Should Harley have acquired BDM?

[machete]

What if eh? Intrigue. Too bold a move for such a "play it safe" culture at Harley.

But, what if?

Imagine the cultural change at Harley. Like adding NOS injection to your big dog.

Harley could have re invented itself, generated tons of press, buzz, new customers, new service revenues, expanded their OEM partner portfolio, the possibilities are almost endless.

Yes, there would have been some challenges, but nothing that schrewd business minds couldnt resolve and plan for.

Harley could have expanded their target market overnight, saved an American company, and injected a fresh new revenue stream into their business, not to mention at considerable value as well.

But no. Being in the corporate world now for 25 years, I rarely see any real cojones in U.S. companies. There are some, but not many.

Harley missed an opportunity to grow in various ways seemingly overnight. The details of integrating the companies are easily worked out.

What if?

 

[awg]

Huh?

 

[machete]

Huh?

see Polaris acquisition today...

 

[jimizee028]

The whole $30,000 custom motorcycle thing is a memory,banks are barely loaning money to buy cars let alone Harleys ....let alone a Harley BDM Custom Chopper...on top of it I think HD America is trying to bail their ownselves outta the shithole.........If it was at all any kind of good oppurtunity to aquire BDM....someone wouldve done it..........

 

[BBChopper]

The whole $30,000 custom motorcycle thing is a memory,banks are barely loaning money to buy cars let alone Harleys ....let alone a Harley BDM Custom Chopper...on top of it I think HD America is trying to bail their ownselves outta the shithole.........If it was at all any kind of good oppurtunity to aquire BDM....someone wouldve done it..........

HD has 48 months at 4.4%!!! If you have good credit!

 

[Iman]

Harley did try to do that with the Thunder Mountain brand!!! Didn't last to long though

 

[Daddycool]

I think we would get a watered down product if they did.

 

[2004BC]

Interesting concept. The one thing Harley has never had which a lot of Harley owners have turned their bikes into is a Chopper. I certainly don't count the Rocker. Might have worked out. A real factory Chopper. BUT, it wouldn't be like a BD. TOO much of a leap I think.

 

[awg]

Thats why I bought a BD. Harley didn't have anything that comes close.

 

[linx]

I'd bet Harley isn't doing so hot in this economy right now. Only people I know that are doing good is the oil companies and electric power companies....well and the politicians.

 

[aspen874]

Harleys financing arm has put a huge strain on the motor company. As many of you know by a bike off the showroom was just the first part, you could easily spend 5,000- 10,00on accessories and they would finance the whole price. After the economy crashed the motor company got a lot of repossions that were worth less than half of market value, that along with a huge drop in sales put Harley in a recovery mode.

I don't think they were in a position to buy BDM.

 

[boomer4444]

i dont know why anyone would want hd to bailout bdm? i bought my dog because i wanted to be differant than the wanna b biker/weekend warriors crowd BREAK THE LEASH BA- BA- BA bunch of followers,, stand up and lead like bdm did, granted it didnt work out to well but failure is also part of the american dream..

 

[pauldeepsea]

My thoughts on BDM as long as they sell their parts they will be in business if and when the economy rebounds they will make a comeback as long as they keep that edge..

 

[KLRDOG]

bottom line..it all comes back to one thing..this country is now a dump. need new direction very fast.

 

[KnotSo]

No.

 

[Tom Chop]

Big Dog & Harley? I Don`t Think So!

As usual I am in agreement with KnotSo. The owners at Harley feel they are "Holyier Than Thou". If you are questioning me just take a look at how they treated Mr. Buell. Sheldon created a line of motorcycles that are original and can stand on their own. Lets leave it there, shouldn`t we?


Tom Chop :choppersmiley:

 

[Front Runner]

The whole $30,000 custom motorcycle thing is a memory,banks are barely loaning money to buy cars let alone Harleys ....let alone a Harley BDM Custom Chopper...on top of it I think HD America is trying to bail their ownselves outta the shithole.........If it was at all any kind of good oppurtunity to aquire BDM....someone wouldve done it..........

I completely agree. Custom choppers appeal to a select few riders when it comes to a purchase. Many will comment and compliment on the looks but few will actually purchase or ride one for that matter.

 

[Front Runner]

I don't think they were in a position to buy BDM.

I think Harley could have very easily purchased BDM. Heck, BDM was down to 15 employees (or something like that) when they closed doors. If I were an investor, before purchasing a company (or part thereof) I would like to see if the company has potential. From what I've read, Sheldon Coleman has been trying to find investors for quite some time. Maybe they saw no, or little potential in the company?

Not trying to bash the BDM, just calling it like I see it.

 

[machete]

Appreciate the perspectives, but the main point is lost with many of you.

The emotional issue or exclusivity of the BDM chopper, the community, the arrogance of the typical suburban harley owner, all that is meaningless in business.

My point was from a pure economic and marketing perspective. We all know about the economy, we all know motorcycle sales in general are down for all manufacturers.

The point is, in this economy, why did Polaris acquire another motorcycle company?
What is the business logic behind that? And, how could Harley have capitalized on a similar (and bold) strategy?

Forget the emotion, and arrogance etc. Its irrelevent.

Harley suffers from both a recession, and a boring product that is seemingly uninspirational. Sometimes companies acquire another to enter into a new genre, market, and to create buzz.

Harley could have injected itself with a much needed infusion of passion - which it sorely lacks today.

I came across BDM during my search for a shovel chopper - or a rat to chop. Couldn't find it till I spoke to someone who was selling their shovel because he wanted a Big Dog.

I had little or no awareness that there was a production/custom option like BDM's in the market.

Harley could have reinvented itself as a company. Marketing and economics only here.

 

[Front Runner]

Appreciate the perspectives, but the main point is lost with many of you.

The emotional issue or exclusivity of the BDM chopper, the community, the arrogance of the typical suburban harley owner, all that is meaningless in business.

My point was from a pure economic and marketing perspective. We all know about the economy, we all know motorcycle sales in general are down for all manufacturers.

The point is, in this economy, why did Polaris acquire another motorcycle company?
What is the business logic behind that? And, how could Harley have capitalized on a similar (and bold) strategy?

Forget the emotion, and arrogance etc. Its irrelevent.

Harley suffers from both a recession, and a boring product that is seemingly uninspirational. Sometimes companies acquire another to enter into a new genre, market, and to create buzz.

Harley could have injected itself with a much needed infusion of passion - which it sorely lacks today.

I came across BDM during my search for a shovel chopper - or a rat to chop. Couldn't find it till I spoke to someone who was selling their shovel because he wanted a Big Dog.

I had little or no awareness that there was a production/custom option like BDM's in the market.

Harley could have reinvented itself as a company. Marketing and economics only here.

I think many of your comments are subjectively opinionated to your own tastes.

While you think that HD bikes are "boring", many people dont. I, for one, being one of them. I was recently looking for a touring model bike and I seriously looked at the Ultra Classic for that purpose, but it just doesnt fit my physical frame without major mods. But seeing recent faithful BDM owners/members on this forum purchasing HD's as of late, I assume that they dont find them "boring" either, but rather their purchases fit their wants and tastes.

So, I would beg to differ with some of your viewpoints concerning HD being a boring product that is seemingly uninspirational. I think HD is also feeling the effects of a soft economy and it has nothing to do with their bikes.

Harley doesnt need reinventing, they will be fine just like they are. When they economy picks up, so will their sales.

As you stated, all manufacturers are suffering from this weak economy. I'm not attacking your opinion, just stating that not all people share it.