way to enjoy the Harley-Davidson motorcycles we love and not support Harley-Davidson corporate. Purchase Harley-Davidson motorcycles privately used, support your local independent Harley-Davidson service and repair shops. The local ma and pa shops that deal in Harley-Davidson would love to have your business and they sometimes have a great selection of used Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These are shops that won't turn you away if your Harley-Davidson is more than 10 years old!

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Bikes on the channel:

Motorcycle: 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200CP (Sportster 1200 Custom)

Custom Parts Installed:
Screamin' Eagle Heavy Breather air cleaner
Harley-Davidson Reach Seat
Harley-Davidson Chrome and Rubber Collection grips
Drag Specialties Offset Clevis Footpeg Conversion Kit
Aftermarket Detachable Back Rest
Harley-Davidson Air Flow timing cover
Harley-Davidson Air Flow clutch cover
Screamin' Eagle spark plug wires
Screamin' Eagle spark plugs
Flipped Down Stock Mirrors

Motorcycle: 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X (Sportster Forty-Eight)

Custom Parts installed:
Harley-Davidson Factory Security System
Screamin' Eagle Exteme Billed Air Cleaner (Black)
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Foot Pegs
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Grips
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Shifter Peg
Screamin' Eagle spark plug wires

[GixxerFoo]

Is it still okay to ride a Harley-Davidson but not support the corporate machine?

[pg]

If you can't work on it yourself, support the little guy, small independent shops. 👍🇺🇸

[khayward]

It's a dysfunctional relationship, love the motorcycle hate the motor company.

[cboehmersr]

Harley lost me when I took my 2002 Fatboy to the dealership and I was told they don’t work on a bike that old ! So I did take it to a Mom and pop shop recommended to me

[johnsimms]

When will Harley davidson ever get a ceo that truly loves the brand instead of someone that just wants to suck the riders dry ?

[shameless]

I own 4 Harleys. Do all my own work. And buy my parts from Dennis Kirk and others 99% of the time. Very rarely get anything from overpriced H-D.

[Adobe]

Don't assume Harley Davidson is being destroyed accidently. This is a controlled demolition. The same thing is going on at Disney, Anheiser Busch, Tractor Supply, and elsewhere.

[murraywallace]

There was a movement a few years back started by Iron Horse magazine where riders flipped their Harley patches upside down to signify that we liked the bikes but held the company in disdain, maybe it is time to restart this tradition. FTF

[oldsoldier]

This is what kills me. Our local HD shop, American HD in MA, are still a small, locally owned shop. They defied the corporate buy out of almost ALL the dealerships in New England. The problem is, they are now dead last for bikes, parts, etc. IF the dealership werent still locally run, I would have no issues turning my back.
But, the owner of the shop is a friend. The employees are family and friends. The owner and my dad used to race bikes in the 70s together. They dont turn away older bikes. When I bought my EGS in 2019, they didnt have that model, and had no expectations of getting one anytime soon, so they sent me to another dealer, just so I could get the bike I wanted.
When Phillie, the owner, passes, his daughter will take over the business. Until she closes shop, or sells out fully to corporate, I will still be a loyal customer to them. They are not following the corporate script. In fact, they are such a small dealership, they cannot really conform to the floor designs that corporate wants.
He is the last of the old school dealers in the area. He is a man of his word, and all deals are closed with a handshake. I am loyal to THEM, not to the MoCo. And, when American shuts their doors for a final time-at that point, I will definitely go to an indie dealer.

[charlesnelson]

I'm 40, and I've been riding Harleys since I was 23. My grandfather had a knucklehead new. I've owned 6 Harleys. All this to say, I'm very fond of the bikes. I've been living under a rock so ive I've no idea what corp has done this time, but based on the Bud reference, i have a clue. I couldn't care less about that. What i do care about is the complete "take a number" additude that dealers have had since early 2000 and the subpar proformance the bikes are released under the guise of make it your own through the catalog. I've only ever bought one bike from a dealer. The dealers in Illinois, became one large Corp and for me it's been crap dealing with them. I don't wear HD gear, I don't rep HD, but my 99 road king that has 90k miles that I've had for a decade might just be buried with me.

[thomasjackson]

Pre-woke Harleys just went up in value just like artwork goes up in value after the artist dies. Don't panic sell! You might just own a piece of what America used to be!

[RonD-dh]

You have the most logical response to loving your Harley and have absolutely nothing to do with Mother Harley and when riders realize that everything will be better.

[roostercrow]

Only Harleys I've ever owned were EVO's, probably always will. Going into the dealership now is just like stepping into a new car dealership, and the turnover of employees (parts) is ridiculous.

[hotdotdog]

I'll continue to ride my Harley but I am concerned with the local HD dealership I've associated with since the 1980's. That particular dealership has been family owned for over 70 years and is an honest and fair group of individuals. HD Corp. just made them do a total remodel which they have to pay for. I'd hate to see good people go under because of a few idiots in high places.

[KruseProductions]

Great content and thinking. As you said, we are H-D. I own 2 bikes that I purchased from an independent dealer. He knows me and greets me every time I walk in the door. He supports his product and sold them to me at a great discount compared to the dealers locally that don’t have a clue as to who I am. H-D is still the best bike out there. We and the aftermarket made them that way. I’ve ridden H-D since 1982 and have been told by the dealership to buy a new bike, mine was too old for them to work on or supply parts for. I always found what I needed from other independents. Ride on and take care.

[MicahBell_]

I have continued to ride Harleys, without supporting Corporate, for about 13 years now

[ahoneyman]

People arent going to sell their bikes. People are outraged right up to the point where it affects their wallets.

[TJ-seih]

I stopped giving a shit about Harley when they started charging $200 for an oil change and taking 3 weeks to do it. HD hasn't been rider friendly for ages and now they have basically admitted they have nothing but disdain for their core customer base

[zackadams]

Harley of Frederick, MD just recently and abruptly closed. The father wanted to transfer ownership to the son. Harley corporate came in and said before that, they need to do 3 million dollars of renovations to the showroom. They said no and Harley pulled their support, shutting down Frederick Harley after 40+ years I believe. It’s a damn shame since I started my motorcycling journey there and wanted to buy my first Harley there. They’ve been quickly headed downhill since this time last year and I hate it.

[SteveChapman-ly]

I will keep my but they are old enough that most dealers will not work on them anyway . So I take them to independent shops for stuff I cannot do myself .