Parts prices

[Jackster]

Why does it seem like I have to take out a 2nd mortgage, every time I want to buy a part for my bike? The prices for parts are ridiculous. I could buy bigger parts for my car for less than what I pay for HD parts. It's almost like the "little guys" can't ride them because the parts are too expensive. Is HD supposed to be considered a "designer" brand?

[langner91]

Is HD supposed to be considered a "designer" brand?

Um, yeah.

What parts are you needing?

[superwarden]

HD Thinks very highly of their parts......

[waiteitei]

genuine hd parts are a port of last resort

loads of beter quality and cheaper after market bits available

[mid30]

hd takes srp to heart and kicks in a few more bucks then there you go.

[blakjak]

Only because they know most of the people who are into Harley's just for the name and look will spend every last dime there because they refuse to have anything "less" put on their ride. Hence the prices for a 1000, 5000, or 10,000 mile service or something silly like spark plugs.

As stated above, there are tons of better and cheaper items out there for almost anything you'd want.

[Urrell]

Why does it seem like I have to take out a 2nd mortgage, every time I want to buy a part for my bike? The prices for parts are ridiculous. I could buy bigger parts for my car for less than what I pay for HD parts. It's almost like the "little guys" can't ride them because the parts are too expensive. Is HD supposed to be considered a "designer" brand?

You don't know how lucky you in the USA are.
In the UK the £ price is about the same as the $ in the US making parts in the UK about double the price in the US!:frownone

Petrol (Gas) in the UK is now about $9:80 a gallon and I hear that due to high prices some in the US are cutting back on the mileage done.:laugh

Oh and a new XL1200C Anniversary is £7,995. That's about $16,000.:frownone

Do you still feel hard done by???:doh

[waiteitei]

You don't know how lucky you in the USA are.
In the UK the £ price is about the same as the $ in the US making parts in the UK about double the price in the US!:frownone



Have you tried importing the parts direct yourself??? add on freight duty and vat and see what the prcies come to, pretty much 1£ = 1 $

But there are numerous on line shops in the US at prices way below the offical HD dealerships, not only that you can ordefr the parts from the states and get them delivered to your door a lot quicker than your local friendly dealer can

If you live in Lincolnshire your closest dealer is probably Robin Hood, both in name and nature - I avoid them like the plague they are absolutely useless they have problems looking up the part numbers for a battery let alone anything complicated

[spanner_rash]

I can only echo what my esteemed countrymen have already commented upon, namely how we get royally shafted with HD Parts (and the bikes themselves.)
I just paid £25 ($50 US) for a chrome cap for my rear brake master cylinder from my local HD Dealer (Manchester, top blokes, dead friendly and knowledgeable, but hamstrung by the HD prices). And NO! I didn't buy it for farkle, just that they had to special order a standard one in (a week or so) and I needed one RIGHT NOW. (Clumsy bastrad with a big wrench DOH!)

When I was in Milwaukee in July, I looked at a 2003 Ultra Classic Electraglide. All the toys, knobs and whistles you could imagine. Dealer service history, 15,000 miles. $14,000 USD plus taxes.
There's a 2004 in Manchester at £12,000 ($24,000) right now.
Welcome to the world of Gordon Brown! You don't know how lucky you are in the US my friends.
Could be worse, could be in Sweden and be paying £8 ($16US) for ONE BEER!:eek:

[misterT]

Ther are also some dealers like Surdyke HD that sell online for 20% off. There website can be a PITA to find specific parts with the search function. But you can call you local dealer for the part number then enter it on their site. Don't forget to look at aftermarket parts like others mentioned. Many times they are less money and better quality.

[JayFL459]

I live in Florida and many time order direct from Surdyke sometimes for 50% what the Local Dealer wants. Loyalty is one thing but not to the extent breaks the bank... :frownthre

[les63]

Yea I just got the front turn signal relocation kit $28.00 not bad, then I looked inside and discovered it is made in Tiwan, and to think this is HD part

I will get the sundowner seat, after that it will be aftermarket all the way!!!

[Urrell]

Have you tried importing the parts direct yourself??? add on freight duty and vat and see what the prcies come to, pretty much 1£ = 1 $

But there are numerous on line shops in the US at prices way below the offical HD dealerships, not only that you can ordefr the parts from the states and get them delivered to your door a lot quicker than your local friendly dealer can

If you live in Lincolnshire your closest dealer is probably Robin Hood, both in name and nature - I avoid them like the plague they are absolutely useless they have problems looking up the part numbers for a battery let alone anything complicated

I get most of my parts from Harley Davidson Guernsey or Offshore Motorcycle Parts (OMP), Both the same firm. I looked into importing shocks from the US but $100 postage and about the same again in TAX and release fee made this uneconomic. I have had parts from over there but most have so much postage and government charges that it is not worth while.

