Harley driven up by possibility Honda may buy it

Investors think it's credible. They expect an announcement in the short term and a big move in the stock. Trading in options to buy shares of Harley-Davidson Inc. surged to a record on speculation that the biggest U.S. motorcycle maker may be acquired by Honda Motor Co., the world's largest maker of motorcycles. via Asbury Park Press Online

[HMC guy]

Complete poppy cock. Honda doesn't need the demographic. Plus HOG is too expensive.

[GLM]

In my experience investors rarely truly understand a business. This is a brand, and underlying the brand is a culture. If that brand and culture cannot be sustained, value plummets. Honda is so far removed from the culture the would have to be sustained as to make it a near impossibility. It seems highly unlikely to me. But then again, I'm a rider not an investor!

[Bernster]

What a load of crap. HD is about their history, being American made. It's an American icon. Honda buying Harley... it'll never happen!

[Bush]

Bernster wrote:

What a load of crap. HD is about their history, being American made. It's an American icon. Honda buying Harley... it'll never happen!

But would it leak less oil!

[HD_RIDER]

At least Honda would finally have a "genuine" cruiser instead of the "wanna-be's" in its lineup..........

[no one]

Bush wrote:

<quoted text>But would it leak less oil!

You're a dikhead!

[LongHaul]

Sad day when another American icon is purchased by a foreign firm. Anything is posssible at the right price, and Willy G. is not getting any younger. Biggest hurdle would be government approval of the transaction - may be too difficult to overcome. Plus side, Honda is a well run company and would not diminiish the quality of Harley. Who would have thought Chrysler would ever be bought out.......

[chevy corvette]

Honda Davidson Inc

[Shack]

MONEY TALKS! Anything is for sale and Dont FORGET IT. Dont rule anything out.

[JAR-03 Ultra Classic]

As many of the above comments make sense in one way or another I would hate to see a truly magnificent ICON disappear from it heritage. When I moved up from a Honda to the Harley full dress I knew it was the only way to go. All others were just copies, and that is still true today. Let's hope that Willy G won't just look at only the financial aspect of the company, even though that is really the bottom line.

[SeanK]

Honda knows a valuable brand when they see it. Just like every other big company, they divest into related industry brands. A spread portfolio can be a safety new.

HD is all about the personal touch, but the personal touch can be very costly to the bottom line. I wouldn't discredit the rumor without hearing an official announcement from either company. Honda's marketing machine wouldn't want to hurt the HD brand by making too many changes; that's actually what they would be purchasing more than anything else. I'd bet that HD makes almost as much in licensing fees as it does in motorcycles sales.

[Dave Turner]

I rode most of my life. Everything but a HD. I finally bought one. I gave 18000,00 for a 5000.00 dollar bike. Kept it for a year and have never ridden since. Kind of like a bad women.Just sickened me out. Maybe Honda can take a 100 year old engine and make it run a little. The last day I rode it my buddy was on his gold wing and I got smart and rolled the throttle on.It hurt my neck he went by so fast.I know they arent meant to be fast but my pickup will dust then off.

[big e]

may as well thay have sold out so much already

[mike k]

Did you hear that 95% of Harleys are still on the road? The other 5% made it home, though.

[mike k]

How are Harleys like puppies? Each likes to ride in the back of a pickup and leaves a puddle on the floor.

[mike k]

They could change the name to Honda-Davidson.

[Flip]

With over 50 years of riding bikes, owning many different brands, I finally bought a Harley. Sold it realizing I was riding a bike 20 years behind in development. Came to the conclusion that I'd rather have VD stamped on my health card then have HD on my gas tank.

[Junk]

Hardly and quality in the same sentence???
Come on people we all know that Hardlys are junk and if Honda bought them they might actually be able to put those two words in the same sentence!

LongHaul wrote:

Sad day when another American icon is purchased by a foreign firm. Anything is posssible at the right price, and Willy G. is not getting any younger. Biggest hurdle would be government approval of the transaction - may be too difficult to overcome. Plus side, Honda is a well run company and would not diminiish the quality of Harley. Who would have thought Chrysler would ever be bought out.......

[MKK]

Heck , half of a new Harley is made by Honda anyhow. Showa Forks and shocks. Nippondenso and Hiatachi electrics.

[rev]

i own both honda 700 and harley 1340 the honda runs alot beter and is alot faster so i think it mite make them beter bike