Motorcycle Market

[jason 41]

Two years ago I made the decision to get out of the MC business. I have to say It was one of the best moves I have ever made.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/10/former-ducati-ceo-michael-lock.html

I met Mr. Lock at the Ducati dealer meeting in 2008, He was nice enough to speak with me about being a Sales Manager for just a few minutes. He said some of the same things about selling the Passion of Ducati and the whole lifestyle. I did really well with that stuff at Champion, even sold a few CJ's some Ducatis:rolleyes: Good read for sure.

[the_MAC]

good to see you moving up in the world, bro...

[jason 41]

Shut your dirty contractor mouth.:lol:

[the_MAC]

you're just mad cuz i'll make more than you...

[MrDude_1]

http://media.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/556286/81052310.jpg

[jason 41]

Cool pick Travis I have a few t shirts with that on it.

Mac you better watch your tone, I might end up being your BOSS! :alright:

[the_MAC]

that would be funny.

[jason 41]

Then I would fire you! For insulant behavior. ;) I sent one of my crews back to Russia today for saftey violations!:rolleyes: Stupid fuckers:lol:

[MrDude_1]

Cool pick Travis I have a few t shirts with that on it.

Mac you better watch your tone, I might end up being your BOSS! :alright:

this somehow gives me this image:

http://www.fastgm.com/travis/JasonAndMac.jpg

[slosir]

Nice!!!!!!

[jason 41]

:lol::lol::lol:

[Greg]

We haven't seen the worst of this decline, yet. I give the US market another year or two, at best, before it tanks, again. But, when you walk in any dealership around town, they all say they are "Doing Great". It's funny, Charleston must be the only place in the country that is booming. "Motorcycling" will never die, but all of the business around it might. Good luck to anyone in the industry.
:popcorn:

[MrDude_1]

We haven't seen the worst of this decline, yet. I give the US market another year or two, at best, before it tanks, again. But, when you walk in any dealership around town, they all say they are "Doing Great". It's funny, Charleston must be the only place in the country that is booming. "Motorcycling" will never die, but all of the business around it might. Good luck to anyone in the industry.
:popcorn:

well, they're not going to say "we probably wont be open next month, but buy a bike from here anyway... you'll find somewhere else to warranty and service it."

[04ctd]

it has certainly died down.

i buy & sell HD parts, and they used to maintain ~70% of their retail value, because so many people wanted them.

now, you are lucky to get 50% for used parts.

i just bought a bike from a guy who "got a deal and thought he would make a fortune on it"

i don't know if he lost money, but he sure did not make much.

"new" used Harleys ( less than ~5k miles ) are selling much cheaper than dealer MSRP, not to mention the + + + the dealer adds on.


it's a TOUGH economy everywhere. you will see lots of little towns boarded up & shutting down if you take a long country cruise

[MrDude_1]

it has certainly died down.

i buy & sell HD parts, and they used to maintain ~70% of their retail value, because so many people wanted them.

now, you are lucky to get 50% for used parts.

i just bought a bike from a guy who "got a deal and thought he would make a fortune on it"

i don't know if he lost money, but he sure did not make much.

"new" used Harleys ( less than ~5k miles ) are selling much cheaper than dealer MSRP, not to mention the + + + the dealer adds on.


it's a TOUGH economy everywhere. you will see lots of little towns boarded up & shutting down if you take a long country cruise

reality is going to hit the Harley world harder then everyone else.
baby boomers are about the only real large harley fan base.. everyone younger then them grew up with imported cars, imported electronics, etc...and will accept more brands.
branding is all harley has, so unless they can sell their "image" to a younger crowd, they will be hit the hardest, and then continue to go down.

[jason 41]

Harley was already selling over priced shinny turds..... you can only do that for so long.

[the_MAC]

Harley was already selling over priced shinny turds..... you can only do that for so long.


as opposed to suzuki, who sells UNDERpriced shiny turds!

[MrDude_1]

i dont think they care, as long as they sell their turds.

[jason 41]

as opposed to suzuki, who sells UNDERpriced shiny turds!
at least there not Shinny slow Turds......:D