A paradigm is a cheap parachute made in the states...sorry, I couldn't help myself.
The thing that annoys me the most when buying a new Harley is that there is no reduction or negotiation for the sale price of the bike. Either you want it, or you dont. I have always said a sale is better than no sale. Let the customer walk out that door and you have missed a sale. At the end of the day I would rather have something in my pocket than have nothing.
The regulated pricing structure of HD means we, as riders, get a reasonable resale on our bikes compared to a most others, but you pay through the nose up front to achieve that. The "value" of the brand is maintained by the marketing hype to which we contribute in the purchase price. I'd try a Victory tomorrow but the resale is what would spook me. Most other brands are just as good a bike and are probably better than HD, but the marketing image and feel at the crank, is what attracts us to owning one. The dealer will milk that emotion every time you walk through the door. The gloss has worn off in the USA as other brands have caught up and passed HD. All of a sudden we are getting equipment on new bikes, that you previously only dreamed of, to maintain some sort of value for money. Pushing the 883 iron on telly is the one way they can attract new punters wanting to cash in on the lifestyle at a reasonable cost. They will then expect them to upgrade within a year to a big twin, once hooked.
