Harley Davidson were smart in that for a long time they kept there production numbers a little below sales, which kept demand, percieved value and prices up. They never discounted their new prices, owners got great resale value and it was easy times for harley.
Harley knew their market well and has been lazy about acquiring new buyers, but its markets been dying off, getting to old. It got rid of perhaps its best chance to reach a new market when it took over and threw away buell. Probably decided more harley themed golf shirts were better fits with there image.
Fun fact, back in the OLD days, the heads of harley and indian used to meet up every year at a hotel to fix prices for the year.