Bingo. It used to be that the more discerning people (like the majority on here) were repelled from HD due to their complete stubbornness to get out of the 1930's (with a notable compromise in FI). Now with the huge amount of choices that look damn near identical (which satisfies the "riding for image" crowd), and the whole shrinking disposable income thing, you can hop on a Shadow, c50, VStar, or a ton of other bikes and be just as happy if not happier (with more modern suspension and engine technologies) for literally half the price. Buying American only works when the product being sold is actually competitive with it's market. HD's been trying to skate by on it's rustic image for decades now, and the recession is causing those chickens to start coming home.