The smallest, cheapest Harley is like 12000 USD and almost 1000cc. The latest CEO said he was going to learn to ride a bike, but ran into an issue: The only beginner bikes Harley makes are for the asian market. Small, non or barely-highway capable motorcycles being overpriced isn't exclusively a Harley problem, anywhere else in the world you can buy *something *new that will go at about 60 mph for about 1000 USD. It might take 14 seconds to get there, but it's fine for learning or getting around town. Entry level bikes or scooters in the US start at like 4000 dollars new.

But the problem of scummy dealerships telling novices they should start on the biggest sportsbike is even worse at the other dealerships, since Harleys just get shinier and more bloated as they get pricier, not so much faster.