Becoming a motorcycle dealer?

[DODO``]

Hi all,

It's a bold claim I know but I am looking into becoming a motorcycle dealer in the future.

Possibly in Auckland or Sydney.

I'm currently working as an architect and I think its about a point in my life where things change.

As a complete beginner I simply ask..


Whats involved? and where do I start??


Any comments would be appreciated Thanks all.
J

[James Deuce]

You need a large fortune to turn into a small fortune and a really appalling attitude to effective communication and customer service.

Oh, and you need to refresh your financial systems every couple of years after losing all of your customer's payment records so you can repeatedly bill them for things they've paid for.

[DODO``]

You need a large fortune to turn into a small fortune and a really appalling attitude to effective communication and customer service.

Oh, and you need to refresh your financial systems every couple of years after losing all of your customer's payment records so you can repeatedly bill them for things they've paid for.

cool. I'll take your comment like a bible and live by it :msn-wink:

[James Deuce]

You wouldn't be the first.

[Grumph]

JD is basically correct...The only dealers who make money are those who regard bikes as just another commodity and have no attatchment to them at all.
If this is you, fine, have at it.

[R650R]

Have you your own architecture business or just employed as one. Cause the really hard thing in any business is selling yourself/product/services and running the business.
Even if you lucked into a major desireable brand I'm sure its not easy work.
My Uncle used to sell new BMW cars (and other major brands before that), he put some serious hours into it though...

[Akzle]

1 - troll trademe for "cheap" bikez.
2 - buy bikes and move them to auckland, because people in auckland are fucking stupid and pay lots for things that aren't worth SFA
3 - ???
4 - $$$ :D

[DODO``]

Have you your own architecture business or just employed as one. Cause the really hard thing in any business is selling yourself/product/services and running the business.
Even if you lucked into a major desireable brand I'm sure its not easy work.
My Uncle used to sell new BMW cars (and other major brands before that), he put some serious hours into it though...

Just as employee. But I have been working closely with newly established architecture company and seen their struggle.
I understand starting any business is challenging.

Does anyone know what actually is involved though? such as what sort of licence or cert do I need? Where do I buy the bikes from... etc etc.

I don't have million dollars to spare and am willing to start small and hopefully grow from there.

cheers guys.

[Murray]

Its got to be said

DODO DON'TDON'T

[DODO``]

Its got to be said

DODO DON'TDON'T

PAH! :lol:

[DODO``]

1 - troll trademe for "cheap" bikez.
2 - buy bikes and move them to auckland, because people in auckland are fucking stupid and pay lots for things that aren't worth SFA
3 - ???
4 - $$$ :D

Thanks, I like the way you think.

Trademe is awesome but I dont wish my potential future career to depend on tradme only,

where might be my other source of buying the 2nd hand bikes?

Cheers

[Katman]

As a complete beginner I simply ask..


Whats involved? and where do I start??


Any comments would be appreciated Thanks all.
J

You'll be chewed up and spat out within a week.

[DODO``]

You'll be chewed up and spat out within a week.

and you can eat that off of the ground :tugger:

[Katman]

and you can eat that off of the ground :tugger:

It was an observation - not an attack on you.

But meh, whatever.

[Maha]

My wife Anne and her first husband started Warkworth Motorcycles in the 80's, a Suzuki/Kawasaki dealership. I'll point this thread in her direction.

[haydes55]

Thanks, I like the way you think.



Trademe is awesome but I dont wish my potential future career to depend on tradme only,



where might be my other source of buying the 2nd hand bikes?



Cheers


You'll need to register as a motor vehicle dealer obviously.

If you want to sell new bikes you would need to find a brand that hasn't got a dealer nearby with an agreement to be exclusive dealers in a set area. Judging by what I can see, you could be a Yamaha dealer almost anywhere in the country.

Buying used bikes would be easiest from turners/other auctions. However most profitable from Japanese auctions and bulk shipped over (more paperwork, but converting paperwork into profit isn't too bad).

Poach a decent mechanic, get a couple of other qualified mechanics and an apprentice. Then spend thousands upon thousands on tools, lifts, equipment and consumables.

You might want to have a half pub/café, half dealership, locate it at the end of a fun twisty road, and call it mecca.

[DODO``]

My wife Anne and her first husband started Warkworth Motorcycles in the 80's, a Suzuki/Kawasaki dealership. I'll point this thread in her direction.

Thank you that would mean the world. :headbang:

[James Deuce]

Becoming a Yamaha dealer is not easy. Yamaha NZ expect a substantial initial financial input. Your entire financial picture is under constant scrutiny and you'd really want to have a limited liability company setup before entering into any agreement.

[DODO``]

You'll need to register as a motor vehicle dealer obviously.

If you want to sell new bikes you would need to find a brand that hasn't got a dealer nearby with an agreement to be exclusive dealers in a set area. Judging by what I can see, you could be a Yamaha dealer almost anywhere in the country.

Buying used bikes would be easiest from turners/other auctions. However most profitable from Japanese auctions and bulk shipped over (more paperwork, but converting paperwork into profit isn't too bad).

Poach a decent mechanic, get a couple of other qualified mechanics and an apprentice. Then spend thousands upon thousands on tools, lifts, equipment and consumables.

You might want to have a half pub/café, half dealership, locate it at the end of a fun twisty road, and call it mecca.

This is gold. Thank you sir.

So just like the 2nd hand car yards huh?
I will want the workshop its just in my nature but its not a must right? (I only ask because I know some CAR dealers don't have any workshop)

will have a small workshop at the back.. showroom in the middle and some tables and coffee machine at front.

[Swoop]

Add to the fact that stocking/selling multiple brands of motorcycles will normally end up with one brand demanding that you cease-and-desist associating with other brands. This then ends any form of profitability, resulting in you going bust.

[AllanB]

Best to have a marketing angle the others do not have.

In Sydney maybe your could specialise in the gay motorcycle market?

