Moto Related Businesses

KVDT
Posts
70
Joined
1/28/2016
Location
Charleston, WV, USA
Edited Date/Time 3/22/2016 6:17pm
I am interested in mx/off-road related companies. I don't mean a typical motorcycle store but perhaps companies that manufacture parts or provide a service. Do any of these type companies ever come up for sale or look for partnerships? where does a person look for these opportunities?
|
kripple428
Posts
669
Joined
7/12/2011
Location
Christiana, TN, USA
3/18/2016 6:43pm
I know there are a few suspension/engine companies that sell franchises race tech, FCR both sell franchises
endurox
Posts
2103
Joined
3/22/2014
Location
Garden City, ID, USA
3/18/2016 6:51pm Edited Date/Time 3/18/2016 6:52pm
Best to attend the dealer show in INDY. One can make a lot of contacts there. Also the Parts Unlimited, Tucker and WPS reps have lots of info in big metro areas about stuff in the industry.
xhttp://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/article/dealer-expo-stay-indianapo…
KVDT
Posts
70
Joined
1/28/2016
Location
Charleston, WV, USA
3/18/2016 6:57pm
Thanks for the replies. I've considered the suspension franchises in the past. It would have been a good living when I was single as this area wouldn't provide much more business than a supplemental income may provide.

I would like to make it to the Indy show. It's been probably 20 years since I went and as I recall it was in Cincinnati at that time.
sostoked
Posts
255
Joined
3/26/2015
Location
Twentynine Palms, CA, USA
3/18/2016 7:04pm
95% of the time I look around and say "yeah, im glad I dont work in this industry"

But when I see a brand new sx-f in the back of a 60k truck I see some potential.

The Shop

resetjet
Posts
2551
Joined
3/16/2012
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
3/18/2016 7:14pm
I am sure alot of guys would like to dump their biz on you. I have to ask, why moto?

Its easy to wind up with a million dollars in moto. Start with two million.

not that i have ever owned a moto biz, but after several ventures of the heart, i have learned to follow the money, not the heart.
KVDT
Posts
70
Joined
1/28/2016
Location
Charleston, WV, USA
3/18/2016 7:22pm
resetjet wrote:
I am sure alot of guys would like to dump their biz on you. I have to ask, why moto? Its easy to wind up with...
I am sure alot of guys would like to dump their biz on you. I have to ask, why moto?

Its easy to wind up with a million dollars in moto. Start with two million.

not that i have ever owned a moto biz, but after several ventures of the heart, i have learned to follow the money, not the heart.
I've had a ventures of the heart as well and they've been enjoyable and made a profit but not enough business to be a real full time gig. I've been a moto junkie since the first Chips episode I watched where they were riding dirt bikes on a Cali mx track. I've never been able to leave it behind and would love to get in the business.
motogrady
Posts
3931
Joined
1/27/2008
Location
USA
3/18/2016 9:05pm
resetjet wrote:
I am sure alot of guys would like to dump their biz on you. I have to ask, why moto? Its easy to wind up with...
I am sure alot of guys would like to dump their biz on you. I have to ask, why moto?

Its easy to wind up with a million dollars in moto. Start with two million.

not that i have ever owned a moto biz, but after several ventures of the heart, i have learned to follow the money, not the heart.
KVDT wrote:
I've had a ventures of the heart as well and they've been enjoyable and made a profit but not enough business to be a real full...
I've had a ventures of the heart as well and they've been enjoyable and made a profit but not enough business to be a real full time gig. I've been a moto junkie since the first Chips episode I watched where they were riding dirt bikes on a Cali mx track. I've never been able to leave it behind and would love to get in the business.

Lot of truth in resets reply.
But, one can feel, and appreciate the desire to be part of what you like.
Thing is, for me anyway, no matter what you get into, it gets old after awhile.
I don't care if it's running a website, selling plastic fenders, making zoot suits in China, hell, even the guys
that run strip clubs quit going to work after awhile.

It becomes a job. A hassle. Do you really want to do that with a favorite pastime?
Turn it into a job?

I've often thought, maybe owning a team for a season or 2 would be cool. DeCoster seems to like his gig.
Having a show like Moto Concepts does, yeah, travel the circuit and be right in the thick of it, sure.

But to deal with making plastic molds, making fork guards, or fighting with a bank for the financing needed
to get 10 thousand goatskin gloves made in Taiwan, then hoping to move them to a very small, and fickle
market, I dunno about that.
I mean, if a guy can put that kind of thing together, maybe go for the millions, go for the VegoMatic by Ronco
route. Make the ton of cash there, then play with the bikes, at your pace and schedule.

