Another one bites the dust...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,070
Likes: 5,321
That might make sense if those "lots of dealerships" were owned and operated by H-D, but they're not.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,176
Likes: 12,753
From: South Carolina
Seriously?
Welcome to planet earth.
Welcome to planet earth.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; May 25, 2021 at 09:55 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,644
Likes: 1,385
From: North Central WV
It makes business sense, under performing dealerships are getting the axe. And as I mentioned before, this was a terrible location choice as the population density isn't profitable and the connection to the New River Gorge (even now as a National Park) and the whitewater just isn't there. That area is traditionally driven by the coal market and its been damn near dead for 30+ years.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Closing dealers is a shame. I was on a trip couple years ago and had a front wheel bearing go out. By the time I got pulled over and situated, I checked my Harley Dealer app and saw Shenandoah HD was only couple miles away. Made it there ok, they got right on the bike and had us out in a couple hours. I was totally impressed! Now they are closed. So if that bearing going bad had happened today, I would probably be 100 miles from the closest dealer. Again, these smaller dealers are just fine. If they are financially sound and are doing well for themselves, leave them alone. Don't force their closing.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
the thing is, if a dealership is not profitable, they are going to close on their own, they don't need the MoCo to make that decision for them
This is about HD reducing the number of bikes made, in an effort to make it a more exclusive brand.
Less bikes made, less bikes per dealer, and the guys that own 10 dealerships or more (they have their kids own some so in reality they own more) are going to be the ones HD caters to, not the single store Mom & Pop.
Lets take Heritage HD in Concord NH.
Owner died ( a wonderful woman everyone loved her RIP) so the same family that owns Manchester NH, Billerica MA, Fort Myers FL and about 17 other dealers between the 2 sons of the original owner of multiple dealerships scoops up the Concord dealership and closes it with HD's blessing... Manchester and Billerica now get to split what Concord would have gotten for bikes, and with 17 other dealerships they are going to have the ear of the MoCo.... and remember the previous owner of Fort Myers closed the Naples store and got their allocation too.... they needed it to sell enough bikes to pay for that Taj Mahal store complete with a concert venue up at exit 131
The other thing it does for HD is reduce their distribution costs for bikes and parts, and they probably kicked a couple of district managers to the curb too
This is about HD reducing the number of bikes made, in an effort to make it a more exclusive brand.
Less bikes made, less bikes per dealer, and the guys that own 10 dealerships or more (they have their kids own some so in reality they own more) are going to be the ones HD caters to, not the single store Mom & Pop.
Lets take Heritage HD in Concord NH.
Owner died ( a wonderful woman everyone loved her RIP) so the same family that owns Manchester NH, Billerica MA, Fort Myers FL and about 17 other dealers between the 2 sons of the original owner of multiple dealerships scoops up the Concord dealership and closes it with HD's blessing... Manchester and Billerica now get to split what Concord would have gotten for bikes, and with 17 other dealerships they are going to have the ear of the MoCo.... and remember the previous owner of Fort Myers closed the Naples store and got their allocation too.... they needed it to sell enough bikes to pay for that Taj Mahal store complete with a concert venue up at exit 131
The other thing it does for HD is reduce their distribution costs for bikes and parts, and they probably kicked a couple of district managers to the curb too
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,234
Likes: 6,171
From: Black Hills
Hopefully they can say good riddance to the MoCO and remain open as an indy. The local indy I help out at is 40 miles away from BHHD and is so busy they can't keep up with the work.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 861
Likes: 136
From: Wisconsin
EXACTLY !!!!! If they want to stay open and only sell 5 Motorcycles and a few parts who the hell cares. Like the other gentleman said: now I'll buy my parts online, and those parts may not be Harley.
We need one desperately in this area.
We only have one indie shop that I know of in this area.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 727
From: Michigan
When Harley pulled out of Traverse City, Mi., I was told roughly 10,000 owners were left in a lurch. I can't verify the number, but you know how H-D riders can be about their dealership availability.