The custom motorcycle craze has leveled off (maybe even declined), the economy has slowed down, and prices seem to be up for most of the daily essentials. While the cost of gas did go down from it’s four to five dollar a gallon prices to under two bucks back home in Tennessee. It seems that some of the local trends have almost conspired against the motorcycle industry. I guess if gas prices were still at an all time high people would still be looking for those bikes to ease that pain on their wallets every time they pull up at a gas pump but now that gas is no longer a factor (for the time being) and some of the big bike companies are feeling the pinch. Harley just announced they would be cutting 1100 jobs and closing down/ combining some plants. Honda is also getting into the cost cutting craze by pulling itself from most forms of motorcycle racing (except for moto GP).

It seems that the U.S. economic slowdown is really beggining to effect companies based in other countries. The dollar while it has gained some ground back on foreign currencies still doesn’t have the buying power than it once did and most Americans are feeling the pinch. I know a few people that had great jobs once that are now having to really watch what they spend. Not sure how long this whole thing is going to last or how bad it will get but one thing that I think we can do as a nation is pull together and start buying American again. It will help us save a few jobs which should in turn keep some money here at home.

Another thing that you may have noticed is a focus on cheaper offerings. As most of you know, Harley just released the Iron 883, a cheaper version of the Nightster. I imagine you will see a few more moves like this as the months pass as the big companies look into ways to encourage all of us to spend our hard earned money on their products. Maybe within a year or so we will begin to pull out of this slump but until then think about what you are spending your money on and where it is going.