Bike shop

[Exotix]

Hey KB

I am posting this under an assumed login due to the fact that I do not wish to be identified. Suffice it to say that I am a senior member here and leave it at that. I have Spank’s permission to do this.

After many years shopping at various bike shops in NZ, I find something lacking in them. There are a few good shops around but not one GREAT shop. The losers far outweigh the winners as far as I can see.
I am planning on opening my own motorcycle shop and I need to know what features YOU would look for. What is important to you in a bike shop? A café? Dyno? Let me know. It ideally will specialize in the up-market Euro stuff (MV, Cagiva, Aprillia, KTM, and Husqvarna, Ducati with maybe a cornerstone jappa brand like Suzuki or Kawasaki) and would like to have a very “Porsche/ Mercedes” dealership feel. i would also like suggestions on who the Best Of The Best are in dealership nationwide.. sales, workshop, parts..
Please be realistic. I am pretty sure I can pull this off if I put my head down and just get it going.

[Jonty]

great Idea

Well I'll kick it off - SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE. Make the customer feel good and they will keep coming back. The other thing I look for is a good range of bike for those of us that can't afford the latest 999. Say good quality 99-2004 bikes for us homeowners.

Oh and please open on the weekends!!!!!!

Good luck

[skelstar]

What do you find lacking? If you dont mind me asking.

[The_Dover]

Why go for the exclusivity thing? How many on here actually ride those brands?

Most people just want the same thing, good prices, top customer service, choice.

Being able to feel comfortable "hanging out" is always a bonus in a bike shop and a community feel is also a winner.

I for one would not go into a continental cars style bike shop full of suits and shit that I can't afford, or wouldn't buy if I could. Sure carry them but are they going to be huge sellers?

Dyno would be good, knowledgable but not arrogant staff (sales, parts and workshop) and an open door policy would be good. Opening hours a la Mt Eden would be great, most people work and it is a pain in the arse having to rush to get there before closing.

Not a cafe as such but a decent waiting area with lots of bike porn and a coffee machine would be cool too.

[Karma]

Enough staff to meet demand, especially in the workshop.

If I want an oil change I want it today, if you can't do that then I'm going somewhere else.

[skelstar]

Open on Sunday. Spend as much money/time/space on accessories as you do with the bikes. Lets face it you buy more accessories than you do bikes.

[skelstar]

A bloody good website that gets updated reg-like.

[outlawtorn]

Service for me is the biggest thing, that's why I chose Colemans and that's why I'll never buy anything from Cyclespot.

Next is advice, the salespeople should explain everything to potential buyers, especially new buyers. Also when it comes to gear, don't just try and flog excess stock onto people, give them real advice and suggestions, if you wouldn't wear it/use it or it's inferior then why sell it to someone else?

But the best move you could do is to hire some really nice leggy blondes who have to wear tight clothing and can bring some sizeable assets to the company.

[outlawtorn]

A bloody good website that gets updated reg-like.

Any what he said. A website is always the most under-rated selling tool when it comes to none web savvy people, look at most bike shop websites and you'll see they suck, both in the way they look and in the information the offer, don't leave your website to be updated by someone in the company who has an email address, get it done properly, for example:
www.trimit.co.nz
and another one of mine
www.wileyx.co.nz
never underestimate the power of the web, you wouldn't print out and cut your own business cards would you, because it would look cheap, same goes for a website.

[Jonty]

Also you will need a shite tin of capital to kick a high end bike shop off the ground. Not to sure how you would get on arrnaging a floorplan agreement with out serious collateral.

[crashe]

Ummmm what is wrong with Yamaha.... Nought...


Ok where are you wanting to open up this shop?
Cos location location location is the done thing here.
You will need plenty of decent parking space available to bikes and cars cos the odd biker will travel by car from time to time.


Customer service - Friendly, polite and welcoming into the shop is nice.
Offer cups of tea or coffee...

Offer a wider variety of gear as well and people who know what the stuff is about.

Have a video going of the lastest bike races.
Plenty of books to browse throu whilst waiting.

A damn good service department that offers fast and efficent service...
Have top notch mechanic's who actually know there stuff.

Be up front with the customers and dont fuck them around...
If the job cant be done on time or at all be honest about it.

Be prepared to say that another shop will have a hard to come by item if you dont stock it or cant get it in... by suggesting the other shops by name...
That gives you a good name if you mention other shops as well.


There ya go thats my 2 cents worth...

Good luck in this venture you are taking on...

[Dooly]

Good friendly staff through all depts.

[SimJen]

Motogb at the mount has a nice highend look/feel and good service.
A cafe would be cool, depends if peeps will use it regular.....if its like the Ace Cafe in London it'd be awesome. Cafe would have to be open weekends though.
Dyno is always handy as long as its cheap enough, and you have someone good to set it up.
Service and friendly staff who are genuinely interested....

[Kendog]

Have to agree with a great web-site, with good response time to e-mails and enquires, able to get stuff that I want at a good price and will be what I want and not something close to but won't fit on my bike or my bum. Knowledgeable staff and good, affordable service for me and the bike. Oh, and good luck!

[Cibby]

a range of chick accessories.. Its bloody hard to come across chick leathers and chick corduras...

coffee maker, and i think the being able to get your bike in asap for a service.