Harley backed themselves into a niche and only have themselves to blame. I ride motorcycles but have zero interest in Harley’s because most of the riders seem to be cosplaying a 1%er vibe that is off putting in the extreme.
The clothing lines are a giveaway as to who their market is.
I divide riders into Harley enthusiasts and everybody else. People who like motorcycles generally have wide tastes or at least can appreciate all kinds of bikes. Harley riders wobble to a stop outside a bar and pretend to be hard men.
When I rode a Honda, I loved to see Harley riders putting their bikes on trailers and taking them everywhere. They would take them to an event on the back of a trailer, and then just ride around the area near the hotel. Then back on the trailer to go home.
I just sold my Harley (literally this morning). And you're totally right about the vibe. I had a 2017 Roadster (a much more upright bike than the cruisers you think of when you think of Harleys) and any time someone asked, I'd explain "I ride a Harley, but I'm not a 'Harley guy'". I would never roll around with other Harley riders.
I think the most telling thing was that when I priced my bike out, average mileage for that bike at that age was ~6500 miles. Which made my 52,000 miles a liability.
The clothing lines are a giveaway as to who their market is.
I divide riders into Harley enthusiasts and everybody else. People who like motorcycles generally have wide tastes or at least can appreciate all kinds of bikes. Harley riders wobble to a stop outside a bar and pretend to be hard men.