Harley Davidson Names Topgolf’s Artie Stars as New CEO

[Ronsant]

HD can't pass emissions and sound regulations. What HD represented in the past combined with alleged dealer price gouging is no longer sustainable.

HD pricing is actually in line with competition at least for touring bikes. Comp to Goldwing and BMW 1600.

 

[altaylar]

Perhaps with cars getting more and more expensive will be a tailwind for motor bikes. I think HD is cool, and I own one. But i don't see how they might steer the company to a good financial performance anytime soon

 

[The_Eric]

What the actual @#$&!?!?!?!?

Talk about peak douchebaggery and entitlement!

It's not too common IME, fortunately. But yes, it happens.

I don't ride so I've never experienced it before but I've seen a lot of videos of groups that will actively chase down, cut off, or do something else irresponsible when a rider not in their group is passing.

 

[Vil_Riker]

HD should completely redo their image in order to survive in future IMO. The rebellious counterculture image isn't there anymore. Now it’s your grandpa/dad/uncle’s brand and has been relegated more or less just motorcycle cosplay.

Also picking up a golf franchise CEO is actually hilariously fitting.

It's actually quite smart. The HD board probably wants to move the image upmarket with deeper pockets.

 

[Pew]

Unfortunately, a lot of dealers don’t know or care about the Pan Americas. They are great bikes in what is a new segment for HD. Some dealers only want to sell big touring bikes. So the company has that problem as well.

That sucks! I love cafe racers (I want the Triumph Bobber) and I really like the Pan America - it's the only stock HD bike that I like and I thought Honda or KTM had a hand in it first. A few friends and buddies have HDs but theirs are so customized that it only retains the HD name by nature.

Why don't dealers care about the Pan Americas? It seems like a great step in the right direction to open up their market a little bit more but avoiding the jump to sport bikes.

 

[ATex7239]

It's actually quite smart. The HD board probably wants to move the image upmarket with deeper pockets.

Deeper pockets? HD is already in the luxury market as it is. They aren’t anywhere near entry level.

 

[BigCahuna]

Does this guy have a riding background ?

Usually they don't. But what they're supposed to have, is good business sense. How to turn a failing company around, and have it start making money. Whether or not they know how to ride doesn't really matter. Having the ability to see what the market is doing, and what customers want. At this point in time, it all about making money, and keeping the company alive and well for the future. Sometimes they hit a home run with who gets the big chair, sometimes they strike out. For Harley it's not too late to breathe some life into a failing company. Innovations that change the bike, but not too much to drive away remaining die hard customers, is the balance they need to achieve.,,

 

[UncleDave]

Usually they don't. But what they're supposed to have, is good business sense. How to turn a failing company around, and have it start making money. Whether or not they know how to ride doesn't really matter. Having the ability to see what the market is doing, and what customers want. At this point in time, it all about making money, and keeping the company alive and well for the future. Sometimes they hit a home run with who gets the big chair, sometimes they strike out. For Harley it's not too late to breathe some life into a failing company. Innovations that change the bike, but not too much to drive away remaining die hard customers, is the balance they need to achieve.,,

For sure a CEO has to have good business instincts. Sometimes thats enough.

I believe knowing the product and market help.

As a CEO of a comparatively minuscule 100M a year company It's always helped me to understand and interact with the products my company creates as well as understand intimately what my competition offers.

 

[Dave Hess]

The economy is definitely slowing and lots of older folks watching their spending.

Harley Davidson right now is not a necessity.