Read the article and I think I'm echoing most comments already made. It's a shame that the family run and owned businesses that are very successful seem to be the ones pushed by the big corps.

Too bad they don't see the value in that.

 

One thing that is missing here is the Harley corporate strategy. Sure, it sounds pretty rotten of them not to let a successful dealer do his own thing but the suits are looking at every dealer all over the country and Harley as a corporation. It would be nice to know what they foresee as the future of the company and the dealers. I would imagine that they have commissioned psychological studies of buying habits and have a long term map of where they want the company positioned into the future. I'm no different from anyone else and I like to go into the dealer store and have people know me by name, but, I also like to go into a large, well appointed dealership with lots of chrome goodies, clothes and accessories (and hope they still remember me). Sure wish Willie G would show up here to let us know what is going on.

 

Used to be called Robinson Harley Davidson. Sold Harleys for over 20 years. They are outside of Wheatley, Ontario Canada. After the owner, Jim Robinson, died from a heart attack while doing some test runs on a dirt track, Deeley (Harley Davidson Canada) yanked their franchise.

If you visit this mom and pop operation, you'll swear you're back in the 50's. It's small and personal. That's part of the reason they lost their franchise. They weren't willing to build a 10,000 square foot showroom, half of which would be devoted to Motor Clothes. Also, other dealers in the area complained that Robinson's was cutting into their business - boohoo! They could probably give better deals because they didn't have the massive overhead.

Revenge is sweet, though. Now they are probably the biggest dealer in "used" Harleys in Canada.

Check them out at http://robinsonmotorcycle.com/

 

The clothing section of an HD dealer *is* already called the boutique.

 

Yep but the big boys are and will still get there golden parachutes... on the way out and us peons will share and get whats left.

 

WTF ! Hey MOCO Let - IT - Be.

These times are a changin. Stick to your guns Fresno . (Mellisa.....) we need more dealerships like yours.

 

I really don't care what the shops look like. I live out in the boonies, so both area dealers are an hour away. I spend as little time as possible at the dealer unless I need something. Let them weave their web.

As long as they make a bike I like, at a price I am willing to pay, I will be a customer. I guess I don't have the emotional attachment or involvement that others do with the dealers.

 

I agree. I know several people who bought from Robinson's and said the same thing. Thunder Road (Windsor 30 mins away) was peaved that even their customers were taking their bikes to Robinson's for service. This corporate "glove" has to go.