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The motorcycle-riding bad boy has been a mythical ideal forAmerican men ever since James Dean donned black leather in the1950s. In true entrepreneurial style, EagleRider Inc. has found away to harness that myth and make it a reality for rebel wannabeseverywhere.
Founded in 1992 by Harley Davidson devotees Chris McIntyre andJeffery Brown, EagleRider rents out the complete motorcycleexperience. With nearly a quarter of a million dollars in start-upcosts (the bulk of which went to financing 16 Harley Davidsons),the 34- and 35-year-old entrepreneurs, respectively, tapped into aniche market that caters to adventure-seeking professionals anddestination-bound tourists who long for a different type ofvacation.
Say a tourist wants to ride up the California coast. After alimousine ride from the airport, courtesy of EagleRider, theadventurer is decked out in Harley gear (available at theEagleRider store) and hits the open road. Walk in with a suit--walkout in black leather.
The partners' first adventure was to purchase the bikes.McIntyre and Brown spent one weekend visiting various Harleyshowrooms with their girlfriends, posing as typical couples lookingto buy his-and-hers hogs. After being approved for loans, the savvyentrepreneurs drove around with a U-Haul to pick up the bikes fromthe showrooms. It was Monday morning before the bank officersrealized that two men had financed 16 cycles. It was perfectlylegal, though not particularly frugal, as they had to buy retail.Eight years and a solid reputation later, EagleRider has finallysecured a fleet program with Harley Davidson for purchasing cyclesin bulk.
Based in Torrance, California, EagleRider also has company-ownedor franchised locations in San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas,Denver, San Diego, and Phoenix, just to name a few. "We caterto their dreams," says McIntyre of his customers. Although thepartners plan to open franchises nationwide (and eventuallyworldwide), they don't want to oversaturate the market.Start-up costs range from $50,000 to $100,000, plus the cost of thebikes, with the total investment running near $500,000.EagleRider's ultimate goal is to open franchises in localesconvenient for the customers it targets. With 1999 sales of about$5 million, these entrepreneurs are taking the ride of theirlives.
Make The Call
EagleRider Inc., (800) 501-8687, http://www.eaglerider.com
