A Harley hooray

If you want to save on gasoline, buy a motorcycle.

Or if you want to start a business, one that is well protected in a recession, then start a motorcycle dealership.

Maybe those were the reasons why Ray Worth started his own Harley Davidson shop in Belton, Mo., in 1978. Then in 1988, he opened another dealership in Gladstone. Finally, in 1998, he opened the dealership in Blue Springs, and it’s noted as Kansas City’s place to go for Harley Davidson cycles and wear.

There’s something about the number eight, though.

“Yeah, I don’t know what that is,” David Worth, Ray’s son and business partner, said Monday. “There must be something to it.”

Worth’s comments came during what was an informal celebration of 30 years of family business and an opportunity for Congressman Sam Graves to speak about the economy, his attempts to prevent tax increases on small businesses and his support to drill for American oil and build more refineries.

 In addition to the Republican Graves, who faces Democratic opponent Kay Barnes during the November election in the 6th District, several local figures were in attendance, including Rep. Brian Pratt and Jacob Turk, a Republican who faces incumbent Emanuel Cleaver for the 5th District in November.

In good spirits, Worth strode the dealership floor, one that he hopes one day to expand. With consistent business and not one reason to think it will become otherwise, Worth said the family is looking to grow.

“We’re going (to expand),” he said, “but there’s no firm date on that. And we’ll stay in this general area, too.”

For now, it’s business. Back in 1978, the family started with 124 new units for sale; now that number has skyrocketed to 450 units and more than 300 used units.

Operating a motorcycle dealership hasn’t been particularly difficult these days, he said. Gas prices are high, and the desire to ride a motorcycle is strong in the Kansas City area. According to his estimates, the Kansas City’s Harley Davidson’s Owner Group is enjoying a healthy enrollment and celebrates its 25th year this year.

So gas prices be darned.

“Six months ago I’d deny that gas had anything to do with sales,” Worth said, adding that he has seen a slight increase in the number of people coming in to purchase a cycle for both entertainment and practical reasons.

“We’ve been pretty well recession proof,” he said.

With an average-sized cycle getting 50 mpg, it’s an attractive idea, he said.

“More and more people are riding.”