Some ride motorcycles while some ride Harleys

Walking into Perry Harley-Davidson, one instantly notices something very different from other motorcycle dealerships. There are no Honda’s, no Suzuki’s or Yamaha’s. Just Harleys. Tons of them. Big and small, in many different colors, but all with one thing in common: Chrome, and by the truckload.
Located at 5331 Sprinkle Rd, Perry Harley-Davidson’s 24,000 square foot facility is modern and large. Until 1999, Perry H-D was located on Portage Road, but increased business and service needs moved the company to its current 10-acre location. Comprised of a large showroom, clothing and memorabilia area, and a fully stocked parts and accessories department, Perry H-D offers the Harley enthusiast everything they could hope for under one roof. In the back, the service department offers warranty work and maintenance for the less hands-on Harley Davidson Owners.
Becoming a Harley Davidson dealer is no simple task, according to Richard Perry, the owner of Perry H-D. Unlike other power sports and automobile dealers, Harley-Davidson does not allow dealerships to sell other makes on the same premise as Harley’s are sold. Recently, facing competition from the Japanese and European companies in the sport bike category, Harley-Davidson acquired the Buell Company, also offering these sportier motorcycles on the same floors as the cruiser style Harley’s.
The advantages of picking one task and doing it well certainly show at Perry H-D. The showroom is clean and open, yet well stocked. Merchandise is clean and choices plentiful. The help in the parts department is knowledgeable and helpful, with great prices to boot. While I haven’t purchased a Harley Davidson or used the dealership for more than a few simple parts purchases, it is an experience much different than those seen at the other motorcycle dealers around town, which tend to be cramped, dirty, and outdated.
Steve Brumbaugh works in parts sales at Perry H-D has been working with Richard for longer than he can remember.
“I get paid to work with what I love all day” He tells me proudly. “And many of the guys here have it even worse than I do: You sure won’t see me riding when there is snow on the ground!”
Harley-Davidson motorcycles have long had a reputation of being relatively slow, expensive, and archaic in comparison to their competitors. Over the years, as competitors improved their products, Harley-Davidson kept many of their models much the same, making only minor changes. Today, when comparing models on paper, the Harley-Davidsons fall behind. Starting at over $7,000 for a base model Sportster and rising to $30,000 for a deluxe touring bike, H-D has seen trends of younger riders moving towards the more inexpensive Japanese models offered by makers such as Suzuki and Honda.
When asked why he chose to ride Harley Davidson rather than another brand, Brumbaugh already had his reply waiting.
“It’s a different feeling when you ride a Harley.” He reassured me. “It’s not about how much it cost or how fast it goes, it’s about what happens when you ride.”Harley-Davidson owners have long been noted for the waves they exchange as they pass each other on the road, noting an unspoken level of friendship and camaraderie.