JULY 22,2010
Over the years, we have seen retail demand for Harley-Davidson® sidecars decline. This decline accelerated following the introduction of the Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide™, which is part of the Trike family, a new family that continues to grow. As a result, Harley-Davidson has made the decision to exit the sidecar business. The Company will end sidecar production upon completion of remaining 2010 model year orders. Effective immediately, no new sidecar orders will be taken.
Harley-Davidson is committed to continued support of its dealer network and customer support for sidecar owners. We will support current customers by continuing to honor warranty repairs and supply service parts and technical support.
The sidecar was first made available to Harley-Davidson customers in 1914 and will remain a proud part of the Company's history.
If they'd moved their sidecar technology past 1914 like they did the Harley bikes they could still sell them, even with a starting price of $10K.
Lonnie
Is there a link to this information at their website? Been searching and just can't seem to find it.
RIP Harley sidecars 1914-2010, I looked too, nothing.
this was posted on the dealer network(not available to the public)
My dealer told me about this a month ago. I guess the price of my Harley TLE just went up !
for the first time in a long time the cost of breaking up a combo will go way up.
ill be a case of beer that mounting kits will be listed as obsolete in less than a year
the price of complete ready to use hd sidecars will go up and the value of hd sidecars missing components will drop fast.
Whew! Thank goodness I ordered in time. I've had it for about three months or so and love it. It's a 2010 on a 2007 Ultra. I've put a little over 2,000 miles on it and have finely got it lined up to suit me. Whew!
Hack'n - 7/25/2010 8:50 AM
If they'd moved their sidecar technology past 1914 like they did the Harley bikes they could still sell them, even with a starting price of $10K.
Lonnie
1914? No, it has nothing whatsoever to do with design. It has to do with the typical motorcycle buyer and their tastes and likes and dislikes.
As to their leaving the business, if indeed they do, it will be simply because sidecars are not selling for them. They are in the middle of a very poor economic situation right now. Difficult business decsions are going to be made.
Having said that, I expect that you will now respond with something about the thousands of other sidecars that other manufacturers are selling. If that's the case, where are they all? I can't remember the last time I saw another sidecar on the road of any brand.
Sidecars are a very small niche in the motorcycle business, a business that's been hit very hard in recent months. This is the first year that I've ever heard that Harley-Davidson has closed a dealership.
I love sidecars, always did. Don't see them on the roads anymore. I know they're out there somethere, just don't know where.
As to the trikes, I hope that works out for them. I've actually seen five on the road around Sacramento in the past week. Maybe they've hit on something.
1914?
It doesn't hurt to expect.
L.
midnightrider1966 - 7/25/2010 10:54 AM
this was posted on the dealer network(not available to the public)
I've been checking and, so far, your statement is just a rumor. I call anything a rumor that I can't substantiate or corroborate on Google Groups in ten minutes........link please.
gnm109 - 7/26/2010 10:24 AM
midnightrider1966 - 7/25/2010 10:54 AM this was posted on the dealer network(not available to the public)
I've been checking and, so far, your statement is just a rumor. I call anything a rumor that I can't substantiate or corroborate on Google Groups in ten minutes........link please.
Although I have been told the samething from a dealer in my area that sidecar sales are declining for the last couple years and they may be discontinued they are still offered on the Holy Grail web page.
Unlike California I can think of about 9 sidecars in a 35 mile radiuds and could add around 10 to that more in a 125 mile radius.
But then again there is a trike shop that opened up 7 miles down the road and he is fairly busy.
I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but the Harley shop here in Louisville, Ky. told me last Sat. that the Motor Co. is no longer taking orders for the sidecar.
Please don't be true. I was going to get a touring model in the nearer future so my wife could drive a bike rig and have a kid or two and a dog. Maybe buy two sometime-can't if this is true.
Still no link.
I have a rumor. Bradd pitt and Angelina Jolie will get married. Pass it on. 🙂
