It's sad to see another dealership close its doors. Especially since it's not likely that another one will pop up to take its place. That happened a few years ago here in the SF Bay Area when the Arlen Ness Indian dealership closed up shop after Arlen Ness passed. There used to be 3 dealerships here, but now there's just 2 and it looks like that's the way its always gonna be.

 

I've been meaning to stop at Arlen Ness when I pass through the area. I got the impression that they only sell parts so I guess, based on what you're saying, they used to sell motorcycles but that part of the shop closed after his passing?
Do you have any experience with Spirit or Hollister or even Elk Grove? I'm in San Jose so Spirit is the shop I'll most likely buy from.

 

Oh, no! That's where I got my Stage 2 cams put in last year. I have 585s coming and was going to call them about putting them in. They were so nice.

 

Come to Cincy and do it yourself @ Moto Federation. I have the cam tool here.

 

awww...
I've been there twice - got the t-shirt to prove it
Was a nice place - slightly awkward to get to tho with the weird on-ramp thing.

 

Dang! That was a nice dealer! I always stop when I’m in the Smokies! Had some emergency service work done there and they had a good selection of swag!

 

That’s the second Indian dealership to close already in 2025. Indian of Auburn (Washington) closed in January.

 

Sad to hear that. Moved away a couple years ago so lost touch with them. I bought my 2015 Roadmaster from Spike and got great service from them while I lived there.

 

Hate to see that, it was a great location for anyone riding the Smokies and needing a repair. However, I can see with slumping sales nationwide how Helene delivered the final blow. What’s the closest IM dealer now, Greenville, SC?

 

Depending where precisely you are...
Greenville, Knoxville, Bristol, Charlotte

 

I was out from California to visit my parents in Brunswick, Ga this past September/October. Mom and I took a little trip up to Asheville three or four days before Helene came through. From Asheville, we headed to Gatlinburg with a stop at Smoky Mountain Steel Horses. Sad to hear this news.

Edit: This must have been kind of abrupt or they've been keeping quiet. I don't see any mention of closure on their page and it appears that their FB account had postings as recently as a day ago with no mention of the shop closing. I'm not a big fan of people lying but I'm kind of hoping this service manager was lying to PeacePursuit

 

Sorry to hear that.
I cannot imagine the sadnessin having to say goodbye to something you built with passion.
Plus, of course, having to start all over again somewhere else.

Sad news

 

As I mentioned elsewhere times are hard and possibly about to get harder.

30% of the Harley Dealerships have gone ‘belly-up’ in the UK alone in the last 5-6 months with 6 dealerships closing, clearing the floors and taking down the signage. The issues with KTM are renowned and a large local BMW motorcycle dealership has had to close one branch and amalgamate the business into what was its sister branch.

 

@K9F I recently read an article about slumping motorcycle sales and the future wasn’t bright. The only category projected to do well are smaller value bikes sold in developing countries. I’m sure we’ll see more conflation in the bike market as sales dwindle.

 

Like i said in another thread..Indian wants to produce all of these New and great bikes but cant keep the doors open. Polaris needs to step in what is another option?

 

Nothing to do with Polaris as much as the individual dealership. In the US, 80% new business fail in the first 5 years.

Indian is a very small company and produces only a small number of bikes compared to others, thus the small dealer network.

Stand Alone Indian dealerships that rely only on Indian sales will fail.

To be a successful dealership, you either are a multi-brand powersports dealer or you have a large used motorcycle sales program. My local dealership has over 200 used motorcycles in inventory of all makes and models. They sell really well. Also, you have to walk through the Indian showroom to get to them. Meaning many customers never make it to the back to see the used bikes, instead they buy new Indians.

Also, many Dealerships are run on shoestring budgets and are self-insured, meaning any disaster and they are done.

 

@TigerGA @K9F true and true.
That is why a lot of manufacturer are creating specific models for the asian market.
Given the success that Royal Enfield is having in Italy, I would not be surprised to see some of these models on italian roads as well

 

Royal Enfield ’Good honest bikes at a very affordable cost.’ With existing success over here.

