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Dimitris Raptis has spent nearly two decades helping lead two of the most iconic motorcycle brands in the world across some of the industry's most complex international markets.
After beginning his career in Greece with Kawasaki, Dimitris joined BMW Motorrad, eventually moving to BMW headquarters in Munich and taking on leadership responsibilities across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and beyond. After 15 years with BMW, he joined Harley-Davidson, ultimately serving as Vice President of Asia Pacific and overseeing markets including Japan, China, India, Australia, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
In this episode of the One Gang Worldwide Podcast, Dimitris takes us inside a side of the motorcycle industry most people rarely get to see. We talk about the differences between BMW and Harley-Davidson, how motorcycle culture changes from country to country, why a strategy that succeeds in one market can completely fail in another, and how dealer and distributor networks operate around the world.
We also dig into the explosive importance of India and China, the rise of Asian motorcycle manufacturers, what separates great dealerships from average ones, and where Dimitris believes the biggest opportunities for the global motorcycle industry may be heading next.
Few people have experienced the motorcycle business from this many countries, cultures, and perspectives. This conversation gives us a fascinating look at just how different and surprisingly similar the motorcycle world can be depending on where you ride.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:23 Rapid Fire Icebreaker
06:47 Sponsor Message
07:18 Growing Up in Greece
08:54 From Engineering to Kawasaki
10:49 Greek Market and Best Sellers
12:26 Joining BMW Motorrad Greece
13:56 BMW Culture and Dealer Standards
16:12 Global BMW Role and Market Insights
19:44 Rider Behavior Across Countries
22:00 Distributor vs Dealer Models
24:09 Why India Matters
28:32 Royal Enfield and Affordable Premium
31:03 Switching from BMW to Harley
34:36 BMW vs Harley Culture
40:28 China and India Opportunity
43:44 What Makes Dealers Great
46:35 BMW China Growth Playbook
48:05 Entry Models and Pricing
53:01 Dream OEM Mix
55:18 Electric Bikes Reality Check
01:01:58 Leading Across Cultures
01:06:17 Launching a New Market
01:08:45 Harley Future Strategy
01:14:15 Legacy and Wrap Up
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