About Us
Rawhide Harley-Davidson is run by the Veracka family—Michael, Paul, and Dave. Together the Veracka family brings together 47 years of collective motorcycle experience. Besides Rawhide Harley-Davidson, the Veracka family owns some of the top motorcycle dealerships in the country, including:
- High Octane Harley-Davidson in Billerica, MA
- Avalanche Harley-Davidson in Golden, CO
- Riverside Harley-Davidson in Riverside, CA
- Huntington Beach Harley-Davidson in Westminster, CA
- Palm Beach Harley-Davidson in West Palm Beach, FL
- Six Bends Harley-Davidson in Fort Myers, FL
- Naples Harley-Davidson in Naples, FL
- Motown Harley-Davidson in Taylor, MI
The Veracka Family from left to right: Lauren, Michael, Dave, Paul, Charlyn
Company History
In the late-70s, Dave Veracka turned his passion for motorcycles into a career and started the family’s first motorcycle dealership by opening a Kawasaki franchise in Brockton, Massachusetts. Dave’s sons, Paul and Michael, grew up in the dealership and each started riding dirt bikes at the age of 4. Paul and MIchael knew they were destined to end up in the motorcycle industry. Eventually Dave was able to fulfill his dream of owning a Harley-Davidson dealership in 2003,
partnering with long-time business associate and personal friend Cooper Friend, in their purchase of Green Mountain Harley-Davidson. Didn’t take long to triple its sales and the need to expand into a larger capacity building.
In 2005, Dave and Cooper had the opportunity to purchase Schott’s Harley-Davidson located in Lewiston, Maine and the decision was made to split them into two stores (L-A Harley-Davidson & Central Maine Powersports). Taking the dealerships from 500 sold units to 1600 units in a short time.
In 2007, Paul and Michael graduated college and went to work at Central Maine Powersports to learn the business, working well as a team playing off each others strengths.
In 2008, Paul and Michael joined the family business and moved with Dave from New England to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Despite a difficult economic downturn, they partnered with the late Ed Lemco on Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson in 2008 and as they say, the rest is history! After having sweat equity positions in Grand Rapids H-D under the direction of father Dave and learning the business, Paul and Michael naturally gravitated toward and assumed the roles they have today.
In 2010, the family made the journey from Michigan to Olathe, Kansas to expand the business and take on a new challenge with the addition of Central H-D South, which opened under the new name Rawhide Harley-Davidson. Rawhide H-D went from one of the smallest dealerships in the country to #2 in new unit volume in 2012. Not an easy accomplishment, with the location in a more remote area and limited workforce availability! Rawhide H-D went on to receive a Silver H-D Bar & Shield award, and was named a Power 50 Dealer.
An unplanned opportunity in 2011 brought one of the hardest business decisions to the family; accept or decline an offer to sell Grand Rapids H-D. The Verackas decided to sell Grand Rapids H-D knowing it would allow them to expand in their hometown market of Boston and also increase their presence west of the Mississippi River. In 2012, Avalanche Harley-Davidson in Denver, CO and High Octane Harley-Davidson in Billerica, MA were added to the family. Both Avalanche H-D and High Octane H-D would go on to win H-D Bar & Shield awards and become Power 50 Dealers.
The next opportunity to grow the Harley business landed the Veracka family on the west coast in late 2013 with the addition of Riverside Harley-Davidson in Riverside, California. The dealership, formerly known as Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson, had decades of history and success in the Southern California market. Riverside H-D was the first Veracka dealership located in a climate where riding is year-round.
Their second California location, Huntington Beach Harley-Davidson, located in Westminster, CA was added in 2015. Huntington Beach H-D would become #4 in new unit volume in 2016, and for the first time in the history of TMC dealerships, would receive a Platinum H-D Bar & Shield award in 2016.
In 2016, the Verackas expanded to the Southeast where Dave resides, with the addition of Palm Beach Harley-Davidson, which quickly became the fastest growing dealership in Florida.
In June 2017, Avalanche H-D opened up a brand-new 60,000 sq ft dealership in the foothills of Golden, Colorado.
As 2018 kicked off, acquisitions of Six Bends Harley-Davidson in Fort Myers, Florida and Naples Harley-Davidson in Naples, Florida increased their presence in Florida to three locations.
In the Spring of 2018 the Verackas returned to Michigan, this time to the Detroit metro area, with the purchase of Motown Harley-Davidson (formerly Biker Bob’s). With a strong history of creating new riders via their robust Riding Academy, Motown Harley-Davidson will only continue to grow along with its customer base.
Paul and Michael have continued to acquire Harley-Davidson dealerships across the country with no plans on slowing down anytime soon! Over the years there have been countless Bar & Shield Recognition Awards along with having the #1 volume Harley-Davidson dealership for 3 years with 2 different stores!
The growth and success of the dealerships couldn’t have been achieved without the help from our teams of outstanding employees. There are many Harley-Davidson dealerships out there that have big buildings and the exact same world class Harley-Davidson motorcycles, parts and MotorClothes. The only difference that sets our dealerships apart is the people. Exceptional employees delivering a premium customer experience creating customers for life is the key to our success!
