Gatto Cycle Shop to Three Rivers Harley-Davidson: George Gatto’s 60-Year Family Legacy of Grit & Growth | One Gang Worldwide Ep124

In this episode of One Gang Worldwide, we sit down with George Gatto, the man behind one of Pennsylvania’s most iconic motorcycle legacies, a story that spans 60 years, three generations, and the evolution of Gatto Cycle Shop into the powerhouse known today as Three Rivers Harley-Davidson.

George takes us all the way back to his earliest memories inside the family shop, sharing raw and honest stories about growing up in a business built on grit, loyalty, and old-school values. From unexpected characters who shaped his childhood… to the moments that tested the family name… to the decision that changed everything: expanding into Harley-Davidson.

He opens up about:

• The hard lessons that only a family business can teach
• The bold move to consolidate multiple Harley stores into one thriving dealership
• The leadership challenges no rider ever sees, recessions, OEM pressure, cultural shifts, and industry upheaval
• The turning points that nearly broke the business… and the decisions that saved it
• Why he helped launch the National Powersports Dealer Association (NPDA)
• What dealers are facing today that the corporate world doesn’t talk about

George also shares his perspective on the new direction of Harley-Davidson, why the industry desperately needs unity, and what the next generation must understand if they want to keep this culture alive.

This is more than a business story. It’s the story of a family name, a legacy built brick by brick, and a man who refused to let six decades of history fade.

If you love motorcycles, leadership stories, or the real truth behind the powersports industry, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

00:00 Introduction to George Gatto

01:21 Rapid Fire Questions

05:54 Early Life and Family Background

10:03 Challenges and Growth in the Motorcycle Business

15:11 Harley-Davidson Expansion and Consolidation

21:02 Leadership and Industry Insights

25:22 Dealing with Corporate Challenges

41:02 Networking and Business Organizations

42:06 Joining the YPO Forum

42:39 Impact of Garage Composites 20 Group

44:43 Leading People: Lessons from Experience

46:17 Navigating Hardships: The Recession and COVID

48:37 Challenges in the Motorcycle Industry

52:21 Founding the National Power Sports Dealers Association

01:12:53 The Importance of Unity and Collective Voice

01:17:34 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Connect with George:

 Website: https://www.npda.org/board-of-directors-2025/george-gatto

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/george-gatto-5439b59/

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