[Katman]

The motorcycle industry is a bitter and twisted one even at it's entry level.

To enter into it with zero experience is a cute but shockingly naive notion.

[Katman]

I will want the workshop its just in my nature but its not a must right? (I only ask because I know some CAR dealers don't have any workshop)


Motorcycle dealers survive (or die) on their workshops.

To think anything else is showing a total lack of understanding of the whole 'selling bikes' business.

[bogan]

Motorcycle dealers survive on their workshops.

To think anything else is showing a total lack of understanding of the whole 'selling bikes' business.

And pursuant to JD's earlier advice, make sure you get the most ham fisted spanner monkeys you can find so you can charge out long times, and lots of re-work.

[EJK]

Motorcycle dealers survive (or die) on their workshops.

To think anything else is showing a total lack of understanding of the whole 'selling bikes' business.

+1

Don't quit your day job DODO.

[merv]

My wife Anne and her first husband started Warkworth Motorcycles in the 80's, a Suzuki/Kawasaki dealership.

Does that have something to do with why he isn't her husband any more?

[Katman]

Does that have something to do with why he isn't her husband any more?

Either that or Anne just lowered her standards.

[DODO``]

Add to the fact that stocking/selling multiple brands of motorcycles will normally end up with one brand demanding that you cease-and-desist associating with other brands. This then ends any form of profitability, resulting in you going bust.
But this don't happen in Car yards right? So its just a motorcycle thing is it?

[fridayflash]

nice dream mate, but seriously..ask any investor with cash if eh/she would buy a motorcycle shop and the answer would be no! stick with your job and buy and sell on trademe to fund your riding lifestyle like the rest of us do. seriously, a mate of mine could tell you what its like to have a dozen new bikes sitting on the shop floor when the 'new' model year rolls around :wacko:
the advice your getting on here isnt a case of quashing your dreams...its bonafide warnings against a bad idea

[Katman]

nice dream mate, but seriously..ask any investor with cash if eh/she would buy a motorcycle shop and the answer would be no! stick with your job and buy and sell on trademe to fund your riding lifestyle like the rest of us do. seriously, a mate of mine could tell you what its like to have a dozen new bikes sitting on the shop floor when the 'new' model year rolls around :wacko:
the advice your getting on here isnt a case of quashing your dreams...its bonafide warnings against a bad idea

Shssssh.

You're ruining the fun.

[EJK]

nice dream mate, but seriously..ask any investor with cash if eh/she would buy a motorcycle shop and the answer would be no! stick with your job and buy and sell on trademe to fund your riding lifestyle like the rest of us do. seriously, a mate of mine could tell you what its like to have a dozen new bikes sitting on the shop floor when the 'new' model year rolls around :wacko:
the advice your getting on here isnt a case of quashing your dreams...its bonafide warnings against a bad idea

Are you saying he'll become extinct?

[R650R]

Just as employee. But I have been working closely with newly established architecture company and seen their struggle.
I understand starting any business is challenging.

I don't have million dollars to spare and am willing to start small and hopefully grow from there.



Oh dear so you'll be needing to hire employees as well then. There's been a few bigger projects I'd like to do but would involve hiring workers/assistants, then being responsible for their OSH, welfare and screw-ups and that's before the client has paid the bill. Just buying a few cameras, lenses and lights (let alone motorcycle workshop gear) for my photo stuff has added up to large bill, luckily I'm freehold or I'd be toast financially.

Really in your case I'd recommend buying an existing business that is successful and has good staff and just sit back and let it keep ticking over.
Starting anything from scratch is WAY harder than you can imagine. And out of all the people who tell you beforehand that your awesome at what you do, only about 10% can prob afford to buy your product and only about 10% of that 10% eg 1% will end up buying something or services. And that's out of people that already know you and trust you.

[carburator]

Hi all,

It's a bold claim I know but I am looking into becoming a motorcycle dealer in the future.

Possibly in Auckland or Sydney.

I'm currently working as an architect and I think its about a point in my life where things change.

As a complete beginner I simply ask..


Whats involved? and where do I start??


Any comments would be appreciated Thanks all.
J

it would be nice to have a somewhat decent motorbike shop in Auckland besides the big four.. but I digress..
If your seriously asking these questions on KB our either a good windup to just plain dumb.

I consistently have over 100K in one line of stock on the shop wall, and hell IM a small fry in the outdoor game.
SOR or consignment these days is bullshit 20th of the month Ive got to find the money to pay for stock.
As a small business owner ( you have to surround yourself with good staff that go the extra mile for the customer
but also have the brains and nous to look after your bottom line. )

mate I could sit here and list the do's and don'ts but I do think Hans is still got scooter emotion for sale...

[Madness]

Takapuna is literally screaming for a new bike dealership. You should look at importing Chinese pit bikes and scroters I reckon, fuck that Japanese shit.

[Katman]

You should look at importing Chinese pit bikes and scroters I reckon....

Fuck yeah, like everyone else.

[Gremlin]

Piece of good advice I was once given. Don't turn your passion/hobby into a job, or it will be ruined.

As said, to make a small fortune in the industry, start out with a large one.

You'll likely need to speak to a finance company for a floor plan, basically the cashflow for all the bikes. Depends how large you'll start out, what market you'll target etc.

As said as well, if you have no industry experience, you're in for a fun ride.

[BlackSheepLogic]

Motorcycle dealers survive (or die) on their workshops.

To think anything else is showing a total lack of understanding of the whole 'selling bikes' business.

As a customer, if you don't have a workshop with a very good reputation for work performed your not on my list. If there's an issue with a bike you sold, how would you address the problem - Send them to one of your competitors with a workshop?

[pritch]

It is possible that kiwi motorcyclists aren't the best people to have as customers. The number of threads on KB whinging about various dealerships would appear to support that supposition.

[Ribit]

Dont bother setting up one in Auckland.

There's already 12 plus a couple of scooter dealers that i know of.

