Well I got an email from my local dealership, Blackbridge HD in Cambridge Ontario. They’re closing the doors on June 30, along with their sister store Rocky’s HD in London Ontario. Sounds like poor sales and a late spring/poor weather has done them in. Not sure if tariffs have been a factor yet. I don’t use them for service but spent a bunch there in parts.
Both were nice stores IMO. Hopefully the staff won’t be out of work for long.
Closest dealer to me now is an hour away in the city.

 

Sad news for sure....hopefully it was poor management and not a sign of the times. The big flashy stores looked nice, but the money had to come from somewhere to build and upkeep them. I'd take a Ma & Pa store over them if they were around

 

I’m sorry to hear this. The dealership model is broken for Harley. It’s not unique, most auto dealerships are in over their heads due to poor leadership from their manufacturers. Even trusted auto brands are failing big time. Now, it was not inevitable, but it is directly due to the current leadership of the CEOs and boards. Anyone outside the Harley boardroom could see this failure coming. It started with the board that chose Jochen. They confused growth with margin. I mean, they wanted to grow profits without growing the business. Jeep, Ram, Ford, Chevy, it makes no difference. They all went to the same school of profit. Sad thing is, they make their money, Harley grows or lies in ruin. They have no financial incentive personally. There is no risk for being stupid as long as they are saying all the right things.

It breaks my heart that we have lost so many independently owned dealerships as well as the mess the mega chain dealerships are in. It is broken. This affects new buyers more than those who have modified their bike already and don’t need “parts” per se to be complete and riding. Newer bikes, question reliability and figure on riding it basically stock. The era of making it yours may be coming to an end.

But, then I’m an analog guy living and riding in a digital world. God forbid a get told one more time, I need to install this app to do business with you. I’m praying for a huge CME to teach these suckers, it’s important to have an analog backup system for when the plug gets pulled..for an hour, a day, a week, or longer.

Sorry for the rant, got off topic, but it disturbs me when a local or area business can no longer support its customers or staff. Sad day.

I doubt this is tariff related, though it probably didn’t help.

 

It's always sad to hear when dealership are closing.

 

Something is up. My dealer has experienced an increase in parts sales and service work due to them being one of the closest dealers to those that closed. But they are having issues getting parts from HD Canada. I've been waiting over 2 weeks for an OEM air filter, with no assured delivery date.

 

I think the dealership in Mississauga is on the ropes .

 

The crazy part is the dealer network is getting smaller and further between stores, and they cut off online sales of parts and accessories. 😒

 

What makes you say this ?

 

Very few bikes in the show room and service area .I know many that gave up on their parts counter .

 

Our local dealer in Va Beach is closing. Southside HD. It a true shame. That is where I go my 2020 Ultra Limited. Great folks there.