ATK & Hyosung get inside the Harley dealer network

[DaleFranks]

S&T motorcycles, the Korean manufacturer of the Hyosung brand motorcycles will be working directly with ATK motorcycles, the US manufacturer of dirt bikes.  Together they will produce a motorcycle that will be largely produced in Korea by Hyosung and  assembled in the USA by ATK.  These ATK-badged motorcycles will be smaller displacement motorcycles that will be sold in selected Harley-Davidson dealerships.

Sources close to the deal tell me that ATK may also begin selling their off-road motorcycles in some Harley dealerships as well.  It is not yet entirely clear which of the ATK-badged Hyosungs will be made available to the Harley Dealers, although the new 700cc Aquila is a likely candidate.

Sources also tell me that it is possible–although exactly how possible is still unclear–for modified versions of the 250cc and 650cc cruisers and sportbikes, with new bodywork created by ATK, are candidates for those dealers who desire them.

UPDATE:

This has nothing to do with Harley-Davidson.  HD is aware of what is happening, but does not endorse it.

This is purely a deal between some select Harley dealers, and ATK's Frank White, who pushed the deal through.

The MoCo has their hands completely off on this one.

[bomber]

Well, given HDI's actions lately, this isn't all that off the page.

I want to watch the HOG chapters stroming the dealerships with torches and pitchforks, though -- if they called Buells "Jap Crap," Hyonsung will really make em all wamr and fuzzy.

A potential good move on HD's part, since they've proven incapable of moving in different directions on their own.

I hope it works out for em.

[jhawk]

One of the local Harley dealerships also sells Andretti-Beneli motor scooters. They even had a promo a few months ago, where they gave away a scooter with the purchase of a new Harley.  

[Lon]

Sources also tell me that it is possible–although exactly how possible is still unclear–for modified versions of the 250cc and 650cc cruisers and sportbikes, with new bodywork created by ATK, are candidates for those dealers who desire them.

The 650 Avitar is a totally rad cruiser.  I wonder what HD fans would say about it, given that it puts out 71 horsepower (that's about what a stock TC96 puts out).

Well, given HDI's actions lately, this isn't all that off the page.

I want to watch the HOG chapters stroming the dealerships with torches and pitchforks, though -- if they called Buells "Jap Crap," Hyonsung will really make em all wamr and fuzzy.

A potential good move on HD's part, since they've proven incapable of moving in different directions on their own.

HOG chapter members typically don't 'strom'.  

It would actually bring good beginner bikes to their dealers (not that the Buell Blast was bad; it wasn't, but 1 beginner bike in the whole line-up... sad ).  Let's be serious, the 883 is a good bike, but it's not a great beginner bike.

The 250 Comet certainly is, as is the 250 Aquila (or even 650 Avitar)...

It's income w/o any manufacturing costs or pesky employees.  Pretty good margins there.  I'm sure the new CEO would like the idea, since he seems to care more about profit/operating margins than motorcycles or motorcycle technology.  

[chornbe]

The more I see this thing, the fuglier it gets. It's reminiscent of BMW's R1200-C in some of its lines, but man... it just looks sooooo cobbled together. And cheap.  

[DaleFranks]

This has nothing to do with Harley-Davidson.  HD is aware of what is happening, but does not endorse it.

Tis is purely a deal between some select Harley dealers, and ATK's Frank White, who pushed the deal through.

The MoCo has their hands completely off on this one.

[Papa Lazarou]

The more I see this thing, the fuglier it gets. It's reminiscent of BMW's R1200-C in some of its lines, but man... it just looks sooooo cobbled together. And cheap.  

But actually not a bad bike. Unlike other Hyosungs. Retch.

[Paulie]

The more I see this thing, the fuglier it gets. It's reminiscent of BMW's R1200-C in some of its lines, ...

The R1200C is King Fugly.  Painted shit-brown, just to make sure it ruins yer lunch.  

[scottzilla]

I test rode a Hyosung a few years ago (My Honda dealer threw me the keys and laughed).
Horrible, horrible motorcycle.

[desertxxrider]

Who built the Harley Rapido?

[chornbe]

Who built the Harley Rapido?

Wasn't that Cagiva?

Aermacchi in Italy

[HipGnosis]

Can I copywright slang?  If so, I'm claiming Korean Kimchi.  Anyone that uses that phrase from now on owes me $0.008.   $0.06 if they print it.

I find it VERY hard to believe that H-D doesn't have a legally castrating hold on what can & can't be sold at 'their' dealerships.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Can I copywright slang?  If so, I'm claiming Korean Kimchi.  Anyone that uses that phrase from now on owes me $0.008.   $0.06 if they print it.

I find it VERY hard to believe that H-D doesn't have a legally castrating hold on what can & can't be sold at 'their' dealerships.

IIRC some of that is true but there were some dealerships that were "grandfathered" in when the new rules came out.  My example is the HD dealership out in Ruidoso, NM also sells Honda, Yamaha ect IIRC.  They were doing that long before the "new HD" so they were able to keep doing that.