Spectrum
Bmw
cyclespot honda
holeshot
ducati
Hyosung
yamaha/Cycletreads
Indian/victory
KTL
Red Baron
Colemans
Experience motorcycles

plus scootling and motormail!

[scott411]

as someone that has been there, , (I just left the industry after 20 years, and owned a multi franchise dealership for 10 of those) as said above, you end up riding a motorcycle for fun less than ever,

but if you still want to do it,

You need to know what you want to do, do you want to be a franchise dealer? or just an accessory place, or do you want a workshop,

if you want to sell bikes, you need to become a motor vehicle trader (pretty easy, can do online here in NZ, then down to court to get some papers signed, and renew it every year, not sure about Aussie)

Some distributors are easier to deal with than others, but all will look at your business model, and back ground,

its not an easy industry at times, (i dont think there are many of these anymore) but there are some awesome poeple in it, and you make some very good freinds from customers and other bike shop owners,

of course you can look at buying an already established dealer, trademe is the place to look for those, but be aware, jsut buying the business does not mean you will automatically get all the franchises,

if you want me info PM me, happy to help,

[DODO``]

Shssssh.

You're ruining the fun.
Katman. Fuck off. Keyboard warrior.

[DODO``]

nice dream mate, but seriously..ask any investor with cash if eh/she would buy a motorcycle shop and the answer would be no! stick with your job and buy and sell on trademe to fund your riding lifestyle like the rest of us do. seriously, a mate of mine could tell you what its like to have a dozen new bikes sitting on the shop floor when the 'new' model year rolls around :wacko:
the advice your getting on here isnt a case of quashing your dreams...its bonafide warnings against a bad idea
Cheers bud.

[DODO``]

Oh dear so you'll be needing to hire employees as well then. There's been a few bigger projects I'd like to do but would involve hiring workers/assistants, then being responsible for their OSH, welfare and screw-ups and that's before the client has paid the bill. Just buying a few cameras, lenses and lights (let alone motorcycle workshop gear) for my photo stuff has added up to large bill, luckily I'm freehold or I'd be toast financially.

Really in your case I'd recommend buying an existing business that is successful and has good staff and just sit back and let it keep ticking over.
Starting anything from scratch is WAY harder than you can imagine. And out of all the people who tell you beforehand that your awesome at what you do, only about 10% can prob afford to buy your product and only about 10% of that 10% eg 1% will end up buying something or services. And that's out of people that already know you and trust you.
Thanks but for the start I'm thinking small. No hiring. So yes very small.

[DODO``]

it would be nice to have a somewhat decent motorbike shop in Auckland besides the big four.. but I digress..
If your seriously asking these questions on KB our either a good windup to just plain dumb.

I consistently have over 100K in one line of stock on the shop wall, and hell IM a small fry in the outdoor game.
SOR or consignment these days is bullshit 20th of the month Ive got to find the money to pay for stock.
As a small business owner ( you have to surround yourself with good staff that go the extra mile for the customer
but also have the brains and nous to look after your bottom line. )

mate I could sit here and list the do's and don'ts but I do think Hans is still got scooter emotion for sale...
Cool thank you sir this is gold

[DODO``]

as someone that has been there, , (I just left the industry after 20 years, and owned a multi franchise dealership for 10 of those) as said above, you end up riding a motorcycle for fun less than ever,

but if you still want to do it,

You need to know what you want to do, do you want to be a franchise dealer? or just an accessory place, or do you want a workshop,

if you want to sell bikes, you need to become a motor vehicle trader (pretty easy, can do online here in NZ, then down to court to get some papers signed, and renew it every year, not sure about Aussie)

Some distributors are easier to deal with than others, but all will look at your business model, and back ground,

its not an easy industry at times, (i dont think there are many of these anymore) but there are some awesome poeple in it, and you make some very good freinds from customers and other bike shop owners,

of course you can look at buying an already established dealer, trademe is the place to look for those, but be aware, jsut buying the business does not mean you will automatically get all the franchises,

if you want me info PM me, happy to help,
Thank you sir.

[Mike.Gayner]

you'd really want to have a limited liability company setup before entering into any agreement.

Wouldn't make any difference in most cases - anyone who has a financial stake isn't going to rely on a closely held limited company - they'll insist on personal guarantees over everything, on top of securities over personal assets.

[Gremlin]

Dont bother setting up one in Auckland.

There's already 12 plus a couple of scooter dealers that i know of.
You missed Botany Honda.
AJ / Motohaus
Another in Kumeu (name escapes me)

Then, probably more telling, is all the dealers that have gone under in the last 5 years (arbitrary number).
- Haldanes
- TMG
- Triple X Moto
- dang... I know there were more

[pritch]

Katman. Fuck off. Keyboard warrior.

Last I heard Katman was better qualified than the average keyboard warrior to comment in a thread like this. He was reputed to be the owner operator of a small motorcycle related business? Mind you it is true that his online manner does sometimes need work. :whistle:

[DODO``]

Last I heard Katman was better qualified than the average keyboard warrior to comment in a thread like this. He was reputed to be the owner operator of a small motorcycle related business? Mind you it is true that his online manner does sometimes need work. :whistle:
Well. as they say if u can survive here on KB, you can survive anywhere.

[TheDemonLord]

As I understand it, becoming a motorcycle dealer is much the same as becoming a drug dealer.

Except with More motorcylces and motorcyclists and less cocaine and crack whores.

[Akzle]

As I understand it, becoming a motorcycle dealer is much the same as becoming a drug dealer.

Except with More motorcylces and motorcyclists and less cocaine and crack whores.

i dunno dude... plenty of motorcycles and motorcyclists in my life...

[HenryDorsetCase]

This is gold. Thank you sir.

So just like the 2nd hand car yards huh?
I will want the workshop its just in my nature but its not a must right? (I only ask because I know some CAR dealers don't have any workshop)

will have a small workshop at the back.. showroom in the middle and some tables and coffee machine at front.

car dealership is not equal to motorbike dealership.

