I have been thinking about this for a good while now. I THOUGHT I was done with the Harley-Davidson dealer business, but every time I try to get out, I get pulled back in but probably not for long. I plan on contributing a lot more for BIKERNET in the near future.
With that being said, it seems nowadays it has all changed. I guess everything does. First, I would like to say I have been this side of the industry for about 25 years. I have been riding since 1976. Yeah, I have seen some things! What I see nowadays is a decline.
People with great knowledge used to work in dealerships not nowadays. Been to one lately? If you have, you know what I am speaking of! Young kids at the parts counters, not knowing anything. I had a guy tell me it took him 4 trips to get the correct spark plugs and it took him 2 trip to get the correct air filter? Come on?
A lot of this has to do with the pay scale, and a lot has to do with no interest in motorcycles from the people who get these jobs!
I have always said you cannot take a guy or a girl who has no interest in bikes or the lifestyle and train them. IT DOES NOT WORK!
I started getting interested in bikes (Harleys) when I was in the 10th grade. I would read anything I could find that was about Harley-Davidson motorcycles. I learned the history and tradition behind the Motor Company.
I was lucky enough to meet a guy along the way Mike J., he taught me a lot. He would talk and I would listen, and I would take it all in. WE are still the best of friends to this day.
There were others along the way. I always listened. I never tried to impress these guys with what I did not know! A lot of years down the road I met my good friend Bandit. I have learned a great deal from him not only about bike and this business but some life lessons as well.
Back to what we were talking about. I see these kids come into this business with no knowledge, no base knowledge and they struggle big time. They stick around maybe 3-6 months and move on.
They have no love for the business, no love for bikes, no passion and they leave with nothing. The cycle repeats itself over and over.
I have seen this business in the ‘90s. It was wide open. People standing in line to buy bikes, but not today. Next time you are at a dealership check out how many new bikes you see.
To be successful in this business you must have a passion for motorcycles. I do not see this nowadays. These kids see it as only a job. Most don’t ride, most cannot afford to, and some have no desire to!
I truly hope all this changes. This is a GREAT industry to be a part of!
Oh, by the way, if anyone cares to know what I am doing right I got a call asking if I would be interested in helping with a BIG inventory problem? BIG is an understatement!
So, for now that’s what I am doing. Oh, and I am also trying to get their parts counter straight??? Like I said, I am going to be more involved with BIKERNET in the near future.
UNTIL NEXT TIME, RIDE!
–STEALTH
