Harley net skids as sales slide
Sunday, 16 August 2009 21:10 |
 
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc's <HOG.N> quarterly profit fell sharply, as bikers put off new purchases. It also slashed its 2009 shipment forecast and said it would cut another 1,000 jobs. The company reported a second-quarter profit of $19.8 million, or 8 cents a share, compared with $222.8 million, or 95 cents a share, last year, as it cut motorcycle shipments by 27.6 percent from year-ago levels. Retail unit sales of new Harleys skidded 30.1 percent from the same period, and revenue fell to $1.15 billion from $1.57 billion. Harley slashed its 2009 shipment expectations to between 212,000 and 228,000 new motorcycles, or 25 percent to 30 percent fewer than the 303,479 shipped in 2008. It had previously expected to ship 264,000 to 273,000 motorcycles. As a result of the lowered shipment volume, the company said it would cut 700 more positions in its hourly workforce and slash the salaried workforce by about 300 positions. It had already announced cuts of 1,400 to 1,500 hourly production positions in 2009 and 2010 and about 300 salaried positions. (Reporting by Christopher Kaufman; Editing by Derek Caney) Seen on: http://www.zimbio.com/Harley-Davidson+Motorcycles/articles/kxbYvUJoD_D/Harley+net+skids+sales+slide
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Harley-Davidson deepens cuts as 2Q profit tumbles
Sunday, 16 August 2009 21:10 |
Harley-Davidson Inc. said Thursday it is cutting 1,000 more employees and lowering its motorcycle shipment guidance as quarterly earnings continued to fall due to weaker sales. The Milwaukee-based maker of the famous heavyweight motorcycles said it plans to cut another 700 hourly and 300 salaried employees from its ranks as it copes with falling demand for its high-end bikes. "It is obviously a very tough environment for us right now, given the continued weak consumer spending in the overall economy for discretionary purchases," Harley-Davidson President and CEO Keith Wandell said in a statement. Harley, the top seller of heavyweight motorcycles, said its second-quarter income fell 91 percent to $19.8 million, or 8 cents per share. That's down from $222.8 million, or 95 cents per share, in the same period last year. Revenue declined 27 percent to $1.15 billion from $1.57 billion a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters forecast 24 cents per share on revenue of $1.15 billion. Harley has been restructuring since the beginning of the year as it sought to cope with weaker sales. Demand for Harley's motorcycles, which can run $20,000 or more, have taken a pounding in the recession as consumers pull back on discretionary spending. Earlier this year, the company had said it planned to cut between 1,400 and 1,500 hourly positions and about 300 salaried positions. In May, the company said it was weighing its options for its main motorcycle assembly plant in York, Pa. The operations at the facility aren't competitive, the company said, and a study remains under way to assess whether production will remain in York or move to another U.S. site. It said Thursday it expects to make a decision by the end of the year. Harley said its worldwide motorcycle sales fell 30 percent during the quarter. That was still better than the industrywide decline in heavyweight motorcycle sales of 48 percent. Harley now expects to ship between 212,000 and 228,000 motorcycles to its dealers and distributors worldwide in 2009, down between 25 to 30 percent from 2008 shipments levels. Previously, the company expected to ship between 264,000 and 273,000 motorcycles. In the third quarter, it expects to ship between 52,000 and 57,000 bikes. The company is cutting production to meet reduced demand. It said Thursday it will implement production shutdowns at its York and Kansas City, Mo., production facilities, as well as at its powertrain operations at Menomonee Falls and Wauwatosa, Wis. The company's financing arm, Harley-Davidson Financial Services, posted an operating loss of $62.1 million in the second quarter, down from operating income of $37.1 million a year ago. The tight credit markets have weighed on the unit, which has been heavily reliant on the battered securitization market for funding. Shares of Harley-Davidson closed Wednesday at $17.49. The stock has fluctuated between $7.99 and $48.05 in the last 52 weeks. Harley-Davidson slashes 1,000 jobs as profits skid
Sunday, 16 August 2009 21:10 |
US motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson said Thursday it would cut 1,000 more jobs this year after a devastating second quarter as the global recession slashed sales. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based company announced the new job cuts along with a 91 percent plunge in second quarter net profit from a year earlier. Earlier this year the company had said it planned between 1,400 and 1,500 job cuts over the next two years and would close two factories to realign production with softer demand. "While the underlying fundamentals of the Harley-Davidson brand remain strong and our dealers' retail motorcycle sales declined less than our competitors, it is obviously a very tough environment for us right now, given the continued weak consumer spending in the overall economy for discretionary purchases," said Harley-Davidson president and chief executive Keith Wandell. Harley-Davidson reported net profit fell to 19.8 million dollars in the second quarter. Worldwide retail sales of its iconic motorcycles plummeted 30.1 percent from a year ago. Harley, Polaris warn on motorcycle demand
Sunday, 16 August 2009 21:10 |
