Is Papakura a good spot for a motorcycle workshop?

[Shaun]

If a New WORKSHOP for bikes was set up in the Papakura area ( For costing reasons) This buisness will be mainly focusing on mechanical repair work, with 2 full time and one part time mechanics, Road and dirt bikes, does the KB Auckland community think this area is a suitable location?

If NO, please explain why and choose a better location

[SixPackBack]

Albany Shaun..........[have to pack me a lunch to get to Pap.] lol

[Karma]

hmm... it's a fair way south eh, might miss out on quite a bit of auckland work, but depends who your target market is.

[HDTboy]

It'd be reasonably close to the track.

[SwanTiger]

Yes, I would travel to Papakura.

The only reason that would make me change my mind would be the quality of the experience I have each time I visit. A lot of shops you walk in one day and they want to fuck you're leg like a dog, other days you're a transparent entity. Reminds me of living with a hormonal woman.

[Ixion]

Its a bit far south for trade from maintsream Auckland. Unless you're looking to also pick up quad bike and farm stuff. Basically, apart from the local Papakura community (not really large enough), anyone else is going to have to make a fair hike. And the immediately adjacent area northward is low decile and not a good catchment for bikes, which are now in the "expensive toy" category .

What about Takanini? I presume by costing you're thinking rents ?

[Scouse]

What we need Shaun is some thing like a Manukau City Triumph as I dont think that Triumph has enough shops in the Auckland region

[jase]

Bloody good idea. Close to home.

[classic zed]

Albany Shaun..........[have to pack me a lunch to get to Pap.] lol

There is already one near Albany:2thumbsup

Im in Whangaparaoa, Electrical, Servicing, Tyres and Wofs for all makes and models ....... I even work on cars:gob:

[mynameis]

If a New WORKSHOP for bikes was set up in the Papakura area ( For costing reasons) This buisness will be mainly focusing on mechanical repair work, with 2 full time and one part time mechanics, Road and dirt bikes, does the KB Auckland community think this area is a suitable location?

If NO, please explain why and choose a better location

Hey Shaun,

I would not travel from Albany, in North Shore past Cycletreads, Holeshot, Spectrum, Mt Eden Motorcycles, Red Baron and Colemans all the way to Papakura to save a few dollars unless there is some major work that needs to be done on my bike but again we get small things done more often like bike brake pads, oil changes ect.., than major ones.

Basically what I am saying is these shops are close by and handy to myself and as most bikers generally go the one which is handy when they need small things done than travel further. Time factor.

Cycletreads is quiet competitive when it comes to price so that has to be considered. After a bit of market research and stats gathering you will conclude that most number of bikers around whole of New Zealand is in the North Shore Disctrict itself, which makes it a good target market.

[R6_kid]

I'd recommend Glenfield or somewhere in West Auckland if you are looking for an established area. There are a few bike shops in Takapuna and a dedicated tyre and accessories store within a few minutes reach, with a reputation like yours im sure you could pull a lot of their clientel.

Other option as mentioned by SPB is Albany... to be honest it's looking to be the next area of massive development so cost wise it might be a bit on the higher side but you'll probably find that in a few years there will be a lot of traffic in the area and as you'll be established you can look towards selling bikes etc if you chose to do so. Also a lot of development in Auckland is heading northwards, and most of ride out North anyway.

Papakura is almost out of Auckland for a lot of us!

It goes without saying that if you could find somewhere 'central' such as Mt Eden - St Lukes sort of area then you would be right smack in the middle of everyone. There are a few places along Gt North Road that i've seen up for lease lately.

At the end of the day you cant please everybody, but with time the reputation of the business will travel, if word is good then no doubt people will follow the music laid down before them and make the journey to get good service etc.

[oldguy]

Yes to Papakura, most bike shops are central or north shore, would be nice to have one south,

[Zapf]

well, you see if I need some work done on the bike and it is on the way to town. E.g central ish then it is much easier for me to drop off the bike in the morning and pick it up later on. However if its all the way out Paps then I'll have to dedicate the whole day, as I'll travel out there and wait around for the work to be done and then ride back.

So yes you can say you are putting yourself out of the way of a lot of potential customers. Unless you will pickup and deliver the bikes free of charge. But then that is a cost to your business as a courier service.

[Grahameeboy]

Devonport has not got a bike shop.....drop bike in am, take ferry to CBD, get ferry back, pick up bike after a quick one in the Patriot............gotta be a goer..............surely

[Nicksta]

If it was a shop that was trying to attract as much clientel as they could.. i would say set up out west or central.... then you get everyone from all parts of aucks....

