Harley may build smaller, less expensive bikes

For decades, Harley-Davidson motorcycles have been big, heavy V-twins. But, according to chief operating officer Matt Levatich, that might change.

According to Cyril Huze, Levatich made some interesting comments recently, while addressing a Reuters Global Manufacturing and Transportation Summit. Levatich said Harley-Davidson is looking at ways to attract customers outside its current baby-boomer market, including more youth and women. This means they could end up building some smaller and less expensive motorcycles again, he said.

Levatich also indicated Harley-Davidson may build machines outside the U.S., aimed at developing market. The company has been working at growing their sales outside the U.S. in the last few years, and should they ever decide to build a machine aimed at developing international markets, it sounds as if they aren’t ruling out a foreign plant. For now, though, there are no plans to build machines outside the U.S., he said.

These are all pretty interesting developments. There hasn’t been a small-capacity Harley-Davidson in decades, unless you count the Buell Blast. For now, though, it’s all just talk.