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[porthole]

 
1595 Route 112 •  Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 • 631-473-6013
www.rampmotorcycles.com  •  www.motorcyclegearshops.com

February 5, 2008

Dear Dedicated Indian Enthusiast,

Since Indian’s temporary halt in 2004, we have all eagerly awaited the revival of this exciting American brand. Its new owner has been actively working on resurrecting the nostalgia that makes up one of the worlds most historical motorcycle brands. The company has hired a team of new engineers, stylists and fabricators who are all proud of where Indian has been and even more proud of where it’s going.

Indian Motorcycles…with its respected past and recognized future will return to its glory very soon. Check out this video of the all new Indian Chief prototype running at a closed course test facility in NC - 2009 Indian Chief Prototype

If you would like to be kept abreast of the Indian happenings as they unfold click here - New Indian Launch to be added to our New Indian Launch List.

Ramp Motorcycles, once the largest Indian Motorcycle dealer has moved its showroom .............
Although the Indian Motorcycle company is in production of their new motorcycles we still continue to service and work on every year and model Indian. We still have access to many Indian parts .....................


Edited for brevity

[Hoist!]

 
1595 Route 112 •  Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 • 631-473-6013
www.rampmotorcycles.com  •  www.motorcyclegearshops.com

February 5, 2008

Dear Dedicated Indian Enthusiast,

Since Indian’s temporary halt in 2004, we have all eagerly awaited the revival of this exciting American brand. Its new owner has been actively working on resurrecting the nostalgia that makes up one of the worlds most historical motorcycle brands. The company has hired a team of new engineers, stylists and fabricators who are all proud of where Indian has been and even more proud of where it’s going.

Indian Motorcycles…with its respected past and recognized future will return to its glory very soon. Check out this video of the all new Indian Chief prototype running at a closed course test facility in NC - 2009 Indian Chief Prototype

If you would like to be kept abreast of the Indian happenings as they unfold click here - New Indian Launch to be added to our New Indian Launch List.

Ramp Motorcycles, once the largest Indian Motorcycle dealer has moved its showroom to 1595 Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station, just 1.4 miles south of Route 347 (Nesconset Highway). We are a full service Triumph & Saxon Motorcycle dealer. We retail motorcycle clothing and accessories and service all American V-Twin’s as well as many metric brands. Although the Indian Motorcycle company is in production of their new motorcycles we still continue to service and work on every year and model Indian. We still have access to many Indian parts, clothing and accessories as well as thousands of OEM and aftermarket items for virtually any year and model motorcycle.

Our A-1 Service Technician Tom Calendrillo is in his 5th year of service with Ramp Motorcycles. Mike Britten, a seasoned motorcycle rider and enthusiast is our Service & Parts Manager and Liz Loeb, a veteran motorcycle rider for over 20 years is our Sales Manager. Feel free to contact any of these qualified experts for assistance.

We offer free pick up and drop off to all of our service customers on Long Island. Give Mike a call at 631-473-6013 xt. 104 or visit our website at www.rampmotorcycles.com to schedule an appointment. We’re open Tuesday – Saturday 9am – 5pm.

Every 3rd Thursday of each month we offer a FREE Tech night open to everyone. During our FREE tech nights we review step-by-step how to make adjustments and complete routine checkups and maintenance such as changing your oil and preparing your bike for the winter or the riding season. We will also discuss and plan out rides to explore the fantastic roads in our tri-state area. Refreshments are always served. To reserve your spot click here - RSVP Ramp Tech Night

We thank you for your business in the past and look forward to your continued patronage in the future.