If it was you setting up the shop Shaun... I wouldnt mind riding to Papakura for quality... (hopefully also work on older bikes like my new VFR400!!!)

[crashe]

West Auckland............ is the place to set up.


We only have "Henderson Motorcycles Ltd' on View Rd. Henderson.

No other bike shops out this way at all.


Central: Motohaus, Red Baron, Colemans.

City: Mt Eden Motorcycles and AMPS.

South: Haldanes and Botony Honda.

North Shore: Cycletreads, Holeshot and Spectrum

Helensville: bike shop


Footnote: Central and City are all reasonably close to each other.

[cowpoos]

If a New WORKSHOP for bikes was set up in the Papakura area ( For costing reasons) This buisness will be mainly focusing on mechanical repair work, with 2 full time and one part time mechanics, Road and dirt bikes, does the KB Auckland community think this area is a suitable location?

If NO, please explain why and choose a better location
will you pick up and drop off??? pap's is a long way out!

[Swoop]

I would also suggest somewhere "west-ish".

A very good point was made earlier about being handy to the track if this is a south Auckland venture, but you really do need to consider your main customer base that you wish to attract. Sport/cruiser/farm/etc/???

Somewhere close to public transport so that people can get to work easily (if no loan bikes)?

Best of luck with the idea!

[Ixion]

Bear in mind this is a "fix it" operation , not selling bikes as primary focus . Workshop, not show room. So west would be competing with Kerry at Motohaus.

Shore has lots - the bike shops, plus Spectrum, and that other guy in Barry's Point Rd.

Central, MotorCycle Surgery. East, Corsa.

I think South probably makes sense.

But what about the back end of Onehunga/Mt Roskill ? cheap rents, easy access from both South Auckland (via the Mangere Motorway), West Auckland (not too bad at present, and easy once they finish that stupid motorway) . East Auckland too (via the SW Arterial) and central (via Campbell Rd). Handy to suppliers and specialist services too. And nothing now in competition that I can think of. Good bus service as someone said, and easy to drop off/pick up clients.

[Motu]

So no one who can afford a flash bike lives in the lower socioeconomic area of Sth Auckland - surprise surprise....but not unexpected.Several bike shops have tried to survive in Africa south of the Southern Motorway line over the last 40 years....none have survived for long.There is an oft repeated phrase when starting a business - if you are good enough they'll beat a path to your door....sorry,but not in the real world.

[Karma]

Well not for the small stuff, which is surely how most places make their cash right?

If I wanted an oil change or change some pads, I'd not fancy riding for an hour just to get to the place, then an hour back.

I'm sure your quality would be excellent, but at the end of the day, time is money.

[Zapf]

Ok.. Paps.... but make sure you have a fleet of loan bikes so your clients can get around. Don't you have some good relationship with Suzuki NZ?

If I know you had loan bikes for day jobs or longer jobs... eg.. work that takes more than a few hours. then I think you'll be back in contention even thou you are out at Paps. But still you'll be limited yourself to the bigger jobs, since its just easier to go to the local bike shop if they can do the easy / simple jobs just as well.

[RC1]

West Auckland............ is the place to set up.


We only have "Henderson Motorcycles Ltd' on View Rd. Henderson.

No other bike shops out this way at all.


Central: Motohaus, Red Baron, Colemans.

City: Mt Eden Motorcycles and AMPS.

South: Haldanes and Botony Honda.

North Shore: Cycletreads, Holeshot and Spectrum

Helensville: bike shop


Footnote: Central and City are all reasonably close to each other.

plus kumeu

[Swoop]

So west would be competing with Kerry at Motohaus.
Kingsland? That is city, not west!
West = black Holdens and fords, crushed velvet tops for the girls, [gasp] tassels (FFS don't tell scummy!), Lion Red beer, vineyards, and surf beaches. Kingsland does not fall into this category...

[_Gina_]

Papakura would be okay for us, but Pukekohe is where you need to be I think.
Growing population, lots of people with excess income (read: the abilty to buy toys) and I would gather that the market isn't over saturated with sportsbike type repair shops. From memory there wasn't one up until about 4 months ago.
The lease costs would be okay, in comparison to Auckland West.

And then there is the bonus of being located close to the track, which could possibly give you an income stream off track day work ?!?

Possum Bourne made a good living from being based in Puke, and people travelled to him with no drama.

