Feeling Like A Super Rat

Hodaka Super Rat - As bad as they were, they are still
a million times better then anything made in China today.

I just noticed I had not posted anything here since February 1st ! That could be because the whole month of February sucked. Not just sucked as most Winter months do if your in the motorcycle biz, February sucked like Mother nature was out to cut out hearts out and make us cry like babies. Here in New England we have had one of the worst Winters in a few years. Just when your hoping that something goes in our favor for once, we get shit on AGAIN.

All we can do is hope. That's all we got left these days. The economy continues to drag on. It's slower then a Hodaka Super Rat with no compression that's stuck in 3rd gear. A feeling i might ad is very familiar with old Hodaka riders. ( If you rode dirt bikes in the 1970's I don't have to explain what that feels like.) If you didn't, then pfft, look it up on your smart phone.

From what my vendor reps are telling me, thirteen bike shops (shops of all sizes from Mom & Pop operations to franchised dealerships) went under so fare this Winter. I can sympathize because for the last sixty days mine has been teetering on the edge. When it gets to the point that being open is costing you money, then you realize it's time to start making emergency plans!  It looks like we will make it through another Winter, but it was close. 

Now i see gas prices climbing just as the snow is starting to melt. This might be a double edged sword. Yes some folks might start to see motorcycles as an alternative form of transportation to the gas guzzler they are driving, but with gas costing more, there is less money available for a second vehicle (motorcycle).

I'm afraid that we have to come to terms with the fact that life in this country will never be the same as we enjoyed before 911 and the Bush era that sent us over the edge. Yes i know that the Clinton area started us down this road, so I'll concede that blame can go to both administrations. Clinton allowed corporations to send jobs over seas and rewarded them for it. This started Wall Street on a path of greed and abuse. Bush got us involved in two wars that may bankrupt this country and most certainly will effect our grandchildren in a negative way. 

OK so I'm no economist, but i am a business man. I'm sure smarter people then me will comment that it's more complicated then i am making it out to be. I don't really give a Super Rat's ass what they say. All i know is that this country is broken. Until you get Americans back to work PRODUCING and exporting goods or services, (not just moving information around which is being done cheaper in India now) we will continue to slip further back. It won't be to long before the United States is the new third world country. 

I hate mixing politics with motorcycling and I'm sorry. It's just that old Crusty is feeling pretty shitty about what i see going on in this country and I'm feeling threatened and down right scared.