Life KC's Harley Davidson plant to close - Page 6

redfan · 01-31-2018, 11:43 AM

Gonna lose about 800 jobs. Damn

http://www.kansascity.com/news/busin...197340544.html

cooper barrett · 02-01-2018, 01:52 PM

I've been riding Connie's (Concours) for 15 years, I love them. I have a 2003 A18 ZG1000 and a 2014 14GTR and had a 98 before that. Both bought used with very few miles from the same guy. He has a brand new one, a BMW R1200RT and has a couple of year old 1400 GTR I am salivating over. IMHO For the extra money buy the BMW, If you don't ride too much the Connie's the answer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

That's a good point; I know a few guys that ride Harleys that have either already moved on, or are thinking of switching to a different bike/style that more suits their riding style/needs etc.

In no particular order, below are bikes I'm looking at to replace my Street Glide at some point. Doubt it'll be this year, more likely next year or two but who knows.
New or Used, would just depend on what's available on the the used market and what new ones are going for etc.

quite a departure for a Harley guy.
Ducati Multistrada 950 or 1200
Yamaha FJR1300
Yamaha FJ09
KTM 1290 Duke GT
Kawasaki Versys 1000LT
Kawasaki Concours
BMW R1200RT

**Lzen** · 02-01-2018, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graystoke

I see Harley is opening a new factory in Thailand. Makes me want to get a Harley tattoo and a new Harley doo rag with a American Flag motif

You do realize that Harley sells bikes all over the world?

cooper barrett · 02-01-2018, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eleazar

Better. And cheaper.

Some of the bikes are not cheaper but really good sex doesn't happen on a Honda anymore.

cooper barrett · 02-01-2018, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Not to mention that they charge extra for that. At least they did when I bought my RK in 2013.

They only put ABS on to get back the police business BMW took from them.

**Lzen** · 02-01-2018, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhed

"Loud pipes save lives." This statement is a myth.

In my experience, the loud pipes save lives saying is true. Meh, but what do I know. I've only been riding for years.

**Lzen** · 02-01-2018, 02:08 PM

Is this just a Harley thing? Or is this hitting all motorcycle manufacturers? I wonder if fewer people are riding these days due to all the idiot cagers texting and talking on their phones.

ghak99 · 02-01-2018, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Is this just a Harley thing? Or is this hitting all motorcycle manufacturers? I wonder if fewer people are riding these days due to all the idiot cagers texting and talking on their phones.

It might be having some affect.

My father drove several hours a day to/from work for 20+ years and used a bike/trike for many of those summers. His bikes were not loud in the beginning. He eventually went to louder pipes in an attempt to be heard/seen. In his last 3-4 years he just about quit riding his bike or trike to work and limited it to leisure riding in low traffic areas because of all the idiots. He had multiple close calls over the years and the majority of them involved someone who was texting or reading. He's retired now, but it wouldn't have taken but about one more close call for Grandma to lay down the law on Grampa with the "do you want to see your grandkids grow up" line.

Dayze · 02-01-2018, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Is this just a Harley thing? Or is this hitting all motorcycle manufacturers? I wonder if fewer people are riding these days due to all the idiot cagers texting and talking on their phones.

I think that's absolutely a factor IMO.

2 long time riding buddies of mine hung up their gear for good last June. said it was just 'too crazy out there' any more. 1 of them has traded street riding for quads (he bought 2 quads) and he and his wife now go out and ride those about once a month during the season. The other, doesn't ride anything any more and has gotten into cooking/BBQ-ing/wine etc as a hobby replacement.

I'm sure one day I'll be in the same boat; not there yet, but I'm closer to 'there' than I was when I started riding 27 years ago. I think I'd really like a quad or a dirtbike...but, I just don't have the space (in terms of trailer) or means to get one to or from......wherever it is I would ride it. And I'm not sure if trailering my stuff to go ride would get old or not.

cooper barrett · 02-01-2018, 05:10 PM

I have been riding since the 70's, never have been much on commuting deep into the jungles of say OP, and the dangers of distracted drivers, but I used to ride a hundred miles daily into St Louis for 6 months straight. I only had to ride a mile off the interstate. I was in my mid 50's and never had an issue. Riding down Metcalf or near Oak Park Mall is not me, I'll kick off the beaten path before dealing with idiots.

I personally don't see the newer snowflake types who never climbed a tree or repelled down a cliff without 4 layers of safety gear to be buying what HD is selling. Mopeds yes, road hogs? No.

I don't think the market is down that much on bigger bikes but Harley's last offering didn't set the world on fire and their numbers are down but they are not out of the game.

HD is investing in robotic equipment platforms that will reduce their workforce by about 500 and most of those are technical jobs that will go. New welding robots will get rid of skilled metal workers and put out frames that are nanometers of being perfect, New power plants from Asia will cut heavily into the ranks on the machinists...

I can see HD shipping the KC factory to Asia along with the takeouts from York to get it going there. They could build and sell our old models there.

I expect to see a new generation of power plants to come from Asia, , maybe hybrid turbo's like the NSX, and bolted in by former PA homeless workers making $14 hr.