G

[Shaun]

Thanks for all the replies so far, the aim of this buisness is purely mechanical repair work, suspension-services, etc, and fitting of after market parts to personalise customers own bikes.

As I said in my first post, I looked at the Papakura area due to buisness lease costs, I would really like a building in the Kingsland-Mt Eden Area, and preferably one with accomodation attached

Example, Papakura W/Shop with one bedroom flat above $22K per year

Mt Eden area same as above $52K Per year

Do I spend an extra $30k PA to be more central for the smaller jobs, or do we do a brilliant servive and treat people with respect and get word of mouth reputation, which will in turn grow our customer net work?

I trully believe that a motorcyclist wants/needs a very genuine personalised service centre that they can call there own, with technicians that care about what they are doing, each staff member will own a percentage of the buisness, I believe this will give all staff members the extra incentive required to generate top quality work manship for the customers.

Keep your comments rolling in please, this is the best way for me to get extra idea's to establish this buisness.

[Nicksta]

Shaun, for that, i would travel out to you.. paps isant that far.... and i can always pop arount to Riff and WT's for a BBQ!!!

[merv]

will you pick up and drop off??? pap's is a long way out!

Especially from the 'rapa you'd need a fast helicopter pick and delivery service.

[cowpoos]

Especially from the 'rapa you'd need a fast helicopter pick and delivery service.
mite not be living in the rapa for much longer dude...

[Karma]

mite not be living in the rapa for much longer dude...


You and dover finally ready to take the big step?

[The_Dover]

anyone who thinks travelling 30km's to get work done on a bike is too far is a fucking fag.

you should do a mobile workshop shaun. why the hell would anyone want to travel to get work done on their bike.

[Shaun]

anyone who thinks travelling 30km's to get work done on a bike is too far is a fucking fag.

you should do a mobile workshop shaun. why the hell would anyone want to travel to get work done on their bike.



Seriously thought about that mate, but the logistics for it are a wee bit tricky

[Shaun]

MANAKAU? Have an option on a brilliant work shop in this area! Lets here the pro's and cons on it

[Nicksta]

thats heaps closer to a more central location.. and easy access from the southern motorway.....

[Ixion]

Pros:

More central.
Near the motorway (probably)
Lots of employment near , for the drop it in on way to work, collect that evening folk
Handy to suppliers and special services
Reasonably close to some affluent areas.
No competition that I can think of

Cons

In the middle of a low decile perimeter
Lot of crime, you might want to check effect on insurance. Budget for a few breakins each year.
You were thinking of living over the shop? Might not want to live in Manukau
What Mr Motu said. No-one ever seems to make a go of bike shops south of the Tamaki
Manukau's a warren of cheap car workshops. But cheap is the fundamental word, $20 WoF types of thing. Expect local clientele to be hard to collect money from.
Manukau's like mangere (though not as bad) in that it's a place where people with money consciously choose to keep away from.

Being as you're from the 'naki, you might want to take a trip up and have a wander round Manukau, get the feel of it. It may be something you're not familiar with. So to speak.

[SixPackBack]

I think you need to experience Auckland traffic for a few weeks to get some appreciation of the logistics involved with dropping off and picking up a bike-in short its a fuckin' nightmare even on a bike, and a severe impediment to business.

Go central Shaun 30K is nowt. And start thinking about staff well before you need them. [like 2-3 months before, competent tradesmen/technicians are as rare as rockin' horse shit!]

[Shaun]

I think you need to experience Auckland traffic for a few weeks to get some appreciation of the logistics involved with dropping off and picking up a bike-in short its a fuckin' nightmare even on a bike, and a severe impediment to business.

Go central Shaun 30K is nowt. And start thinking about staff well before you need them. [like 2-3 months before, competent tradesmen/technicians are as rare as rockin' horse shit!]


Thanks for all your input with this. I already have 2 Qualified mechanics that I would be employing just weighting for me to say the word!

One person will live on the premisses all the time, this will make it a lot easier for early morning drop off's and evening pick up's, as well as there will be a pick up drop service offered

[Edbear]

MANAKAU? Have an option on a brilliant work shop in this area! Lets here the pro's and cons on it



My Company, (well not mine, per se, but the one I work for), is relocating to Manukau early-mid year and will have the largest operating showroom in Australasia, or so they say. It will be interesting to go and see the site, at the moment under reconstruction/modernisation. But they searched long and hard before finding a site they were happy with. Manukau would be better than Papakura, IMHO, but I agree with the views above.

