Bike shops

Darkside · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

Does anyone here have any suggestions as to which area a motorbike shop would be appreciated and suited in the United Kingdom, sales only for the time being however in time possibly extending to repairs etc...
I was thinking perhaps Leicester but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thumbs Up

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Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Not for repairs, but for (some) parts and loads of clothing you could do a lot worse than MCA in Leicester: https://www.mcaleicester.co.uk/

Used them a few times and they always have loads of stock (helmets, leathers, boots, gloves, locks, other peripherals etc) and have been very helpful.

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

Darkside · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

[/quote]
You didn't read the question - they want to know where would be good to set up a shop.[/quote]

Yep thats the one! Laughing

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Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

You might be better off starting with a webshop. You can always run that from a "proper" shop, but then location is not so important and your overheads will be lower.

berto46 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Karma :

I think bike shops (retail) aren't that good an idea, too many overheads for little profit. You will get people coming in trying on the lids/ leathers boots etc getting their correct sizing then fucking off to an online shop that you will proberbly never be able to match, either that or they will say, "I have seen these for £££.... can you match the price!"

I would think the workshop will work on the other hand, as long as you get your prices right and do a good job then your client base will grow in no time at all.

Darkside · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Darkside · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

Lawnie · Nearly there... Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Karma :

Just a thought, but what about near major motorway junctions. For example, where the M4/M5, M1/M25, or M4/M25 meet?

berto46 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Karma :

Darkside · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

[/quote]

No worries. I know a bloke who has done pretty much that. He started with a small garage doing MOTs, repairs etc. Then he started stocking a few items for sale too and then he sorted an online shop too. He had to start renting the unit next door to hold all his stock eventually and it's doing very well now.[/quote]

If I were to do that i would probably work backwards, selling motorcycles from a unit,perhaps over the net or as a private seller. buying the bikes and hiring a unit would prove costly but, how long would you need to break even do think, and is it worth it?
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Darkside · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

Darkside · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

[/quote]

It depends how much profit there is to be had? would you specialise in a certain manufacture? get a franchise?[/quote]

Yes probably Yamaha and Suzuki. A Franchise? could you possibly expand?
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Lawnie · Nearly there... Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Karma :

Darkside · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

king kong · Nearly there... Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Karma :

What would be really nice would be a bike shop where you don't die of passive smoking. It seems that all the bike shops I go in has some miserable git behind the counter endlessly stubbing out fags in an over spilling ash tray! Mad

Not nice especially when the smell and odour hangs all over the clothes.

South coast would be good location though Thumbs Up

Lawnie · Nearly there... Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Karma :

Cillit-BANG · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Karma :

Darkside · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

www.125power.com · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Karma :

Get major support from suppliers before you do anything. Most demand you buy in fives or tens and the ones that dont fuck you about a lot its a lot of hassle trying to trying get things cheap unless you have fair bit of capital and space to stock the other 9 items you didnt really want.

Thats why linky in siggy no worky Wink

Too much chew
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LustyLew · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Karma :

I've thought about this myself.

I have considered starting up a small workshop service in the city (London). Would specialise in things like tyre repairs/replacements. Minor servicing and accessories.

Think about the number of scooters there are in London for commuting that will need fixing, could provide a service whereby they drop it in in the morning, then pick it up when they head home.

Only issue I can see is the cost of leasing a unit in central London.
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