My roommate is really into Wranglers and off-roading, though he seldom takes his jeep anywhere than any ordinary car couldn't go. Honestly, I don't get it. It's a super small car, no space to put anything inside. It's 4 liter I6 can barely muster 70mph on the highway, downshifting to 4th is required for even the slightest grade. It gets absymal fuel mileage to the tune of about 15mpg. It's uncomfortable and has a terrible ride on the road. Yet he loves it, saying "it's a jeep thing, you wouldn't understand". If you're going to pay the price of poor fuel mileage, you'd at least want something back, like a lot of power or space. My truck gets mileage like that, but will cruise up a hill at 75 no problem and a u-haul trailer isn't required for runs to the grocery store. He's right, I don't get it. :confused2:
As far as business, HD are geniuses. Why bother spending money on R&D and innovation when year after year, people get on waiting lists to pay full sticker price for the same old shit? The couple times HD makes anything more than a change to the shininess of the gas cap, all the "purists" complain and whine about "tradition" and "heritage" of the styling, so to people who buy HD's, innovation and improvements are actually negative selling points.
"I'd like a Super Heritage Night King Ultra Glide Classic FTLHXELBUTTRAPE with the factory American Mega Patriot Vintage chrome package, the 1850cc boat anchor upgrade, chrome spoke wheels(my wife is a bitch, I need as much time in the garage polishing shit as possible), and toss in the dual saddlebags to carry spare parts in, I'm planning on taking this baby all the way across town and I want to be prepared".
"I'm sorry, we're all out of that model and are taking a waiting list. Would you like to look at the Heritage King Classic Ultra Night Super Glide MYBTHLEGTFINGERED instead? It has the 1500cc dinghy anchor, but with the Stage 3 kit for extra anchoring performance when tossed overboard in rough waters. This has cast wheels we bought off Honda in the 70's, but can special-order you the 21" spoked front wheel for the shitty- I mean traditional easy handling you've come to expect from the Harley Davidson brand".
"Wait, what? I don't want any of that jap garbage on my HD(tm)! What gives? I thought Harley was a patriotic American company"
"Oh, it is. However, Harley Davidson is sensitive to the downturn in the economy and outsourcing some nonessential parts like engines, forks, brakes, and suspension out from other manufacturers. We wouldn't dream of passing the savings on to you, we're just making more money than ever and are on track for our prediction of not needing a government bailout for nearly 3 years. Since this is a wheel from a 1971 CB750, it is aged to perfection like a fine wine and will complement your "new" bike, engineered by red-blooded flag-waving hardworking Americans in the same year. See? This is part of the 2010 Harley-Davidson experience. Now, will you be paying cash, check, or signing up for financing? Only 10% down and 0%APR for 30 minutes!"