[Firefight]

never worried me to go a bit further for good service, would ride Puke to hamiltron to get R6 serviced at Waikato Yamaha.

think manukau is a good idea, puke is close to the track, but has a couple of new expanded bike servicing facilites and some of the old school small private
bike shop mecahnics, who are well established, no doubt you know who I mean.

good luck with your venture


F/F

[pritch]

Being as you're from the 'naki, you might want to take a trip up and have a wander round Manukau, get the feel of it.

LOL you might attract a crowd though, ginga is not a common hair colour in those parts :-)

[_Gina_]

Lot of crime, you might want to check effect on insurance. Budget for a few breakins each year.
I can back this one up.

One of our refurbishment suppliers who is located in Ryan Place, Manukau has had no end of drama with people breaking in over the years (from memory three a year?).
The place is set up like fort knox, bars across all the entry points etc...and a stones throw from the cop shop too.

The most recent one involved two of our cars;

They managed to make it through the roof and while the alarm was going nuts they used our Primera to smash through the bars and roller door, so they could get the Diamante VRX Ralli Art out.

Their insurance premiums are farkin high.

Something to take into consideration really....

G

[Wytch]

Papakura would rock..

For somewhere that's supposed to be so far out of town we sure saw a shitloads of bikes when we went out today.

South Aucklanders have bikes they care about too and a good workshop out this way would be an improvement.

[Donor]

Woot

Papakura would be hell handy

Nice available location in the CBD recently become available too, handy to the train and bus stations that want to get out an about while waiting for the small jobs, or a shit load of coffee places for those who want to hang around for a WOF or some equally shortish job to be done.

Plus I'm lazy. :zzzz:

[Dai]

Shaun,

Talk to Idleidolidyll. I know that you know him personally as Mike has spoken to me of you a few times.

I started riding here in Sth Auckland (North Bombay) 35 years ago and then there were a few bike shops around. One I remeber was Dave Muller's Honda dealership in Manurewa.

At present there are two shops that I know of here, Moto Extreme on the Takanini straight and there is one on the back streets not far from it.

As far as I know the next closest shop is going to be Haldanes in Ellerslie.

As to customer base. Papakura is one of the fastest growing suburbs in greater Auckland. Pukekohe is booming and growing all the time. When you think of it Puke is only 15 min from the motorway and Papakura is adjacent to such.

I have been back here in Papakura for 4 years now and though the number of bikes no way is as high as it was in the 70's , it is growing.

If I think nothing of taking my bike into central for work (only 31 km to Newmarket) then I can see no reason why others wouldnt think anything of bringing their bike south apart from some sort of prejudiced opinions. Especially for good work, well done and reasonably priced.

This is only my opinion but I for one would frequent your work shop.

Since Mike told me about your work I have been even conlemplating bringing my bike down to where you are now, to get suspension rebuilt and set up.

[McJim]

Papakura or Manukau would suit me - they're both right on the motorway so not much difference in terms of ride time to get there.

If you want to prevent the locals from breaking in in Papakura just put a sign up saying "Tresspassers will be shagged by The_Dover" that will sort them out.

[Acid]

id have to say that papakura or manukau would be sweet because the guys from inner auckland and such dont ride around these ways to see the amount of bikes like today i was at beach and saw atleast 30+bikes go thru clevedon when i stopped to have some fish and chips with daughter and misses

[mr me]

I think it's a great idea there's only 1 other good shop around here,There must be plenty of work out this way every other shop is in town or are no good.Should change tyres do WOF's and every thing esle that you can't get done proply out way good luck with your venture.:rockon:

[Grahameeboy]

Papakura or Manukau would suit me - they're both right on the motorway so not much difference in terms of ride time to get there.

If you want to prevent the locals from breaking in in Papakura just put a sign up saying "Tresspassers will be shagged by The_Dover" that will sort them out.

Yeah but you may end up financing Dover's new living??

[McJim]

Yeah but you may end up financing Dover's new living??
Nah man - that's the labour government's job. Where's you bin?

[gijoe1313]

There is only one motorbike repair facility (as Dai said) - good chap by the name of Colin who runs his business in Tironui Rd off the back of Takanini Straight, he does good work and is constantly busy (so busy in fact, he says at times he has had to refuse work to honour his previous commitments!). The Yamaha outlet is the only other bike shop in Takanini straight.

You offering a different option by doing the modding and bling bits would definitely be a plus. I currently service my own bike, but for bigger jobs I would need to ride out to Botany Honda as my closest servicer! Colin is way too busy with all his current work!

