Harley used to market all sorts of smaller bikes like those sleek and sporty little Italian-built Aermacchis, even scooters and golf carts. But when the Japanese started showing up with boatloads of their well-built and economical UJMs to eat their lunch, Harley somehow pulled off that 45% tarriff cockblock in '83 against imported bikes over 700cc, doubling down on that pricey and exclusive fat capacity market segment with much blustery testosterone-drenched faux-patriotism instead of taking the "make a bike for everyone" approach of, say, Honda--a path Harley really should have explored during those shabby and rudderless AMF years, what with the Gas Crisis and all.
So, Harley's kind of painted themselves into a corner. They cannot now diversify their offerings without fear of offending their increasingly geriatric and diminishing nativist "snob base."
For years they've been cooking the books with stock buybacks and the like to paint a prettier financial picture, but I expect that sooner or later those interest rates will budge upwards making such "finessing" no longer viable, whereupon their bean counters will commence making noises in shareholder reports extolling the virtues of "consolidation" or "market synergies," after which it's only a matter of time before Harley Davidson becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hung Far Low Noodle and Heavy Industry Consortium.
"哈雷戴维森万岁!"
("Rong Rive Harrey-Davidson!")
I can't say I'll really miss 'em much. I never really planned to buy one...not a new one anyhow.
Most of what the narrator discusses here is based on half truths and glib assumptions that display a very superficial knowledge of HD's history and how they got where they are. Whether you like HD's or not they have had more than their fair share of influence on the market and at very least should be acknowledged for it. Among other things he completely misunderstood AMF's role in HD's story, including why AMF got in bed with them in the first place, and how far reaching that decision turned out to be.
He also misrepresents the tariff issue, and ignores the fact that Honda and Yamaha were dumping bikes in the US and during the early 80's had a three year backlog of bikes warehoused in the US. In 1983-through about 85 you could buy brand new left over CB750F's for 1495.00 and 900's for about $1800.00.
In 1986 Yamaha was sending new carburetors along with their left over Seca 550's, and 400's. because the bike's had been in storage for s long the installed carbs were usually gummed up beyond repair.
I'd also point out that HD also petitioned congress to lift the tariff before it expired because their EVO motored bikes, which they developed on AMF's dime had pulled them out of the doldrums. AMF also financed Walter Villa's three year run as 250 and 350 world champion (1974,75,76) on Aermacchi HD's.
For the record I'm not a big fan of the Motor Company, over the years they've done some very dirty deeds and I suspect they have a lot more dirty tricks up their sleeve, but there's far more to the story than is bandied about in that video.
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