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Harley-Davidson Inc <HOG.N> and Polaris Industries Inc <PII.N> said on Thursday that cash- strapped consumers steered clear of their big, high-end motorcycles in the second quarter and warned demand would likely remain stalled for the rest of 2009. Both companies said they were responding to the marked deterioration by making additional cuts to bike production. Harley-Davidson, which has already laid of about 1,500 workers, said it would cut another 1,000 jobs and accelerate some previously announced plant closures. Harley's cuts were especially dramatic. The Milwaukee-based company said it would now ship between 212,000 and 228,000 of its namesake motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide in 2009, down 25 percent to 30 percent from 2008. Ed Aaron, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, called Harley's latest production cuts "massive ... more than what either the buy- or sell-side was expecting" and wondered how Harley would be able to sustain its gross margins "given the inherent operating leverage in Harley's model." But Goldman Sachs analyst Patrick Archambault said the cuts would translate into "a significant reduction in dealer inventory which will ultimately better position the company for 2010" -- an interpretation that helped send Harley's shares higher. Not everyone was impressed. Standard & Poor's cut Harley to sell from hold, saying the results suggested "far worse selling conditions than expected" and that "economic pressures on consumer spending will depress results" through 2010. The production cut announcements came as Harley and Polaris reported second-quarter earnings. Harley's results disappointed analysts, pulled down by -- among other things -- $72.7 million credit loss provision at its captive finance arm. The numbers from Polaris, which makes Victory brand bikes, topped expectations, thanks to stronger sales of its side-by- side all-terrain vehicles But both companies said bikes sales were continuing to soften. Indeed, during the second quarter, industry-wide retail sales of the heavyweight motorcycles Harley and Polaris make tumbled 48 percent. "Motorcycle demand was much weaker than expected a few months ago," said Deutsche Bank analyst Rod Lache. The shares of Harley, which saw its market share grow last quarter, were up 8 percent at $18.88, while Polaris, which saw its already tiny market share fall during the period, were down about 5 percent at $31.89 in afternoon trading. (Reporting by James B. Kelleher; editing by Andre Grenon) Hagerstown Speedway half-mile Harley race results
Sunday, 16 August 2009 21:10 |
Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle factory rider Kenny Coolbeth raced a Harley-Davidson XR-750 to second place in the AMA Grand National Twins main on the Hagerstown Speedway half-mile. The race, which was stopped after 18 laps because of rain and an oiled track, was won by Jake Johnson, also riding a Harley-Davidson XR-750. Blue Springs Harley-Davidson/Screamin' Eagle rider Jared Mees led the opening lap of the Grand National Twins main, but was overtaken on lap two by Johnson and Halbert Family/King Kustoms rider Sammy Halbert, who was the fast-qualifier for the event. Harley-Davidson helps motorcycle riders get fit
Sunday, 16 August 2009 21:10 |
Forget the treadmill and spin class - Harley-Davidson wants motorcycle riders to think differently about getting fit. The Motor Company unveiled the Harley-Davidson Fit Shop at dealerships across the country, which is designed to help motorcycle riders find the perfect fit for their new or used Harley-Davidson motorcycle using Genuine Harley-Davidson Parts and Accessories. Dealership Fit Shop specialists work with current and prospective Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners to help customize the suspension, seat, handlebars and/or foot controls to meet their riding preferences. Chopper Tattoo Site Review - The Internets #1 Top-Rated Tattoo Gallery!
Sunday, 16 August 2009 21:10 |
 Tattoos are really very popular and trendy these days. A lot of the popularity stems from Television shows like "Miami Ink" and all of the hype surrounding celebrities and thier Tattoos. When choosing a Tattoo, there are so many types and styles to choose from that you actually need to look through a catalog to find one that fits your personality and unique style. With the Chopper Tattoo site, which is a membership site, you have everything there you could ever think of. There are so many different types and styles of tattoos to choose from that one would have a hard time deciding which one to get. If you are a professional Tattoist, this site is definitely for you. It is a virtual Tattoo shop with walls and walls of different kinds of Tattoos. Chopper Tattoo has everything from full back tattoos to small tiny wrist or ankle tattoos. It has Tattoos that would fit the style of the big burly "biker type" to the petite liitle girlly type. It has different styles such as Japanese, Celtic and Tribal. Everything you need in one place, plus with a membership, they give you free updates as they are added to thier catalog. If Tattoos are your thing, Chopper Tattoo has the largest online selection of Tattoos available today. Right now they are offering FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS with membership. Up to 99 million song are available! For more information about joining Chopper Tattoo Please CLICK HERE Steven Tyler, Dirico Motorcycles: Steven Tyler falls off stage from Dirico Motorcycles
Sunday, 16 August 2009 21:10 |