So yeah, purely from my own selfish point of view (and to all other South Auckland riders), another good customer focussed workship would be the bee's knees! :yes:

btw, on ya for canvassing KB for some viewpoints (I can't also believe how on topic this thread is! :lol:)

[TerminalAddict]

I'd come to auckland to get intricate stuff done. (My suspension)
but then I'd come to the naki to do that too :)

[Will]

I have a Honda :dodge: and the only thing that it goes in for are new tyres or chains etc. So I am no expert on workshops. But there are heaps of bikes in the area. And if any riders north of Papakura want to go out for a ride such as Hwy 22 or the Coro, they gotta pass thru the Papakura/Clevedon area.
On a more serious note, I presume you will do more market research. A lot has all ready been said, though I disagree with the crime being worse in South. Bikes are a major target and I don't think it will matter where you are. Having someone on site will be better security.

[Hellraiser]

If it was a shop that was trying to attract as much clientel as they could.. i would say set up out west or central.... then you get everyone from all parts of aucks....



LOL ......... if you go out west get a bigger factory so you can manufacture P as well that way your workshop will fit in well in the P capital of NZ.

[Hellraiser]

Pros:

More central.
Near the motorway (probably)
Lots of employment near , for the drop it in on way to work, collect that evening folk
Handy to suppliers and special services
Reasonably close to some affluent areas.
No competition that I can think of

Cons

In the middle of a low decile perimeter
Lot of crime, you might want to check effect on insurance. Budget for a few breakins each year.
You were thinking of living over the shop? Might not want to live in Manukau
What Mr Motu said. No-one ever seems to make a go of bike shops south of the Tamaki
Manukau's a warren of cheap car workshops. But cheap is the fundamental word, $20 WoF types of thing. Expect local clientele to be hard to collect money from.
Manukau's like mangere (though not as bad) in that it's a place where people with money consciously choose to keep away from.

Being as you're from the 'naki, you might want to take a trip up and have a wander round Manukau, get the feel of it. It may be something you're not familiar with. So to speak.

Don't Tar everone with the same brush FAG ......... show's how long it has been since you have been to Manukau, you have goodwood heights, flat bush, totara heights and its less than 5 mins from howick & botany and all these areas have people living there with money, so manukau is not a bad idea at all.

The best service you could offer is loaner bikes halfway decent ones.

[zeocen]

There is only one motorbike repair facility (as Dai said) - good chap by the name of Colin who runs his business in Tironui Rd off the back of Takanini Straight, he does good work and is constantly busy (so busy in fact, he says at times he has had to refuse work to honour his previous commitments!).

Yeah, poor Colin has been so busy lately, he always gives 110% from what I've seen.

A bike shop in Manukau would be tits. :)

[Dai]

Yeah, poor Colin has been so busy lately, he always gives 110% from what I've seen.

A bike shop in Manukau would be tits. :)

Thats the shop I was thinking of. I went there to get a new rear tyrethat was munted and he couldnt even fit me in for that. He was very appologetic and genuinely sorry he couldnt help.

I appreciated the sentiments and understood his position but the off shot was that I had to find some other place. Not easy down this way due to the lack of an alternative.

As I have been saying, go for Papakura. I think the trade is here down in the southern part of Auckland.

Keep up with the market research.

[Pixie]

You could look at Oldrewa with a view to targeting the mobility scooter market

[FROSTY]

I think it totally depends on the sort of customer base you are aiming for.
In my experience there is a severe lack of KNOWLEDGABLE performance orientated mechanical engineers in New zealand.
Im thinking of people like ray clee,robert taylor etc
If your business is focussed on this type of work you could be located on the moon and people will beat their way to your door.
Personally Id suggest you might want to think of a location near the soon to be -Hampton Downs complex.

[mr me]

Papakura is the place to be:rockon:

[Pixie]

Yeah, poor Colin has been so busy lately, he always gives 110% from what I've seen.

A bike shop in Manukau would be tits. :)

Poor,poor bastard.Nothing worse than being in business and having more work than you can handle.

[rok-the-boat]

In the UK, one out-of-town bike shop increased its customer base by creating a cafe. Bikers would stop in while travelling - rather than a pub - and catch a bite to eat. He concentrated on selling bikes and bike gear etc. and did quite well - his shop seemed to do rather well after that.

[HDTboy]

I think it totally depends on the sort of customer base you are aiming for.
Personally Id suggest you might want to think of a location near the soon to be -Hampton Downs complex.

I'd agree with that. Everyone knows where Possum Bourne Motorsport is.

