I've just got back from probably the biggest HD rally in the UK , thunder in the glens. I saw one Chief Vintage there, but Indian / Victory had a stand on the Main Street . I'm still waiting to see the Scout which I'm expecting early next year. Are there really that few dealers across the US ? Here in England my closest HD shop is 14 miles, I go straight past it another 20 to a decent dealer or I can go 62 miles the other way. I think there are as many Indian dealers close to me, one about 35 miles and two around 65 in opposite directions. Are people that worried they are not within 50 miles of a dealer they won't buy a bike ?
I've seen some statistics that 80% to 85% of Indian buyers come off of a Harley.
Harley has done an admirable job of marketing of the whole Disneyland Lifestyle.
I call it "HarleyWeird".
One of the tenants of the HarleyWeird Disneyland Lifestyle is dressing up and riding from one Harley dealership to another.
A typical Saturday afternoon is started at a meet up at one dealership followed by a ride to another dealership across town.
Ok listen, I' not knocking this...what ever floats their boats. They are having fun.
But remember....85% of the people that buy Indians come from this gene pool.
I'd like to believe we are the better informed of the pool.
But like clockwork, this lack of a matching dealership network is mentioned by those trying to talk themselves out of buying an Indian.
Going to the Harley Dealership is a social event that they have grown very fond of.
The thought of not having an Indian dealership at the foot of every exit ramp is like taking a blankie away from a baby.
But more and more Indian dealerships are opening every day.
This problem will be self correcting over another year or so.