It really pi$$es me off when people over there moan about high charges. They want to run a bike over here for a while. - Rant over - Have a nice day :tour:tour

[langner91]

It really pi$$es me off when people over there moan about high charges. They want to run a bike over here for a while. - Rant over - Have a nice day :tour:tour

But, the stuff is supposed to be cheap here.

Plus, we all understand that if we wanted something high-quality from England, we would fully expect to pay for it. Good thing we don't. :shhhh

[Jackster]

I know about the foreign markets, but it still sucks here. Anyway, I can afford them, but it would be nice if they were a little more affordable, if you know what I mean. I always buy what I need or want, and I'm sure they know that we will, but more people would ride if the parts and maintenance weren't so outrageous.

[stealthammer]

genuine hd parts are a port of last resort

loads of beter quality and cheaper after market bits available

+1, anywhere else, any other way....

Love that aftermarket!!!

Besides, according to my local stealer, Harley doesn't make parts for my bike...... :doh

[dagsportster]

loads of beter quality and cheaper after market bits available

Loads, yes. Better? Not always.

I've had really good luck with exhaust systems and seats, but some of the aftermarket stuff is ill-fitting and not the best quality (e.g., flaking chrome). I've got a garage bench full of aftermarket crap that just didn't measure up -- it all makes its way to eBay. The HD stuff, regardless of where it's actually manufactured, is generally overpriced, but it fits and holds up. The choices are limited, but if HD makes what you need, buy from Zanotti's and save a bunch.

[AussieGazza]

Chicago HD is on-line and have the prices. 20% off everything?

I have also bought a lot of items of EBay and have saved about 50%. Only got ripped of once by effordables who sent me a worn out brake disk.

[Gone]

Only because they know most of the people who are into Harley's just for the name and look will spend every last dime there because they refuse to have anything "less" put on their ride. Hence the prices for a 1000, 5000, or 10,000 mile service or something silly like spark plugs.

As stated above, there are tons of better and cheaper items out there for almost anything you'd want.

You got that right! I am always amazed when I look at all of the shiny chrome goodies hanging in the dealer's parts department. At least 3/4 of it is MADE IN CHINA!!! WTF!?!?!

They're charging premium prices for pretty packaging, and-I guess, the dubious prestige of buying a part that has HD's blessing. Screw that-the J&P Cycles catalog tells me where the part is made, and they're cheaper.

[jimmyess333]

It seems to me that the market drives the price. As long as people pay it, they will charge it. The other evil is perception. The the word cheap is usually equated with lesser quality. Unfortunately, expensive is often equated with better quality, whether it actually is or not. Combine that perception with a certain niche of Harley customer who likes to be exclusive and there's your marketing tool. With some guys, it even carries into their personal drive behind their customization and their dislike for "run of the mill Harleys".
That being the case, making Harley bikes more obtainable would make them more common thus less desireable to many, flood the market, kill resale value. Not to mention the backlash from everyone who has already paid the existing prices.
Yes it would be nice to pay less but the MOCO can't simply lower prices on existing bikes or parts, even if they wanted to, without negative results.
To charge less is to admit it's worth less which would damage the MOCO's number one asset, IMAGE.
I'm sure Harley is making a killing off of the Taiwan parts with the "Genuine H-D" prices, more specifically with the difference in labor costs. That brings me back to my first point, if you'll pay it they'll charge it.
For whatever reason you bought a Harley, whether it be patiotism, to buy a chunk of the image, or just to try something different, you still CHOSE to buy it. Harley Davidson does not have a monopoly on the motorcycle market, there are plenty of other makes from various countries to chose from. So if the price of owning a Harley is to high there are plenty of viable alternatives. In saying that last statement I'm not being snotty at all since that's the same advice I've given myself in times of frustration.
If I'm ever shopping for another bike and I feel something non-Harley is a better bike for me you'd better believe I'll go for it. On the other side of the coin, if I get another Harley it's all on me.
Some things about Harleys are great things that can be found in no other bike and some things actually suck. What's most important is whether it's worth it to YOU.