Well said Ron! Yep, I too think H-D kept Erik's venture alive probably longer than it would have without Willie G and his boys support. And that was probably due to H-D feeling it would like to "dabble" in the sportbike business the years of their partnership.

And because of the current economic conditions, many companies, regardless the type of their product, are turning inward and turning their focus back to their core product, as Bob[bking] said above. And with H-D's "core product" being primarily retro styled motorcycles(and of course clothing...good one there erle!!! ), H-D probably felt they had no choice but to pull the plug on Erik.

Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)