Worrying trend.
- Thread starter cliffa
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marshg246
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Interesting video. Several things are different in the US but most of his issues remain.
In my area "motorcycling" appears to actually be up and the three dealers in the area appear strong. However, some "motorcycling" definitions have changed.
Today there are lots of types of two-wheeled, powered vehicles. A young person going to a dealer looking for inexpensive two-wheeled transportation often is not looking for what we call a motorcycle.
The Harley dealer is still focused on big motorcycles, but they have a lot of 3-wheelers in stock and a large inventory of smaller electric bikes.
The other near-by dealers have lots of brands, but both have good stocks of Zero and one stocks lots of scooters.
Traditional scooters and the newer half motorcycle, half scooter step through bikes are popular here.
Also, "training" is mostly gone in the US and although I assumed for most of my life that anyone with an old British motorcycle worked on them, but I've found in recent years that many with vintage Nortons and Triumphs do absolutely no work on them - not even cleaning a chain!
I've looked for someone to over-pay and teach for a long time. I would like nothing better than to find a young man or woman interested in motorcycles and/or IT and/or business to help me and to teach. Doesn't exist in my area! I learned many skills working for free in a Triumph shop - I probably would have made being a mechanic my life had they been willing to pay. I did it to learn and to once in a while get a discount on the parts I needed for my bike and for the side jobs I did.
There is a old shop nearby that gets by working on bikes, but the owner has the same problem. The shop will be 60 years old next year and the owner gets by. Who wants to start/buy a business that 60 years later you are just getting by and can't find workers.
BTW, Jim Comstock and Matt Rambo have the same problem even though they are in a better area. They have given up on having workers as I understand it.
In my area "motorcycling" appears to actually be up and the three dealers in the area appear strong. However, some "motorcycling" definitions have changed.
Today there are lots of types of two-wheeled, powered vehicles. A young person going to a dealer looking for inexpensive two-wheeled transportation often is not looking for what we call a motorcycle.
The Harley dealer is still focused on big motorcycles, but they have a lot of 3-wheelers in stock and a large inventory of smaller electric bikes.
The other near-by dealers have lots of brands, but both have good stocks of Zero and one stocks lots of scooters.
Traditional scooters and the newer half motorcycle, half scooter step through bikes are popular here.
Also, "training" is mostly gone in the US and although I assumed for most of my life that anyone with an old British motorcycle worked on them, but I've found in recent years that many with vintage Nortons and Triumphs do absolutely no work on them - not even cleaning a chain!
I've looked for someone to over-pay and teach for a long time. I would like nothing better than to find a young man or woman interested in motorcycles and/or IT and/or business to help me and to teach. Doesn't exist in my area! I learned many skills working for free in a Triumph shop - I probably would have made being a mechanic my life had they been willing to pay. I did it to learn and to once in a while get a discount on the parts I needed for my bike and for the side jobs I did.
There is a old shop nearby that gets by working on bikes, but the owner has the same problem. The shop will be 60 years old next year and the owner gets by. Who wants to start/buy a business that 60 years later you are just getting by and can't find workers.
BTW, Jim Comstock and Matt Rambo have the same problem even though they are in a better area. They have given up on having workers as I understand it.
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I suggest a smarter way to go might be to specialise in a certain type of motorcycle, both for road use and road racing. I think the nicest motorcycle is the mid 80's 750GSXR Suzuki, and there was an FZR Yamaha equivalent. There are probably retro versions of both. A relatively modern 750 is big enough and fast enough for anybody.
johnm
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In the smaller country towns in NZ the bike shops make their money from farm bikes and quads. Went into mine recently and they have around 4 bays to lift quads and only one bay dedicated to bikes. Lots of dirt bikes in the showroom. But very few road bikes.
They still have a few younger mechanics and occasional apprentice.
They still have a few younger mechanics and occasional apprentice.
