What good is a tax deduction if you don't have enough money or income to buy a new bike.
Heck, my local dealer is offering to pay the sales tax on any new bike purchase. Nice try but it still doesn't fix whats wrong.
Credits and deductions are worthless for those who are un-employeed or under-employeed. I guess they didn't think that far ahead. Idiots inhabit Washington.

 

Well, I'm amazed! If they are really only marking these bikes up by 25%, I don't see how they pay for the showrooms and personnel etc. these days. If sales are still down 35+% next summer, a lot of them won't be around very long. They must be on a razor's edge all the time, even when sales are booming.

 

Am I missing something here? If you don't have sufficient income, don't go buy a luxury recreational vehicle. Under-employed? WTF is that? You think you're worth more, but you took a job less than you think you're worth?

 

I don't think that is what he meant by his comment.

I think what he was sayin was how can the public buy expensive cars and bikes when we are losing jobs and our houses by the millions?

I'm thinking he was lamenting on the whole economy and how Washington seems totaly disconnected.

Personally, I think it's foolish for almost any working stiff American to buy anything on credit today, especially a scooter or RV.

I've got a relatively secure job and already drawing a military retirement, but I'm cutting costs and tossing lots extra into savings right now. I pulled my pretax investments out of stocks 2 years ago and swapped into treasurys, but they too are fixing to be worthless.

 

That is hard to figure out why someone would buy now with the interest rates so low, fuel prices as they are, and extra years of warranties thrown in bike deals now. I too would rather wait until the market is raging again and have to wait for 2 years for my new ride to come in. Some people can handle debt. Some people got into debt over their ears by purchasing homes and businesses that greedy banks should have never authorized credit lines for in the first place.
You know like they say, he who dies with the most toys, is still dead.

 

Be assured there will be fewer Harley Dealers this time next year. I believe you could easily make the argument that the HD dealership network has expanded way beyond what the market will support going forward. The HD dealership network back in the 30's and 40's was comprised of hill climbers that sold and serviced motorcycles to support their hobby. My guess is we're headed back toward the smaller specialty dealer network from the current mass merchandiser 150,000 sq. ft. dealer mentality.

My concern lies with the strength/quality of a downsized HD. HD won't see a 359,000 motorcycle year again for many years if ever. What will a significantly smaller HD be like? I' guess we are all going to find out.

Just my .02.

 

You are correct and thanks.
In my profession we are dying, thus under-employeed. As much as I'd like to do something, I can't. This is where Obama's plan will fail; it is shortsighted. All too often those That Have cannot understand what its like to be those that Have Not. I used to be a Have now I know what its like to be a Have Not.