I counsel you in the strongest possible terms to not proceed with this. Keep your passion as a hobby. Go earn a bloody good living doing what you trained all those years to do and spend all your money on motorbikes. It works for me. If you go into the trade then not only will you spend all your money you will lose your house, your wife, and you will get sick of the sight of motorbikes.

Plus as someone else mentioned taking a large pile of money and turning it into a small one.

Want some advice? take a year off and go and work at a motorbike shop as a sales drone or something. then after a month go and do architecture again.

I am currently doing an interpretive dance about the wonders of modern architecture as applied to a post apocalyptic environment. What do you think?

[HenryDorsetCase]

But this don't happen in Car yards right? So its just a motorcycle thing is it?

lots of people NEED cars: they are a commodity. No one NEEDS a motorbike. Plus the relative volumes make it a mostly viable business model

[Maha]

Either that or Anne just lowered her standards.

I knew our wives had something in common...:corn:

[HenryDorsetCase]

Wouldn't make any difference in most cases - anyone who has a financial stake isn't going to rely on a closely held limited company - they'll insist on personal guarantees over everything, on top of securities over personal assets.

the tension between them and the banks will be palpable. mmm palps.

[caspernz]

Last I heard Katman was better qualified than the average keyboard warrior to comment in a thread like this. He was reputed to be the owner operator of a small motorcycle related business? Mind you it is true that his online manner does sometimes need work. :whistle:

Haha, yeah dead right. Shows you how much of a noob the OP is huh?

[Gremlin]

lots of people NEED cars: they are a commodity. No one NEEDS a motorbike.
:crazy:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/images/stories/large/2011/10/17/0905-27_014.jpg

[Ribit]

You missed Botany Honda.
AJ / Motohaus
Another in Kumeu (name escapes me)

Then, probably more telling, is all the dealers that have gone under in the last 5 years (arbitrary number).
- Haldanes
- TMG
- Triple X Moto
- dang... I know there were more

Yamaha on Barrys point road closed down, but now taken over by cycletreads? (yamaha in hamilton died as well)

And we both forgot about AMPS. oops. Although does amps sell motorbikes or just the image of being a motorcyclist? hehe

so 17 motorcycle retail stores in auck (including scooters). Wow i have no idea how they sell enough of them to stay afloat.

[FJRider]

Either that or Anne just lowered her standards.

Impossible ... Motorcycle Dealers have no standards .. <_<

[FJRider]

... and less cocaine and crack whores.


Read a few (more) of Katmans posts ... and you'll doubt your own words ... :laugh:

[EJK]

You missed Botany Honda.
AJ / Motohaus
Another in Kumeu (name escapes me)

Then, probably more telling, is all the dealers that have gone under in the last 5 years (arbitrary number).
- Haldanes
- TMG
- Triple X Moto
- dang... I know there were more


Yamaha on Barrys point road closed down, but now taken over by cycletreads? (yamaha in hamilton died as well)

And we both forgot about AMPS. oops. Although does amps sell motorbikes or just the image of being a motorcyclist? hehe

so 17 motorcycle retail stores in auck (including scooters). Wow i have no idea how they sell enough of them to stay afloat.

Don't forget Mt. Eden Motorcycles.

[Big Dog]

:crazy:

[IMG] deleted.

I for one would be without a job without a bike.
Not long after that my sanity would depart completely.

[Big Dog]

Don't forget Mt. Eden Motorcycles.

Only if you are counting the casualties.
They shutdown about 4 years ago.
There is a design house there now.

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-36.8673382,174.7616604,3a,75y,131.88h,83.56t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1stEySZkTbLPi1soSnsIt48g!2e0 is the old frontage.
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-36.8672211,174.7621012,3a,75y,195.08h,100.48t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s-ipkZk43foE6PwueVpeDqw!2e0 is the parts entrance.

[Mom]

Hi all,

It's a bold claim I know but I am looking into becoming a motorcycle dealer in the future.

Possibly in Auckland or Sydney.

I'm currently working as an architect and I think its about a point in my life where things change.

As a complete beginner I simply ask..


Whats involved? and where do I start??


Any comments would be appreciated Thanks all.
J


You'll be chewed up and spat out within a week.


Thank you that would mean the world. :headbang:


Does that have something to do with why he isn't her husband any more?

You know something. I am not even going to bother reading the rest of this thread. What a bunch of negative, bitter wankers you lot are!

You can be successful at anything if you want to and are prepared to work fucking HARD!

My ex and I started a motorbike shop in 1980. I was still 19 (just) and he was 22 or 23. We had a vision. We had nothing but a few thousand dollars in savings (for our first home) a ute (A60 Austin) and some hand tools. The bank did not support us, a lawyer advised us not to do it, and our wonderful accountant saw us as a couple prepared to give it a go.

It was HARD! REALLY, REALLY HARD! I worked a fulltime job Monday to Friday, then I made sandwiches/waitressed at a café (in todays terms) Sat/Sun. That meant starting at 5am to make sandwiches etc and working to maybe mid day. Then I came back to the Roadhouse and waitressed till close. To this day I am proud of my short order cooking skills. The tourist buses used to stop at our Roadhouse (café).

Please never, ever complain about long hours to me. Everything that we earned went back into our bike shop. It was amazing times!

It was back in the day where you could run your debtors 90 days (expected) and your floor plan finance bailed you out one or two times....

You can achieve ANYTHING if you want it badly enough. Just be prepared to work harder than you thought you were able to. Have a real conviction you CAN DO IT!

Have a plan, make it a good one. Make sure you are confident you can do it. Failure is NOT an option! Get professional support that also backs you.

Never, ever listen to the naysayers. NEVER! It is your dream afterall.

Be prepared (good business plan required) to fail. Have a back up plan.

Believe in yourself.


