This is significant because car companies now want to bring new models from drawing-board to showroom in less than two years.

ECONOMIST: Car design

Off the court Shaq was contributing ideas for new styles of the sneaker every year (there are now 100-plus Dunkman models) and drawing big crowds by appearances at Payless stores.

FORBES: The Dunk Man

Skeptical analysts believe that the company's decision to upgrade its engines across several models was more of a sales driver than the new bikes, drawing loyal Harley riders to upgrade to more powerful models.

FORBES: Harley-Davidson Dazzles Wall Street