Iconic Motorcycle Dealership shuts down after 110 YEARS

[Creedmoor]

Entry riders are NOT going to be buying a new Gold Wing.
CB1000 = $13000
CB650 = $9500
CBR650 = $10000
Shadow = $8000
Yam MT109 = $10500
Ninja ZX6R = $11500
Vulcan 900 = $9500

etc etc etc

Entry lever Harley buyers dont buy Tri-Glides either.

 

[Creedmoor]

1984 Yamaha Fj1100 msrp $4999
Bought mine 15 years ago for $2k,
Been offered over 4k to sell it recently.

Because thats a motorcycle that everybody buys. lol
The Yamaha FJ1200 was powered by a 1,188cc four-stroke four-cylinder air/oil-cooled engine fed by four Mikuni carburetors, delivering an output power of 130 hp at 8,600 rpm and 108 Nm (80 lb-ft) torque at 7,500 rpm.

If you would have bought an XR750 back then, it would now be worth 17 to 25 thousand. We can play this game all night.

 

[Creedmoor]

I don't know about that. All the critical parts to keep my '84 FJ1100 going are still available OEM from Yamaha..

Thats a beast of a motorcycle but,
I'll go with all of those critical parts are used in 10 to 20 newer models and thats the only reason that they are available.
I just checked a clutch basket for your bike, it fits 19 other models from Yamaha.

 

[BluePig]

Not all have fallen into the costume party.

I agree, but it was hard to ignore a brand new store that only had about a dozen bikes one the floor and the rest was accouterments. And it was a major city on top of that (east side of Louisville).

 

[Creedmoor]

I agree, but it was hard to ignore a brand new store that only had about a dozen bikes one the floor and the rest was accouterments. And it was a major city on top of that (east side of Louisville).

One has to make payroll and pay the mortgage.
Its not like the other motorcycle dealers arnt chock full of extras either.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

The point is to have an affordable and acceptable entry level product and then have the consumer move on to the next tier. The manufacturer isn't making any significant money on you keeping your *insert product here* for 30 years or more. It's better for Harley if the young rider buys the Sportster, then transitions to a bigger more expensive bike, repeat every few years.

New drivers don't buy a Corvette out of the gate, but you want an appealing entry level car to get them into a Chevrolet so when they *do* have the money and interest in a sports car they buy *your* sports car. You want a progression of entry level car, family sedan, premium toy.

The alternative is to be an aspirational brand or lifestyle brand. The problem there is when the mood of what's cool swings, you're broke. If nobody aspires to your product or thinks your lifestyle is 'cool' any more, you lose. There's no inertia of brand loyalty.

 

[BluePig]

One has to make payroll and pay the mortgage.
Its not like the other motorcycle dealers arnt chock full of extras either.

Oh I agree. When you manufacturer makes you put up buildings with certain amount of footage to keep your franchise, you do whatever is necessary or get out.
Lots of small Harley dealers either sold out or closed up.
My snowmobile dealer was also a Harley dealer, and quite successful.
They kept telling him to expand bigger and bigger till he just couldn't.
Lucky for him, he sold it and retired.

 

[mlaroccarex]

I would normally post this in the Motorcycle thread but this is happening all over in the new Woke America.

But there is now concern that even more Harley-Davidson dealerships may close amid a conservative boycott of the storied American company - which they say has gone 'woke' under CEO Jochen Zeitz.
He went on to claim that DEI efforts have changed life inside the company of some 6,400 people.

Some 1,800 employees were trained on how to become an 'LGBTQ+ ally,' he said, while some sessions singled out white men for specific diversity-training.

Motorcycle dealership shuts down after amid 'chaos' over DEI

The San Francisco Harley-Davidson abruptly closed its doors for the last time after 110 years amid some 'chaotic' final days, after it was taken over by new management.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I would sell every Harley I had... Sad...

 

[printcraft]

Entry lever Harley buyers dont buy Tri-Glides either.

Standard soft tale = $15000

Sportster S = $17000

Having their next generation bikes made by lady boys in thailand = priceless

 

[Dante1983]

I rode a Ninja for many years, and never had anyone chase me, damage my motorcycle, or try to start a fight. I don't know where you were hanging out...

Northwest Indiana, Illinois.

 

[Waveraider]

Anyone remember this during the heyday of the American Biker

Armalite, I still have one of those Hondas today!

 

[armalitesheepdog]

Armalite, I still have one of those Hondas today!

Wow
Super cool. I would ride those all day long

 

[indyblue]

Thats a beast of a motorcycle but,
I'll go with all of those critical parts are used in 10 to 20 newer models and thats the only reason that they are available.
I just checked a clutch basket for your bike, it fits 19 other models from Yamaha.

Parts cross-compatability and common design aren’t a bad thing.
If the parts are well designed and durable, there’s not much reason not to use them. I’m glad they were so common that they’re still available.

I’ve never bought a vehicle as an investment. Anyhow, I bought the FJ to have fun riding it, and after 40 years, it’s still delivers.

 

[BigRed]

I'm still happy I have my Indian.

 

[Creedmoor]

I'm still happy I have my Indian.

View attachment 372584

If you had a snow Harley you wouldn't need that snow shovel.

 

[BigRed]

If you had a snow Harley you wouldn't need that snow shovel.

View attachment 372586

That snow shovel is for scooping up dead coons.

 

[printcraft]

Not all have fallen into the costume party.

Plus side the leather vests and ass-less chaps go better with the new mindset at harleydavidson.

harleydavidson dealers in 2025...

 

[Twangbanger]

If he lived where there wasn't snow...he could whip out...the Golf Course Harley

 

[Creedmoor]

Plus side the leather vests and ass-less chaps go better with the new mindset at harleydavidson.

harleydavidson dealers in 2025...

Looks like you're having fun butt. I'll take your word for it, its been a few years since I have been in a HD dealership.

 

[JCSR]

Harley introduces for 2025 the optional "buddy" seat on selected models. Don't worry Creedmoor there is retro-fit kits for all older models.