Should Harley Davidson Make A Scooter?

Question

Of course they should! What do you guys think? I have heard rumor of a maxi scooter, but meh. Who want's one of those when you can have a big a$$ motorcycle?

I am talking about a small cc (150cc to 200cc) "Vespa style" Harley Scooter. Something along the lines of a Genuine Buddy Blackjack in attitude and style, but 100% Harley.

Personally if I had a garage full of Harley's, or just one or two, I wouldn't mind having a little Harley scooter to add to the mix. A quick little runabout. It would be soooo cool!

Would any of you Harley riders own and ride one, or at least get one as a novelty or collectors item? I think they'd sell THOUSANDS of them :)

mr_d150 · Accepted Answer

They used to, called the "Topper".

Check this link: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson_Topper

Budd

GS · Answer

No, Harley Davidson have positioned their product as a premium product in (mostly) the cruiser section of the market and their name/branding wouldn't carry over well to the scooter section of the market.  

Also while It might sell well to people who couldn't afford a 'real' Harley it would tend to devalue the high end and more profitable big bikes as scooters have an uncool image amongst most riders, something that's at the other extreme to the way Harley market themselves.

Thirdly there are a lot of cheap imported scooters on the market which means that the mark up on product isn't good except for premium scooters like Vespa and a new entry to that market couldn't command those sorts of prices, even Harley Davidson.

Larry G · Answer

The way harley is going today if they had a scooter it would be made in china or Taiwan and would just have a harley sticker on it ..I for one am sick of the lie they are american made when they are assembled in america using import parts .. I have old harleys and one by one i am getting rid of the jap parts off it .. and my newest big twin is a 91

mn · Answer

would be over priced......... cant compete with the Chinese..

Harley's are a niche market..

sold to people that want the brand/lifestyle associated with the bike..or Americans that want to support USA made..  or 1% ers that require them by association with there peers..

I was a die hard supporter of Jap bikes because they were reliable, cheap, handled well & had great performance..

but as I get older... seems Im really a DUCATI fan...  still handle great, are reliable(for an Italian bike),hold there price well.. look & sound good... but do lack the top end of the jap stuff..  but Ive been fast before... & speed isn't everything..

Harley scooter...  would sell Ok in the USA...  but think they need a world wide market to be viable..

? · Answer

A man was turning out some custom H-Ds, made to be step-through with the engine under the seat. There wasn't  a lot of interest, any biker who can no longer throw his leg over a H-D is likely to go the trike route.

Anonymous · Answer

It would run contrary to their current market positioning.  They might sell lots, but they would lose many of their existing customers.  And their current product line is very profitable, especially in terms of after-sale add-ons..  Scooters are a more price-sensitive product, where margins are slimmer.

mike i · Answer

Harleys are slow enough, no need for scooters.

Anonymous · Answer

Are you ****** kidding me, why in the hell would harley make a stupid scooter.  Harley makes motorcycles not toys.   Scooters are for kids and women.

azvampyre · Answer

No they shouldn't.
They ended Buell production because they weren't selling as well as Japanese bikes, leaving thousands of Buell mechanics unemployed until they complete another year of training.
They should bring back the 500cc Buell Blast, it was small like a scooter.

Sleepy · Answer

Sure, why not, but if they do, it wouldn't be the first time. Check out the Sprint.

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Should Harley Davidson Make A Scooter?

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