Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG), my favorite company, reported big jumps in second-quarter revenue and net income. Hog shipped 3,576 more units YTD to dealers worldwide than in the same half of 2006. But wait. Worldwide, Harley dealers actually sold 1.27% fewer Hogs YTD than last year. CEO Jim Ziemer, looking to put the best face forward, chose to round the number down to 1.2% in his press release. Remember J.Z., today's Hog is tomorrow's bacon. Moreover, domestic dealers sold 8,759, or 5.69%, fewer Hogs YTD than in 2006. Retail sales YTD were up sharply in Canada and Europe due to, in my opinion, the weak U.S. dollar.

Harley continues pandering to Wall Street while compromising H-D dealers with excessive inventories and Hog customers with falling used-bike prices and backed-up, rushed, and often surly service. I would like to see Hog put a lid on production and be more helpful to its dealers and loyal customers. And I wouldn't mind a return to private market status.