{"id":30010,"date":"2026-10-02T00:12:35","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T00:12:35","guid":{"rendered":"urn:bikertrash-source:cowboyhd\/index.html"},"modified":"2026-10-13T18:20:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T18:20:43","slug":"cowboy-hd-archive-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/?p=30010","title":{"rendered":"Cowboy HD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2002
Original publication:<\/strong> BikerTrash.com
Original byline:<\/strong> Not confirmed<\/p>

Cowboy HD – Beaumont

<\/b>Complete Photo Album<\/a><\/p>

For several months now our staff has been hearing people talk about the Cowboy Harley-Davidson dealership in Beaumont opening a new store. It had been described as “huge” as a “beautiful building” as an incredible architectural design and just about every other positive accolade anyone that had seen the building could muster.<\/p>

During this period we were watching a new HD dealership being built in Houston and watching Easyriders Houston as they built their new store. So, having somewhat of a “Houston has the best”<\/i> attitude we just kind of blew off these comments with the thought that “for the Beaumont area, it was probably a nice enough store<\/i>. But it certainly could not compete with some of the other great Harley Palaces we have visited around the country. So, sometime when we are passing through Beaumont we would make a point of stopping to visit.”<\/i><\/p>

When my business associate Ron Limbock of Lone Star Rally, Inc. got an invitation to attend their Grand Opening and meet Jeff Bluestein (Chairman of HD) and the legendary “Willie G”<\/i> Davidson (Head of HD’s Design), I thought why not, it will be a nice trip, we will go down there stay an hour or so, take a half dozen pictures as a courtesy and then come home and write a non-commital article saying they are open, blah, blah, blah.<\/p>

When we pulled off the exit in Beaumont and got our first view of Cowboy Harley-Davidson we were absolutely blown away. The place was not only massive, but it was a thing of absolute beauty. A building that perfectly reflected its Texan heritage with a Southwestern design in earthtones that just reaches out and says “You are invited, come on in.” <\/p>

<\/p>

Near the front of the store was a massive outdoor chimnea (fireplace) with bench seating arranged so people could take advantage of the warmth of the fire place. Unfortunately, September 28 in Southeaster Texas was not a time when a fireplace was needed. Next to the fireplace is a giant metal spur sculpture – complete with a spinning star. The “U” of the spur in inverted to create a passageway – there are going to be a lot of new Harley owners who’s first photo of their bike is going to be beneath the spur. Maybe it will become a tradition for the dealership. (See the Travelodge next door? They give bikers a 10% discount)<\/i><\/p>

We found out later that Mrs. Sheila Umphrey, the wife of one of the owners, Walter Umphrey, has a design business and she had designed the exterior of the dealership. <\/p>

“Congratulations, Mrs. Umphrey, it is an outstanding job and a tribute to your talent.”<\/i><\/p>

The magnificence of the building’s exterior still does not prepare you for the breathtaking scene that awaits when you enter the building. The designer made maximum use of floor-to-ceiling windows to create a well-lit interior enhanced by natural wood and stonework finishes everywhere. And the best part of all (drum roll<\/i>) the most brand new Harleys for sell that I have ever seen in one place at one time! There were at least 10 Fatboys, a dozen Dressers, rows of softails followed by more rows of Sportys and on and on. (When we toured the storage area of the dealer ship we saw just as many more new Harleys that they didn’t have room for on the showroom floor) <\/i>Talk about feeling like a kid in a candy store!<\/p>

We were greeted by Salesman John Neves who offered to take Ron and I on a complete tour of the facility. John started us out on the second floor where many of the administrative offices are as well as additional bike storage. <\/p>

<\/p>

We then went to ground level (more new bikes stored) to the shipping\/receiving dock. In the bottom of the drive was a huge hydraulic lift. Any vehicle can back up to the dock and then the operator will elevate everything to the loading dock level. Never any hustling a bike up or down to get it loaded or unloaded. No ups, no downs just a level loading surface, every time.<\/p>

John then took us into the service shop area. Every mechanics’ station has hoses and cords supplying electric, air, and everything else they might need including a hose to hook to the bikes exhaust to vent the fumes outside. The shop even has a glassed-in area that houses a complete dyno testing area. <\/p>

The next stop was a room for bike washing. Everything, including bike washing, is indoors and fully airconditioned. No “sweatshop”<\/i> at Cowboy HD. At the Service Writer desk we met, and photographed, Dicky Garret and Karie Holstine (warranty)<\/p>

Back into the store area we saw the customer lounge area – black leather furniture with the Embossed HD logo and a remote-controlled fireplace. Wow. Point the remote, click a button and instantly have the inviting warmth of a fire. Click other buttons to increase or decrease the flames.<\/p>

Into the showroom and again you are overwhelmed by bikes everywhere – even look up high to see bikes on ledges high above you. New bikes mostly, but a meticulously restored Indian stands gleaming 20 feet above the reception desk.<\/p>

To our left was the parts department where we met Betty Strickland who was busy on the telephone assisting customers. Even though she was on the phone, Betty’s smile was radiant. If you don’t believe that a smile can come through the telephone just give this lady a call.<\/p>

Signs above the main entrance direct to either the Men’s or the Ladies’ department. <\/p>

Shirts and every other kind of bike apparel you might need and an array of boots that is mind boggling.<\/p>

In the motorclothes department Jessika Martin was eager to assist us with any questions or any purchase that we might have. In the few minutes that we were in that department we were very impressed by Jessika – as we were with every Cowboy employee that we met. <\/p>

