[VFR4Lee]

Pleased to say it went well, especially since the next closest MC shop is at least an hour away.

There is only one shop in the entire valley where we moved last fall, and until now I did not have occasion to go there, as they are mainly a repair shop with maybe a couple customer bikes on consignment. Also they are Harley centric. I suppose that works for them, there are a lot of Harleys here.

Had a nail in my tire, back tire of course. Was keeping the air in, but had to get fixed regardless. Good thing it held air because I did not really want to be taking the wheel off in our gravel driveway. so I rode it over there after calling ahead. They were OK with plugging the tire, usual charge all of $10. Had a hard time with it. I could see, because they don't say that customers must stay out of the shop for "insurance company rules".

So the plug gun just wore out and they told me it was 5 yo and worked great, until today. No mushroom plug for me, they went with the backup rope type plug. Got it fixed. Shop owner showed me the tire on his computer Very reasonable price, I said I know where to go when it is time to replace.

They sent me on my way, no charge. Even though the struggle must have taken at least half an hour. They gotta new customer for sure.

South Lake Cycle
.

 

[thedrewski86]

Can't argue with that kind of service. Hopefully they prove just as good on the more extensive work.

 

[Geo Smith]

Yes, it's odd the dearth of motorcycle dealerships. When I was coming up we had two Honda dealerships, and one each of Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. Today there is one shop that is similar to the one you mentioned Lee. No franchise, just a shop and some, what appears to be, consignment bikes for sale. In the olden days we had lots of brands.

Funny story, I think I've shared here in past posts, my father made it pretty big in the oil business. So he, of course, bought a Yamaha dealership. In the end, he lost his ass with that investment, but we had the badest-ass motocross team in the South for a number of seasons. Fun stuff.

But it still puzzles me, the lack of motorcycle dealerships today. Maybe it's just a bad investment? Don't know. Seems all the action is for yuppies wanting to hurt themselves on Harleys they don't know how to ride.

 

[VFR4Lee]

I guess the MC dealer biz is a tough one. Where I am is about 20,000 or so people.
No MC dealers, not even a WalMart ffs.

The closest "big" town is Bakersfield, about an hour away. They have dealers, and big box stores.
Except when the canyon road is closed. Then, you can't get there from here. Hello, rockslide?

Goodbye city life.

 

[Soulspinner]

Pleased to say it went well, especially since the next closest MC shop is at least an hour away.

There is only one shop in the entire valley where we moved last fall, and until now I did not have occasion to go there, as they are mainly a repair shop with maybe a couple customer bikes on consignment. Also they are Harley centric. I suppose that works for them, there are a lot of Harleys here.

Had a nail in my tire, back tire of course. Was keeping the air in, but had to get fixed regardless. Good thing it held air because I did not really want to be taking the wheel off in our gravel driveway. so I rode it over there after calling ahead. They were OK with plugging the tire, usual charge all of $10. Had a hard time with it. I could see, because they don't say that customers must stay out of the shop for "insurance company rules".

So the plug gun just wore out and they told me it was 5 yo and worked great, until today. No mushroom plug for me, they went with the backup rope type plug. Got it fixed. Shop owner showed me the tire on his computer Very reasonable price, I said I know where to go when it is time to replace.

Why not a mushroom plug?
Many motorcycle tire manufacturers only recommend this plug. I've used it twice and no problems.

Stop & Go Replacement Patch and Plug Kit - 3002

www.jpcycles.com

 

[VFR4Lee]

Why not a mushroom plug?

Plug gun died today,

 

[RichDesmond]

...But it still puzzles me, the lack of motorcycle dealerships today. Maybe it's just a bad investment?

Not puzzling at all. Capitalism 101. Motorcycle dealerships and independent shops generally don't have a very good ROI.
The 2008-2009 recession drove a lot of motorcycle businesses under, and the "recovery" in the industry has been slow and weak.

I've had opportunities to be in that end of the business, and passed every time. As much as I like the idea of it, it made no financial sense.

 

[Pavement Tested]

The 2008-2009 recession drove a lot of motorcycle businesses under, and the "recovery" in the industry has been slow and weak.

Not to steer this down a potentially ugly path but it doesn't help that the latest generations are generally averse to motorcycling.

