Bike shop

[vifferman]

ok... you want a coffee lounge ... i built you all one ...

That's perfect, Sarge. I especially like the classy coffee table.

[Nicksta]

there will be a uniform though....

as long as its sponsored bike wear.. i'll wear it!

[Fishy]

as long as its sponsored bike wear.. i'll wear it!

Now there's a good girl

[SARGE]

there will be a uniform though....

yea .. i got mine today......


i look much better than that skinny waif though...

[Ixion]

You mena you have bigger tits than she does? Piccys please, I need a good laugh.

[Nicksta]

yea .. i got mine today......


i look much better than that skinny waif though...

hey, you've seen me in my leathers, do i look like a skinny waife??

i think i'd do a good job in the accessories department selling gear and stuff... and look ok in the uniform

[Beemer]

Staff who don't assume women are only pillions - nothing against those who are, but a simple "do you ride?" to any woman would go a long way, rather than the more usual "what does your husband/partner ride?" response.

Women's gear in all sizes - after all, WE come in all sizes! I'm sick of seeing racks of size eight gear (correct, I'm NOT a size eight!) and tiny little boots. Tiny gloves are fine, I have tiny hands, and a few smaller helmets wouldn't go amiss either.

I hate coffee - but I do like Anza's sausage sizzle days! I like tea, so a few tea bags or even a water cooler would be good.

What about some motorcycling books as well as magazines? Some of us have progressed beyond just pictures...

But most of all, friendly staff and great service. I think all of us realise that things go wrong, parts don't arrive or they are the wrong ones, or shops are busy and can't help us yesterday no matter how rich or important we may think we are ( ), but politeness and good communication regarding what is happening can't be stressed enough.

I don't really care what brands you stock (although I'm not big on Harleys) because a bike shop is a bike shop. I may not buy a bike off you, but there's always accessories, etc. and it's fun to look around all types of shops.

BIG changing rooms with hooks or shelves for your own gear. Lots of mirrors so you don't have to wander the shop to find one! And keep them clean and junk free - trying on gear in a temporary storeroom is a pain. And clean toilets - with flowing soap and a hand drier or paper towels. One shop I won't mention has a grubby bar of soap and a wet hand towel - yuck! Oh, and make the toilets large enough that you can get into them wearing bike gear - the ones at most shops are so small you have to squeeze down one side of the toilet just to close the door!

When your bike is being serviced, having somewhere safe to leave your helmet and gear is also nice too.

A wall of photos is quite neat too - photos of guys you support through sponsorship (you will be sponsoring someone, won't you?!!!), people who have bought bikes off you, runs you have organised, etc.

If I think of anything else, I'll add it later!

Oh, and if it was close to where we live in Levin, even better!

[SARGE]

hey, you've seen me in my leathers, do i look like a skinny waife??

i think i'd do a good job in the accessories department selling gear and stuff... and look ok in the uniform

no Nicksta.. i was talking about the skinny waif in the picture...


silly wabbit..

[gav]

How about a webcam showing the workshop, and mechanic bays. Customers could log on and watch their bike being serviced, could even time them !! Got nothing to hide, have ya?

[Lou Girardin]

Staff who don't assume women are only pillions - nothing against those who are, but a simple "do you ride?" to any woman would go a long way, rather than the more usual "what does your husband/partner ride?" response.

Women's gear in all sizes - after all, WE come in all sizes! I'm sick of seeing racks of size eight gear (correct, I'm NOT a size eight!) and tiny little boots. Tiny gloves are fine, I have tiny hands, and a few smaller helmets wouldn't go amiss either.

When the importers bring it in, we'll stock it.
But there's a limit to the amount of unsold stock you can have on the racks for months.
There aren't that many woman bikers, or even pillions, for that matter, to make for big sales figures.
And their partners often make it clear that cheap is best for their other half.
Whereas, I believe that a comfy pillion is a happy one.

[SARGE]

And their partners often make it clear that cheap is best for their other half.
Whereas, I believe that a comfy pillion is a happy one.

you wife reads KB doesnt she Lou? :suckup:

[Lou Girardin]

you wife reads KB doesnt she Lou? :suckup:

I bloody hope not.

[Mooch]

Mate...

Stuff the bike shop, open up something like this..

http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

Seriously do this , would look great with a couple of 1000 kiwibikers.

If you're considering a business around motorcycles (And car enthusiasts for that matter) take a trip to London and check out Ace Cafe.
It would be interesting to compare the turnover to a motorcycle store.

Otherwise if you want to target the Euro bike market

1, The best bike mechanics (pretty store does nothing without these people)

2, Customised service, (IE bike pick up and drop off from home)

3, A taste of the range of aftermarket goodies for the bikes you sell.

4, Attentive, but non pushy sales people

5, A sales person that can do a deal without going to the floor manager / boss / receptionist .... whatever

6, Leave the cafe to people that do cafes , I don't pop down to the dealer to get a soy latte or whatever. However , the bike shops that talk about bikes , what’s new etc , bike launches are tops.

7, A small amount of discounting on parts and accessories for regular customers / after bike sales. (Customer feels like they are getting value.

8, A shop that looks at the wider M/C community and organises the odd ride / BBQ.

9, A shop that does Tours to Philip Island / MotoGP / Superbikes

10, A parts counter where they know the customers, get orders right first time, will take phone orders from customers etc

11, Somewhere where the owner is actively involved and shows interest in its customers.


Then again, the local dealer already does this. You’re up against some serious competition already in some places.

[Pixie]

great Idea

Well I'll kick it off - SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE. Make the customer feel good and they will keep coming back.
Good luck

I take it ,then, that Mr Mystery Proprieter won't be employing New Zealanders

[Pixie]

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.

You could go on a recruiting drive and offer likely candidates a position on your staff