Dirico Motorcycles | Steven Tyler falls off stage | Steve Tyler | Aerosmith | Mia Tyler | Rip Taylor | Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler falls from stage during South Dakota’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally from his motorcyle Dirico motorcycle. Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, known for dancing with microphone stands adorned with scarves, was airlifted to a hospital early Thursday after falling from the stage during a concert at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Ed Aurand, a security supervisor at the campground who saw the fall, said Tyler stepped backward off the stage’s catwalk. “He does a lot of dancing on the stage and he does a lot of stuff with his mike stand. He put his stand down and twirled around and stepped backwards off the stage,” Sanborn said. Halfway through the performance, Tyler fell onto a couple of fans in the middle of what was a record crowd, Sanborn said. Security rushed to help him and the crowd cheered when Tyler got back up. “He was good natured about it,” Sanborn said. “He was in good spirits when he got in the helicopter. He was talking and joking with the physician.” “It was an unfortunate end to an extraordinary evening,” he said. Tyler suffered minor head and neck injuries and a shoulder injury, but it wasn’t immediately clear how serious that was, Sanborn said. After he fell, which was halfway through the performance, Tyler was eventually taken backstage, Sanborn said. Around 12:15 a.m., Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry came out to tell the audience Tyler was being taken to the hospital and that the show would not go on. A physician at the concert venue attended to Tyler and the frontman was flown to Rapid City Regional Hospital, the only major hospital in the region, Sanborn said. Jennifer Horton, the hospital’s vice president of public relations and marketing, said early Thursday that Tyler wasn’t in the hospital directory. Under the privacy laws, that means the person is either not there or chose not to be included in the directory, according to the hospital’s Web site. Tyler attended Sturgis last year to promote his Dirico Motorcycles line and was back this year to do that again and play at the Buffalo Chip. Fans were disappointed the concert was cut short but hoped Tyler wasn’t seriously hurt. Lance Yellow Robe, who said he was 8 eight feet from the stage when Tyler fell off, told the Rapid City Journal “you could kind of see it coming because he was dancing all over the stage. “I hope he’s OK,” Yellow Robe said. “I could care less about the concert being canceled.” Costa Mesa Speedway Harley-Davidson Night
Sunday, 16 August 2009 21:10 |
The Costa Mesa Speedway is good old fun short-track (speedway dirt) motorcycle racing. The motorcycles are alcohol fuel burning race bikes the are single cylinder 500cc machines, (they look like BMX bicycles). It's loud, smells like fuel, and a whole lot of fun. Harley-Davidson night will be on Saturday, August 22nd. Gates open @ 6:00 pm and the first race begins @ 7:30 pm. Sport Touring Motorcycles
Sunday, 16 August 2009 21:10 |
While it is possible to tour on any motorcycle , the whole idea behind a great touring motorcycle is offering the rider the most pleasure out of the experience.Sport bikes are famous for their fine handling attributes, as well as having an abundance of power to get you from point A to point B in the fastest time possible, but rider comfort on a long distance trip leaves a lot to be desired. Don’t even think about a long trip on one of these two up or you’re more than likely going to have a very disappointed partner. Cruisers are built for ,well cruising. Even for a long trip they offer a fair degree of comfort. Some even have decent passenger accommodations, but they’re not built for all out touring so they are usually lacking in the handling department. It can be quite tiring trying to muscle a cruiser down long winding roads that go on forever. The seating position on cruisers isn’t ideal for long distance travel either Good wind and rain protection is a must have for someone heading out on a cross country tour on a motorcycle. Touring bikes are designed with fairings and windshields to protect you from whatever elements Mother Nature may through at you on your travels. A comfortable saddle and good seating position is another one of the things I consider a necessity for a long distance touring motorcycle. It’s not much fun being on a 2000 mile trip with an aching back and a sore butt. Storage compartments are another item that is needed on a great touring bike. If you’re going on a long distance trip, you need a place to secure the things you plan on taking with you. As such, most purpose built touring motorcycles have saddlebags. Some of them even have detachable bags that you can remove and carry with you. There are a few touring motorcycles that are factory equipped with a trunk to add more storage space for your gear. I have found the trunk on our Honda Goldwing GL 1800 to be very useful for keeping our helmets in while sight seeing. Sport touring motorcycles offer those that enjoy aggressive riding more of a sport bike feel with the comfort of a tour bike. Although they are a little heavier than their sport bike counterparts, they usually have fairly impressive riding and handling characteristics. When most people think of touring motorcycles The Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide and the Honda Goldwing are probably the first two bikes to enter their mind. Rightfully so, These two machines represent the ultimate motorcycles in the touring class. Many are not aware that the Honda Gold Wing has been produces in their Marysville, Ohio plant since 1981 and may get a little upset about my calling it American Iron..Sadly, Honda has decided to move production of the Gold Wing back to Japan for 2010. Next in line for sweet touring motorcycles are the Super Sport Touring bikes. Most of the big manufacturers have at least one of these in their lineup these days. They have managed to capture a large part of the sport bike market segment from the “starting to hit middle age” sport bike riders. Looking for the excitement they are used to from an all out sport bike, but wanting a lot more comfort for an all day riding adventure. While no one bike can do everything great, knowing how you are intending to use the motorcycle most of the time will help you choose a bike that will best suit your needs. Grab valuable info in the sphere of car finance calculator - your own tips store. Seen on: http://www.zimbio.com/Harley-Davidson+Motorcycles/articles/1JItuIFGQhr/Sport+Touring+Motorcycles |
