Top 1%
| Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide | ||
That twenty thousand will get you all kinds of features found common -- and increasingly expected -- in today's luxury motorcycles.
Generously sized, lockable, hard saddlebags with removable soft interior carriers? Check. Passenger seat with wraparound armrests? Check. Full-length, height-adjustable footboards for both passenger and driver? You bet. But there's much more. This baby comes with cruise control (that's right, cruise control), a CB as well as an intercom for driver/passenger communication, a Harmon/Kardon four-speaker stereo -- easily hooked up to headsets, if you prefer -- a halogen headlight and adjustable fairing. But why stop there? We haven't even gotten to the accessories. Want XM Satellite XMSR radio, GPS navigation and a leather, air-adjustable rider and passenger seat? Those are just a few of the available add-ons that could easily push this deluxe motorcycle over $25,000. These days, it's easy to find midrange automobile prices on a new motorcycle. Gone is the time when your engine options were limited to a wimpy 250 cc and comfort was obtained by putting extra cushioning in your pants. Enormous, powerful engines like the 2,294 cc monster found in Triumph's aptly named Rocket III ($16,300) are becoming more common, as well as extravagant options like a driver's airbag found in the high-end Honda HMC Gold Wing touring bike ($24,049). Additionally, custom motorcycle shops across the United States (like the famous Orange County Choppers) have exploded with a dizzying array of outlandish custom motorcycle designs. And the stalwart motorcycle manufactures keep piling a cornucopia of options to their everyday lines in order to appeal to new buyers. But where are all these buyers coming from? From the outsized ranks of both male and female baby boomers with large amounts of disposable income, naturally. Like many high-end products made desirable and popular on the consumer landscape, baby boomers are driving the trends in these luxury bikes. But it's not just two-wheeled tourers with windshield wipers and airbags that are flying out of the showroom. Choppers, street and sport bikes have seen astounding growth as well. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle ownership among the 40 and over age group has increased a staggering amount: from 15.1% in 1980 to 43% in 1998. Furthermore, the $14.6 billion U.S. motorcycle market is on track to mark its 13th consecutive year of growth.
The Maserati Quattroporte elevates the sedan to its nobler, sport-racing heritage.
A tour through Ducati's high-performance motorcycles will get your engine revving.
Channel your inner Steve McQueen with a white-knuckle session at race-car driving school.
Yahoo! is among the most searched stocks on TheStreet.com. Here's what Cramer had to say about the stock recently.
Catch up on his thinking on the hottest topics of the past week.
Investors will have to deal with a Fed meeting and another flood of earnings and economic data.
Ensco International and Echelon have the potential to move higher in coming days.
See who made what calls.
The addition of video is helping telecom companies compete against cable and satellite companies.
The June West Texas Intermediate contract reflects selling pressure ahead of Tuesday's expiration. But stocks in the sector are generally trading higher.
See who made what calls.
Keep on top of the market and the critical information you need to make more profitable investing decisions.
Sponsored by:

ACCESS REALMONEY


