There were high fives heard all over Milwaukee last week. Reading the headlines and stories that came from Harley-Davidson’s Mega Monday announcement, one could only conclude that the American icon was back. They did it. They were showing signs of life again. Boomshackalacka.
No one saw an adventure-touring bike with knobby tires coming from the Bar & Shield brand, and the idea of a sport bike from Harley-Davidson seemed inconceivable just over a week ago as well.
Milwaukee even impressed with its more “core” offerings, with the Harley-Davidson Custom being perhaps the first cruiser we would want sitting in our garage. It looks gorgeous, and is just sporty and modern enough to be “a real motorcycle” in our eyes…we think.
Let us too not forget that the iconic American brand is poised to lead the motorcycle industry with the first full-size, production, electric motorcycle from an established OEM. Stodgy, old, conservative Harley-Davidson will be an industry-leader this time next year, with its Livewire machine. Crazy.
Sprinkled into the news was a look at Harley-Davidson’s lineup of electric vehicles, which creates a pathway for non-riders to become diehard Harley-Davidson enthusiasts.
Harley-Davidson talked about its plans abroad; its desire to make entry-level / price-point motorcycles; its goal to add more riders, from more diverse demographics; its plans to add another engine platform that would range from 250cc to 500cc in displacement, and power bikes for the American, European, and developing markets.
Oh yes, there were certainly high fives heard all over Milwaukee last week, but it wasn’t because everyone was talking about all of this information that Harley-Davidson sprung on the motorcycle industry.
Instead, there were high fives in Milwaukee last week because no one was talking about Harley-Davidson’s shrinking Q2 sales, or the fact that the company’s stock price dropped 0.5% on the news.
