When did Harley start costing over $40,000?

tntmo

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I haven't really paid attention to the prices, but the CVO models have been pretty expensive since they came out. A guy I used to work with gets a new one every few years.

Indian Motorcycle has an "Elite" lineup and they are all just under the $40k mark. Expensive toys, 5 year loan would be around $700 per month?
 

Cycledude

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Have a friend that paid $40,000 for a new CVO several years ago and has also stuck quite a bit of extra money into it.
 

Checkswrecks

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When we did the Rolling Thunder (now Ride to Remember) last mont there were all sorts of high end Harleys, Indians, etc.
 

regder

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I haven't really paid attention to the prices, but the CVO models have been pretty expensive since they came out. A guy I used to work with gets a new one every few years.

Indian Motorcycle has an "Elite" lineup and they are all just under the $40k mark. Expensive toys, 5 year loan would be around $700 per month?
Used to know a similar guy. Crazy part is the $40k or whatever was only the starting price. Then add $10-15k in dealer accessories
 

tntmo

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Used to know a similar guy. Crazy part is the $40k or whatever was only the starting price. Then add $10-15k in dealer accessories
Yes, it's likely that nobody leaves the bike as it comes on the dealership floor. Very similar to the side by side (RZR, etc) market. Those things are $30k or so, but they almost always end up with $5-$10k in aftermarket stuff before a wheel hits the dirt.
 

Checkswrecks

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This was only a short distance from the front of the group leaving from Patriot HD so there were LOTS of noise and lots of overpriced bikes. This is a police escorted ride so these four rows become two and there's no stopping till in the Pentagon parking lot. When on the highway portion (35-45 mph) you can't see the front or back of the line of bikes.


I normally avoid group rides like the plague but Jackie wanted to experience this one because it is such a legend. It made her happy, she got the T shirt, and I swear she waved at every kid along the route and then on the loop through DC.
 

Sierra1

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. . . . This is a police escorted ride so these four rows become two and there's no stopping till in the Pentagon parking lot. When on the highway portion (35-45 mph) you can't see the front or back of the line of bikes. . . .
And it probably moved down the road like an inchworm: front stretches out, slows down, and the back catches up, slows down as the front stretches out again, and so on. L.O.D. funerals were that way. Start, slow, start. slow . . . .

But I do have to admit, all in a line, and rumbling like only a Harley can rumble, a couple hundred of them is impressive to see and hear.
 

MFP

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When we did the Rolling Thunder (now Ride to Remember) last mont there were all sorts of high end Harleys, Indians, etc.
Curious to know why the name was changed from "Rolling Thunder" to "Ride To Remember"….
Has “Rolling Thunder” become a politically incorrect phrase because it is a reference to the bombing campaign during the Vietnam War?
 

AusTexS10

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And it probably moved down the road like an inchworm: front stretches out, slows down, and the back catches up, slows down as the front stretches out again, and so on. L.O.D. funerals were that way. Start, slow, start. slow . . . .

But I do have to admit, all in a line, and rumbling like only a Harley can rumble, a couple hundred of them is impressive to see and hear.
1686331760297.jpeg
 

scott123007

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If you lack skill set, but have disposable income, you buy a ridiculously expensive motorcycle to impress your riding buddies. It is the American Cruisers that are the rolling billboards of excess, because their owners are generally the lowest on the totem pole of skill set, so showing off their wealth is the equalizer. Unfortunately, I see that with some Ducati and MV Agusta owners also. They can't ride worth a shit, but they sure can impress showing off their bike! LOL
 

DamMechanic

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When did Harley’s start becoming $40k? About the same time pickup trucks became $90k, average house has become $500k and medical insurance costs $24k a year.
 

Fennellg

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Sign of the times. Real estate is becoming unattainable for many. Harley is fighting a three front war. Inflation, shrinking demographic, and finally cheaper superior competition.

I believe we are witnessing the demise of the brand. They seem to be going the way of Packard, AMC, Victory, etc…….

The only recourse they have is to play the luxury ticket item game. But everything has its limits and they will price themselves out of businesse.

Been reading their financial reports. They are being short sighted. You would think they would have learned from the AMF Years.
 
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