What happened to motorcycle shops/stores?

[Momz]

The kind of place that sold real motorcycles. Not a store that sells virtually all brands and specializes in fashion accessories, beer steins, generators, ATVs, snowmobiles, PWCs, mopeds, and scooters.

I long for the days when a cycle shop was just that. OK,...maybe a few dirt bikes and an occasional flat tracker or hill climb machine. I remember the kind of place where a guy could just stand around or have a cup of coffee and just drink in the atmosphere. A place where they had tires and performance parts on display and leather tankbags on the counter. A place where you could purchase tools, oil, maybe some gloves and there wasn't an accessory catalog in sight. A place where there were event flyers posted and you actually knew the mechanics. A place where the people who worked there also rode there. A place where the used bike buyers were given the same respect as new bike buyers,...and not given the bums rush. A place you went back to when you wanted to trade up. The kind of shop that sponsored local riders and willing gave clubs shirts and other accesories for door prizes at the club events. A shop that opened its doors for a Sunday Poker Run, and was always closed on Mondays.

Of all the Powersports superstores in the metro Detroit area, there are very few cycle only stores only. I can think of only two BMW shops, and a Polaris ATV-Victory shop (and it looks like it's on its way out).

Just when did the shop that sold only motorcycles become a retail dinasoar? I've seen stores that never delivered a single bike on a Saturday, but ATVs and mopeds were delivered all day long. In a world of specialized shops why have we lost this part of our moto-heritage? Does anyone else think like me? Am I a dinasoar?

If you know of an old-time cycle shop, how about letting us know?

[ArmyValker]

I think the big multi-brand powersports dealers and the soaring popularity of the "biker" image (guys that paid 4 times as much in dollars as they've rode in miles) is what happened to those places. Bikes are mass-produced, the internet makes it easy for the average joe to figure out the bottom dollar on bike prices so the smaller shops can't compete with the huge powersports dealer who deals in volume instead of service.
Hell, last time I walked into a Honda dealer here, the kid behind the counter said "what kinda bike you need parts for?" I say, "A Valkyrie." Kid says "Is that a Honda?"

Then writes on a piece of paper "Honda Valcury"

I left.

[¿spoom]

Some of 'em gave up 'cause of internet retailers killed off their parts sales. peeps come itnto the shop to look at stuff & get part #s, then buy off the web.

[fudgie]

Not sure momz. I started riding in the late 90's and don't remember those places. I been to a few HD places and never seen any bikes for sale!  I like riding to the HD shop more then the honda ones. I get alot more conversation about the valk there. And thats makes me feel good!

[DKBILL]

I guess I'm lucky because my dealer is everything you are looking for in a cycle shop. THey deal only in Honda motorcycles and equipment. Every Monday and Thursday nights they are open and I've spent plenty of evening enjoying some coffee and conversation with other riders who happen to show up. They also were the first non-family  call to assist me and my family after an accident on my Valk. They first offered  to assist my wife in anyway possible and then offered to get the Valk to whatever shop I wanted. The dealer is Bob-Jo Cycle, near Sycamore,Il. it's out in the middle of nowhere and has been the for 50 years and now is the only cycle shop in the area except for the local Harley  dealer

[rmrc51]

Not sure momz. I started riding in the late 90's and don't remember those places. I been to a few HD places and never seen any bikes for sale!  I like riding to the HD shop more then the honda ones. I get alot more conversation about the valk there. And thats makes me feel good!

Now that the same experience I've had regarding the Harley shops. They'll just sit and talk to ya and have great respect for the Valkyrie.

[sandy]

You've described D&D Discount Motorcycle in Tempe, AZ. A couple of good mechanics own and run the place. I pass by on the way home and stop in and talk to customers. After sending them 2 "GOOD" sales, they elevated me to "Family" as they said. Most everyone that walks in the door is greated by a first name as most are repeat customers. They deal in used bikes and specialize in trike building. Champion and DFT are their product lines.

[Goody]

Momz,
Come on man your making us show our age!!!   I miss those kinds of cycle shops.  Norms Yamaha here in Maryland wound up going out to the Big Superstores.  He sponcered A lot of funtions for the Venture Touring Society
Wish I still Had my 87 Venture Royale.  There is a shop not to far from where I work on My motorcycles Called Speed's  Motorcycle.  Mostly a Ducati dealer  And a few Moto Guzzis but he will get any of us anything we need.
What happened to the days a motorcycle shop was a place to hang on Saturday morning, when you walked in everybody new you by Name. What happened to the days when the mechanic would be visible.  You know the guy so scrungy you would of thought he was a derilic.  Had your bike apart before you could tell him what was wrong, He knew by the sound when you pulled in.  Layed rags down on your paint to keep it clean, had a shop rag masking taped to his wrenches so he wouldn't ding anything.  I think the superstores and shopping from our computers have made that kind of shop as extinct as the dinosuars.  I think they went the way of old Route 66, Gone but not forgotten   Thanks for the memories, you got me sittin back drinking a beer and remembering the good ole days.

[MNBill]

I stopped at my local (small town, NOT a superstore) Polaris, Victory, lawn mower and ATV dealer the other day to have my chainsaw fixed and sharpened. It was just after a bike show here in town. He mentioned he talked to the local HD dealer about sales and how much they had dropped at the HD shop. He welcomed the HD guy to the real powersports business. Harley shop has bikes and clothes, small town guy has a few clothes but 90% bikes, mowers, blowers and ATVs. He said the ATVs are strong now, keeping his business strong. Victorys are moving but slow. Bottom line I guess is you do not always have to be the cheapest, their service and the way they take care of the customer still sells alot better than the local superstore.