[Leong]

I think to be successful in business you need to concentrate on your strengths and separate yourself from potential competition. In your case you have your name and reputation, which you have already grown within the KB community, and a specialist knowledge that gives you an advantage. Perhaps you would limit your work to the stuff that your clients wouldn't trust the average bike shop to do.... and charge accordingly, so that you don't get too busy like the guy in Takanini. However, you would also do regular servicing work for those clients, but not market the fact to avoid the "off the street" clients as Ixion referred to above.

People from Auckland have travelled to you for specialist services in Inglewood..... Anywhere in Auckland would be closer for them and wherever you are in Auckland, there will be traffic issues for some of your clients. However, I think Manukau would be a good compromise. And if you really want to specialise I agree that moving to Hampton Downs in the future would be ideal!

[mansell]

I was born in Papakura and have ridden there for years until moving south last january. Colin's shop is fantastic but he is always busy. I have used him for years.:Punk:
Another place there might be a good idea but why not Manurewa it's probably a lot cheaper. There is also need of a decent shop somewhere south.

[crashe]

I'd agree with that. Everyone knows where Possum Bourne Motorsport is.

Sorry but I don't.........

So there may well be others who don't know either.

[crashe]

It is on the main road that goes from Pukekohe township towards the racetrack, about 300 metres along from the round-a-bout on your left.

Now EVERYBODY knows

Why thank you young fella....... Much appreciated.:yes:

[blackkatana]

Papakura/Takanini area would obviously suit me fine. I go to Colin, at Papakura Motorcycles and Paul and Phill at Motoextreme in Takanini and they are always busy.

[Sensei]

I think Shaun's reputation was established many years before KB came along mate.!

Yes Speedie many know about him here & what he does . KB has been truely blissed as he has from them , lucky someone told him about it shit I think it was me . You guys may have missed out on a Weath of knowlegde otherwise . Auckland sounds a great Idea .

[iwilde]

Yes Speedie many know about him here & what he does . KB has been truely blissed as he has from them , lucky someone told him about it shit I think it was me . You guys may have missed out on a Weath of knowlegde otherwise . Auckland sounds a great Idea .

Yep, pretty much siad it. Anywhere in Ak is better than where you are now. I live in Papakura but would be happy to go for a ride anywhere to get your wealth of expericience.

[Lou Girardin]

Papkura is too far, especially with Auckland traffic. Try to get as close as you can to the CBD.
But, if you are good, AND give proper customer service, bikers will beat a path to your door.

[trev]

Shaun, go to wherever you can find the best workshop set-up for the $$$$.
Being handy to a main motorway is a definite plus. Manukau is handy to the southern, Te Irirangi Drive ( access to Howick etc. ) & south western motorways.
No matter where you go you wont please everyone & traveltime is relevant. i.e. most times you can travel 20kms on a motorway quicker than 5 kms through the back streets.
Your business will initially grow on YOUR REPUTATION and success will depend on your service. You want the right customers not all the customers and anyone that is too niggly and tightarse to spend up to 30 minutes travelling to get quality service is not the customer you want.

[Shaun]

My thoughts exactually Trev

[LilSel]

Manukau is handy to the southern, Te Irirangi Drive ( access to Howick etc. ) & south western motorways.


:yes: thats what I was gonna say lol... East Tamaki/Manukau.... Mt Wellington even... close to motorways etc... and they are not hugely expensive area's, and not many bike shops that I know of out this kinda way

[Toast]

I'd travel that far (I work most of the time in North Shore) to pay for suspension set-up by you, because your experience in racing and setting up bikes is well above what is available elsewhere, in my view.

I probably wouldn't go that far for other mechanical work though, as I'm sure that mechanics in shops nearer to me have a similar level of experience to you when it comes to engine work or maintenance checks on a bike.

If the mechanical work is to be your bread-and-butter business, then I don't think that your name will have as much pull for that kind of work, and you'd be better off close to the rest of the bike shops.

[Scouse]

Personally Id suggest you might want to think of a location near the soon to be -Hampton Downs complex.Yea good one frosty thats right in the middle of nowhere you've got the bussiness acumin of a frog

[gijoe1313]

Shaun, go to wherever you can find the best workshop set-up for the $$$$.
Being handy to a main motorway is a definite plus. Manukau is handy to the southern, Te Irirangi Drive ( access to Howick etc. ) & south western motorways.
No matter where you go you wont please everyone & traveltime is relevant. i.e. most times you can travel 20kms on a motorway quicker than 5 kms through the back streets.
Your business will initially grow on YOUR REPUTATION and success will depend on your service. You want the right customers not all the customers and anyone that is too niggly and tightarse to spend up to 30 minutes travelling to get quality service is not the customer you want.

