I live in Springfield Illinois, pop 110,000. I've personally seen a grand total on ONE, and that guy was from out of town. I talked to him at a local bike shop. This was a few years ago, he bought his bike in Chicago, a 3 hour drive north. I'm not saying there's not more, but I pay attention to the bikes I see on the road.
I think RE could do good in this area. This is motorcycle country. We have the Springfield Mile race twice a year, and there's a healthy vintage bike community in town. I'd love to have one, that's why I lurk around this website. But, with the sparse dealer network, it'll probably stay this way.....not too many people are going to drive 3 or 4 hours to buy a bike.