Even now, some four years later, it still strikes me as the most aggressive — and thus riskiest — product launch the industry has seen in recent times. The Spyder.

Escalating bad debts and loan delinquencies. Decreasing retail-lending approval percentages. The former usually leads to the latter, which is what we encountered in 2009 and, to a lesser extent, in parts of last year.

It’s a simple question, but a potentially powerful one in this climate.

If you’re planning to attend Dealer Expo this week, we’ve put together a couple items to add to your to-do list.

Tucker Rocky President Steve Johnson told Powersports Business the national distributor is “pushing a restart button” on Biker’s Choice, its V-twin arm.

Greg Heichelbech, the new Triumph North American CEO, brought up a topic repeatedly during the brand’s recent dealer meeting that should be uniformly addressed throughout the industry: Discounting.

Tell me if this doesn’t sound familiar. You’re working with a customer on a trade-in, determining what you’re willing to pay for their used unit and what they’re willing to sell it for.

If we do see a rebound in industry sales, what department are we most likely to see that jump in revenue in?

Could you imagine a day when the average Harley-Davidson franchise dealership is selling over the course of a year more used units than new units?

If there is such a thing as a single, gaping hole in dealer services, I’m betting I know the area of biggest need.