Yep, I can vouch for that - I pootle on over to 'Treads for my tyres since they gave me excellent customer service. Every time I've been in there, they've acknowledged me and left me alone to poke around. When I went in to buy some new boots (on the reccommendation of McJim), the service was just fantastic (I'm not on commish for them either :msn-wink:).

I don't mind travelling out of my way to get the service or item(s) I need, even if a bit more pricey if the people are good!

Oh yeah, did I mention that South Auckland is in need of a bike shop with service par excellence?

[Leong]

I think Shaun's reputation was established many years before KB came along mate.!

True, I meant that his reputation had GROWN on KB referring to the specialised suspension work that he has done for me and many other KBers and how we have spread the word for him.


Shaun, go to wherever you can find the best workshop set-up for the $$$$.
Being handy to a main motorway is a definite plus. Manukau is handy to the southern, Te Irirangi Drive ( access to Howick etc. ) & south western motorways.
No matter where you go you wont please everyone & traveltime is relevant. i.e. most times you can travel 20kms on a motorway quicker than 5 kms through the back streets.
Your business will initially grow on YOUR REPUTATION and success will depend on your service. You want the right customers not all the customers and anyone that is too niggly and tightarse to spend up to 30 minutes travelling to get quality service is not the customer you want.

What he said!!!

[NinjaNanna]

The KILBURN CARS caryard in Albany became available at the beginning of this year, I drive past it every morning thinking it would make a perfect Motorcycle dealership.

Glass Show Room, Plenty of Outside Display space for second hand bikes, Office Space and WORKSHOP Facilities.

I wish I could open up a dealership!!!! Want to set up a partnership, you run the workshop, I'll do the bikes.

Any Bike Shop Owners on here want to franchise????

[ArcherWC]

LOL, fuckin Gold, that has to get a nomination for quote of the year next time round.


Has my vote :yes: :yes:

[mr me]

Yea good one frosty thats right in the middle of nowhere you've got the bussiness acumin of a frog

GOT my vote

[Shaun]

The KILBURN CARS caryard in Albany became available at the beginning of this year, I drive past it every morning thinking it would make a perfect Motorcycle dealership.

Glass Show Room, Plenty of Outside Display space for second hand bikes, Office Space and WORKSHOP Facilities.

I wish I could open up a dealership!!!! Want to set up a partnership, you run the workshop, I'll do the bikes.

Any Bike Shop Owners on here want to franchise????


You have a PM

[Shaun]

Bit of an update on this

I now believe I will be operating from the Mt Eden area, will be focusing on suspension work and services, and accesories

I will be offering a collection/drop off service as well

This buisness will start as a 3 day a week buisness, Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, all work will be booked in advance, and it will expand to more days as the clientel grows

Does this sound like a go?

[Karma]

What sort of time frame you looking at for getting set up? Days / Weeks / Months?

[Dai]

Shaun,

Sounds OK to me.

I would have loved to be able to trade locally, ie Ppapkura, but Mt Eden is easier for me to get to than where you are now.

All the best in your endeavours

[NinjaNanna]

Bit of an update on this

I now believe I will be operating from the Mt Eden area, will be focusing on suspension work and services, and accesories

I will be offering a collection/drop off service as well

This buisness will start as a 3 day a week buisness, Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, all work will be booked in advance, and it will expand to more days as the clientel grows

Does this sound like a go?


So does this spell the end of your free suspension set up offer to KB'ers. Or will this continue to be one of your draw cards??? BTW I'd be happy to pay, especially as you'd now be in Akl

[The_Dover]

Bit of an update on this

I now believe I will be operating from the Mt Eden area, will be focusing on suspension work and services, and accesories

I will be offering a collection/drop off service as well

This buisness will start as a 3 day a week buisness, Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, all work will be booked in advance, and it will expand to more days as the clientel grows

Does this sound like a go?

Cool, that's close to where I work.

You can buy the beers once you've sorted my bike out short arse.

[Swoop]

Bit of an update on this

I now believe I will be operating from the Mt Eden area, will be focusing on suspension work and services, and accesories

I will be offering a collection/drop off service as well
This sounds very good indeed.
Perhaps a couple of smaller bikes as day loaners (even little scooters) to get you to work and back while the bike is being worked on?


