I was killing time before the local HOG meeting and dropped by the Annapolis Harley ( http://www.annapolishd.com/ ) dealer this afternoon. Judging from the inventory in that place, there's no shortage of any model you could imagine. I counted twenty-four (24) Sportsters lined up, 883's of various configurations, 1200Cs, and they finally got in some 1200Rs. They had one of the blacked-out 1200Rs that really caught my eye; sure looks like a real "Riders Bike." That black 3.3 gal tank on it looks soooo RIGHT. Lots of all the other BT models, including some new, very seriously customized bikes that would knock your eye out. I noticed on the new 883's that they've moved the horn to between the front of the frame (which is a more logical place for it). When did that start and are they as loud?

Anyway, they're having a sale starting Feb 16th to sell 90 bikes in nine days. I'd have my doubts about that, especially in February, but I guess they did it last year. Local HOG (which the dealer sponsors) membership is up to 840, so I guess this dealer is doing pretty good. But obviously the two-year waiting lists are a thing of the past. May be good for the dealer but maybe not so good for the guy trying to sell his old ride?

 

In '01 I had to order my 883, but now there's several at each of the local dealers ready to be bought. Maybe time of year has something to do with it. (?)
As far as the horn, my 01 had it there too.

 

I wasn't aware there was a waiting for sporty's. Seems like that's all that was ever on the showroom floor!!!!!!!

 

New Sporty production facility took the wait out of all models.

 

On my first 1200c delivery, I had to wait 5 months (March - July 21st) - on the second one, less than 24 hrs and that was a MOCO trade. - they said it was on the floor, but "fellas" in the know tell me differnt and I had been at the "floor" many unfortunate times back then. Personally, when I ordered a bike the first time, it was Lowrider (2000 FXDL - Black) - let me check the slip (origonal deposit slip in a frame on the wall) - 5-19-99. Worth the wait!!!!

Lovin life

 

My first bikes were used, so they were there at the dealer. My last one was brand new, but i bought it at the end of the year, so it was already in. It is getting easier to find new bikes. Our local dealer has a lot of new ones.

 

Well i've been crusing the local dealers her in LA and most have quite a few of the BT and the 883 and 1200C sportsters. What I haven't seen in about a month that i've been going are any 1200R's For some reason that's the bike that isn't "available" on the floor. They can order it from other shops.

 

I got my 06 in august and it was just siting on the floor waiting on me was that unusual.

 

Alexcue wrote
"Well i've been crusing the local dealers her in LA and most have quite a few of the BT and the 883 and 1200C sportsters. What I haven't seen in about a month that i've been going are any 1200R's For some reason that's the bike that isn't "available" on the floor. They can order it from other shops. "

I was just in the San Jose dealer today, they had a 1200R for sale for $8300-ish, plus they're having a $500 off sale on any in-stock sportsters, to thats around $7800. I probably would've bought it if I'd seen it before I got my 1200C a couple weeks ago and just put a bigger tank on it.

 

I heard that HD production exceeded demand last year for the first time in a long time. Plus with the dealers put out of action by Katrina and their allocation going to other dealers you have some dealers swamped with inventory. No more wait and no more paying over MSRP! And it's a buyer's market for used Harleys now too. The folks that bought Harleys for the "investment" are dumping their bikes while they can so there's suddenly a lot of very nice very low mileage used Harleys at prices unheard of just last year. I'm lovin it!