Harley-Davidson reported its second quarter 2017 results and the numbers aren’t pretty. H-D sold 6.7% fewer motorcycles worldwide (and 9.3% fewer in the U.S.) during the second quarter compared to the same period in 2016. Motorcycle shipments were down 7.2%. Overall, Harley-Davidson reported a net profit of $258.9 million, down from a profit of $280.4 million from the same time last year.
According to the company’s second quarter report, Harley-Davidson sold 81,388 motorcycles in the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to 87,266 units in the same quarter last year. American consumers accounted for 49,668 motorcycles, a decrease of 9.3% from the 54,786 motorcycles sold in Q2 2016.
While Harley-Davidson expected sales to be down in the second quarter, the company admits U.S. sales decreased more than anticipated. The overall U.S. industry was down in the quarter, but Harley-Davidson fared worse than most, dropping a percentage point to 48.5% of the market share for motorcycles larger than 601cc in engine displacement. Harley-Davidson attributes the decrease to soft used motorcycle prices cutting into the demand for new motorcycles. International sales also took a hit, with Harley-Davidson reporting year-over-year sales decreases in all markets except Canada which saw a 0.4% increase.

Harley-Davidson Q2 Motorcycle Shipments

2017 Touring
36,650
2016 Touring
27,682

2017 Cruiser
25,278
2016 Cruiser
37,644

2017 Street/Sportster
19,879
2016 Street/Sport...