PS: My ex and I did an amazing job building the bike shop, we made good money in the end. We sold it for a profit, when it suited us to sell it.

Hey DODO``, give it friggen heaps if that is what you want to do. Do your homework, write a bomb proof plan and stick to it. Ignore the negative wankers that cant make any money from their own businesses!

GIVE IT HEAPS!

[Katman]

Nice pep talk Anne.

Trouble is though, the 80's were in a different motorcycling age.

[Mom]

Just what I said, ignore the naysayers. Being in business is really hard, all the time, no matter the day, the month, the year, the decade.

[bogan]

Nice pep talk Anne.

Trouble is though, the 80's were in a different motorcycling age.

And a better age it was too...

:drool:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KlPDmEGQDxM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[ktm84mxc]

A motorbike shop in Auckland will always struggle with customer loyalty as it's a thing that's gone by the wayside , dealers are willing to sell stock just above cost to keep turnover up.
So the only thing that generates real profit is a good workshop.
The reality is the markup/profit on any new bike is only %12/15 add in delivery, pre delivery costs[assembly] and most are on 90 day floor plan [free credit for said 90 days] with interest at the end off the 90 days eating into the profit . And no one will pay the recommended retail price .

[merv]

PS: My ex and I did an amazing job building the bike shop, we made good money in the end. We sold it for a profit, when it suited us to sell it.

Hey DODO``, give it friggen heaps if that is what you want to do. Do your homework, write a bomb proof plan and stick to it. Ignore the negative wankers that cant make any money from their own businesses!

GIVE IT HEAPS!

Lol, that still doesn't explain why he is your ex because he sounds so great in your comments.

[mossy1200]

Lots of good advice but you missing the obvious.
Open across the road from a large Mall and have a massive man zone of entertainment.
Have a smaller area or corner for chicks and Honda riders also if your wanting to be PC.

[HenryDorsetCase]

You know something. I am not even going to bother reading the rest of this thread. What a bunch of negative, bitter wankers you lot are!
Do your homework, write a bomb proof plan and stick to it. Ignore the negative wankers that cant make any money from their own businesses!

GIVE IT HEAPS!

I am a negative bitter wanker. Its my job. My job is to look at the worst thing that can happen, tell you about it and make a plan to try and save your arse from the fire. Its what we do.

Great, you did well, bravo. Thirty plus years ago. Was your ex a mechanic? otherwise involved in the industry? Or at least had the first inkling or clue of what being in the damn industry was about?

It seems abundantly clear that OP (if not engaged in a troll of EPIC proportions) does not have the ability to "write a bomb proof plan" because he just doesnt have the baselines.

I suggested a years sabbatical to go find out then decide.

Dunno: OTT much?

[HenryDorsetCase]

And a better age it was too...

:drool:


all those RC30's just made me pee my pants a little. OK quite a lot. AFK for a while

[ducatilover]

I'd be sucking up to/off Crasherfromwayback for advice.
But I owned an MX5 for a whole week recently, so I'll do anything for a man.



. No one NEEDS a motorbike.l

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/54438965.jpg

[spanner spinner]

I have been in the motorcycle industry to many years (25 plus at last count) and have been involved in retail, wholesale and management. My advice to you is to learn lots about quads and go rural if you want to become a motorcycle dealer.

You will need a good workshop with the ability to do small engineering jobs as it still amazes me the damage a farmer can do and you will spend a lot of time welding bits of quad back together. Quads are tools on most farms and sell no matter what the economy is doing, and if the farmers are having a bad year there fixing the old one till the cash flow comes right. That's when the workshop keeps the doors open.

Probably not the type of dealership you where thinking of opening but it has a lot more chance of still being open in a few years. My only disclaimer is you need to think carefully about what brand is above the door.

As has been said before you need a plan B as it can still go tits up. My advice if you want to start small buy a property in an area where there a lots of batches and/or lifestyle blocks and start by working on the local beach hacks/lifestyle owners bikes, you should be able to do this out of small shed. This will be a very steep leaning curve as most of these bikes have survived for years with little or no maintenance but will teach you all you need to know about quads.

If you do go big and open a full dealership be careful with floor plan funding as some importers will force you to use there preferred company as they get a cut of the interest you will be paying, this can mean that any bike you can't move off the floor in 6 months (this will happen with road bikes) has no margin left in it as the interest you have been paying on money owing on the bike on the floor has eaten up all profit.

Parts and accessories haven't seen the full impact of the internet yet, my feeling is there is going to less and less profit in them as more and more overseas online business come online and target NZ. I am also just waiting for one of the main wholesalers/manufactures to go direct online to the public and cut out the dealers, I believe it is just a matter of time as they try to compete with overseas online sellers.

One word of warning about working full time in what was your hobby is that any passion you have for motorbikes will be beaten out of you until one day the passion will be gone. one of the reasons I don't have a bike at present.

[AllanB]

Come to Christchurch mate and design some decent looking interesting home instead of the group home cookie-cutter bores that are going up in all the new builds. Sign. We learn nothing. Fucking nothing.

[FJRider]

I am a negative bitter wanker.

I think a few have noticed already .. :yes:


It seems abundantly clear that OP (if not engaged in a troll of EPIC proportions) does not have the ability to "write a bomb proof plan" because he just doesnt have the baselines.

THAT was clear in his first post ... he came on this site asking advice ... ??? :wacko:




Dunno: OTT much?

Nah ... nail on the head stuff ... :shifty:

[DODO``]

You know something. I am not even going to bother reading the rest of this thread. What a bunch of negative, bitter wankers you lot are!

You can be successful at anything if you want to and are prepared to work fucking HARD!

My ex and I started a motorbike shop in 1980. I was still 19 (just) and he was 22 or 23. We had a vision. We had nothing but a few thousand dollars in savings (for our first home) a ute (A60 Austin) and some hand tools. The bank did not support us, a lawyer advised us not to do it, and our wonderful accountant saw us as a couple prepared to give it a go.