I for one would love a bad ass hybred turbo bike based off the NSX technology. Autonomous motorcycles? Not in my lifetime.

BWillie · 02-01-2018, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Is this just a Harley thing? Or is this hitting all motorcycle manufacturers? I wonder if fewer people are riding these days due to all the idiot cagers texting and talking on their phones.

Rates of car accidents are actually going down, with the help of driver assist features. Such as Auto Pilot, collision assist sensors that automatically stop cars, and auto steering.

jd1020 · 02-01-2018, 05:49 PM

Isn't BMW experiencing record sales year after year right now?

Harley just isn't good value for your dollar. You can get a FULLY loaded street bike from BMW for like $15k. What are you getting from Harley for that money? Bare bones. You don't even get ABS on the base models on the Street Bob do you? And it starts at $14,499.

You look at Harley and then you look at what other manufacturers are offering like BMW, you have to really like the Harley lifestyle to pick them over the competition.

Deberg_1990 · 02-01-2018, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

I just read that Harley Davidson is making an all electric motorcycle. Never would have guessed it would be them doing it.

Im sure Harley is sort of trapped. Their core customers won’t buy bikes like that. Doesn’t fit the profile. Their core market is shrinking and it was already very narrow

**Perineum Ripper** · 02-01-2018, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Rates of car accidents are actually going down, with the help of driver assist features. Such as Auto Pilot, collision assist sensors that automatically stop cars, and auto steering.

They are a very big problem in Columbia MO..they had city council meeting the other night to discuss ways to bring them down..people on their phones are causing so many accidents it’s crazy

BlackHelicopters · 02-01-2018, 06:18 PM

Make a good modern technologically advanced product, people will buy it. HD sucks.

**BigRedChief** · 02-01-2018, 06:40 PM

There is no way I’d ride a motorcycle in Florida. These old ****ers just pull out and change lanes without warning. Teenagers on their phones. They never have a chance to react. Seems like there is a biker dying every week.

01-31-2018, 11:43 AM
redfan I miss Eric and Willie Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: OHohOhhhhh-lathe Casino cash: $-1708148	KC's Harley Davidson plant to close Gonna lose about 800 jobs. Damn http://www.kansascity.com/news/busin...197340544.html
Posts: 8,208

02-01-2018, 02:08 PM	#81
Lzen Banded Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Oz Casino cash: $-529308	Is this just a Harley thing? Or is this hitting all motorcycle manufacturers? I wonder if fewer people are riding these days due to all the idiot cagers texting and talking on their phones. __________________ Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.
Posts: 42,458

02-01-2018, 05:10 PM	#84
cooper barrett MVP Join Date: Aug 2017 Casino cash: $10000400	I have been riding since the 70's, never have been much on commuting deep into the jungles of say OP, and the dangers of distracted drivers, but I used to ride a hundred miles daily into St Louis for 6 months straight. I only had to ride a mile off the interstate. I was in my mid 50's and never had an issue. Riding down Metcalf or near Oak Park Mall is not me, I'll kick off the beaten path before dealing with idiots. I personally don't see the newer snowflake types who never climbed a tree or repelled down a cliff without 4 layers of safety gear to be buying what HD is selling. Mopeds yes, road hogs? No. I don't think the market is down that much on bigger bikes but Harley's last offering didn't set the world on fire and their numbers are down but they are not out of the game. HD is investing in robotic equipment platforms that will reduce their workforce by about 500 and most of those are technical jobs that will go. New welding robots will get rid of skilled metal workers and put out frames that are nanometers of being perfect, New power plants from Asia will cut heavily into the ranks on the machinists... I can see HD shipping the KC factory to Asia along with the takeouts from York to get it going there. They could build and sell our old models there. I expect to see a new generation of power plants to come from Asia, , maybe hybrid turbo's like the NSX, and bolted in by former PA homeless workers making $14 hr. I for one would love a bad ass hybred turbo bike based off the NSX technology. Autonomous motorcycles? Not in my lifetime. __________________ Last edited by cooper barrett; 02-01-2018 at 05:27 PM..
Posts: 13,669

02-01-2018, 05:49 PM	#86
jd1020 In Search of a Life Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $7042645	Isn't BMW experiencing record sales year after year right now? Harley just isn't good value for your dollar. You can get a FULLY loaded street bike from BMW for like $15k. What are you getting from Harley for that money? Bare bones. You don't even get ABS on the base models on the Street Bob do you? And it starts at $14,499. You look at Harley and then you look at what other manufacturers are offering like BMW, you have to really like the Harley lifestyle to pick them over the competition.
Posts: 24,501

02-01-2018, 06:18 PM	#89
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $-709412	Make a good modern technologically advanced product, people will buy it. HD sucks. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
Posts: 33,288

02-01-2018, 06:40 PM	#90
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-591038 VARSITY	There is no way I’d ride a motorcycle in Florida. These old ****ers just pull out and change lanes without warning. Teenagers on their phones. They never have a chance to react. Seems like there is a biker dying every week. __________________ Mahomes is not a game manager. Release the Kraken.
Posts: 81,266