Comments on: Harley Davidson CEO Jim Ziemer to Retire http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/12/15/harley-davidson-ceo-jim-ziemer-to-retire/ Motorcycle News for Positive People Fri, 25 May 2012 19:21:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: todd http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/12/15/harley-davidson-ceo-jim-ziemer-to-retire/#comment-189678 todd Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:09:48 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=3574#comment-189678 The interesting thing is I don't hear Harley asking for bailout funds. There must be a lot of room in their pricing. I think the Adventure touring bike market has the most growth potential, entry level riders have been convinced 1200cc bikes are good enough to start on. I'd rather see some update to the Blast and possibly a new Topper. -todd The interesting thing is I don’t hear Harley asking for bailout funds. There must be a lot of room in their pricing.

I think the Adventure touring bike market has the most growth potential, entry level riders have been convinced 1200cc bikes are good enough to start on. I’d rather see some update to the Blast and possibly a new Topper.

-todd

]]> By: Skizick http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/12/15/harley-davidson-ceo-jim-ziemer-to-retire/#comment-189606 Skizick Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:55:11 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=3574#comment-189606 Harley is aware of changing times. Adopting Mr. Buell's influences is a good example. In the 60's an attempt was made to offer a full like of bikes. Aramacchi was inlisted. AMF brought twostrokes back into their lineup in the 70's. The market was there, Harley just didn't come up with a viable product to fill it. Hopefully these were lessons well learned. Today's market is well covered with cruisers and crotch rockets from HD's barn. Entry level is touched on by the Blast. A more versatle (dual purpose) offering in a Blast size seems like a good move. Keeping young blood around the desision making process should be encouraged. The oldies should be kept close too because experience and treachery are still valuable trates. Harley is aware of changing times. Adopting Mr. Buell’s influences is a good example. In the 60′s an attempt was made to offer a full like of bikes. Aramacchi was inlisted. AMF brought twostrokes back into their lineup in the 70′s. The market was there, Harley just didn’t come up with a viable product to fill it. Hopefully these were lessons well learned. Today’s market is well covered with cruisers and crotch rockets from HD’s barn. Entry level is touched on by the Blast. A more versatle (dual purpose) offering in a Blast size seems like a good move. Keeping young blood around the desision making process should be encouraged. The oldies should be kept close too because experience and treachery are still valuable trates.

]]> By: justpete http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/12/15/harley-davidson-ceo-jim-ziemer-to-retire/#comment-189595 justpete Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:24:32 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=3574#comment-189595 I've already seen it done at a few bike shows. (Speaking of shoeing in a vette motor into a caddy) A lot of guys are turning the VRod in to a full on bagger. Wether that is just a trend coming and going but I know I've seen plenty of other comments suggesting that Harley use the Revo engine in a touring bike. And yes, hopefully a new change in leadership can convince Willy G to make some new changes in the line up and not just new paint, aftermarket parts and a bigger $ tag. I’ve already seen it done at a few bike shows. (Speaking of shoeing in a vette motor into a caddy) A lot of guys are turning the VRod in to a full on bagger. Wether that is just a trend coming and going but I know I’ve seen plenty of other comments suggesting that Harley use the Revo engine in a touring bike. And yes, hopefully a new change in leadership can convince Willy G to make some new changes in the line up and not just new paint, aftermarket parts and a bigger $ tag.

]]> By: Walt http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/12/15/harley-davidson-ceo-jim-ziemer-to-retire/#comment-189588 Walt Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:30:25 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=3574#comment-189588 Harley is a well-managed company facing some significant challenges. The economy: when you're worried about having a job, it's a no brainer to put off buying a two-wheeled toy that costs $10K to $40K (one customized Road King I saw at the recent Toyota/Cycle World show). That show was just a shell of its former self, with both locals and the majors (BMW) missing. The industry is hurting. Demographics: Hogs appeal to the Wild Ones/Easy Rider generation (that would be my generation). What do 20-somethings ride? HD has the same problem that made Cadillac queue up Led Zeppelin music and wedge a Corvette V-8 in a sedan: creeping oldsterness. I'm hoping the next CEO can solve both problems. Harley is a well-managed company facing some significant challenges.

The economy: when you’re worried about having a job, it’s a no brainer to put off buying a two-wheeled toy that costs $10K to $40K (one customized Road King I saw at the recent Toyota/Cycle World show). That show was just a shell of its former self, with both locals and the majors (BMW) missing. The industry is hurting.

Demographics: Hogs appeal to the Wild Ones/Easy Rider generation (that would be my generation). What do 20-somethings ride? HD has the same problem that made Cadillac queue up Led Zeppelin music and wedge a Corvette V-8 in a sedan: creeping oldsterness.

I’m hoping the next CEO can solve both problems.

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