Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Just Wonderin'

Visiting the SoCal Triumph dealership left me thinking about my local dealer ~~ where I bought my bike. The local dealer had two Triumph cruiser / classics on the floor just a couple of weeks ago ~~ and wasn't expecting any more until spring. The SoCal Triumph dealership had many bikes on hand ~~ at least one of every model and several colors of many models. My local dealer had a few T-shirts and a jacket or two ~~ the SoCal dealer had hundreds of jackets and T-shirts and other accessories. All of this got me wondering ~~ what is "normal" for Triumph dealers? Is the SoCal dealer closer to the norm? Or is my local dealer closer to the norm? What is your local ~~ if you have a "local dealer" like? I like my local dealer ~~ I just wish it was more like the SoCal dealer.

Good question, Rob.

SoBay Triumph, the dealer I mentioned in your other thread, is a little bit smaller in floor space than SoCal Triumph, but they still have a a pretty good inventory of apparel and helmets, and I'm guessin' their bike inventory is probably around a 10 or so at the dealership proper, with about 20 still in their shipping crates at their remote warehouse.

I'm wondering if maybe the size of each dealership and the number of bikes in each of their inventories might be in some sort of relationship to the population density of the surrounding area each dealership is located within?

Maybe your question here could help answer that?!

(well folks???)

We have 2 dealers in the St. Louis area. One sells Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Ducati, as well as a bunch of scooters. They have a bunch of Triumph shirts, hats, gloves, and jackets. Lots of stuff. About 15 Triumph bikes. The other dealer is small, Triumph only, same amount of bikes and merchandise, and only 4 people work there. I go to the small one, they know me by name. They also have a Rat Pack and do trips and other activities. I go out of my way to go there, the other one is closer by about 20 miles.

We have two dealerships here in Portland, the one that sucks and the one that is great. Unfortunately, I live near the sucky one, but I purchased my bike and actually hang out at the good one Cascade Moto Classics (which is technically in Beaverton). They sell Moto Guzzi and Triumphs, and usually have have at least one representative and usually many more of each model. They have lots of t-shirts, jackets and accessories. If you are interested in something they get it right away.
They know me by name and there is a whole cast of characters who hang out there in their free time. I've met great folks there. Even Soren. He of course told me about this site. He can tell you many good stories about "our shop". The owners make sure it feels like we belong there. Our local Rat Pack is run out of there too. I actually feel good when I give my money to them. Customer service goes a very very long way with me.

So what you're really trying to say is that there is really only one Triumph shop in the area and a dealer that has some in stock, but wouldnt sell one to anyone if you begged them unless you buy a bmw first with cash.

CMC, is a great place. It's my second home and family.

Soren

In S. Florida we three dealers, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Pompano. Don't know about Miami. I've shopped in Pompano and even considered buying from them, at that time it was just Triumph, went back later it had changed hands and was now Victory/Triumph small with limited choice. The dealer in Ft. Lauderdale Pure Triumph is excellent, a huge selection of bikes, accessories and a first class service center. They offer other brands but Triumph seems to be their first choice. Needless to say I bought my previously owned 06 Speedmaster from them and keep going back.

We have a few up here in Washington (Im speaking of the Western part only, there are a couple in Eastern Wa as well).

Up north we have Champion Motorsports in Bellingham Wa.
The owner (Harold I think) is a really nice guy. They have a couple racks of gear but a pretty nice selection of bikes for such a small dealer. I think my apartment is bigger that the shop. They are too far away for me to get anything serviced there but a great little shop and always friendly.

Lynwood Cycle Barn is next in line down the I5 cooridor. BIG place, lots of brands, what seems to be like a good service area but the worst sales experience in the world! Youd think they would carry a lot of Triumph gear but they actually have less than Champion.

Cross over to the other side of the tracks and you get to I90 Motorsports. This is closest to me and the dealership where I got our bikes. Decent selection of apparel, ok selection of accessories. They are always at full retail and usually have to order the things I want. I really dont like their service department cause of one person who is ALWYS there but their parts guy Brent is the reason I buy anything there. They usually have one of each model on the sales floor and have a large wherehouse across the street.

Then comes the most obscure shop...almost no signage but real friendly...
Lakewood Motorsports (Bob and Vena are always there and always friendly) has a good selection of accessories and gear. If they were closer this would be my shop of choice. I hear their service dept is awesome. Not super high tech but experienced and honest. A few bikes on the floor usually one of each and a couple used bikes.

None of the above have a RAT pack that Im willing to ride with. Most are sportbikes and ride like sportbikes. Some are even more like a traveling stunt show.

Anyway... out of all the shops Ive been to here in Wa (including the Eastern ones) and the ones Ive been to in other areas (Canada x1, Colorado x1, Montana x1, Oregon x2, California x3) Southern Cal Triumph had the largest selection of anything and everything hands down! I would venture to say if it was in the catalog it was in their shop!

AND...just for the record...the shop I would most likely be willing to part with my hard earned $$ at (if it was close enough) would be Cascade Moto in Beaverton Oregon. Even as an out of stater Karen and I both feel welcome at their events and often talk about moving back to Oregon just so we can be a part of their RAT pack.

the shop closest to me is a combined bmw and triumph shop. i think they probably cater more to the bmw crowd, but they seem to have more triumph in house. it's probably the smallest shop i've been in though, compared to some of other dealerships i've gone to. they have some apparel and accessories, but i think that service is their biggest sell. i met a fellah that drives 3 hours just to have his bike serviced there (of course, it IS the only BMW shop between st louis and colorado, lol)

there's another triumph shop about 90 miles from here that i'd like to go check out. i spoke with the owner on the phone, and he seemed nice enough. once weather get a little warmer, and i have enough time to ride all day, i'm going to head over there

We have one dealer in Reno and they are a combo dealer. Triumph, MV Agusta, Piaggio scooters and Hyosung cycles. They stock a fair amount of Triumph gear and they stock mostly Triumph cycles. Usually one of every model on the floor. They are a family run business by a pair of brothers who are former racers. They also have a side business making custom Hardly parts. The main sales guy was great to deal with and is also a former Triumph racer. They make you feel like family and treat you great.

My local dealer is pretty small for the most part, but does carry a good selection of bikes, his gear selection leaves alot to be said for. But he was very knowlegable and easy to work with. Plus he is a triumph rider also, helped alot in my choice.

The nearest Triumph dealer is about 280 miles from here. One of you guys who are thinking of setting up a shop should move to eastern NM and go for it.

I'm about four blocks from Cascade Moto Classics

Soren