We here at Creative Cycles wish to say a big “THANK YOU” to everyone that came out and attended our two… YES two… “Fall Open House” events… one on October 1st and another on October 8th.

 As most of you may know, we had scheduled our “Fall Open House” for October 1st, 2011, with a “rain date” of October 8th… and it went off on the 1st of October just as planned. We had a fantastic turn out and had an amazing day. We had plenty of people, bikes, food, drinks, discounts, specials, etc.  Well, what we didn’t realize was that there must have been rain in some areas. Since it didn’t rain here and we had a great turnout, we thought we had done it, and done it very nicely. Well, come Sunday and Monday of the following week we were receiving email and phone calls from people confirming our rain date of October 8th, 2011 because they “thought” we had been rained out. So we figured what the heck, and decided to do it AGAIN on the 8th. Mind you, the attendance was a bit less on the 8th, but we still had plenty of people, bikes, food and drinks and had a very good time. All in all… our two “Fall Open House” events were a HUGE success and we owe it all to you, our clients, friends and fans. We would also like to say “THANK YOU” to our supporters, sponsors, partners and industry friends for all that they do for us, both in our day to day operations and at our events. We would like to ask you to please consider using their offerings whenever you are looking for products for your personal use. These companies include… UTZ Snack Foods, Avon Tyre, Baker Drivetrain, Drag Specialties, Zipper’s Performance, ThunderMax EFI Tuners, Meister Watch, GATORZ Eyewear, Maxi-Blast, Powertye, Mean Street Products, Delmarva Bike Week, Con-Lei Transport and In-Control Media.

 Please be sure to keep an eye on the “NEWS” PAGE here on our website as we have some big plans coming down the road for next year… and we think our plans are going to knock your socks off.

 So again… “THANK YOU” to all that attended our Open House events all year long and to our industry friends. For those of you that did not… we look forward to seeing you next season along with all of our past guests… but in the mean time, please feel free to stop in and visit with us anytime.

It is no secret that throughout the downturn the European market has been becoming increasingly important for American businesses in the custom motorcycle industry.

While there has been decline in the European motorcycle market, most markets in Europe haven’t suffered as badly as has been the case in the United States.

In the case of Harley-Davidson, while the company has been able to buck the trend in domestic US market share terms, performing ahead of market decline, in Europe the company has now been able to confirm that the third quarter of 2010 marks a fourth straight quarter of sales as well as market share growth.

Speaking at the European unveiling of the 2011 model line-up at the Intermot Expo, Cologne, Germany, Harley-Davidson Europe Managing Director Rob Lindley said that “in the 651cc plus market, where we measure our performance, Harley-Davidson has been one of the few manufacturers to see sales grow in Europe during the past twelve months, and with conclusion of our third quarter of this year we can confirm a full year of sales growth across our European markets. In fact, we have grown sales in each of the last four Quarters.”

In market share terms, Harley is now the number one manufacturer in countries such as Switzerland, Luxembourg, Poland, the Czech Republic and Norway, and second in markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden.

Asked what he put this down to Lindley cited several factors, “clearly the strength of the Yen has hit Japanese manufacturers hard in the past couple of years, and with traffic and legislative issues stimulating a general trend towards the custom and cruiser sectors and away from sports bikes. We have also introduced a number of strong and relevant new bikes for Europe, I think Harley is in a ‘good place’ at this time in Europe.

“However, I think one of the most interesting trends that everybody is now beginning to see is that there is a general trend among the riding public to look for premium brands and a more fully formed riding experience.

“As such it is clear that Harley-Davidson’s brand values speak to increasing numbers of motorcycle buyers as their own riding experience demands develop. Not only are we seeing sales and market share in Europe grow, but the ‘Dreamer Pool’, as we call it, of those considering the Harley-Davidson brand is also increasing.

“As our CEO Keith Wandell has said many times, focusing on core brand values will return the company as a whole to growth once economic conditions permit, and as one of the most personal and emotionally connected of motorcycle brands we are certain that the European experience can be replicated elsewhere.”