It was HARD! REALLY, REALLY HARD! I worked a fulltime job Monday to Friday, then I made sandwiches/waitressed at a café (in todays terms) Sat/Sun. That meant starting at 5am to make sandwiches etc and working to maybe mid day. Then I came back to the Roadhouse and waitressed till close. To this day I am proud of my short order cooking skills. The tourist buses used to stop at our Roadhouse (café).

Please never, ever complain about long hours to me. Everything that we earned went back into our bike shop. It was amazing times!

It was back in the day where you could run your debtors 90 days (expected) and your floor plan finance bailed you out one or two times....

You can achieve ANYTHING if you want it badly enough. Just be prepared to work harder than you thought you were able to. Have a real conviction you CAN DO IT!

Have a plan, make it a good one. Make sure you are confident you can do it. Failure is NOT an option! Get professional support that also backs you.

Never, ever listen to the naysayers. NEVER! It is your dream afterall.

Be prepared (good business plan required) to fail. Have a back up plan.

Believe in yourself.


PS: My ex and I did an amazing job building the bike shop, we made good money in the end. We sold it for a profit, when it suited us to sell it.

Hey DODO``, give it friggen heaps if that is what you want to do. Do your homework, write a bomb proof plan and stick to it. Ignore the negative wankers that cant make any money from their own businesses!

GIVE IT HEAPS!
Thanks mom haha . Yes you are right, one word that kept popping up in my head was "bitter" reading some comments. Constructive & harsh advice is one thing and being bitters and plain dick another. I'm mature enough to know what to listen and what not to. I guess this sort of things will be one of the things I will need to learn / deal with.
Or it could've been my entire mistake asking this question here in KB! Haha
Oh and thanks for the inspiration.
I've got more than enough info / knowledge from this thread now thanks for those of you actually meant it.
Cheers all Ill update phase 2 in my journey soon.

[Mom]

Lol, that still doesn't explain why he is your ex because he sounds so great in your comments.

Why he is my ex has nothing to do with this thread, and is also none of your business.

[skippa1]

One word of warning about working full time in what was your hobby is that any passion you have for motorbikes will be beaten out of you until one day the passion will be gone. one of the reasons I don't have a bike at present.
This right here is the truth

[sharp2183]

I agree with Mom here actually. He could make it work if he works hard enough.

But shit, why work 80 hours a week, mortgage your house, lose your weekends etc for the CHANCE to earn less than he does now?

Better to cut down his hours and work part time in a bike shop. All the enjoyment, none of the risk.

[F5 Dave]

It is possible that kiwi motorcyclists aren't the best people to have as customers. The number of threads on KB whinging about various dealerships would appear to support that supposition.
Best point of this thread.


to that end I'll start early and avoid the rush.

"Dodo motorcycles ripped me off

I bought a bike from these guys and even though I falsified the finance papers so might have been slightly been later with payments and crashed the bike on the test ride the mechanic didn't fix it properly and I crashed again and the warranty claim took too long but they ripped me off.

dont ever buy a bike from these guys."


so there you go.

anyway you sound like a smart guy if you are an architect. But clearly you are the sort of person who will selectively take only the advise they want to hear. Even free legal advice from HDC. So there's no helping you.

the Gay shop might be a good idea though. "Harley's Hondas and Chaps of Sydney". Can start as a hangout coffee shop selling 70s biker caps and vests & move on from there. Live your dream.

[Katman]

Best point of this thread.


to that end I'll start early and avoid the rush.

"Dodo motorcycles ripped me off

I bought a bike from these guys and even though I falsified the finance papers so might have been slightly been later with payments and crashed the bike on the test ride the mechanic didn't fix it properly and I crashed again and the warranty claim took too long but they ripped me off.

dont ever buy a bike from these guys."




Well now we know you're lying.

He doesn't have a mechanic.

[Mom]

Was your ex a mechanic? otherwise involved in the industry?

He was a biker, raced a bit, had worked in a backyard workshop that worked on british bikes. I used to hang there with the 1%ers. No formal qualification in anything. He sold carpet at one stage. Before we started the shop he was working in forestry and then repairing hay balers. I was a nurse with no commercial experience. We both rode bikes for transport.

We were offered an opportunity and made the decision to give it a go. We borrowed $100K on a debenture over our stock. Our first house bought some 4 years later cost $22K so that will give you an indication of what a risk we took. We got some really good advice and we followed it to the letter and refused to fail. Because of our age and lack of any experience the bank would not even support us.

I still hold that if you want to succeed in something in life, you will succeed if you plan for it and work hard. I dont see how being in business in this day and age is any different to 30 years ago. Fuck we went through the farmers putting their cheque books away and interest rates in the high 20's%. We once got to the point where we were planning to close the doors and walk away it got so bad, we planned it to the last $ so we would not lose anything, and kept working hard to keep our heads above water. We NEVER gave up and only sold up when it suited us to do so.

[Katman]

I dont see how being in business in this day and age is any different to 30 years ago.

The 80's had the highest bike registration figures that New Zealand has ever had.

It was also before the advent of the internet - which I'm sure you're aware has greatly affected bike shops profits.

[Katman]

I would have to agree....

I'm not sure quite how I feel about that.

[Murray]

I'm not sure quite how I feel about that.

Jeez take a positive comment when you can!!

Is that the real Katman because hes starting to make sense (aside from the personal digs)??

[pritch]

I have mentioned this before but it seems timely here.

When I first became interested in bikes the shops were different, they were in the main street and they were smaller, much smaller.

In the case of the one with which I'm most familiar, the owner was the mechanic, the parts man, he did the office work, he was the salesman, he was the workshop foreman in so far as there was one apprentice or mechanic. He had two agencies: AJS, and later the then newcomer Suzuki.

