why does H-D always try to sell me a new motorcycle?

Question

every time i go to the harley shop to buy parts for my old bike the try to get me to buy a new one , instead of being happy that someone still likes the old bikes and does what they can to keep their heritage on the road?

Answer 1

Money in their pocket. Keep this in mind. There are alot of smaller American bike builders that are growing everyday. Harley has to keep pumping bikes out the door to stay ahead in the money game. Every bike on the road is free advertisement as well. How many times have you been asked, "hey, where did you buy your bike?" nuff said there and Harley knows that. So, should I take Harley to court since they don't pay me for advertising? Did anyone sign a document stating that you are not to receive any monetary allowances for owning a two wheeled billboard? Hmmm something to think about.

Answer 2

Basically, the dealership is a business, and the reason for being in business is to make a profit. To do so, they need to sell their inventory, especially the bikes, preferably before they have to make floorplan payments on them (dealers pay for the bikes on a "floorplan" arrangement, with payments usually beginning 60-90 days after delivery to the dealership) to maximize their profit (i.e., floorplanning includes interest costs, they make more money if they sell a bike before the floorplan payments begin, as they have little or no money tied up in the bike 'til then - afterwards, it cuts into their profit margin and significantly increases their cash outlay). It's also a numbers game - the more bikes they sell, the more money they make. Even though they usually have a much higher profit margin (percentage) on parts, it requires a huge number of parts sales to equal the profit on the sale of just one bike. In effect, they need to sell bikes to stay in business, just as a car dealership needs to sell cars to remain in business. Walking through the showroom in either place will usually attract a salesman (who is paid on commission, BTW, increasing his or her desire to sell new bikes, as well). Consider this - if they didn't try to sell new bikes, the dealership (and, probably, H-D) would eventually go out of business, and you wouldn't be able to buy parts.

BTW, regarding a comment made by another sayiing that you'll wish you bought a Honda instead of an H-D at around 20,000 miles, that is absurd, llikely coming from somebody with no H-D ownership experience (and, possibly, motivated by jealousy). I have owned quite a few motorcycles, including a variety of Hondas and Harleys. Based on my experience, I would have to say that "modern" (post-AMF) Harleys are well engineered and built to high quality standards, and are at least as reliable as Hondas, and, possibly, more reliable than many other Japanese motorcycles. I currently own a Honda A.C.E. and a, '06 Harley Electra-Glide - the E-Glide has had NO problems (except a broken motor mount which the dealer found - no, it didn't vibrate or give any other indications, but the dealer looks for any minor problems, and replaced under warranty with no questions), and the ACE has had only a few. By contrast, the VTX-1800 I used to have spent a lot of time in the shop with some major problems (manufacturing and design-related), and getting Honda to honor warranty claims was a MAJOR hassle, sometimes involving lawyers. By contrast, the H-D dealer has gone out of the way to take care of me and my bike, even offering to repair a wiring problem (caused by me, not a problem with the bike) under warranty - I declined, and fixed the problem I caused myself. Oh yes, the dealer also upgraded my fuel injectors and the computer programming under warranty - wasn't a problem, ran fine, but they wanted it to be just right - never had such an offer from any Honda dealer. Based on my experiences with Honda dealers, my A.C.E. does not darken the door of their service departments (I do all my own maintenance), and, though it was a good performer, I'm happy to be rid of the VTX (I've been riding a long time, and the VTX stranded me or broke down - badly - far more often than even the few AMF Harleys I had years ago. Frankly, the modern H-Ds are far superior to those of 20-30 years ago - actually, there is just no comparison - and, IMHO, are better built than some of the Japanese bikes, and are at least on a par with Honda. The fit and finish of a Harley is, actually, superior, and they still use chromed steel, instead of chrome plastic, which is so prevalent on Japanese bikes. Don't get me wrong, I like Hondas and many other Japanese bikes, but I love my Harley.

Answer 3

The last time I walked into an H-D dealer to rubberneck, they were pushing the clothing line hard enough for me to walk out without spending a dime. I can understand them wanting to sell a bike, but I think a dealer, like any car dealer, makes their real money servicing and selling accessories. Must be some hungry sales people in your neck of the woods.

Answer 4

Motorcycle manufacturers don't make any money by keeping the old bikes running. And it's not just Harley, it's all the manufacturers.

Answer 5

not to sound like a broken record. the company wants to make money! and some insight into the game as it is played today, i know my local dealer and she told me that what they push customers to buy is on a point system x points for certain items. but harley's point system is so bad that someone with just a license to sell just shirts and so on could realisticly pust a establised dealer out of buisiness. so maybe that could shed some light on dealer behavior.

Answer 6

The business of HD, like that of any business, is to turn a profit. They don't want you riding an older model. Harley's "heritage" is a genius marketing dept.

Answer 7

My guess is that it is for the same reason as any business.To make money.You should go ahead and buy a new one to keep the old one company.You can never have too many.

Answer 8

Because they know your Harley is constantly breaking down so they figure you'll buy a new one with the hopes that they actually built some quality into the new ones. You'd hope that at around 20K they could do 1/2 as good a job as Honda.

Answer 9

Maybe they want your old bike. Or maybe they are just in the business of selling.

Answer 10

They're just doing what they have to to make money. Salesmen are on commission so the more they sell the more they make themselves. Selling a new Fatboy will earn them more commission than a new sissy bar!!!!