insideKENT Magazine Issue 25 - April 2014 | Page 149

LOCALBUSINESS

insideKENT talks to

Harry Pearce of
Maidstone Harley-Davidson

When did Maidstone Harley-Davidson first
open and how did the concept come about?
We are a family-run business with over 30 years
of experience within various different dealer
franchises. When it comes to the Custom Cruiser
scene, there isn’t a bigger name than HarleyDavidson, so with a good understanding of the
market, we embraced the opportunity and got
to work on building a showroom and facilities
that would provide Kent with the fantastic HarleyDavidson experience. We opened the doors with
a bang on 5th November 2011.
The site in Aylesford is very impressive. Tell
us a bit about the services you offer.
The showroom itself is full of new Harley-Davidson
motorcycles – and with some bikes starting at
just £70 per month (subject to T&Cs) and the
entry price for a new bike in the range at £6,995,
they are often more affordable than people think.
We also stock a large selection of used HarleyDavidson motorcycles seeking their next happy
owner, in addition to our custom bikes we
produce in-house.
To compliment the custom bikes, we have
a parts and accessories department and a
number of skilled factory-trained technicians in
a fully equipped service department offering
maintenance, upgrades and custom work.
Upstairs, we have a whole floor devoted to
Harley-Davidson clothing and merchandise. One
of the largest selections you will find in the UK,
we stock everything from helmets, gloves and
leather jackets, to dresses, badges, memorabilia
and even a pet range!
An exciting new service we are offering in
2014 is a range of rental bikes. Starting at £60
a day, you can hire a Harley-Davidson from us,
for anywhere between a day and even a month.
As we are on the doorstep to the English Channel,
we have ensured the bikes can be used in Europe
too.

As well as all of this, we hold many events
throughout the calendar year, which in the past
have included hog roasts, live bands, American
cars, custom bike shows, rodeo bulls, custom
painting, competitions, fashion shows, seasonal
product launches and much more.
Currently, what is your most popular model
in the Maidstone showroom?
At present, the Street Glide is highly sought after;
the new Breakout is exclusive and in highdemand; and the Softail Slim has been great.
However, I’d say the most popular bike is the
Sportster Forty-Eight; starting at £9,195, this
affordable model is popular with both current
Harley-Davidson enthusiasts, as well as riders
of other bike brands.
What should our readers take into
consideration when contemplating buying a
motorcycle?
I would encourage anybody contemplating buying
a bike to come and have a chat with one of the
guys or girls here, who will be happy to guide
you through the experience from start to finish.
It is a very exciting time and we can offer great
advice on what to consider before rushing in to
a decision. To get the most from your experience
on a bike, you need to make sure it is the right
model for you.
Is Harley-Davidson for experienced riders
only, or can anyone give it a go?
Harley-Davidson is for everybody. We've had
riders with 70 years of experience purchasing a
bike, and riders with absolutely no experience at
all. You can be new to riding but still enjoy being
on a Harley-Davidson, as there is a bike to fit all.
Of course, Maidstone Harley-Davidson is not just
for riders, the showroom experience is here for
everybody to come along and have a good time;
there is a coffee and refreshments area where
you can sit and watch the bikes coming and

149

going and talk with many Harley-Davidson
enthusiasts.
How has the Motorcycle industry evolved in
the last ten years?
The big demand for Sports Bikes has started to
decrease; we've seen the adventure touring bikes
come on the scene; and now it is clear the
Custom Cruiser market is rapidly growing. There
have also been many improvements to the
mechanics and design of the bikes – something
Harley-Davidson has been at the forefront of.
Firstly, they are the only big manufacturer to offer
ABS across their entire range, which is paramount
for the safety of a biker, and secondly, the new
cutting-edge Project Rushmore Machines, has
taken Harley-Davidson to the top of the touring
bike tree.
Where do you see Maidstone Harley-Davidson
in five years?
In five years time I want us to be the most loved
Harley-Davidson dealer in the UK, attracting
people from across the globe. We have a truly
wonderful store here and a brilliant team that is
driven to continuously improve the services we
offer.

Maidstone Harley-Davidson
Forstal Road
Aylesford
ME20 7XA
01622 711680
www.mshd.co.uk
@MaidstoneHD
/maidstoneharley