Signed,
Frank Montero
Business Manager


 
1595 Route 112 •  Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 • 631-473-6013
www.rampmotorcycles.com  •  www.motorcyclegearshops.com


FREE SERVICE PICK UP'S & DROP OFF'S FOR
ALL SERVICE CUSTOMERS ON LONG ISLAND
(Does not apply to same day service work)


WINTER WARM UP SERVICE SPECIALS
All Specials Expire 02/29/2008


 
V-Twin 1,000/5,000 Mile Service Special
Includes the following:
• 1 - NYS Inspection
• 1 - Oil & filter change
• Primary oil & gasket change
• Tranny oil & gasket change
Total Parts & Labor: $250.00!
V-Twin 2,500/7,500 Mile Service Special
Includes the following:
• 1 - NYS Inspection
• 1 - Oil & filter change
• Change Engine Oil and Filter (15/50 Mobil Fully Synthetic)
• Engine ECM – Check for Stored DTC
Total Parts & Labor: $125.00!
 
V-Twin Oil Change & Overall Engine Inspection for Leaks & Faults
Includes Oil & Filter
We now offer 30 minute oil and filter
change on all motorcycles! $69.99

FEBRUARY SERVICE SPECIAL
 
Get a FREE detail with every service in February
 Detail includes the following:
 
• Thorough wash of the motorcycle
• Towel dry and hand wax
• Clean and condition seat

 


No appointments necessary. Book online or call our service department at 631-473-6013 xt 104.

Long post, buncha crap!!

Sorry Duane, buying a name and making another aftermarket HD, does not an Indiann make!!! Never was an Indian, and I don't care how they sugar coat it, an Indian it will never be!!!

Hoist!

[nidan]

I hope Stillen is succesful, the Poweplus 100 is a nice looking plan and they appear to be using top grade components.  It will however be a long time before I'd consider one due to lack of Dealer network and parts support.

[porthole]

Long post, buncha crap!!

Sorry Duane, buying a name and making another aftermarket HD, does not an Indiann make!!! Never was an Indian, and I don't care how they sugar coat it, an Indian it will never be

I didn't write it Howie, just the letter I received. Maybe I'll go back and remove the extraneous crap.

I know its not an Indian, never will be, but it is a news announcement

[Hoist!]

I didn't write it Howie, just the letter I received. Maybe I'll go back and remove the extraneous crap.

I know its not an Indian, never will be, but it is a news announcement

I wasn't saying that you're full of crap Duane, just the letter. I've felt this way since they brought the name back a few years ago!

Hoist!

[porthole]

I wasn't saying that you're full of crap Duane, just the letter. I've felt this way since they brought the name back a few years ago!

Hoist!

Yeah I know. When the first announcement was made years ago I had a glimmer of hope, after all at one time I believe they were bigger then HD, no?

15-20 years ago is was great to see another manufacturer building bikes on US soil. Now there are probably more US builders (not true manufacturers) then there are foreign makes!

[Hoist!]

Yeah I know. When the first announcement was made years ago I had a glimmer of hope, after all at one time I believe they were bigger then HD, no?

15-20 years ago is was great to see another manufacturer building bikes on US soil. Now there are probably more US builders (not true manufacturers) then there are foreign makes!

Back then, it was all about factory racing, and the rivalries between these 2 manufacturers. Like cars, winning races sold bikes. And Indian did a good job on the track! But the war messed up Indian when HD won the war contract. It was the beginning of the end for Indian. HD grew and Indian could not recover.

Hoist!

[FNGw/08SERK]

Back then, it was all about factory racing, and the rivalries between these 2 manufacturers. Like cars, winning races sold bikes. And Indian did a good job on the track! But the war messed up Indian when HD won the war contract. It was the beginning of the end for Indian. HD grew and Indian could not recover.

Hoist!

Ok,so HD grew. Not in all positive aspects as I've heard time & time again from my friend from NY. What's to say given HD's current business plan which seems to be lacking in customer service, big time, that there's not room for someone that might try to do it right??       

[porthole]

But the war messed up Indian when HD won the war contract.

90,000 WL's for HD

[Hoist!]

Ok,so HD grew. Not in all positive aspects as I've heard time & time again from my friend from NY. What's to say given HD's current business plan which seems to be lacking in customer service, big time, that there's not room for someone that might try to do it right??       

