Harley Davidson news - will the sales slump continue into the 2009 model year?

[FRED]

Harley Davidson news - will the sales slump continue into the 2009 model year? (http://www.roadcarvin.com/harley-davidson-sales-slump-and-2008-2009-models#comment-110)

No, but H-D can become 'irrelevant' in the marketplace

You are right! Harley is unique, and always will be.... but they've enjoyed a long run during which their products have been in relatively high demand, and could command a premium price... and that was driven by... what? Image? Aging baby-boomer desire to live the fantasy 'biker' life? What's going to replace that lost demand when this "recession" is over?
(By the way, some really smart people (http://itulip.com/forums/../) are predicting that this recession won't be over until 2015 (http://www.itulip.com/housingbubblecorrection.htm)... followed by sharp increases in fuel prices thereafter...)

I can just imagine what all those aging boomers are going to do with their beloved Harley-Davidsons once they enter the managed care facilities. The ensuing sell-off sure won't boost prices. I'm looking forward to picking up some sweet H-D's at bargain prices in a few years...

[GRG55]

Harley Davidson news - will the sales slump continue into the 2009 model year? (http://www.roadcarvin.com/harley-davidson-sales-slump-and-2008-2009-models#comment-110)

No, but H-D can become 'irrelevant' in the marketplace

You are right! Harley is unique, and always will be.... but they've enjoyed a long run during which their products have been in relatively high demand, and could command a premium price... and that was driven by... what? Image? Aging baby-boomer desire to live the fantasy 'biker' life? What's going to replace that lost demand when this "recession" is over?
(By the way, some really smart people (http://itulip.com/forums/../) are predicting that this recession won't be over until 2015 (http://www.itulip.com/housingbubblecorrection.htm)... followed by sharp increases in fuel prices thereafter...)

I can just imagine what all those aging boomers are going to do with their beloved Harley-Davidsons once they enter the managed care facilities. The ensuing sell-off sure won't boost prices. I'm looking forward to picking up some sweet H-D's at bargain prices in a few years...

FRED: I would imagine very few H-D owners use them as their primary means of transport. These bikes must be a discretionary purchase. Boats, snowmobiles, light airplanes, sports cars, and all manner of other expensive "toys" are already falling in price as overlevered consumers need to raise cash. Surely H-D motorcycles can't be exempt, and the bargains are already apparent?

Although, I will agree that the bargains are probably going to become even more plentiful as this mess grinds on, and I too have my eye on one other discretionary item whose US prices I am watching closely.