 

[Geo Smith]

the latest generations are generally averse to motorcycling

Yes, unfortunately, it seems the mechanical inclination mine and earlier generations were brought up with has left us. Seems young'uns don't want to get their hands dirty anymore. And ultimately, if you own a bike you will. I blame it on Steve Jobs. LOL

 

[MattTriesToDoThings]

Yes, unfortunately, it seems the mechanical inclination mine and earlier generations were brought up with has left us. Seems young'uns don't want to get their hands dirty anymore. And ultimately, if you own a bike you will. I blame it on Steve Jobs. LOL

That's not totally true. It may be that they have no interest in paying for dealer services when information is so much more freely available that they can do the maintenance themselves. I remember paying $80 to have two tires mounted and balanced on my FZR600. That was probably close to a decade ago--the whole experience was shitty. I haven't paid a dealer for anything since. Between service manuals, internet forums, and youtube... there is less of a reason to be at a dealership.

 

[Pavement Tested]

That's not totally true. It may be that they have no interest in paying for dealer services when information is so much more freely available that they can do the maintenance themselves. I remember paying $80 to have two tires mounted and balanced on my FZR600. That was probably close to a decade ago--the whole experience was shitty. I haven't paid a dealer for anything since. Between service manuals, internet forums, and youtube... there is less of a reason to be at a dealership.

It has nothing to do with availability of information. I would argue that there are significantly less members of the younger generations that do things for themselves despite the increased availability of information on how to do it. If it doesn't involve a screen, keyboard, mouse or controller, they don't want to do it. Yes, the thrill seeking crowd does still exist and seems to be very prevalent with the ever growing number of videos on the internet but the ones content to watch the shenanigans far outweigh the ones willing to do them.

Motorcycle sales are down across the board. Dealerships can't stay open if they aren't selling anything. This was a growing issue before the pandemic and was only accelerated by it for some due to lack of product to sell. The younger generations have been raised in a sheltered environment where anything that involves personal risk is frowned upon. Motorcycling is inherently dangerous and they've been steered away from it with years of coddling and pampering to the point that throwing a leg over a death machine motorcycle is unfathomable and paralyzes them with fear.

Example: My Nana had a "no motorcycles" rule because her brother got hurt on one when he was young, some time in the 50's or 60's. Mom adopted this rule for no reason other than that's what her mom said. She had no personal experience with motorcycles. My dad had bikes and even worked in a bike shop in his 20's. He used to tell me stories about his riding but he "wasn't allowed" to have a bike anymore and therefore I was not allowed to get one either. After joining the Navy right out of high school the 2nd thing I bought was a motorcycle.

 

[Geo Smith]

Damn PT, you make a lot of points and a lot of sense. And no Matt (my friend with whom I have a severe case of garage envy), not in every case. I speak only of personal observation.

As PT pointed out so succinctly,

The younger generations have been raised in a sheltered environment where anything that involves personal risk is frowned upon.

The idea of "participation trophies", not counting results if they tried hard, reward participation rather than accomplishment, so no one is offended, and the precious little ones don't get (their feelings) hurt. This is how the descriptive "snowflake" came about. This type of coddling, in my humble opinion, began around 20-30 years ago, but has mushroomed within the last decade. Again, I blame Steve Jobs.

So yes, it is certainly a challenging environment for the motorcycle industry (except for the yupsters and plumbers killing themselves on Harley's). How you we attract future generations to a rugged, kick-ass, get-your-hands-dirty sport when they are more interested in video screens and the latest TikTok rave?

Oh, and Lee, sorry to hijack your thread. But we're having fun. And your new locale sounds awesome.

 

[VFR4Lee]

And your new locale sounds awesome.

It is.

 

[Geo Smith]

Bitch.

 

[VFR4Lee]

See todays ride thread.

 

[Geo Smith]

Is that snow? My kids would kill for that.

 

[Pavement Tested]

Yeah, sorry for the hijack... I agree with Geo, sounds pretty good where you live aside from it being within the confines of CA.

I also reside in a great location but a shit place to live, if that makes sense. They call it WA.

 

[VFR4Lee]

Is that snow? My kids would kill for that.

No need to kill, the white shite falls from the sky for free now and then.

Cali is a horrible place to live. That is why so many rock stars and movie stars are here when they can afford to live anywhere they want..

We recommend you come to visit, spend all your money, then go home.

 

[Geo Smith]

We recommend you come to visit, spend all your money, then go home.

Love that. But I've already spent far too much time there. But thanks for the invite.

 

[Geo Smith]

I also reside in a great location but a shit place to live, if that makes sense. They call it WA.

Yea, bad governance can turn anyplace into a shithole, given enough time. Any state on the Pacific coast is a prime example. Nothing political, just an observation from an armchair economist.