Yep, they grew without competition. And they became very trendy in the '90's to the new Baby Boomer biker wannabes. Now they're typical large corporate America. Don't GAS about their customers or employees! Just their shareholders!!! But the market's not large enough to allow any mfr. to get to the same level as HD anymore. They got the industry by the balls. And now they're making it even more difficult for aftermarket too. Luckily, they still make nice bikes, and you can fix them, even if they can't. There's still nothing like these bikes! What a conundrum!!!

Hoist!

[spydglide]

Yep, they grew without competition. And they became very trendy in the '90's to the new Baby Boomer biker wannabes. Now they're typical large corporate America. Don't GAS about their customers or employees! Just their shareholders!!! But the market's not large enough to allow any mfr. to get to the same level as HD anymore. They got the industry by the balls. And now they're making it even more difficult for aftermarket too. Luckily, they still make nice bikes, and you can fix them, even if they can't. There's still nothing like these bikes! What a conundrum!!!

Hoist!

Yepsir!  We still buy 'um, and love 'um  (even if they've got some probs that we have to attend to....)  har!  spyder

[porthole]

became very trendy in the '90's

90's  I thought it was in the early 80's when the "boutiques" started showing up at the dealers

[spydglide]

90's  I thought it was in the early 80's when the "boutiques" started showing up at the dealers

I think he's right on the 90's.......the 1st EVO was '84 and I don't think they started becoming 'fashionable' until the more dependable motors brought in the  $$$ people.  spyder

[porthole]

I think he's right on the 90's.......the 1st EVO was '84 and I don't think they started becoming 'fashionable' until the more dependable motors brought in the  $$$ people. 

Back in the late 70's there was a flea market - auction that took over the old Two Guys and Great Eastern store (who remembers those two!).

One of the biggest hits at the flea market was a "leather shop".

My local dealer at the time (and in retrospect, one that I could have been an eventual principal) got the idea to move some bikes around (opened up the second floor) and brought in a bunch of t-shirts - leathers and all the other stuff "kids" were wearing at the time.

Got to the point you had to push your way through the kids and leather hunters to get to the bikes.

I remember the time frame well, it was when I bought my "special" 82 Lowrider (had the badge on the front fender) and my brother bought an 83 (I think) Lowrider (his had the twin belts like the Sturgis, my all time favorite) So it had to be around the 1982 model year. My bike and my brother's bike were stuffed all the way in the back of the store.

Interesting side story - both my brother and I bought our bikes around the same time, didn't know each other was looking and we each ended up not buying the color we really wanted because there was a hold on it!
I wanted the red bike with the twin belts, he wanted the black bike with the fender badge. We were going to just ride up and surprise each other.

We both ended up at the dealer on the same day, within an hour of each other and picked up the bikes, what a surprise to each of us.

Memory check here -"Two Guys from ?"

more dependable motors

Spy, my 82 Lowrider was the best bike I have ever owned, and I miss it.
50,000 plus miles and all I ever did to it was maintenance and tires (not including an upgrade or two).

[spydglide]

Spy, my 82 Lowrider was the best bike I have ever owned, and I miss it.
50,000 plus miles and all I ever did to it was maintenance and tires (not including an upgrade or two).

That's great to hear.  I also love the Sturgis. Got a good friend that still rides one.  har!  spyder

[Hoist!]

Back in the late 70's there was a flea market - auction that took over the old Two Guys and Great Eastern store (who remembers those two!).

One of the biggest hits at the flea market was a "leather shop".

My local dealer at the time (and in retrospect, one that I could have been an eventual principal) got the idea to move some bikes around (opened up the second floor) and brought in a bunch of t-shirts - leathers and all the other stuff "kids" were wearing at the time.

Got to the point you had to push your way through the kids and leather hunters to get to the bikes.

I remember the time frame well, it was when I bought my "special" 82 Lowrider (had the badge on the front fender) and my brother bought an 83 (I think) Lowrider (his had the twin belts like the Sturgis, my all time favorite) So it had to be around the 1982 model year. My bike and my brother's bike were stuffed all the way in the back of the store.