Many years later still under the same name but with different owners, in a different part of town: a team of mechanics, a parts guy, two or three in sales - the owner and one or two others, and two in the office - Mrs owner and one other. These guys were also buying management/efficiency expertise from an outside source.
There may additionaly be a service receptionist and a workshop foreman at various times.

In the event of hard times occurring the owner in the first example was better equipped to weather the "dry spell". The bigger operations have bigger outgoings and therefore need a lot more money coming in. It seems to me that the bigger operation can get into trouble quite quickly if there's a slow down in the economy.

The suggestion to go rural only is interesting. I think it's the farm bike sales that keep the local bike shops in business. There are some Honda dealers that just do farm bikes. The Blenheim Honda dealer had an interesting setup: the building was divided in two, one end sold bikes, the other end sold chainsaws. The two would seem complimentary in a rural service centre?

[Katman]

Jeez take a positive comment when you can!!


<img src="http://www.troll.me/images/y-u-no-guy/why-so-serious.jpg"/>

[Katman]

In the event of hard times occurring the owner in the first example was better equipped to weather the "dry spell". The bigger operations have bigger outgoings and therefore need a lot more money coming in. It seems to me that the bigger operation can get into trouble quite quickly if there's a slow down in the economy.


It's true that a small business has a far greater ability to ride out tough patches.

That small business still has to generate a certain profit margin though.

The margin in new (or used) bike sales alone will never be enough to maintain even a tiny operation.

[Murray]

<img src="http://www.troll.me/images/y-u-no-guy/why-so-serious.jpg"/>

304488

have a nice day!!

[TLDV8]

What is wrong with entry level as a dealer.
Import Chinese motorcycles, no overheads being an online trader which keeps the RRP attractive.
Low financial start up cost, $20000 or less perhaps.
Lower cost for higher turn over.
Quiet period is no drama based on the above.

Once you get the practical experience and first million from that you can approach one of the big four for a franchise.

[F5 Dave]

Well now we know you're lying.

He doesn't have a mechanic.
You can be a real cunt sometimes.

But your grammar is impeccable so you have my support.

[Katman]

You can be a real cunt sometimes.

But your grammar is impeccable so you have my support.

I was considering a comma after the 'well'.

I'm still not certain.

[Laava]

There has been two new bike shops open in whangarei recently, one as a mechanical services and accessories outlet mainly catering for the hordes of people with motocross bikes up here and the other is selling new bikes such as, CF Moto, EBR, Benelli and Bimota I think. Pretty sure they will only have CF Moto in stock tho.
BUT you have to start somewhere. Be interesting to see how they go. Most of the bike shops in whangas make their bread and butter selling and servicing farm bikes and quads.

[pritch]

I was considering a comma after the 'well'.

I'm still not certain.

Well, it is permissible to let your readers decide for themselves when to take a breath. :whistle:

[Big Dog]

Thanks mom haha . Yes you are right, one word that kept popping up in my head was "bitter" reading some comments. Constructive & harsh advice is one thing and being bitters and plain dick another. I'm mature enough to know what to listen and what not to. I guess this sort of things will be one of the things I will need to learn / deal with.
Or it could've been my entire mistake asking this question here in KB! Haha
Oh and thanks for the inspiration.
I've got more than enough info / knowledge from this thread now thanks for those of you actually meant it.
Cheers all Ill update phase 2 in my journey soon.
As someone who has been a customer for 23 years and was a part time employee for 5, the biggest challenges facing bike shops are spiralling finances and consumer loyalty.

If you have a sound plan to deal with these factors pursue your whale.

If you don't, take time to learn more about the industry and make those plans.

Why spiralling finances? Because the customer expects you to be more flexible than 20 years ago, while laws and finance companies expect you to be stricter.

Why loyalty? Twenty years ago you picked a dealer based on value for money or some other perceived point of difference.
This was often not the cheapest shop or with the lowest posted workshop rates. I used the same dealer exclusively for 5-6 years. Because I trusted that even though some things cost more other things would cost less and the final analysis would be fair. Going elsewhere only when Neil could not get me something. Yes I was on first name basis with several bike shop owners by the end of that period. These days that is unlikely to be true at a shop where you hand over in excess of 10k a year. Sadly over the years dwindling consumer loyalty put Neil out of business.
Since I moved to Auckland most of my business has gone to Red Baron, Initially because they were able to sort me everything I needed in the timeframe I needed it.
Haldanes and MT Eden were both unwilling to spend time to sort that much out because they already had enough business without wasting valuable sales time on someone who only had $7k cash and the same again in finance to spend and needed a bigger than normal set of gear. Both are now out of business.
Coleman's, Holeshot and Cyclespot actively tried to stop me buying what I wanted and instead left me with a feeling I was being ripped off.
Henderson motorcycles and Botany Honda and a few others were willing enough but just were unable to provide for a larger rider or did not have a suitable bike in stock.

Cue 10 years o loyalty to Red Baron. An average of 10k a year in servicing, accessories and bikes. All with them as the first port of call for everything. Only going elsewhere when they were unable to provide what I needed.
They even sorted me out with work when I needed to supplement my income to cover my riding habit.
The last 3-4 years several staff have changed, management has changed and I no longer feel the same level of trust.

A workshop is the backbone of a dealership. It keeps cash flowing when times are tight.
When the economy is booming people upgrade their bikes more often and spend their discretionary money on bolt ons and shiny bits. When the economy is poor they service their bikes a little more and trade in less often. Things that would previously have seen their bike on trade me get fixed.

The type of work changes. Not the volumes.
Assuming you have good mechanics people seek out by name.

Accessories can be the make or break of a shop. If you have the right accessories you will have a steady flow of walk ins. If you buy the right stuff at the right times you will have good margins. Screw it up and you might have a $100k in helmets that just are not selling.

Bikes, a profit can be a real challenge. Often with more coming from the add ons. Several dealers have told me the bike sales are really only their to keep people coming back for the workshop and the parts and accessories. Others as in it is to keep finance contracts ticking over.

