MARION - How successful has Black Diamond Harley-Davidson been in Marion since new owners Rodney Cabaness and Shad Zimbro took over the reins a year ago this month?

The business is now averaging 150 motorycles sold per month since March. That is a 500 percent increase in sales compared to last year and ranks Black Diamond No. 1 in the Midwest for the fourth straight month, according to Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Even more impressive, perhaps, is the dealership's No. 2 rating nationwide � trailing only a site in Florida.

Moreover, Black Diamond employs 35 workers full-time, which is more than twice the number it employed a year ago. The customer base has increased by more than 10,000.

And Cabaness and Zimbro purchased 3.2 acres of land earlier this year behind the dealership with plans to build a new 22,000-square-foot facility to support the company's remarkable growth.

"We've been so fortunate. Our success is due in large part to the hard work of our employees," Zimbro said. "We also believe we treat our customers right and the word has spread."

A Sesser native, Zimbro said rising fuel prices also have been a factor, as more people are turning to motorcycles instead of trucks or sport utility vehicles.

"On the low end, you can get 45 miles to the gallon with one of our Harleys and as high as 61 miles," Zimbro said. "The money they're saving in gas helps pay for the motorcycle."

Zimbro said that Black Diamond is somewhat unique in that it will accept not only cars and trucks as trade-ins from customers but also boats, computers, cameras and other items of value.

"We'll turn around and sell that stuff here or wholesale it out," he added.

Asked the most popular model of bike sold, Zimbro said he would have to say the Sportster.

"The touring model used to be the most popular, but now the Sportster is because it is so much more fuel-efficient," he said. "There has been a big rise in sales."

A new Sportster costs anywhere from $7,000 on up with the most expensive bike on the market being the Screamin' Eagle Ultra Classic at about $38,000. The company also deals used motorcycles.

"Harleys hold their value," Zimbro said.

Cabaness, who is also a Sesser native, said having a large inventory is another key to a successful operation.

"We've garnered a reputation of offering a lot of bikes for our customers to choose from," he said. "We also believe we have great prices and are a business that is 100 percent customer focused. And I think our employees get that."

Cabaness said he is humbled by the success of the business and attempts to spread the wealth in the community.

"The least we can do as business owners is give back a little to the people who help support us," he said.

The company donated in excess of $60,000 to charity over the last 12 months.

Cabaness said he doesn't believe there's any magical explanation for one year of booming business at Black Diamond.

"Just make sure that every customer is taken care of to their satisfaction," he said. "If we can continue to do that, hopefully, we'll continue to be successful and grow as a business."

Cabaness and his wife, Karen, have two children, Bryce, 6, and Peyton, 3. Zimbro and his wife, Dana, also have two children, Gavin, 10, and Zoe, 6.

Black Diamond Harley-Davidson is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 9 to 5 on Saturday and 11 to 5 on Sunday.

john.homan@thesouthern.com

351-5805