| | | | Interview with Bill Davidson |  Written: 13/09/2006 : 11:46. Read 3732 times (7/day). | | The integrality of this filed article is for Premium Members. | Location: Middle of nowhere, on the top of a mountain in Slovenia
When: On a rideout with ten selected journalists in connection with the European Bike Week in Faaker See, Austria. September 8, 2006.
   4 votes | |
| |
Bill Davidson is the third generation Davidson since the original Davidson brothers started up with William Harley in 1903. Bill has been working for the motor company for more than 20 years now and has experienced the rise in fortunes throughout the nineties to this present day. Bill Davidson occupies the position as Director of motorcycle product development in Milwaukee, USA.
MO: What about the Harley part of Harley-Davidson?
BD: “The Harley family have not been involved with the motor company for many years now.”
Davidson is now the family that are involved and Bill Davidson’s sister works in the Harley-Davidson fashion department.
MO: Do you feel bothered when people are referring to your bikes as a “Harley?”
BD: “Not at all, it’s just a way of speech and Harley is short and easy.”
Bill Davidson comes across as an easygoing and down to earth 45 year old. He could just as easily have taken a position amongst the board of directors and played with his shares, but instead he has taken on the very hands on role of motorcycle product development director. It’s all about how the motorcycles looks and feels and as a Harley-Davidson owner you can rest assured that the product has been approved by Bill Davidson himself.
Bill Davidson on the future: Bill talks about the 10 year plan Harley-Davidson operates with when asked about the future.
BD: “We are in it for the long run, we expect our dealers to be too and that is where the profit lies” The liquid cooled revolution engine launched in the V-rod was the biggest step in Harley-Davidson history and something completely new. MO: Will Harley-Davidson come up with something equally big within the next ten years?
BD: “Yes, we will”
MO: The Japanese have been quite aggressive in the latest years with big twins such as the Kawasaki VN2000 and Honda VTX1800. What are your thoughts on developments from Japan?
BD: “All the Japanese are doing are copying our bikes. I have spent some time on the VN2000 and I don’t like it. I can’t find any sweet spot like you will on any Harley-Davidson.”
The integrality of this filed article is for Premium Members.
(5 pictures - 1230 words. remaining).
|
Please register if you want to write a comment:
Clic here |
|
|
|
| | Public Poll
Who will be the 2008 Moto GP world champion?
|
| | THE BLOGS | | | | PICTURES TOP 10 | | | |
|