[VAbikeguy]

I know on Oahu there is a Harley/Kawasaki dealership.  

[Baz]

I find it VERY hard to believe that H-D doesn't have a legally castrating hold on what can & can't be sold at 'their' dealerships.

I rented a Harley in Maui quite a while ago, and had a very lively discussion with the owner and his son who informed me that they were into the 2nd year of an approval process to OK some official Harley T shirts they had drawn up & wanted to sell at their place of business, with their name on it. (HD kept shooting down parts of the artwork like the HD name is not large enough etc, etc.)

I would bet that even if the Dealership could legally sell those bikes, HD will put the squeeze on them, like delaying delivery of their H.D. orders, limiting what & how many bikes would be available to them.

Manufacturers always rule the roost, and H.D. does that well from what I hear.  

[Bjorn Toulouse]

S&T motorcycles, the Korean manufacturer of the Hyosung brand motorcycles will be working directly with ATK motorcycles, the US manufacturer of dirt bikes.  Together they will produce a motorcycle that will be largely produced in Korea by Hyosung and  assembled in the USA by ATK.  These ATK-badged motorcycles will be smaller displacement motorcycles that will be sold in selected Harley-Davidson dealerships.

Sources close to the deal tell me that ATK may also begin selling their off-road motorcycles in some Harley dealerships as well.  It is not yet entirely clear which of the ATK-badged Hyosungs will be made available to the Harley Dealers, although the new 700cc Aquila is a likely candidate.

Sources also tell me that it is possible–although exactly how possible is still unclear–for modified versions of the 250cc and 650cc cruisers and sportbikes, with new bodywork created by ATK, are candidates for those dealers who desire them.

UPDATE:

This has nothing to do with Harley-Davidson.  HD is aware of what is happening, but does not endorse it.

This is purely a deal between some select Harley dealers, and ATK's Frank White, who pushed the deal through.

The MoCo has their hands completely off on this one.

What load of bullshit!
The thread title seems to indicate "BIG NEWS", yet the reality is a nothing story.

Dood, you ought to see about getting on with the Enquirer, or maybe, People!  

"Sources close to the deal................"   Oh my, you're such an insider.


Rex

[DaleFranks]

What load of bullshit!
The thread title seems to indicate "BIG NEWS", yet the reality is a nothing story.

Dood, you ought to see about getting on with the Enquirer, or maybe, People!  

"Sources close to the deal................"   Oh my, you're such an insider.

*shrug*

And yet, when I write this stuff, it turns out to be true.  Just like my announcement that HD was making the decision to shut down Buell, which I wrote a month in advance of the official announcement.

It seems kind of odd that my relaying this story here, or that I might know people inside the industry, bothers you.  

[bomber]

Without the Iron Tower behind it, this is a much less important story -- not meaningless, but certainly less important.

I can see the same dealers that supported Buell going this route (as their involvement with Buell indicated some ability for independent thought), but most of the distribution channel, I think, will be having a very lean couple/three years.

[DaleFranks]

Here's the text of a press release Frank White sent me this morning:

S&T Motors /“HYOSUNG” Motorcycles (KSE000040) of Korea announced today at a 2009 EICMA motorcycle show press conference that S&T will partner with ATK Motorcycles company on several important strategic projects.

The goal of the partnership is to strengthen the competitive position of both companies and provide tangible benefits to customers, dealers, suppliers and shareholders.  Each company will continue to be run separately, but will work together on several specific cooperative projects involving new product development, distribution, manufacturing, and purchasing.

“This partnership is a very natural fit for both of us.” added Dr. Taekwon Kim, CEO of S&T Motors Korea.  Mr. Frank White, ATK CEO commented, “S&T and ATK complement each other well and we are very excited about our new relationship.  By joining forces, we believe we can strengthen our distribution network, reduce our production costs, spread development costs and substantially accelerate our entry into the street bike business.  We also look forward to sharing some of our off-road technology with S&T.  The ATK and S&T management teams should work well together – both companies are driven by innovation, passion, quality and demand for success.”
“I believe this partnership will provide substantial benefits to S&T and ATK and both company’s dealers, employees, suppliers, and shareholders for years to come.” Said Taekwon Kim.  “We have long admired ATK and are excited about working together to strengthen both companies.  S&T can benefit from ATK’s substantial experience in the American motorcycle market and ATK’s presence inside the Harley Dealer network.”

According to Frank White, “there will be some differentiation between S&T branded products and the ATK branded products.  S&T will send parts from Korea and we will integrate those with our own American and European parts.  These American-Utah assembled motorcycles will be targeted to be sold through a select group of Harley-Davidson Dealers who are looking for a quality smaller displacement motorcycle to be sold under the US ATK brand name.”  Frank White went further to comment, “The management at Harley-Davidson knows what we are doing with some of their dealers, however, they do not endorse our activities in any way.”

[Justin]

The more I see this thing, the fuglier it gets. It's reminiscent of BMW's R1200-C in some of its lines, but man... it just looks sooooo cobbled together. And cheap.  

Looks like a VRod to me :shrugs: