I'm all in favor of supporting local (NZ) businesses, if they aren't taking the piss

[bogan]

Glad we agree.
So yeah, unless I'm incredibly lazy and have just had a ridiculous bonus, I'll stick to overseas service and price over local shops any day.

Not like that all the time though is it. For instance I got some bloke dropping off some parts, to my door, tomorrow because they didn't have em in stock when I went around this morning. The prices are also competitive with overseas, business account holder discount with them, and no waiting (this is most important). There is a place for local, and a place for overseas imports, and even a place for national (cos next day parts to my door after firing off one email is just good time management); learning when/which/why just makes good sense.

[R650R]

I'd want bearings for popular models of bike such as the Hayabusa on the shelf so that the customer can get them asap. They actually had around 30 on the shelf, but when you fail to stock even basic items such as brakepads in your workshop thats kind of the line for me.

I would never own a bikeshop, cunts generally work in them and there are easier ways to become broke. Such as gambling, alcohol and hard drugs. All which would be a hell of alot better than having to deal with NZ Harley owners day in day out.

Head bearings are not something you suddenly wear out, I don't think its a critical part that bike shops should keep in stock instead of overnighting it when needed. You copuld still ride around for a day or two no worries once discovering they need replacing albeit you might not be wof status...
My GSXR has had plenty of cack handed rough landings from wheelies and still on original head bearings at 110,000km...

[Big Dog]

Head bearings are not something you suddenly wear out, I don't think its a critical part that bike shops should keep in stock instead of overnighting it when needed. You copuld still ride around for a day or two no worries once discovering they need replacing albeit you might not be wof status...
My GSXR has had plenty of cack handed rough landings from wheelies and still on original head bearings at 110,000km...

Aye, but it is usually the critical parts that are super specialist, and it tends to be short notice you discover you have an issue if you ride every day because the damage is so gradual.
I don't expect there will be a throttle cable in stock for my DR350 because it is not used under the same part number for any other bike.
I believe but aint willing to part with cash to find out that the Djebel and the electric leg 350 and 400s use the same part under a different number, but if your wrong then you have parts you can't use.

Carrying a range of Universal parts for sure.
Head bearings that wander out the door at a dozen a month for sure.
Parts you only sell occasionally and to a limited market... no.

A more sensible approach would be to own a common model of bike that has a lot of shared parts with other bikes. far higher probability someone will have the bit you need that day.
Same reason I have a set of spare levers for 350 somewhere. Apparently the levers for that sub model are not common to any other Suzuki. They are common to a couple of Hondas and even a KTM or two but bugger trying to work that out on a weekend when you need to ride the thing to work on monday.

Which reminds me need to keep an eye out for some cheap levers, a spare key and anything else likely to leave me stranded in Tuakau if I dropped the bike in the garage.
Come to mention given some of the chatter in my charging thread I might be best to keep an ebay out for a regulator rectifier on special.

[BlackSheepLogic]

My thoughts exactly. The jacket I got is a perfect example. I landed it for $407, if I could have bought the jacket here for $500 I probably would have, but it retails for $699. Not only that, the other side of it is generally the variety you can obtain from Europe is immensely broader than the 1 or 2 styles/colour options you might be able to get here.

Well as I've said on this thread I've been getting items for my bike from the US due to price, selection, knowledge, and attitude of some NZ distributors.

However, we still have a small number of small business that actually make riding gear here and won't compete on the very low end but they are competitive on quality riding gear which will last for years.

[Swoop]

Girth is harder to accommodate than length.

The Kiwi foot is wider than the European foot. Something to do with growing up in bare feet, apparently...

It must be a nightmare stocking/supplying footwear in this country.

[James Deuce]

The Kiwi foot is wider than the European foot. Something to do with growing up in bare feet, apparently...

It must be a nightmare stocking/supplying footwear in this country.

It isn't because they simply don't stock footwear I can buy. Sizes generally run to a size 12UK in about 30% of any men's range and they'll be an "E" fitment, not EE. There is massive variation in actual size too. One company's size 13 may not be an actual size 13(UK) despite the labeling. There is one shop in Upper Hutt that gets in decent quality shoes at reasonable prices and it is a multi-generational family-owned business. I make a twice a year pilgrimage and buy some size 13(UK) Hush Puppies for work and a pair of Scholl's walking or running shoes. Usually swallows up about $500. Oddly, sports shoe shops generally run to Size 12 UK and then start again at size 15.

I can't buy shoes or condoms. This country sucks.

[F5 Dave]

Just wrap them around twice and add another rubber band, that's what I do.

[James Deuce]

Somewhat Heath Robinson, but I shall give that a try.

[BlackSheepLogic]

You might want to look into getting some custom boots made. I have a couple of everyday wear boots that are ten years old. I have them repaired (usually they just new soles/heals). They cost a lot at the time but ten years on I'm still wearing them. Well worth the cost.

It isn't because they simply don't stock footwear I can buy. Sizes generally run to a size 12UK in about 30% of any men's range and they'll be an "E" fitment, not EE. There is massive variation in actual size too. One company's size 13 may not be an actual size 13(UK) despite the labeling. There is one shop in Upper Hutt that gets in decent quality shoes at reasonable prices and it is a multi-generational family-owned business. I make a twice a year pilgrimage and buy some size 13(UK) Hush Puppies for work and a pair of Scholl's walking or running shoes. Usually swallows up about $500. Oddly, sports shoe shops generally run to Size 12 UK and then start again at size 15.

I can't buy shoes or condoms. This country sucks.

[Crasherfromwayback]

My GSXR has had plenty of cack handed rough landings from wheelies and still on original head bearings at 110,000km...

Why do people think bad landings from wheelies fucks steering head bearings anyway?

[Ender EnZed]

Why do people think bad landings from wheelies fucks steering head bearings anyway?

Well, I read it on the internet.

[James Deuce]

You might want to look into getting some custom boots made. I have a couple of everyday wear boots that are ten years old. I have them repaired (usually they just new soles/heals). They cost a lot at the time but ten years on I'm still wearing them. Well worth the cost.

Cheaper to self-import from known manufacturers or find a friend. I looked at that in the mid-2000 and the people I spoke to were a bit but vague about reinforced heels and sole and ankle protection and wanted about $1200. I have a nice pair of Dainese boots that are comfy to wear all day and were $400. Leather Direct in Cuba St got them in for me. They will wear out though. Sigh.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Well, I read it on the internet.

Lol. Reckon. If that was a fact...poor old moto-x bikes would be putting new brgs in every second ride.

[bogan]

Why do people think bad landings from wheelies fucks steering head bearings anyway?

Doug told me so


Shock loads are bad for bearings though, not explode after one hit bad, but I'd expect em to last longer in my bike than Dougs

[Big Dog]

I would have thought year round riding without regular re packing of the bearings would so more harm? Or poor adjustment?
All three head bearings that died on my watch were daily riders that saw a lot of motorway use. All were Suzukis. All were on multiples of 30,000. GN had just hit 30,000. Hayabusa skipped 30, but needed some at 60,000. Gsx1100 needed at 30 and 90,000.

Not casting any aspersions but something I noticed. Every time it was picked up by a service that occurred every 6000 and only on numbers that only had one leading number.


Maybe I pay too much attention to servicing trends.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.