Well another dealer bites the dust. If your sensitive dont read this post

moto.monk

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It all comes down to ethics. Once upon a time. . . . the bike business was booming, and they got away with questionable ethics. Lose a customer. . . . there's another one right behind him/her. With the decreasing interest in bikes, they better shape their shit up. . . . or there won't be any customers to replace the ones that left.
Bike sales are down no matter the brand and most country's. After riding a 140cc scooter it truly made sense and it cost $700. At that price the labor isnt worth as much as many more people can do it and well its scooter. Its much harder to add perceived value even if it's a vespa at $3400. As far as bikes go I think its going to get worse and small shops will be the way to go if they can manage the astronomical costs of operating especially like here in California.
 

ornery

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Very interesting thread,,,,several different subjects actually being addressed here. Having been a repair (non moto) business for 40 years I see both sides here.

My experience with different bike dealers over the years has varied. At this stage of life, I want a pro to work on it, do a good job and all I do is ride and enjoy it. I try to build relationships and use that to my advantage as a customer. I never begrudge my dealer a profit and tell them so. I also make it clear what I expect for my money. I also tell them if they can't deliver I'll just shake hands and go elsewhere.
I'm not a wealthy man, but I also know money is what turns the world,,,and I use my money to get what I want. I don't know how that reads for most folks, but I demand and usually receive quality service. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Here in AZ I HIGHLY recommend GO AZ Motorcycles in Scottsdale, Sierra Cycles in Sierra Vista, Show Low Motorsports in Show Low and not least, my brother Scott Smith "The Bikesmith" he's a custom mechanic with a mobile shop and dyno, and no I don't bother him to work on my bikes, he's too busy working on others that will pay him. I have purchased bikes, gear and had service done at all of these dealers and had EXCELLENT service.., LOLOLOL,,,as they say YMMV:cool: Cheers!
 

LJM

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Bike sales are down no matter the brand and most country's. After riding a 140cc scooter it truly made sense and it cost $700. At that price the labor isnt worth as much as many more people can do it and well its scooter. Its much harder to add perceived value even if it's a vespa at $3400. As far as bikes go I think its going to get worse and small shops will be the way to go if they can manage the astronomical costs of operating especially like here in California.
Aw man, after reading your post I googled U.S. motorcycle sales & surprised/sadden to see the data which kinda explains the decline in shops. Good news is the manufactures are putting out some great bikes these days & still spending money on R&D even 2 stroke tech is evolving gotta love that !
Are choices of what to ride are better than ever I guess we just won't be able to get em repaired !!
 

moto.monk

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Aw man, after reading your post I googled U.S. motorcycle sales & surprised/sadden to see the data which kinda explains the decline in shops. Good news is the manufactures are putting out some great bikes these days & still spending money on R&D even 2 stroke tech is evolving gotta love that !
Are choices of what to ride are better than ever I guess we just won't be able to get em repaired !!
Ya there trying new market/ sales strategies. That's why your seeing more smaller bikes but it will time to see if works. I doubt it will work as things are getting more expensive not just bikes. I think it has to be something radically different, efficient and cheap. Also on a side note that's why when I went Bert's mega mall they didnt want to work on my bike it's not worth it to them.
 
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Wallkeeper

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In Minnesota, we had a slow start to the season but by season end there was a surge of new registrations. As I understand it, the new registrations were in the "lighter weight" bikes. I heard their was also a surge in boat, ATV and RV sales too.

We also saw a surge in the demand for the States/MSF BRC endorsement classes. At season end this year we were adding classes up until shut down last week. Normally we are shedding classes in Sept/Oct for lack of sign ups.

How this will all total out at the end of calendar year? Remains to be seen I think
 

moto.monk

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In Minnesota, we had a slow start to the season but by season end there was a surge of new registrations. As I understand it, the new registrations were in the "lighter weight" bikes. I heard their was also a surge in boat, ATV and RV sales too.

