[V2Rider]

Looks like American Iron Horse is taking a big hit in the current economy. I imagine that all the clones may be close to this position.

American Ironhorse to File Chapter 11 - MotorcycleUSA.com

 

[acecycleins]

Looks like American Iron Horse is taking a big hit in the current economy. I imagine that all the clones may be close to this position.

American Ironhorse to File Chapter 11 - MotorcycleUSA.com

Yep- just read it myself a moment ago. In the insurance industry we call them American Low-Volume Motorcycle Companies. They will be dropping like flies throughout the year. AI is just the first. I expect the levy to break around June. By years end we should see 5 big manufacturers disappear. In the end, Big Dog will survive, but Viper, Swift and several others will quit the business.

 

[seruzawa]

Well, at least none of the owners of the bikes will have any trouble getting engine parts.

 

[The_AirHawk]

I almost feel-bad for them - they're going in to Chapter 11 just to keep from getting raped by Investors that got cold feet and decided to bail and WANT THEIR F'N MONEY RIGHT F'N NOW YOU MORTAR-FLUFFERS!

 

[longride]

Well, they were profiting from what Harley couldn't supply. Now that supply has more than caught up with demand, the imitators will be down for the count. Anyone could have predicted this.

 

[seruzawa]

Tap..

Well, they were profiting from what Harley couldn't supply. Now that supply has more than caught up with demand, the imitators will be down for the count. Anyone could have predicted this.

.... taptaptaptapTAPTAP....SMASH....POUND.....BANG...
(clatter of keys falling on the basement floor).

 

[longride]

I just had to throw that one out there.

 

[sarnali2]

As soon as they started putting "builders" on TV they should have sold out, took the money and run. Serves them right.

 

[seruzawa]

As soon as they started putting "builders" on TV they should have sold out, took the money and run. Serves them right.

These things will be flooding the used classifieds in a few years for $3K-5K. As HD imitations they won't pull squat in resale. Poorly designed, crappy running gear, flexy-flyer frames..... they aren't even suitable for going to the corner store to buy a quart of milk. And despite being called "custom" one is pretty much the same as the next. Terrible tourers, can't handle and slow. No replacement parts for anything except the clone engine.

Why aren't I the least bit sorry for these guys? Because only the most obtuse couldn't see it coming. The Rubs, the clowns who gave us over-MSRP Harleys for over a decade, get to suck snot now. Too bad. Park yer "custom" chopper in the back yard with yer worthless 325i, yuppie trash. Wash the fake tats off. Sell the mess and get yer boss that dinette set she's been wanting, drone.

 

[sarnali2]

Yup, there really isn't any thing there worth money. They clone motors, most of them are so overbuilt they run like crap anyway. Might be able to use the bottom end and put some 80 or 88 inch jugs and heads on there so they run halfway decent. Maybe use the trans. and clutch. Used to be you could buy some P.O.S. chopper and at least have a decent Pan or Shovelhead motor and trans, wheels, a decent frame if you were lucky and use them to build a bike you could actually ride. Most of this stuff here is shiney scrap metal. The frame, front end and fat tire can't be used on anything. Total waste of money.

 

[ejis]

As little as I care about these "custom bike" butt-bling builders, it is likely to be the same story in other segments of the motorcycle industry.

 

[V2Rider]

I'm wondering what Stellican is thinking about it's investment in Indian these days. They've put off their new/old model until late 08 early 09 time frame. From what I've read they're moving ahead with production. Hell of time to try and launch a new bike. With Indian's history I can't see a lot of people taking a chance again.

 

[The_AirHawk]

I'm wondering what Stellican is thinking about it's investment in Indian these days. They've put off their new/old model until late 08 early 09 time frame. From what I've read they're moving ahead with production. Hell of time to try and launch a new bike. With Indian's history I can't see a lot of people taking a chance again.

Not a whole heluva lotta choice though, dontcha think? Too-much tied up in Indian to let it go now. If they sold the assets and got top-dollar, it would be like GM's situation - not even close to covering what's owed (but on a vastly smaller scale!)

I would say, the push-back is for refining the final product: if this guy knows the market, knows the reputation of the previous-two iterations of Indian, then he KNOWS that the bikes damn-well BETTER be F'n Perfect when they hit the streets - or they're Screwed. To the Wall.

He hasn't struck me as being Stupid, but time will tell if this venture is his biggest, bestest Mistake.

 

[mscuddy]

..and to top it off some guy in Kenosha is trying to resurect the Studebaker. Give me a car with a prop spinner nose-cone! Or one that looks like it going backwards when it's going forwards. Or not at all....wtf...

 

[longride]

"..and to top it off some guy in Kenosha is trying to resurect the Studebaker."

I can get up there today and beat him severely if you can find his address.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

"This leaves AIH owners and dealers in a state of limbo"

That explains it! I couldn't figure out why those guys on choppers I saw in Daytona were floating a few feet above the ground, their faces contorted in a soundless scream, their motorcycles aflame in an everlasting blaze of agony. They shoulda bought a GS...

 

[cruiz-euro]

American cruiser guys gloating over the demise of the American small scale cruiser industry? Is this pathetic or what. Hee-haw.

- cruiz-euro

 

[seruzawa]

American cruiser guys gloating over the demise of the American small scale cruiser industry? Is this pathetic or what. Hee-haw.

- cruiz-euro

The only guy here who owns only a cruiser would be you.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

American cruiser guys gloating over the demise of the American small scale cruiser industry? Is this pathetic or what. Hee-haw.

- cruiz-euro

I don't know why I'm bothering, but:

- A chopper isn't a cruiser. Not even close. You really don't know that, do you?

- I'm pretty sure none of the guys who posted on this ride "cruisers" in the sense that you're thinking of. If they do, it's a small minority.

- What's pathetic is your continued hopeless attempts at uttering a coherent statement. I suggest you start a "Cruise Your O's" website and populate it with stolen material and your idiotic writings.

 

[ejis]

..and to top it off some guy in Kenosha is trying to resurect the Studebaker. Give me a car with a prop spinner nose-cone! Or one that looks like it going backwards when it's going forwards. Or not at all....wtf...

The Avanti is one of the prettiest cars ever made! Plus, you can easily mount a propeller or drill bit on the front of the others.

If Ford decides it's time for a retake on the Edsel, however, beat-downs are definitely in order.