Answering the Industry’s Most Frequently Asked Question
[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ow many unit sales should a dealership get from the traffic it saw last month? That question has been the single most difficult puzzle for dealership owners and general managers to solve in the motorcycle industry. Unfortunately for many, it remains a mystery, meaning dealerships are making critical business decisions, like staffing levels and unit
Detail Syndrome
Is it just you, or your employees too? As a shop owner, you’re probably very cognizant of many of the little things around your store. You see all of the little details that many others fail to see. I call this “Detail Syndrome.” How many times have you come to work and as you walk
Let the Fourth Quarter Begin!
My life is split into three different sections [dropcap]D[/dropcap]ear Ma, I hope you are doing good up there in Heaven, we are fine here in Dallas. Now that fall is here, things are cranking up. The 100-degree temps are gone and we are in the 80s every afternoon, so that is great for business! My
Who’s The Boss?
The difference between a boss and leader [dropcap]I[/dropcap] was recently called “boss” and I didn’t really care for it. It wasn’t the first time I have been called that, but it always feels weird hearing it. This time, it felt like lemon juice on a paper cut… maybe it was the tone or maybe the
Musselman Honda: Giving Customers What They Want for More Than 70 years
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f you were showing visitors around town, how often would you take them to a bike shop? In Tucson, Arizona, Musselman Honda, in business selling motorcycles since the end of World War II, is a local landmark. Helen Musselman, half of the couple that started the business, is still at the shop every day. Generations
OEM Update: Monster Moto
Little Bikes, Big Fun [dropcap]I[/dropcap]f you walked the aisles of the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) a month ago, you might have spotted Monster Moto exhibiting its mini bikes and go-karts, and were likely transported back to your youth. The company used the tradeshow to introduce itself and new products to the powersports market. However,
AIMExpo 2016 Recap: In Like A Lion… Out Like A Lamb?
[dropcap]“T[/dropcap]he show must go on” is a show biz term meaning that regardless of whatever happens, whatever plans change the event still has to be staged for the waiting patrons… in the case of the 2016 AIMExpo that meant pulling out all the stops for the final event in Florida. This despite the fact that
Apparel Pro: Gift Giving
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hristmas came early this year, at least at my local chain drug store, where they started overflowing the aisles with merry accoutrement in the last days of September. By the time this column hits print, I’m sure your dealership has started stocking your shelves with stuffers. If you weren’t able to make it to AIMExpo
Wholesale Prices Up In Most Categories vs. ’15
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ctober frequently brings to mind images of goblins, stock market crashes and pre-election fear-mongering. Thankfully, Average Wholesale Prices (AWP) this October were nothing of the sort. Prices in general were flat to slightly up over both the prior 3-month average and the prior year averages. Compared to the prior three months, Domestic Cruisers rebounded from
‘World’s Fastest Woman’ Valerie Thompson Shatters 300 mph Barrier at Bonneville
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]even-time land speed record holder Valerie Thompson earned the title of world’s fastest female motorcycle racer on September 1st at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials with a blistering one measured mile average speed of 304 mph riding the famous Denis Manning designed “7” Racing streamliner. After three mandatory license qualification runs, Thompson scorched the salt
Hydraulic Tappets
1. Hydraulic tappets are used to eliminate or reduce the need for valve clearance adjustment. An engine without hydraulic tappets must have a gap between the tappet and valve or tappet and camshaft to allow for the change in clearance as the engine components heat up. If this clearance is too small the valve may hang
Let Employees Find Their Way
Be A Leader Not A Dictator [dropcap]I[/dropcap] don’t know about you, but I bought my store from an owner who was ready to get out, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time, working for him. By then, I’d been employed at a half dozen other dealers, and always came