Interesting side story - both my brother and I bought our bikes around the same time, didn't know each other was looking and we each ended up not buying the color we really wanted because there was a hold on it!
I wanted the red bike with the twin belts, he wanted the black bike with the fender badge. We were going to just ride up and surprise each other.

We both ended up at the dealer on the same day, within an hour of each other and picked up the bikes, what a surprise to each of us.

Memory check here -"Two Guys from ?"

Spy, my 82 Lowrider was the best bike I have ever owned, and I miss it.
50,000 plus miles and all I ever did to it was maintenance and tires (not including an upgrade or two).

Here Duane:

"Two Guys was a discount store primarily operating in the New York metropolitan area and headquartered in northern New Jersey until the early 1980s. It was founded in 1946 in Harrison, New Jersey by brothers Sidney and Herbert Hubschman as Two Guys from Harrison. The company originally sold major applicances such as televisions."

And Great Eastern was Great Eastern Mills first. There was one in Elmont, NY, near where I grew up.

Hoist!

[porthole]

That's great to hear.  I also love the Sturgis. Got a good friend that still rides one.  har!  spyder

Somewhere around here is a private "Sturgis" group. I've only caught up with them once or twice, and almost all of their bikes were passed down.

I'd loved to have one too.

[porthole]

Yep, they grew without competition.

Hoist!

Gotta disagree here Howie. They only survived because some movie star named Ronnie imposed a nearly 50% tariff on imported heavyweight bikes that lasted for 5 years.

[porthole]

Here Duane:

"Two Guys was a discount store primarily operating in the New York metropolitan area and headquartered in northern New Jersey until the early 1980s. It was founded in 1946 in Harrison, New Jersey by brothers Sidney and Herbert Hubschman as Two Guys from Harrison. The company originally sold major appliances such as televisions."

And Great Eastern was Great Eastern Mills first. There was one in Elmont, NY, near where I grew up.

Hoist!

No fair Howie - I expected you to know  I was curious to see who else knew about "2 Guys from Harrison"

[Hoist!]

Gotta disagree here Howie. They only survived because some movie star named Ronnie imposed a nearly 50% tariff on imported heavyweight bikes that lasted for 5 years.

Yes, but they were the only American mfr. left, so the Feds bailed 'em out. Then the Evo saved their asses, and they grew from there. I'm only talking American motorcycle mfrs. here.

Hoist!

[spydglide]

Gotta disagree here Howie. They only survived because some movie star named Ronnie imposed a nearly 50% tariff on imported heavyweight bikes that lasted for 5 years.

I thought he meant 'domestic' competition.  Not Japan.  har!   :drink:spyder

[porthole]

so the Feds bailed 'em out.

Nothing wrong with that, within reason.
I worked for several Chrysler - Dodge dealers through some pretty lean years, and Mopar only survived because some guy from Ford begged for help with a viable plan, got the help and then did what he said he was going to do - pay the loan off early 

[skippy]

Keep an eye on the Indian  they are spending big bucks in Gaston and Cleveland Co. NC ,have recently purchased  two very large production facilities they are owned by the same corp. that owns Chris Craft boats . A friend of mine  has been offered a position with them and he is an x HD man .  They are currently building a dealership network Just saw one last week in Gastonia NC. rumor is the base bike starts at 22.000 ,kind of high in my opinion.... only time will tell.

[porthole]

base bike starts at 22.000 ,kind of high in my opinion.... only time will tell.

I think they were more the last time 

[HUBBARD]

Gotta disagree here Howie. They only survived because some movie star named Ronnie imposed a nearly 50% tariff on imported heavyweight bikes that lasted for 5 years.

