I see just the opposite. I see more mom and pop shops selling Sherco because they don't have the tie up so much money in bike on the floor. They get a kick back if you mention their name. I think the money is made in the shop not on the show room floor. I see this system keeping the small guy that focuses on service in business.
Could be but have not seen this work before as not many people want to buy a bike sight unseen (especially being so rare to begin with) or thinking there is zero dealer support. Heck husky guys struggle to buy a husky because a dealer is not within a 100 mile radius. Time will tell if this approach works or not but there are many examples of it not working. I just don't seethis ever selling good numbers with that method.
The plus side is that they are so small if this whole thing doesn't work out they can adjust quickly. I just think its cool that the guy is bringing another brand to the US. It's nice to have choices out there and read about something new in a magazine. I hope they do well.
As a new guy getting into the business, I really see no way I can make money, luckily I will still be able to work my boat business along side to keep me going. Just doing it because I like bikes, and we have a fairly vibrant club scene(riding) that I think will go hand in hand.( And no, I don't have more money than I know what to do with) On a positive note, the Beta and Sherco importers understand the market is limited, and have made it easier to become a dealer. The KTM/Gas Gas, Sherco dealer I spoke of said KTM is getting harder to deal with as they get bigger. The internet has changed everything, a lot of people already buy parts and accessories on line, and get tech help from sites just like this one, so one could get by without a dealer. Then again, it is hard to beat the excitement of walking into a good shop and seeing the bikes and talking with the operators and other customers.
I must have read it wrong....I thought the plan/concept was to have dealers where possible and where there is none in your area allow you to get the bike directly from the importer/Clay. The profits are cut on the Sherco's but there will still be some money to be made. IMO you can't sell a new brand bike and be at the top of the price point. Having a top quality bike at lower price than the other name brands just may get people looking and willing to try one. This just might be a good way in this day and age to sell the bikes, get the word out, and build as you go. At least that's how I took it or think the plan is to be played out. Pretty sure my next bike will be a Sherco and I sure hope it all works out for Clay and Sherco.
I am kind of thinking when you start cutting prices, you are placing a value on the product. Similar to Husqvarna's past practice of slashing prices at the end of year.
I would love to check out the new 300i 4T. But with no Cali dealers I'm skeptical. What if my FI 4T needs remapping, not to mention warranty work. Not worried so much about warranty stuff as modern bikes are usually pretty solid, but sh!t does happen. But remapping as tuners work there magic is almost a certainty
You could always call the distributor and ask those questions. He already has plenty of time on them.
Here is a link to the Sherco forum. I'm sure most of your questions can be answered there. http://shercoforum.com/index.php btw the sherco I rode had perfect FI out of the box.
I can see that but they really only lowered the price a little and didn't do like Husky has done on old inventory bikes. But with Husky doing that it sure got me looking and buying my first Husky in 2009. I picked up my 2008 CR125 back in 09 for $2,999.00 OTD. Since then I have bought 3 more Huskys! That blow out price set the Husky hook in me big time. You gotta do something to get people looking, trying, and buying. Hey look into selling them you may just pick up a few customers from this site .
I do like them, and if we did not already have a dealer, I would consider them. To be honest I feel more comfortable being aligned with a 100 year old family owned Italian company. I will sit back and observe the long term prospects of a French built dirt bike, not being negative, they may come out on top in the end, but I would like to see a few years on them to see what we got. I know some are going to say Sherco is Spanish, and they are, but the enduros are built in France.
Not only that but they just murdered my used bike resale value..by selling new ones so cheap just devalued the heck out of our used market. so for that I decided to keep both my 11 TE310 and the 13 TXCR. Not a whine..just the way it goes, I have 2 super good machines in the end.
I always feel bad when people ask the resale of their bike here. It's a real kick in the ass for guys that buy their bikes a month before a 2k reduction
I am so used to having no dealers and working over the phone and internet that the Sherco doesn't bother me at all. I do have a dealer that is 250 miles from me and that is close compared to husky a couple of years ago. My issue is with no kick starter and riding in a different zip code from the nearest road. I am still going to demo one and if I can't resist get the 250 2T.
Is the beta 2 stroke a back up kick? I'd be nervous about it too especially since I typically ride alone with no cell service.
Pray you're on a hill, or near one. That's my complaint with the KTM SX-F line. I've had to bump start a new 350 before. Not fun on flat ground.
Yes and that is the big reason I didn't wait for the 2 stroke Sherco. If you get a chance to ride a new Beta 2 stroke jump on it.
I want one of those just because of the forks lol. Realistically I'll probably never get a chance to ride one but they sure look cool and they seem to do great in the tests.