We also saw a surge in the demand for the States/MSF BRC endorsement classes. At season end this year we were adding classes up until shut down last week. Normally we are shedding classes in Sept/Oct for lack of sign ups.

How this will all total out at the end of calendar year? Remains to be seen I think
It shows signs if market recovery with the new strategy however to what levels like you said remains to be been. Someone posted a HD sales are up in last few months but they where not looking at sales from the last few years. I think this marketing stuff is cool, that change is here but good or bad? Well....
 

Sierra1

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. . . . I heard their was also a surge in boat, ATV and RV sales too. . . .
Apparently anything that gets you outdoors is in high demand. Oddly enough, with all the bikes that have been sold around here, I haven't seen any of them on the road. Just the same smattering of cruisers, and tourers.
 

moto.monk

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Apparently anything that gets you outdoors is in high demand. Oddly enough, with all the bikes that have been sold around here, I haven't seen any of them on the road. Just the same smattering of cruisers, and tourers.
Might be that people are outdoors more and theres a nice discount on inventory that's been sitting for awhile. However well what one feels can change from time to time. Like when someone says I ride a lot and have been for 20 years but only on the weekends in 75 degree weather. :D
 

Sierra1

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. . . . Like when someone says I ride a lot and have been for 20 years but only on the weekends in 75 degree weather. :D
That always makes me laugh. Friend of mine that I'd know for years was buying a bike. I told to make sure he took a MSF course. He quickly told me that he'd been riding his whole life. When asked him when the last time he'd been on a bike, he admitted that it had been awhile. I'd never known him to have ever ridden. Even after he got the bike, he was only a fair weather rider, on the weekends.
 

Korsair

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When I first got my used 2012 ST, I took it to a place in AZ I won't name but it rimes with "Hide How".
I told them I wanted the works...All new fluids, fork seals, spark plugs, air filter, brake pads, fuel injector cleaning...pretty much an overall tune up.
I told them to take their time cause I wanted it done right.
After dropping the bike off, the employee said, "it's a 9 hour job, should be done by tomorrow late evening". I reminded him that I was not pressed for time, and to please let the mechanic know that so he doesn't stress about meeting his time.
The next day I arrive to pick up my ST, and she looked horrible. Now, I'm not a nit picker, but the bike looked worse than when I dropped her off. Grease stains everywhere. Antifreeze splatter on the engine and frame. More unidentified stains on the seats (I eventually had to power wash off).and when I touched my grips, my hands were black....
I let the employee know who set this whole thing up that I was a bit disappointed the mechanic didn't take pride in his work.
He looked annoyed at my comment and then had the audacity to say "Man, this bike is hated".

He tried to convince me to let her stay another day or two to fix some recall issue that I didn't know I had. He said something about the throttle sticking and that Yamaha had a recall. He even went as far as to show me a website proving what he was saying was true.
I think that he wanted to keep her there to unscrew whatever wasn't done right in the first place. (Maybe I was just paranoid).

I paid them for the parts and labor which was way over priced ($1800) and rode her straight to the self serve car wash.

Fast forward three months later, my fork seals were leaking again. (I do not wheelie her, nor take jumps).
Since I do not own the equipment to do the work myself, I was referred to a small ma n' pa shop further away from "Hide How".
They did the work, and showed me that the seals that were put on were not the same ones I ordered. Chinese brand part number did not match the Yamaha OEM parts number on my receipt. The same happened with the brake pads. Or should I say "never" happened, since they never swapped them out. The mechanic told me I needed new pads and I told him they're three months old.

My paranoia from my earlier comment turned out to be true.

In conclusion, all of us riders have similar experiences with big name dealers. The vibe from just walking in "Hide How" that I would feel was "Look at this loser...".
I've been going the extra 15 miles to the ma n' pa shop anytime I needed tires and serious work done. They do an amazing job, and respect their customers.

If you're in the Phoenix area, and need a good reference, message me and I'll give you their info.
 
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