[payeng]

Harley Davidson Adventure Tourer and Street Fighter: Those were the last thing we had on our minds about Harley Davidson!!

But when brands like like Porsche, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls Royce can do SUV's.. Why can't Harley do something else?

There also seems to be plans for a 250-500 cc for India. It all seems palatable, but then I just can digest a Silent Harley Davidson (read Harley Davidson project Livewire)

http://overdrive.in/news-cars-auto/h...ss-motorcycle/

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by payeng

There also seems to be plans for a 250-500 cc for India.

Interesting news.

I've said this multiple times on other threads, but Harley really should try and go lower in the Indian market. If anyone can try and poach some sales away from the heritage, prestige, metal-bodied, macho image driven Royal Enfield customer base, Harley surely can - for they've started and mastered this formula over the years.

Also - RE is moving upmarket. A Royal Enfield twin cylinder motorcycle priced at 3L (rumour) can make a Harley Davidson priced at 4L sound very reasonable. It would make the Harley seem like a more natural upgrade, than the huge jump that currently exists between the RE Classic and a Street 750.

Harley is struggling to maintain sales of their big bikes - so going lower and making the bikes more accessible only makes sense.


That said - A Harley Davidson Adventure motorcycle sounds weird. Need to wait and see how this concept turns into production.

[GTO]

Dropping a link to a related thread.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Developing a more accessible, small-displacement (250cc to 500cc) motorcycle for Asia emerging markets through a planned strategic alliance with a manufacturer in Asia. This new product and broader distribution is intended to fuel Harley-Davidson’s customer access and growth in India, one of the largest, fastest growing markets in the world, and other Asia markets.

Interesting that the new alliance is not just for manufacturing, but also for the distribution of the new entry level motorcycles.

Could they be hinting at a partnership with Hero motorcycles? Bajaj is already tied up with Triumph (and KTM) and the product from the partnership will be a direct rival to this new Harley. TVS has their hands full with their BMW partnership, and going by their safe approach - won't likely jump into another partnership so soon. Mahindra is trying to position their Mojo and Jawa range of motorcycles in this same space - so it is unlikely to be them either.

That leaves Hero Motors as the most likely partner - though it seems like a rather forced one, with both these companies unfamiliar with the 250 - 500cc segment in India.

[srini1785]

This is interesting. The news , if I read it correct, mentions only " Asia" and we have already jumped to the conclusion that it has to be read as "India". There are other countries and other manufactures also elsewhere like say Malaysia or Indonesia. Though I don't know if their two wheeler market is as big as ours or if there are any domestic manufacturers in such countries.

Tie-ups are not in general related only to Tech transfer / manufacturing upgrades. There is a lot of management concerns that Harley may have. Hero will also not be ready to plunge into the premium segment market while loosing focus on the 100cc " Splendour clones " Segment. The general lethargy that it has shown in moving out its preferred "Comfort Zone" will not play well into the mindset of Harley , which being an American company, will want instant results.


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EDIT:

It does mention India as a special focus segment while also mentioning " Asia ".

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[Nilesh5417]

It sounds like a good plan on paper overall - go lower into premium motorcycle segment, tie up locally, branch into other categories like street fighter and adventure (tho the pics look as ugly as HH cyclops!). Guess its just a lot to be done in not so distant future and all of it retaining Harley ethos is where the true challenge lies.

[payeng]

Wonder how would a typical FAT BOY customer feel about this move (of moving to smaller 250 - 500 cc models).

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by payeng

Wonder how would a typical FAT BOY customer feel about this move (of moving to smaller 250 - 500 cc models).

They used to look down upon Street 750 owners as well - so nothing drastic to expect other than more of the same treatment.

Also remains to be seen how would the market react? Like we are seeing with the case of BMW G310R now - there are quite a few who are willing to pay a premium for an entry level motorcycle from a premium brand. Would Harley be able to use that against Royal Enfield?

[ethanhunt123]

Originally Posted by payeng

Wonder how would a typical FAT BOY customer feel about this move (of moving to smaller 250 - 500 cc models).

Well considering there are not so many Fat Boy customers around anymore - its the only choice for HD to survive.

[payeng]

Originally Posted by ethanhunt123

Well considering there are not so many Fat Boy customers around anymore - its the only choice for HD to survive.

In that case you might be surprised to the Monthly numbers (SIAM) for Fat Boy and Hayabusa (especially at their respective price points).

Anyway issue with Harley is the Slowing numbers internationally, and hence the major change in strategy.

[ethanhunt123]

Originally Posted by payeng

In that case you might be surprised to the Monthly numbers (SIAM) for Fat Boy and Hayabusa (especially at their respective price points).

Anyway issue with Harley is the Slowing numbers internationally, and hence the major change in strategy.

I suggest you look at the numbers internationally of Harley & other bike companies. Product strategies are not made by looking at tiny markets like India :-)

[payeng]

Originally Posted by ethanhunt123

I suggest you look at the numbers internationally of Harley & other bike companies.

Product strategies are not made by looking at tiny markets like India :-)

Can't really concur with you

1. BMW-TVS

2. BAJAJ-TRIUMPH
3. BAJAJ-KTM

4. HARLEY DAVIDSON-(?)

[gthang]

Exciting times ahead for the old MoCo. Good on them for preparing for a fight.

With a history as long as they have, they have been in choppier waters, and have made wierder products. Hope this will be a good turn of events.

If large markets are having negative growth, and "Tiny" markets have huge potential for positive growth, where might one indulge in product development?

Cheers

Ride Safe.

[aniyo]

Well Even all the premium car companies have gone small to increase sales.

Honda: from CRV and Civic to the Brio phase
German 3: all have a small hatchback offering, not sure if this is to acquire new customers or sell more to their existing clients.
Ford: from sedans heavy portfolio, they have every thing compact now barring Endeavor.

Seems quite obvious for Harley to do so. Just that the premiumness dilutes with time and then you are just a regular Brand without much aspiration attached.
The big Germans have started to suffer this..neither Audi or BMW are as aspirational as they were say 10 years back

[amitg79]

I seriously love the look of that Street Fighter 975. If it rides as good as it looks, it will be a serious competitor in the Naked Sport Bike category.

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2...ighter-preview