Last night I was talking to a friend on the phone about the new 2017-18 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Their sales are down, etc.
I got this idea:
It appears H-D kinda missed their chance a bit on a market for sales to these "new kid" riders I call 'em. The big FXR craze is back, and they dropped the Dynas (which is ok) but maybe design your new bike to be FXR like, and promote handling ! Design a model of XG similar to Brawny Built's flat track bike. Why can't they build a new "rigid frame" chopper-type model? Sounds funny, but I think they'd sell. Willie G. did a lot of these same things, and his models are now prized and still popular. No matter what the reason the buyer has for choosing the new H-D Rigid (HDR), or the XGFT "Flat Track" or possibly a FXRCH (Competition Handling) model . . . Sales would be directed to the (35% and growing) hard-working "new kids" who work for America, in America, and ride AMERICAN !
The baby boomers will get a new "hot rod" trike - The "T", The Double T and/or The Triple T (all based on performance upgrades . . . and for a small, around town, fuel efficient, lower cost ride - the Side Valve Returns ! An air cooled miniature flat head with about 20 cubic inches, low compression - can run on 20% ethanol fuel, so easy your grandma can start it . . .
The HDFH "Flat Head" . . . with the Ricardo head.
Maybe take a step back to what worked in the past?
What would Harry do ?
They probably don't need me working in their Marketing Dept. . . . ?
No, maybe they do need you working in their marketing department. Remember though all the new D.O.T. and EPA and who knows what regulations that make the past a lot harder to achieve today.
ReplyDeleteIn 1966 I was working in the garage @ LAPD... Just a kid..That year the CHP was taking over freeway jurisdiction and they had a big ceremony.. They pulled out of storage a 1935 VL for display... How I remember drueling over that bike and how great it looked compared to the obese panheads and new shovelheads... Yep, Harley needs a better path... Let's hope they find it...
ReplyDeleteOh, by the way, Charles Franklin was designing and building flatheads with a similar design BEFORE Recardo..But he didn't patent the design... His flatheads did kick major ass on the track and street....
I dig your blog.. I check it out daily...
Bastard, that 1935 VL is on display today at the CHP museum at their academy here in Sacramento along side their H-D trike our local AMCA chapter completed for them a few years ago.
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