(When people like their job, like their employers and are treated fairly by the employer it shows through in every thing that they do. Our sense of the people at Cowboy HD was of a very relaxed atmosphere where each person knew their jobs well and respected the other employees. Sort of like the love and respect that you see in some very large, well-adjusted families. That kind of atmosphere says a lot about the owners and managers and how much they respect and value each employee. After all, how often do you see a bike washing area that is indoors with comfort of full heating and air-conditioning?)<\/p>

The accessories area seemed to have just about every piece of after market chrome doo-dad HD has ever made.<\/p>

Need to find a gift for someone special? Cowboy HD has all types of motorcycle related items. Collectors knives. Scale models of many different HD bikes – “Hey look. The lights actually work on that one!”<\/i><\/p>

From the ladies at the receptionists desk to Amy in marketing, from Sharon and Jane in the F & Idepartment to John in Sales, we were impressed with the knowledge, quality and enthusiasm of everyone we met. <\/p>

Tour finished? No. John then pointed out the building next door with a sign saying “HOGG HOUSE”. That piece of property, John told us, the owners bought just to make available to the Cowboy H.O.G. chapter and to any biker passing through the area.<\/p>

When we entered the HOGG HOUSE we saw a large main room with a HD Juke Box, Harley murals on the walls, a HD pinball machine (I need one of those for my house)<\/i> and a pool table room – again with murals painted on the walls.<\/p>

In additon to chapter meetings, the HOGG HOUSE is very active on Friday nights as many of the members come hang out with their friends. Don’t be afraid to drop in if you are passing by on I-10 these people will really make you feel welcome. Phillip Watkins, the chapter director told us that in four years the Cowboy H.O.G. chapter has grown from 40 members to almost 500 at the current time.<\/p>

<\/p>

“We are”<\/i> Phillip said “a chapter that rides. There is some kind of special event for the members almost every week.” <\/i>After meeting Phillip and seeing his enthusiasm as the Director it wasn’t hard to understand why this chapter is growing so rapidly. The Cowboy H.O.G. has an outstanding leader. <\/p>

This chapter will host the Texas State H.O.G. Rally April 25-28, 2002 and the everyone is excited about thousands of their biker friends coming to Beaumont.<\/p>

While photographing some of the vintage bikes on display we met one of the customers, Neal Wright, and had a great time chatting with him for 10 or 15 minutes. Turns out that his wife’s maiden name was “Gore” and came from the same area in Tennessee as my ancestors – got to be a distant relative, I will have to look her up next time I am in Beaumont.<\/p>

Beaumont is part of “cajun country”<\/i> so Cowboy HD provided gumbo for anyone who was hungry. I have lived in New Orleans and I know good gumbo – this was great!<\/p>

This was a Grand Opening event so the festivities soon moved to the stage area with welcoming remarks by the owners and the Mayor of Beaumont. The main speaker, Jeff Bluestein described Cowboy HD as one of the most outstanding facilities in the country. Bluestein also spoke about the September 11 tragedy and announced that the HD Foundation has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross and that HD also donated 30 new police bikes to the NYPD to assist them with their traffic controll. Bluestein talked about the new products such as the VRSCA V-rod, the twin-cam bikes and promised that these, and other recent innovative ideas were only a hint of what is in store for us as HD enters into its second 100 years.<\/p>

<\/p>

The next speaker was “Willie G”<\/i>, grandson of the founder and head of design for HD. Willie G and Jeff Bluestein were two of the small group of managers who had a vision of what HD could become AGAIN and bought the company back from AMF. This group recognized the value of restoring the HD name to a place of respect in the biker communties and they were will to “put their money where their mouth was”<\/i>. HD not only has great products but they are recognized as one of the best companies in the United States to work for.<\/p>

Willie G is a personable, approachable man in spite of his status as an Icon in the motorcycle world. Willie G and Jeff Bluestein were still signing autographs, having photos taken and chatting with people long after their scheduled departure time.<\/p>

This was, after all, a working visit for us as we had a chance to meet with Sales Manager, Joey Hardy to present our plans for the Lone Star Rally<\/a> and to invite Cowboy HD to participate.<\/p>

We asked Joey how they came to have such a huge selection of new bikes from which to choose. Joey described how he has spent months buying inventory from dealers all over the world in order to have plenty of product to sale. By the way, Joey is quite the afficionado of vintage guitars. If you are negotiating on a new bike you might try side-tracking him to talk about collective guitars – maybe he won’t even notice how great a bike deal you are getting.<\/p>

All too soon, the day was over and it was time to head back home. We were very glad that we had a chance to meet such a great group of people and to visit one of the most impressive HD Dealership in the country. We are already trying to find an excuse to return again soon. Anyone out there want to join the BikerTrash staff on a “Cowboy Run”<\/i>?<\/p>

The Cowboy H.O.G. chapter meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. The dealership provides food. If you are interested in joining or just visiting, be sure to drop in. If you are interested in joining Cowboy H.O.G. be sure to attend one of their meetings, you will be a believer.
<\/i><\/p> Cowboy HD is located at 1150 IH 10 South
<\/b>(The HOGG House is next door)
Beaumont, TX 77707
409-840-6969 <\/b>

<\/blockquote>

Archive notice: This article is preserved from the original BikerTrash.com archive. It reflects information available at the time of publication. Please verify dates, locations, prices, links, and other details before relying on them.<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n

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Originally published: 2002Original publication: BikerTrash.comOriginal byline: Not confirmed Cowboy HD – Beaumont Complete Photo Album For several months now our staff has been hearing people talk about the Cowboy Harley-Davidson dealership in Beaumont opening a new store. It had been described as “huge” as a “beautiful building” as an incredible architectural design and just about … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[143],"tags":[420],"class_list":["post-30010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events","tag-e001"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30010"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":901467,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30010\/revisions\/901467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}