You think you will be working ONLY 3 days per week.... :rofl:

[Toast]

Bit of an update on this

I now believe I will be operating from the Mt Eden area, will be focusing on suspension work and services, and accesories

I will be offering a collection/drop off service as well

This buisness will start as a 3 day a week buisness, Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, all work will be booked in advance, and it will expand to more days as the clientel grows

Does this sound like a go?

Fuck yes it sounds like a go. Let us know when you start work there. Will book a time then.

[HDTboy]

This buisness will start as a 3 day a week buisness, Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, all work will be booked in advance, and it will expand to more days as the clientel grows

Does this sound like a go?

That sounds like a dream workshop

[Shaun]

Gratefull for the positive comments on here, I will have more awnsers very early next week, and can see this Work Shop up an running within the next month at the latest.

[Pumba]

Hey Shaun hows this little ventre comming along, I would love to here about some progress so I can get the suspension sorted on the SV

[Toast]

Any chance this show is kicking off before April?

[slinky]

id also be keen for getting my forks re-worked/conditioned.(whatever the right lingo is)

[The_Dover]

yeah, come on shaun. get off yer arse.

i want someone in papakura to fit my new tyres and i think you'd be perfect for the job as long as you've got some beers in the fridge for me to drink whilst you sweat.

[idleidolidyll]

The South of Auckland area has been tried without long term success so far.

Currently there are a number of new motorbike shops/workshops but it's too soon to see if they are gonna be long term or not.

I worked for Mike Harvey Honda in the late 80's; Manukau centre

Business was pretty brisk actually, we were Honda dealer of the month a number of times (pretty good since we didn't really do farm bikes).
That probably failed because, for some unfathomable reason, Honda had two dealers within 50 metres of each other; it was a crazy setup.


One of the ex-mechanics from Harveys (Gaudenz) has a workshop in Tuakau (other side of Papakura by about 20km)

So there'd certainly be some competition but the Manukau area (and south) is the fastest growing in the city (maybe in the country).

I guess, in the end, it depends on your business PR and marketing and whether you can/would need to drag customers out from the city. Aucklanders (north of Otahuhu) seem to think we all run around with machetes setting cars on fire and robbing old ladies: i think they're afraid to come south.

[idleidolidyll]

Bit of an update on this

I now believe I will be operating from the Mt Eden area, will be focusing on suspension work and services, and accesories

I will be offering a collection/drop off service as well

This buisness will start as a 3 day a week buisness, Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, all work will be booked in advance, and it will expand to more days as the clientel grows

Does this sound like a go?

looks like you'll be in competition with Dave Cole, Gaudenz Gisler and lots of others; good luck

[The_Dover]

Aucklanders (north of Otahuhu) seem to think we all run around with machetes setting cars on fire and robbing old ladies: i think they're afraid to come south.

yeah, but that's only weekends and outside of business hours.

there's not much else in the way of entertainment out our way unless watching a topless Mr Poo's sing Bette Midler (badly) is your idea of fun.

[cowpoos]

yeah, but that's only weekends and outside of business hours.

there's not much else in the way of entertainment out our way unless watching a topless Mr Poo's sing Bette Midler (badly) is your idea of fun.
seeya tonight bro!!

[Grahameeboy]

Hey Shaun hows this little ventre comming along, I would love to here about some progress so I can get the suspension sorted on the SV

My SV too..................

[Grahameeboy]

yeah, come on shaun. get off yer arse..

Rich coming from you..............anyway when are ya going get a chance to ride ya bike now ya a Dad..............haven't you been told that your life well change blah blah by the nega nanny's

[paturoa]

...I will be offering a collection/drop off service as well...

I got my bike serviced at the new New Lynn Honda shop today and they have bus stops in both directions on the main drag right outside the front door.

It was quite convenient as I work in town - but not as convenient as a chauffeur (sp?) service.

[Brett]

If there was someone at the shop who could specialise, in say suspension set up, or carb tuning etc. then I think they would make really good money. I for one, would be more than happy to ride to Papakura to get someone who was that little bit special at tweaking suspension. However, it is also important to have good prices, Colemans service is good, but for average servicing work, then they are not too cost effective, however i dont have time to do the work myself.

[buellbabe]

I know I am a bit late posting on this but have only just returned from touring and my answer to the question is HELL YEAH!

[Swoop]

I got my bike serviced at the new New Lynn Honda shop today...
How was the service?

I had a nosey around last week. A pleasant surprise to be able to actually walk all around the bikes instead of having them squeezed in side-by-side, like most places do.