Now Hoist, you know he was the BEST President we've had in our lifetimes!  I remember the first new Harley I bought after AMF, was a 1989 Softail Classic.  Dam, I couldn't believe the difference.  As for Indian, I wish them the best.  22 Large ain't bad, as compared to OCC, and some of the others.  To me, it's all about return on investment.  I have always been able to get my "asking price", for every Harley I have owned and sold.  Make no mistake, never $ for $, but when I calculate my pleasure to cost, I always came out on top, 'least in my mind.  Later--HUBBARD     

[porthole]

Now Hoist, you know he was the BEST President we've had in our lifetimes! 

That was my post Hub, and I agree.

My 1982 (1st in a long time not AMF" Lowrider was great. No comparison at all to my AMF 74 XLCH.
Sold the Lowrider for 300 more then I paid for after almost 15 years.
Sold my XLCH for 1/3 what I paid for it, mostly in a crate, cause I got tired of rebuilding it.

[RJ749]

Just caught this, I got a letter asking if I wanted to be a new Indian dealer.

I don't recall exactly, but I think they were looking for a commitment of something like $1m and a new building.  Regardless, it was like they were on some new form of crack or something.

I don't think anything Indian has a snowballs chance...............especially in the current economy and with HD having to throttle back on production with the demand/ability for buyers to buy new rides.

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/Dealers/DealersHome/tabid/68/Default.aspx

[porthole]

$1m and a new building. 

For that price you can get an HD franchise

[RJ749]

For that price you can get an HD franchise

Maybe close Duane, it wouldn't be much of one.  Small town and small market stores may go for around that, buyt then you would still need to find one.

The bummer is with the facility requirements that these guys have now, I think you are looking at a minimum of $2m for the facility and that owuld be a small lot and not that big a building anymore.

I have a HD dealer friend that says the only way to go is major market if you want a return on your investment.

[porthole]

2M+ sounds right.

Last time I checked the franchise was 900k and change, plus a mil in the bank.

Then you have the building. In NJ you could easily spend 700k to 1m for the type of building the moco wants now - highway store.

[skreminegul07]

Rossmeyer bought Boston HD last year for $9mil cash.

[RJ749]

Rossmeyer bought Boston HD last year for $9mil cash.

Near as I can tell the price of a store has worked off of a multiplier of the number of bikes in the allocation.

From that and current sales a buyer with the knowledge of a Rossmeyer can put in the numbers he makes on Parts, service and sales to come up with the value of a store.

I would imagine it also equates to 3 to 5 times the annual net profit depending on the location etc.

It wouldn't be a stretch to think that the Boston store would net $1-2m annually so the $9m number would make sense for the "blue sky" then add the inventory, fixtures and property on top of that.

[skreminegul07]

Near as I can tell the price of a store has worked off of a multiplier of the number of bikes in the allocation.

From that and current sales a buyer with the knowledge of a Rossmeyer can put in the numbers he makes on Parts, service and sales to come up with the value of a store.
I would imagine it also equates to 3 to 5 times the annual net profit depending on the location etc.

It wouldn't be a stretch to think that the Boston store would net $1-2m annually so the $9m number would make sense for the "blue sky" then add the inventory, fixtures and property on top of that.

I've asked the GM at my dealer point blank of sales service parts and clothes, where is the most profit.  The answer is Sales, although I was a bit surprised.  I assume profit as a % of revenue.

[RJ749]

I've asked the GM at my dealer point blank of sales service parts and clothes, where is the most profit.  The answer is Sales, although I was a bit surprised.  I assume profit as a % of revenue.

Hard to imagine it isn't parts and service, I had a friend that ran a shop in a very "touristy" location, the T-shirt operation netted $100k a month.  Now I know this is no the norm but the gross profit in a T-shirt is well in excess of 100%, a bike is maybe 20% (now) and parts are normally around 35%.

Another acquaintance is looking to buy a shop where there is a "huge" and growing rally just to get the T-shirt business from a twice a year rally.............they project they can grow what is now a $3m sales operation to $9m in a matter of a couple of years.

Dealers have had a great run and it may continue, but with the economy being sluggish at best I imagine the great times are gone for awhile and it may become more of a challenge to produce the sales and profits that came so easily for the past 10 years.