If these Predatory Lenders continue to get away with this type of practice to make money, what accountability do they ever have if our Fucking Government continues to bail their asses out with our tax dollars!!!!!!!!!! REALLY!!! In a different scenario ~ if Predatory Lending Practices wasn’t allowed to be practiced, and the Company (Harley Davidson) was actually accountable for their bad risk taking lending practices for high risk customers like my son, I’m not denying he was at fault and had terrible credit, although “HD” didn’t give a shit!!!! WHY you say???? Let’s see, if the US Government continues to cow tow to their special interest scum-bag Banking Leaders, then maybe more American Made Company’s could be something we are proud of again.,and perhaps my son would be alive today if he were turned down for the loan…

By the way, I spoke with a Representative of the “HD” Credit Department, and spoke with a Supervisor named “Todd”. When I called him out on his scum-sucking bottom feeding tactics of lending money to high risk customers, HE LAUGHED AT ME AND HUNG UP!!!!
This so called “Supervisor” had the professionalism of a “Crack Dealer” on the street as far as I’m concerned. Who the “FUCK” laughs at a mother who has lost a son to a fatal motorcycle accident?????

Harley Davidson ~ The Chinese will own you soon, just like the rest of America, because your a bunch of money grubbing, instant gratification seeking greedy bastards that will loose BIG TIME!!!!

I’m not done yet, the Human Resources Department of “HD” will be hearing from me about this individual from “Eagle Mark Savings Bank” aka ~ Harley Davidson Credit, and after that, the power of the pen goes a long way when you make it your priority to “Fight for the Underdog”!!!!

Now, they’re just another corporation with ads and marketing replacing quality. They appeal to peoples’ weakness and need to “belong” rather than the strength and individualism they once stood for.

Touring in the ’80′s, I met real Harley riders who were real motorcyclists. They didn’t care that I had a BMW because I was out on the road doing the same thing they were. Last year I arrived for a group ride (not a Harley club) and found a bunch of lawyer and stockbroker types on $25000 bikes with $2000 each worth of brand new Harley gear. They wouldn’t even look at me, much less speak to me. What a bunch of pricks.

Whatever Harley once had, they’re just a fad now.

Jeff Nicklus Customs, my one-off only business, is a registered manufacturer just as my Desperado Motorcycles Company is a registered manufacturer, just as Bourget is a registered manufacturer.

I do understand where you are coming from and I will say this ….. Rogers regular production items … on the high side are $80K +/- and it takes a “several” days to build that bike just as my Desperado “Gun Runner” is my Desperado top of the line bike that has an MSRP of $68K …. that likewise takes several days to build. One more thing …. neither Roger or I, or whomever for that matter, would not build the high dollar bikes if there were not customers out there buying them.

In answer to your question as to Rogers participation in the company ….. even if I knew that answer, which I don’t, I surely wouldn’t answer it without Rogers permission …. In other words that isn’t any of my business.

It does, on average, take me 1 year +/- per one-off bike to build …. it should be noted however that in that year I may have 10-15 other one-off bikes working at the same time ….. so to say I actually spend a full year on a single bike would be misleading.

I have never had a problem with the Harley Davidson Motorcycles, however, I have always had a problem with those within The Motor Company and their “I can be an asshole because we are Harley Davidson” attitude. In fact that attitude, and the fact I had to wait 14 months for a Fat Boy and then when the bike finally showed up it was the wrong color and the dealer told me, and I quote, “You either take the mother fucker as it is or you can wait another year and maybe get the one you want. I don’t give a fuck either way because if you don’t want it the next guy in line will.” To be honest with you that comment is what got me into the motorcycle industry in the first place. So I suppose I should thank the assholes and move on. The Motor Company and their attitude are so last decade! There are alternatives out there that build, if not an equal product, possibly a superior product and those companies do not have the “asshole …. You are privileged to buy from us…” attitude.

I personally have no doubt that Harley Davidson will survive, just as I have no doubt that Harley Davidson will file Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and no doubt that a foreign investor will buy them out of bankruptcy.

Over & Out,

Jeff

I was referring to Bourget as a Manufacturer. I understand the 1 off Custom Business. But Karen was referring to them as a Manufacturer. How long does it take you to build a Full 1-off Custom? Bourget can build their Cobra in a few days and charge $80,000.00. We are not talking 1-offs. With due respect, you are probably 2 years behind because it takes you longer to build a bike. Bourget and Big Dog are company’s that can build several in a week. By they way, does Roger actually have anything to do with Bourget any more? I heard is ex-wife and a few board members are running the place and Roger is building 3-wheelers or something like that? Nevertheless. I feel that Harley-Davidson should take some of their own medicine and suck it up and quit asking for a free ride. It’s no wonder they are struggling. I was at a show this week-end and noticed the same old Harley mentality. They act as if they are better than everyone else and you should be honered just to buy their bike. I saw this in the early 90′s and that is what hurt them and Made Big Dog and the others what they are today. If it wasn’t for Harley’s shitty attitude, they might not need help. Let’em sink, theres plenty of other bike builders that would be more that happy to actually talk to their customers and sell them their bikes.

Sharpo

Even with all my current debts up to date and very low in dollar amount, I didn’t qualify. I can’t understand why some who made less than half of what I make qualified for loans, especially if they had a poor credit history.

No big deal on my part, I ended up rebuilding my 1984 Honda Shadow VT700C, where it should be on the road this spring.

At least I know it works right and won’t need to drop an additional $10K into it to make it work the way it’s supposed to. From what I’ve read, even with the additional “customization” there’s no guarantee a new Harley will ever work right.

To hell with Harley, let them go under, they deserve it.

The ONLY thing I am selling now is my one-off stuff that starts at $75,000. With that, thank God, I am almost 2 years out on back order. The people who have the money to afford that price range of bikes typically are not affected much by the economy. I am therefore sure Roger is doing well.

Over & Out,

Jeff

I have seen the new Bourget Bike. Looks like the old ones. Talk about Greed. $80,000.00??? There is no way that bike is worth the money that they are asking. There may be a few fools out there that will pay it, but the days of the ultra expensive bikes are over. The bike makers are going to have to get back in line with their pricing if they want to survive. I’m sure they will still be around in some form or fashion. ( Bourget ) I don’t see them moving foreward, more crunched down and hoping for the best. I know several dealers that are having a hell of a time moving their bikes. That’s the story everywhere though. I wish Bourget luck as well. They are definately going to need it.

Sharpo

If they can stay in business – GOOD. If they can’t …….. survival of the fittest.

Paco

I vote No Bailout

Big Dog Motorcycles is the only motorcycle company that I can see that is playing things smart. They did have some lay-offs, but did what they needed to do before it got to a point where they couldn’t pay their bills. I know they are not nearly as large as Harley-Davidson, but like I said, it’s times like these that make or break companies. I think if Big Dog survives, they will come out strong and be a solid name in the industry. Harley’s problems only feed the companies like Big Dog and Victory. Not that Victory is doing too well either.

Good Luck Big Dog and Victory.

Sorry Harley, you should have learned the first time you got to greedy.

No Bailout. Go Bankrupt.