Lindley went on to say that new initiatives this quarter will see Harley establish new sales offices and add to its dealer network in markets such as Greece, the Middle East, Russia and Africa.

In demographic terms, he reported that while the average age of Harley buyers remains pretty typical of where the bulk of heavyweight motorcycle buyers to be found, at around 44 years of age (and slightly younger in Europe than is the case in the United States), any suggestion that the excitement that the Harley ownership experience offers has peaked is conclusively answered by the “extraordinarily high and growing percentage of our customers who are still coming to the brand for the first time.” In the case of Harley-Davidson, while the company has been able to buck the trend in domestic US market share terms, performing ahead of market decline, in Europe the company has now been able to confirm that the third quarter of 2010 marks a fourth straight quarter of sales as well as market share growth.

Speaking at the European unveiling of the 2011 model line-up at the Intermot Expo, Cologne, Germany, Harley-Davidson Europe Managing Director Rob Lindley said that “in the 651cc plus market, where we measure our performance, Harley-Davidson has been one of the few manufacturers to see sales grow in Europe during the past twelve months, and with conclusion of our third quarter of this year we can confirm a full year of sales growth across our European markets. In fact, we have grown sales in each of the last four Quarters.”

In market share terms, Harley is now the number one manufacturer in countries such as Switzerland, Luxembourg, Poland, the Czech Republic and Norway, and second in markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden.

Asked what he put this down to Lindley cited several factors, “clearly the strength of the Yen has hit Japanese manufacturers hard in the past couple of years, and with traffic and legislative issues stimulating a general trend towards the custom and cruiser sectors and away from sports bikes. We have also introduced a number of strong and relevant new bikes for Europe, I think Harley is in a ‘good place’ at this time in Europe.

“However, I think one of the most interesting trends that everybody is now beginning to see is that there is a general trend among the riding public to look for premium brands and a more fully formed riding experience.

“As such it is clear that Harley-Davidson’s brand values speak to increasing numbers of motorcycle buyers as their own riding experience demands develop. Not only are we seeing sales and market share in Europe grow, but the ‘Dreamer Pool’, as we call it, of those considering the Harley-Davidson brand is also increasing.

“As our CEO Keith Wandell has said many times, focusing on core brand values will return the company as a whole to growth once economic conditions permit, and as one of the most personal and emotionally connected of motorcycle brands we are certain that the European experience can be replicated elsewhere.”

Lindley went on to say that new initiatives this quarter will see Harley establish new sales offices and add to its dealer network in markets such as Greece, the Middle East, Russia and Africa.
In demographic terms, he reported that while the average age of Harley buyers remains pretty typical of where the bulk of heavyweight motorcycle buyers to be found, at around 44 years of age (and slightly younger in Europe than is the case in the United States), any suggestion that the excitement that the Harley ownership experience offers has peaked is conclusively answered by the “extraordinarily high and growing percentage of our customers who are still coming to the brand for the first time.”

 Read More Here: http://www.dealer-world.com/page.php?p=amd

Doug Keim Creative Cycles is more than just a custom bike shop.  We are a fully staffed, stocked, and equipped to handle anything related to your bike.  We handle it all: basic repairs, routine maintenance, oil changes, tune-ups, custom trick parts, upgrades, tires, custom work, and more.  Your bike will be treated as if it were our very own.  For personalized service, expert technicians, and the very best parts – you have to check us out.  Located in Allaire Airport / Monmouth Executive Airport Business Complex, Route 34, Wall, NJ.  Give us a call at 732-751-1403 or just stop by.

Check out the latest bike gallery: “Broken Knuckle” and all of our other bikes.  Click here: http://creativecycles.com/bikes/broken-knuckle.htm

New photos and comments from MSgt Peter Cyrus in the Customer Gallery.

Creative Cycles has become aware of a California builder claiming the bike “Rock Hard”, which Doug designed and built for the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida, as his own design and claims to be planning knockoffs of our winning tour bike, right down to the blue color! Please beware of cheap imitations! “Rock Hard” was designed and built in-house at Creative Cycles, and no where else. Don’t settle for anything less! Remember – it’s all in the details!