[dreamaker]

Hey Momz!
I think you mean the good old boys chewing the fat.  There not gone just displaced.  When it gets warm on a Wed. in Mt. Clemens they have a unofficial cruse night.  It started with the cars and then the biker started to roll in because they couldn't stand the boneheads on Woodward. The warmer it is the bigger it is without the commercial attitude. Just a bunch of motor heads kicking back and chewing the fat enjoying your favored drink. You got people crusing around or just parking it with no hassle from the cops, in fact some times they sit back and have a coffee with us.  Bunch of people exchanging ideas, info., wheeling and dealing parts, bike shop owners, mechanics and restorers of any make. Its pretty much word of mouth low key down to earth people. On a good night you can see just about any kind of car or bike imaginable. Here is the key, the warmer it is on the Wed. the better it is and they don't wait till summer.

Dan

[Jack]

Cajun Cycle in Baton Rouge is a great place to just hang and talk with the guys.  Also, Rodney's Cycle House in Little Rock is great.

[~ Timbrwolf]

....been around bikes shops since I was 10 years old.... even at that age, I could "sense" a sort of attitude in the sales people...shop managers....and owners...


....when I bought my State back in 01....I was fortunate enough to be able to add a couple grand worth of goodies on her, before I even picked her up....since I was spending around 14 grand....I pushed hard to get all the discounts I could ...I negotiated the price of the fog lights to include the labor for installation at no Xtra charge...it was a cold March night when I went to pick the bike up after all the goodies were bolted on...the Service Manager was bitching to me that it took the better part of the day to install the fog lights and get em aligned correctly....I just smiled....by the time they got the bike rolled out front for me, it was dark, and they were closing...I leathered up and threw a leg over and started her up....I had brand new Two Brothers 6 into 6 installed and she was sputtering bad.....I went back inside and informed them that....something wasnt right....the Service Manager immediately copped an attitude...and was like...what do you mean somethings not right ?!?......what did you do to it ?!?. .....I was not happy....I had just spent over 14 grand in there establishment and this was the "service" I was getting ? ....the kid who put my bike together out of the crate...the one who had a distinct smell of...burnt weed....on him when I came to pick the bike up....was kind enough to come outside and have a "look see"....even though he was off the clock....he was out there for over a half hour...with a flash light....(they wouldnt let him bring the bike back in)....and eventually figured out that when they had the tank off to install the fog lights....they *pinched* the vent tube under the tank ....putting it back on and gas was not flowing correctly because of it....he got it fixed and she started up like monster she was.....I made a point of going back in and telling the Service Manager what the problem was....but I didnt want to dis him too much because I knew Id be back for maitainence and other mechanical work and I trusted the other Honda Dealership I went to....even less.....I wouldnt trust...any shop....unless the mechanic was a close friend of mine....and even then Id keep my eyes open...which is why Im trying to learn how to do valve adjustments..carb syncs and other things myself....

[LandElephant]

The last time I saw a place like that was in the early 70's when I bought my Triumph Trident.  That's all he had, did repairs, and told you if he didn't have the part he'd get it in a couple days and got right on the phone.

I guess we can dream can't we.

Charlie
Land Elephant

[hubcapsc]

Some of 'em gave up 'cause of internet retailers killed off their parts sales. peeps come itnto the shop to look at stuff & get part #s, then buy off the web.

I made sure not to do that to my local Honda shop. I went there and tried on their helmets and
found "the one", and had them order it in the color I wanted.

Then, when I needed new oil in my forks, I brought them my forks because I didn't have the
special tool available... they charged me $300.00.

Oh well, I tried... I got a bookmark to HDL now 

-Mike

[Misfit]

The kind of place that sold real motorcycles. Not a store that sells virtually all brands and specializes in fashion accessories, beer steins, generators, ATVs, snowmobiles, PWCs, mopeds, and scooters.

I long for the days when a cycle shop was just that. OK,...maybe a few dirt bikes and an occasional flat tracker or hill climb machine. I remember the kind of place where a guy could just stand around or have a cup of coffee and just drink in the atmosphere. A place where they had tires and performance parts on display and leather tankbags on the counter. A place where you could purchase tools, oil, maybe some gloves and there wasn't an accessory catalog in sight. A place where there were event flyers posted and you actually knew the mechanics. A place where the people who worked there also rode there. A place where the used bike buyers were given the same respect as new bike buyers,...and not given the bums rush. A place you went back to when you wanted to trade up. The kind of shop that sponsored local riders and willing gave clubs shirts and other accesories for door prizes at the club events. A shop that opened its doors for a Sunday Poker Run, and was always closed on Mondays.

Of all the Powersports superstores in the metro Detroit area, there are very few cycle only stores only. I can think of only two BMW shops, and a Polaris ATV-Victory shop (and it looks like it's on its way out).

Just when did the shop that sold only motorcycles become a retail dinasoar? I've seen stores that never delivered a single bike on a Saturday, but ATVs and mopeds were delivered all day long. In a world of specialized shops why have we lost this part of our moto-heritage? Does anyone else think like me? Am I a dinasoar?

If you know of an old-time cycle shop, how about letting us know?

Why not open up one of your own. It would be COOL! All of your buddies could come hang out there, drink coffee, kick tires and so on. It would be a good opertunity to meet some new friends also. Who knows you may make a ton of cash.