In a document I received today, Ultra Motorcycle Company states that it is reducing manufacturing operations and moving its assembly location. And they offer a liquidation auction of their equipment (frame shop, fabrication machine tools, paint and motor shop), unsold bikes (from 2005 to 2007) and chassis with no minimum and no reserve with bids starting at 9 AM on Friday November 16 at their location 3810 Wacker Drive, Mira Loma, California. For more information and preview details, contact Bar None Auction at 916-383-2000.
Not good news, except for bargain hunters. Frankly, how all these Harley clone companies could survive any slow down of the industry? They cannot, and maybe it’s a good thing. I think Harley, Victory, Big Dog and the few true custom builders of this world will survive.
Good time to start a shop with used equipment, buy bikes and parts.
i agree with sean,how long the clones can survive.personally not seen ultra bikes,but they seem to be good.another one in the vain.
As an ex dealer for Ultra they have been in trouble for some time now, poorly managed by prior owner and probably now unable to recover as the industry has become saturated. They owe their dealers thousands of dollars in warranty claims and have left customers with broken promises and broken frames not to mention many other issues. Was just a matter of time, all I can say is Buyers beware.
Yeah! They say they sell to move their location! Bullshit. They get rid of as much as they can to escape their responsibilities.
OCC will be next
There’s only one real Harley anyway. All the others are jumpin on the coat tails of Harley. HD are the ones that did all the R&D and spent the money to design, develope and bring it to the market. So as far as I’m concerned, I could care less.
I agree, Will. The Teutels are next. But it’s going to take longer because they can lose money during a longer time. Meaning they will lose more!
It’s sad to hear another bike company closing down. Statements like “There’s only one real Harley” and “How long can the clones survive” that’s pretty sad you think like that. People, America was built on different companies and different ideas. As far as I am concerned the more a person has to choose from (bikes) the better off we all are. Each time one company goes under that’s one more for the big companies to take more control, before you know it, there is no choice to make, and you will have to ride what they tell you to ride at the price they tell you to pay, Welcome to California! Hey but seriously, more choices helps keep the prices down, and the competition going. That’s America! Freedom to choose! Freedom to ride, What ever, When ever, Where ever our two wheels will take us.
Tony. The issue is not competition. We all want it for the reasons you mentioned. But these clone companies, most of them, didn’t create or innovate. Just looking at the trend imposed by custom builders, then slapping cheap parts together. You know it’s a good after-market bike (brand)if it can hold its value like a Harley, have the same warranty. Give me one brand name who succeeded this?
Jumping on the coat tails of Harley? You obviously are not in touch with the industry to make such broad stroke statements. Harleys hold no “value” beyond that of any other motorcycle manufacturer and they are currently laying off employees in two plants here in the US due to lack of sales volume. The aftermarket ie. custom motorcycle market drives the innovation in the motorcycle industry and is responsible for driving sales through aftermarket bike shows, tv shows, and motorcycle enthusiast magazines. Granted, there is no “American” motorcycle company as large as Harley but being the largest does not automatically make a company the best. The majority of Harley Davidson components are made in other countries and are in no way superior to components that are available in the aftermarket.
I think the term I am looking for is “creative destruction”. Those who do not compete not only will go out of business, they must be allowed to go out of business. Otherwise, the innovation and quality control we all demand wil not be there.
As far as Harley is concerned, is everybody ready for water cooled engines in 2 years? It would appear Harley not only does not want to innovate their way to preserving the heart of their bike – the air cooled V-Twin – they don’t refuse to do so. Witness the heating problems on the ’07’s and ’08’s that are being band-aided but not fixed (on this note – I believe the ’05 and ’06 Harleys will come to be viewed as the pinnacle of Harley air-cooled production).
Since we have all layed down in fornt of the EPA bulldozer, I can’t cast too many stones Harley’s way. I will only add that I never heard a whimper of protest form Harley about these emmision rules that are about to change everything. Rather, they seemed to more of a collaborator. I suppose this too makes sense – as it would fit in nicely with the whole chickification of America that is under way.
Everything changes all the time, and not always for the better.
I think that it is not a big secret that Harley pushed for the EPA standards as a way to combat the ever growing aftermarket bike sales. There has been no single “American” bike manufacturer that actually challenged Harley but as a group, the custom builders represent a considerable amount of bikes, enough that Harley not took notice but felt threatened by their piece of the market share. The EPA rules and regulations fall into Harley’s pre-proposed plans for the new engine platforms.
well what can i say, how many of you own a motorcycle and how many of you have owned a ultra. and as for the ex dealer ya they had lots of trouble but so dident harley davidson through the years and still do. well its like back in the day when you had a high performance chevelle or other car and raced it down the road and things would break if you beat on it because it had a high performance engine. well thing of the ultra that way because it has
high performance motors. i love my ultra ground pounder its a 1853cc and i would not trade it for no pice of shit harley. choppers is the only way to go. clones my ass take some pride in the bike and done beat on it and you mite find it will run just fine. i dont have any trouble with mine at all and i have put 40.000 miles on it. so for all you ultra haters out there get a life. all so some of the movie studios are starting to use ultra choppers because they look better then harleys bucket of leaking lead.