Where else can you buy a brand new 650 displacement motorcycle (apart from the new BSA of course) for a little over £6000 in my money with a three year unlimited mileage warranty. The smaller 410 Himalayan comes in at £4700 and the Meteor 350 at a measly £4100. It also has heritage and soul despite where they are made. Also you’d never lose much money in the resale as they are inexpensive in the first instance.

 

that sucks. I've stopped there twice when riding through from NJ to western NC. Nice folks, nice facility.

 

Just got off the phone with someone at Smoky Mountain. It sounds like they are beginning the process of closing, but as of right now, they’re still open. I don’t know if the service department is still open but the sales department is.

 

Just got off the phone with someone at Smoky Mountain. It sounds like they are beginning g the process of closing, but as of right now, they’re still open. I don’t know if the service department is still open but the sales department is.

The service manager was still there yesterday but the shop was shut down. Too bad we were on our bikes as he was discounting the PP108 oil change kit at a decent price and we could only carry one each.
There was no one in the apparel department, if there was I was in the market for a new mesh summer riding jacket. I would have bought one.

 

Like several others have mentioned, I will really miss these guys. I attend the Pow Wow every summer and it's been held in Maggie Valley for the last 4-5 years. Many of us have had the opportunity (need) to take advantage of their services over the years. Last summer was my turn. The guys in the Service Dept. were great and went over and above to take care of my lighting problem.

I agree with a lot of what's been said here about the problems of small dealerships, smaller manufacturers, etc. And God knows that areas was devastated by Helene.

Still, those guys will be missed.

 

Agreed! Wow,

 

I think we will see more dealership closures. The auto market, especially trucks, isn’t doing well, just check the lots across the country with massive inventory. There is a huge inventory of 2024 vehicles on dealership lots with no space for the 2025’s. Dealerships are turning away delivery of new 25’s due to flooded lots of last years inventory.

It sucks for people that loose jobs in these closures, but if people aren’t buying cars and trucks they sure won’t fork out big money for a new motorcycle. Indian and Harley have priced out the average blue collar workers.

 

I messaged them and was told their last day will be April 6. Their shop is already closed? Crap! I hate to see them go.

 

Yeah but with no dealership support and the place to service, love and sell them. Your gorgeous Challenger will be left on an island of irrelevancy as the years go by

 

You may be right. All of that is pretty much up to the people on the top floor over at PIIs headquarters. Will they just eventually discontinue the line? Will they sell it to one some foreign motorcycle maker? It's hard to say. If that happens, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I am fortunate enough to live in the state of Wisconsin. 5 of the 6 Indian Motorcycle dealers here in the state are solid. The sixth one I have never visited and i have never read anything overly positive about it. But they are also new.

 

I hate to hear this. We visited the dealership last fall. It was a nice place, the lady in motor clothes was very friendly and helpful. We would've definitely visited again.

 

Not sure how many ladies work in the clothes section but once I got back home to California, I contacted them and Denise helped me place an order for a couple SMSH tees. Wish I had gotten them while I was there but didn't even think to.

 

I did a test ride on a Scout from that dealership in 2016 if my memory serves me correct. Took a quick blast up the Smoky Mtn. Expressway and got off on the BRP exit and rode the parkway for a couple of miles and turned around. I was impressed with how quick the Scout was.

 

My biggest concern for the long run (I plan to keep my Springfield until I can no longer ride it) is electronic support going away. That's a concern with all modern cars. The US only requires 10 years of parts support, I believe. I wish there was a way of accessing Digital Wrench functionality without having to physically go to a dealer.

 

My dad saw it as an investment when he passed the term for the warranty on his Road Glide. Do not remember where he bought it from but we mostly use it to purge the abs oil when the intervals requires it. If you look online I am sure you'll be able to find one. I do not know the price, must not be cheap but it will repay itself overtime

 

I would like to add driving lights to my RM, but cost too much and I have to get digital wrench to have them turned on. What crap. Yes, I can do aftermarket, but still costly, when I’m not normally out at night, but would like cagers to more easily see me.

 

Today I talked to Scott in the service department. They're trying to finish some jobs. Wouldn't book me to put in cams. Said Cory is just "up in the air" and doesn't know what he's going to do yet. I'll recommend him to anyone. He's a fine mechanic.