I just got off the phone with one of our dealer advertisers. He’s always got a great attitude, loves motorcycles (you really have to in order to own a motorcycle shop, ‘cause you’re not going to be riding all that often), and his shop has been around for a long time. We were discussing the state of the motorcycle industry today, and, although this Spring certainly put a damper (no pun intended) on the start of the season, we were both hoping for a strong summer comeback.
The motorcycle manufacturers are certainly offering a great variety to the riding public, with something for every taste, size and price point. Whether you need a ride for the day-to-day commute or plan on travelling around the globe, there’s a two-wheeled conveyance out there for you.
The problem lies in you, John and Joan Q. Public. Let me pose a question, and it’s certainly one that has been asked before. When you’re planning a ride, short or long, and you roll the bike out of the garage to prep it and get it packed, what happens if you notice you need new tires, an oil filter, any missing or broken part (you fill in the blank). Do you log on to the 24-hour shopping network called the internet and try to find one that can be shipped overnight?
When you’re shopping around for a new ride, please don’t tell me that you will go to any lengths to save that extra $100, even if it means travelling to points far and wide to pick it up. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t try for a decent deal, but folks, remember that you are going to have to get it serviced at some point, and your LOCAL shop is probably going to be your best bet.
Most likely the biggest no-brainer I’ve heard lately is those penny pinchers (yes, you heard me right) who get low prices on tires at some online megastore, only to have to bring them to their LOCAL shop to have them put on, and then complain that the shop wants to charge them an extra fee since they didn’t buy them there. Well, DUH, don’t you realize that these shops are trying to support themselves and their employees. They don’t just blink their eyes and the tires magically mount on your bike, it takes time, and that time has to be paid for. And, by the way, who’s going to dispose of your old tires, huh? They are.
It’s not just the internet that’s taking its toll on the local dealers, it’s the mongo chain stores as well. Where one would stop in the local dealer to pick up a stray bolt, bulb or doohickey, now it may just be too easy to head to Pep Boys or Napa Parts. Sure, they may have what you need, but they probably won’t have the motorcycle wherewithall to tell you how you’ll fix that broken doohickey. Your local dealer, on the other hand, will most likely have the part in stock and take the time to answer any questions you might have regarding the project.
Okay, so I’m sure you’ve got my point. It’s all too easy to Google things these days, or head to WalMart, but it’s much more satisfying to hang out at the bike shop for a little while, kick some tires and support the folks who will ultimately save your ass. You may not be planning on heading out to the far reaches of the world today, but when you do, don’t you want the reassurance that your local shop will be there to take care of your pony when you return. Because the more you shop globally, the fewer locals will remain. And when it’s seven o’clock on a Friday night and you need to head out at o’dark hundred the next day, the MegaInternetMotorcycleShop will not be there to supply your broken seal, but Pop Yamaha/Harley/Etc. most certainly will keep his light on for you until the job is done.
And do not forget to finance at
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