Staff are the difference between a living hell and a dream come true. The bane of the industry for decades has been it is mostly staffed by enthusiasts slowly losing their enthusiasm instead of sales professionals.
Even your mechanic needs to be a good sales person if he talks to the public.

Would I buy a bike shop? If it was a good shop in a good location with a good reputation.

Would I start a bike shop? Location, location, location.

In either case it would only be if I had the support of my spouse and one of us was going to keep working to keep the house afloat while we built the business.
Or as is my dream, that one day I will be financially independent and own a bike shop as a hobby. Staffed by professionals who know more than me who I am making rich through their abilities to make me more independently wealthy.





Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[yevjenko]

Great answer big dog

[98tls]

Way back i sold cars for around 7 years or so,worked for a Toyota franchise so money for jam.,back then there was a few guys wholesaling cars ie buying off one dealer selling to another/importing the odd car or simply scouring the papers for later model bargains and selling em to dealers,might only make $500 in the deal but didnt have to sell to many to make a decent weekly wage,back then you could get a car from Auckland to Wellington for fuck all.Out of interest anyone do the same with bikes?

[GDOBSSOR]

Just as employee. But I have been working closely with newly established architecture company and seen their struggle.
I understand starting any business is challenging.

Does anyone know what actually is involved though? such as what sort of licence or cert do I need? Where do I buy the bikes from... etc etc.

I don't have million dollars to spare and am willing to start small and hopefully grow from there.

cheers guys.
Talk to Crasherfromwayback... His name is Pete and he's the sales manager at Wellington Motorcycles. He could point you in the right direction... Just don't drink the coffee.

[yevjenko]

Way back i sold cars for around 7 years or so,worked for a Toyota franchise so money for jam.,back then there was a few guys wholesaling cars ie buying off one dealer selling to another/importing the odd car or simply scouring the papers for later model bargains and selling em to dealers,might only make $500 in the deal but didnt have to sell to many to make a decent weekly wage,back then you could get a car from Auckland to Wellington for fuck all.Out of interest anyone do the same with bikes?
I would be surprised. Cars are a lot easier to turn over and flick on than bikes

[Katman]

Talk to Crasherfromwayback... His name is Pete and he's the sales manager at Wellington Motorcycles. He could point you in the right direction... Just don't drink the coffee.

I suspect you like looking at yourself in a mirror.

[DODO``]

As someone who has been a customer for 23 years and was a part time employee for 5, the biggest challenges facing bike shops are spiralling finances and consumer loyalty.

If you have a sound plan to deal with these factors pursue your whale.

If you don't, take time to learn more about the industry and make those plans.

Why spiralling finances? Because the customer expects you to be more flexible than 20 years ago, while laws and finance companies expect you to be stricter.

Why loyalty? Twenty years ago you picked a dealer based on value for money or some other perceived point of difference.
This was often not the cheapest shop or with the lowest posted workshop rates. I used the same dealer exclusively for 5-6 years. Because I trusted that even though some things cost more other things would cost less and the final analysis would be fair. Going elsewhere only when Neil could not get me something. Yes I was on first name basis with several bike shop owners by the end of that period. These days that is unlikely to be true at a shop where you hand over in excess of 10k a year. Sadly over the years dwindling consumer loyalty put Neil out of business.
Since I moved to Auckland most of my business has gone to Red Baron, Initially because they were able to sort me everything I needed in the timeframe I needed it.
Haldanes and MT Eden were both unwilling to spend time to sort that much out because they already had enough business without wasting valuable sales time on someone who only had $7k cash and the same again in finance to spend and needed a bigger than normal set of gear. Both are now out of business.
Coleman's, Holeshot and Cyclespot actively tried to stop me buying what I wanted and instead left me with a feeling I was being ripped off.
Henderson motorcycles and Botany Honda and a few others were willing enough but just were unable to provide for a larger rider or did not have a suitable bike in stock.

Cue 10 years o loyalty to Red Baron. An average of 10k a year in servicing, accessories and bikes. All with them as the first port of call for everything. Only going elsewhere when they were unable to provide what I needed.
They even sorted me out with work when I needed to supplement my income to cover my riding habit.
The last 3-4 years several staff have changed, management has changed and I no longer feel the same level of trust.

A workshop is the backbone of a dealership. It keeps cash flowing when times are tight.
When the economy is booming people upgrade their bikes more often and spend their discretionary money on bolt ons and shiny bits. When the economy is poor they service their bikes a little more and trade in less often. Things that would previously have seen their bike on trade me get fixed.

The type of work changes. Not the volumes.
Assuming you have good mechanics people seek out by name.

Accessories can be the make or break of a shop. If you have the right accessories you will have a steady flow of walk ins. If you buy the right stuff at the right times you will have good margins. Screw it up and you might have a $100k in helmets that just are not selling.

Bikes, a profit can be a real challenge. Often with more coming from the add ons. Several dealers have told me the bike sales are really only their to keep people coming back for the workshop and the parts and accessories. Others as in it is to keep finance contracts ticking over.

Staff are the difference between a living hell and a dream come true. The bane of the industry for decades has been it is mostly staffed by enthusiasts slowly losing their enthusiasm instead of sales professionals.
Even your mechanic needs to be a good sales person if he talks to the public.

Would I buy a bike shop? If it was a good shop in a good location with a good reputation.

Would I start a bike shop? Location, location, location.

In either case it would only be if I had the support of my spouse and one of us was going to keep working to keep the house afloat while we built the business.
Or as is my dream, that one day I will be financially independent and own a bike shop as a hobby. Staffed by professionals who know more than me who I am making rich through their abilities to make me more independently wealthy.





Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.
Wow. Thanks for this Big dog :)

[Big Dog]

Wow. Thanks for this Big dog :)

Brevity was never my strong point.


You are welcome. If you go ahead good luck in your enterprise.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Brevity was never my strong point.

You are welcome. If you go ahead good luck in your enterprise.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.




Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.