i have a 05 mac daddy and it is an exiting bike but like any other sale of a bike it has its problems and the warranty did cover some of its defects it was tough to get spencer in service to honor its warranty but he did,
however a dealer with inadequate mechanics and/or facilities certified or not it is just better to take it to a builder who do not take on warranty work but do a better job on upgrades ( which are required if you are an enthusiast, the bike is a starter toward further custom work).
ride anything every day or season and you will have wear and tear.
the bike is sick looking and tears ass. as anything else in its class and cost upgrades are fun make it original and yes cost money.
hell i might have a collectors item.
would i buy another bike from ultra?
no.
but then again there are more builders like kieno and bill doge and martin bro’s and etc etc etc.
I bought a 1998 Ultra Patroit that had been hit. I have it all back together except for the back fender.
I am going crazy trying to find one. Anyone know where I can find one ? If so, please let me know at Bigfoot49HD84@yahoo.com The bike looks great and runs well but I need the fender to finish it.
Have an Ultra GP 330 bought it used with an assortment of problems. Still a kick in the butt to ride and just keep on rollin’. It is the only bike I’ve owned that got almost as many + comments as a Victory Jackpot I also own.
Each is good in it’s own way, just as HD’s are.
I own a 2003 Ultra Diamond Pro I have had no problem with it to date. These custom builders have provided tons of jobs and money for the country, threw TV shows, bike shows, and advirtisment. HD makes nice bikes but dont say they are the ones to design it all, they did design the basics to all this customs, but it was the custom builders to go further with the design. HD is still making the same looking bikes my grandpa rode boring.
I learned in the Marines to adapt and overcome…obviously a lesson a few businesses could stand to learn in these tough economic times. Get competitive and stay competitive. I buy American and I support all American businesses…with so many americans affected by the current recession this country better start using some common sense.
I own a custom Harley softail and I also have a 2001 Ultra Avenger. my Avenger is stiil book valued at 14,000 dollars talk about holding a good value I am very happy with my ultra. I have been out with friends on their harley’s and people will be drawn to my bike. I have a custom Harley because I like to have something you dont see everytime I go for a ride. Harleys are like cars everyone has the same thing. People ask what kind of bike my Ultra is and I love to tell them. I allways get good reviews on both my bikes. I think the economy is hurting all industries unfortunate for them all. But look at all the HARLEYS FOR SALE LOL more of them than ultra motorcycles, my insurance is double what my harley is, whats that tell ya. Any bike will only treat you as good as you treat it. I will keep both my bikes and continue to enjoy them both. Sorry to hear another American buisiness is folding but its becomming a european country buisiness wise sadly to say..
I have an ’01 Ground Pounder ST, I was looking at a used Harley when I came across my Ground Pounder at a price that I just could not pass up. I love it! the thing will get up and move, gets tons of attention (if I want it or not sometimes) almost as much as my ’74 Hardtail, chopped springer Iron head. I haven’t ridden “Rockets or Rice” in MANY years although I do occasionally ride with them so long as they have a good attitude. Sorry to say that there are one or two “exclusives” above that I would not want to ride with. I say; I’m in the wind-you’re in the wind lets not worry about what the other is riding and enjoy the breeze on the way to the watering hole. And one that is a little older; Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Ive been riding for over 40 years i was on a harley when it wasnt cool to be on a harley i think we owe the yuppies for bringing it to mainstream america{not a bad thing ] a lot more pretty girls are in it today but thats another story i no longer acknoledge HARLEY DAVIDSON since 1999 in my oppinion syey sold out they FORGOT who what kinda americans put them where thier at today what kinda people kept them rolling thru the AMF years to me they are a clothing store so when i stumbled upon a 1998 ultra ground pounder i was relived that i could continue riding. WOA let me back up a few years MY brother . his wife and my self were out riding enjoying the sun we decided to run by this local abate rally our plan was to check it out a lil while then come back the following day well [ man its still hard to talk about it][deep breath] tommorrow never came for the pair of them you see befor leaving my head light wouldnt come on on my 76 shovel after messing with it for 40 min i told him to go on we shook hands and parted ways that was the last time i saw them alive andover zelous police man was responding to and unrelated incident wher as he ended up killing both of them [rip dwight and crissy pigg] therafter i could not bring my self to ride that bike luckily i found my 98 ground pounder RIDE ON been riging ever since
I have a 1999 ultra- ground pounder and I am 100% satisfied but I will say you stuff a113 s&s on any bike and its going to vibrate some bolts loose, but thats the fun part. I say there is a bike for everyone and some ride honda rebels, some ride electra glides and I ride a rigid, its not for the weak hearted. I am a mechanic so life is easier when you know how to work on them.
i’ve got a 1998 stroker cycles rigid which is the same as ultra ground pounder..and love it..all the parts are the same as you find from jp cycles and v-twin manf…i pulled my s&s motor out and replaced it with a true h-d 99 model evo and have been having a blast since..and rewired it also..so no issues here..ride on and support the american tradition..its hard times for all businesses not just these..