Harley Davidson Names Topgolf’s Artie Stars as New CEO

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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.,,
 
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.
 
I recently took a 2025 CVO Roadglide ST for a test ride. The TFT dash quit working during the test ride. The salesperson kept warning me how fast it was, and to be careful. It was far slower than the street bikes I already own. Of course they are all Sportbikes

All in all it didn't impress. Especially not for 45k+ all your fees, taxes, etc. Well, it did have nice paint.
 
The economy is definitely slowing and lots of older folks watching their spending.

Harley Davidson right now is not a necessity.



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From my research riders are aging out of the sport and traffic is alot heavier in many cities.Also the distracted driving issue with everyone on there phones has alot of bikers concerned!
 
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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.
What does your company make or do?.,,
 
That's interesting. I don't know if Harley's new guy rides bikes, or ever built one. But he must have some sort of track record, where the powers that be feel he's qualified to do that job. Have you ever starred in a movie or TV show ?.,,

I've never starred in a movie or TV show, but I've worked on or through equipment been a part of hundreds of not thousands of shows, films and live events with my clients and friends in the industry.
 
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Some dealers, not all, are a bit too traditional. Pan Am is a great bike. I’ve seen them get through super tough terrain under skilled riders.
 
It's actually quite smart. The HD board probably wants to move the image upmarket with deeper pockets.
It's the opposite. They've been trying "lower volume, higher margins, upmarket" strategy for the past few years now and it has completely failed. They're going the other way now, with price cuts and a new entry-level model on the way.
 
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