Harley-Davidson profits plummet

Harley-Davidson Inc. announced Thursday that its net income and stock earnings fell by more than 84 percent each for the third quarter, when compared to the third quarter of 2008.

[nosferatu]

Gee, where are all the people at that blame everything on the York union?

[C Mon Buddy]

I can't believe that, in this economy, HD hasn't gone belly-up yet!

[DARK STAR]

This company really needs to clean up their act if
they want to experience positive growth. Buying a
HD bike right now and you could end up owning
anothern Saturn.

[Irover]

Given the DISCONTINUATION of Buell and divesting
MV, we may be witnessing the death spiral of HD. The Motor Company never did realize that Buell could have been a successful product line and an entry point for sport-riders into the HD family. Instead they treated Buell as an after thought. Now all those dealers, who HD forced to build those expensive "stores" have nothing to sell expect the over-priced, un-engineered bikes trying to compete with metric bikes selling for thousands less which have the latest design\technology. Not to mentionthe abundance of "used" low-mileage
garage queen harleys that are flooding the market (and the repo bikes that dealers are trying to pass off as "used"). Look for more & more dealers to either go belly up or switch to Metric and\or Victory. I doubt that you will see another savior
ala AMF buyout this time!

[LudaCrazy]

just LEAVE already & BE DONE WITH IT !!!!

[Big Daddy]

I can't hardly wait for the big announcement.

[hib]

if i posted this link right, this is an interesting article listing the sales decline for motorcycle world wide. it's not just HD having issues

[hib]

try this link... LOL

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/aug/1...

[mike mike]

who cares...be gone

[SCRAMBLIN]

Let's see if I've got this right; company makes tons of money in previous years-company execs rape profits=union at fault? Maybe I slept thruogh to many math classes! I used to work for a small company in the mid 90's. Everything they paid for was PAID FOR! They are still in business and doing fine because they didn't get greedy when times were good. Sometimes work was slow, but with money in the bank they were able to weather tough times. Stop blaming unions and people who want to make a decent living and start blaming the GREEDY BASTARDS who rape companies of every last dollar on thier way out the door!

[BBletterin]

Im not a Harley bean counter, but ALL big companys seem to be getting rid of workforce (people) in order to make bottom line LOOK good. The higer mgt. don't seem to take much of a hit,but alot of laid off workers are the means to there supposed "economic recovery". I own a Buell and realy feel for the dedicated workers who just got "snuffed" so Harley can put there money into forign markets.Make the bike more diverese & mor affordable (not chineese made)and more interested people will buy them, IF they haven't been laid off!

[independent]

The owners (not stockholders) of the MoCo couldn't care less about what we have to say here and also don't care about the plant workers - we are all expendable. Their only concern is the bottom line. Taxes and government regulations cut into that bottom line to a great extent so workers pay the price. A business that goes through a boom time and expects that to remain is not managed well - no foresight and is actually a menace. HD has been operated like a small time, boom business and is going through the last twitches of a dieing, mismanaged company.

Maybe Obama will take it over and get it back on it's feet like GM, Chrysler, and the Banks....Call it Harley Government Davidson and put some head bobbing, lacy pantied liberal in charge.

I bought a Screaming Eagle Road King in '08 and it's the best motorcycle I have ever owned. I've been riding Harley's for a long time and have kept a few of the favorite ones but if HD moves to China, I will not buy another 'Harley China Davidson'. I will also find alternative sources for parts for what I have. They will cease to exist. They are screwing me and my friends so screw them! Let the Chinese ride their 'Chinese Harley Iron'...

[jim v]

I must honestly say going to a Harley dealer is like fantasy land. Those prices!!. Your only alternative is to plunk a couple of thousand dollars down and struggle with the 5-6 year loans. Whew, in this economy? That would be wallet suicide. I can only hope the real purist motorcycle comes back at a reasonable price. None of the mardi gras adorned hoopla chrome door chimes attachments. Enough of the H-D elite, expensive , snub attitude, fashion show!
Buell purist

[Jon]

Buell purist also, I agree and most Harley riders are all nothing but posers to begin with who know nothing about motorcycles. I'm afraid the band wagon is over for the poser crowd with their tassels and chrome. Meanwhile you ax Buell who was selling, just won a world title, innovative, affordable but just did not appeal to the poser crowd walking in your showrooms. Now the poser crowd has left and the real bike enthusiasts who loved Buell and the ones who were about to, have been abandoned. Smart move to jetison Buell that you never understood or marketed right to begin with. FOOLS!

[Frank]

I have to agree with you guys. The days of Harleys and Hell Angels is gone. Today the company caters to rich, white, executives who have more money than they know what to do with. They have basically phased out the middle and lower middle class riders.

[CheapHunky]

I've always had used bikes and maintained them myself. I agree that many HD dealers sucker punched those who allowed it. Bike weeks have turned into freak shows of old guys "finding themselves" by out spending the next guy. I'll admit I bought my Buell to be used as a beater about town, but found myself enjoying it more than I expected. Ride what you like and learn to ride it well.