In a perfect world..........
731chopper
Posts
4227
Joined
1/2/2015
Location
DFW, TX, USA
3/18/2016 9:54pm Edited Date/Time 3/18/2016 9:55pm
motogrady wrote:
Lot of truth in resets reply. But, one can feel, and appreciate the desire to be part of what you like. Thing is, for me anyway...

Lot of truth in resets reply.
But, one can feel, and appreciate the desire to be part of what you like.
Thing is, for me anyway, no matter what you get into, it gets old after awhile.
I don't care if it's running a website, selling plastic fenders, making zoot suits in China, hell, even the guys
that run strip clubs quit going to work after awhile.

It becomes a job. A hassle. Do you really want to do that with a favorite pastime?
Turn it into a job?

I've often thought, maybe owning a team for a season or 2 would be cool. DeCoster seems to like his gig.
Having a show like Moto Concepts does, yeah, travel the circuit and be right in the thick of it, sure.

But to deal with making plastic molds, making fork guards, or fighting with a bank for the financing needed
to get 10 thousand goatskin gloves made in Taiwan, then hoping to move them to a very small, and fickle
market, I dunno about that.
I mean, if a guy can put that kind of thing together, maybe go for the millions, go for the VegoMatic by Ronco
route. Make the ton of cash there, then play with the bikes, at your pace and schedule.

In a perfect world..........
I don't know the OP's situation but I think there are quite a few people who are in positions in life now where they have the money to enjoy the sport from a more exclusive perspective. There wouldn't be any borrowing from the bank.

One great thing about our sport is that it is still a dirt cheap Motorsport. You don't have to be THAT wealthy to run the circuit for a few years with your own team and I know there are people out there with aspirations to do it for the experience fully expecting to not make much of it back.
resetjet
Posts
2551
Joined
3/16/2012
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
3/21/2016 10:10am
Motogrady said it right....all businesses become a hassle sooner or later. why screw up what you love? If you dont need to work, volunteer for a team, drive the truck, wrench, make phone calls, sweep floors, whatever you do. Take the responsibility out of it. Thats where the hassle is. I think moto as a business is a rabbit hole.
LongTime
Posts
15
Joined
7/21/2015
Location
Chula Vista, CA, USA
3/21/2016 11:08am
kvdt,

Just fyi the indy "dealer news powersports expo" is dead… The only show is aim expo Oct in Orlando. Not as strong though.

I do have some info if you are serious. message me!

bh84
Posts
1750
Joined
8/20/2012
Location
Peterborough, ON, CA
3/21/2016 12:41pm
I have to disagree with a few of you guys here.

My old man started a dealership 27 years ago. Opened up in 1989. He still rides, still loves motorcycles, and makes quite a bit doing it to boot.

I'm a sales manager at a dealership on the other side of the country now, I don't make much. But I'm one of the few people out there who genuinely enjoys his job
1
MelonFan123
Posts
1556
Joined
8/20/2006
Location
Ventura/LA County, CA, USA
3/21/2016 1:04pm
I love when a thread like this one - or the ever popular "how to get a job in the moto industry" topic that inevitably comes up every few months...and people are full of negativity and always have the same tired responses:

- don't do it if you really love moto
- want to make a million dollars in moto industry? then start with two million!
- never mix your job with your hobbies or passion

Think there's no money in moto? Think you can't love what you do? Try telling that to Pete and Geoff Fox, or Troy Lee, or Eddie Cole, or Malcolm Smith, or Don Emler, or...

My point is, most of those men probably love their careers and they also probably love their bank account balances as well.

Is it easy to make a good living in the motorcycle industry? No, but show me a line of work where it is and I'll be right in line with you to score an easy pay day.

Until then I'll just keep grinding while the negative nancy's stay negative

3/21/2016 1:13pm
resetjet wrote:
I am sure alot of guys would like to dump their biz on you. I have to ask, why moto? Its easy to wind up with...
I am sure alot of guys would like to dump their biz on you. I have to ask, why moto?

Its easy to wind up with a million dollars in moto. Start with two million.

not that i have ever owned a moto biz, but after several ventures of the heart, i have learned to follow the money, not the heart.
Listen to this guy. I had a moto shop and dumped it as soon I had the chance. I spent every waking minute trying to keep it afloat, wasnt riding anymore, and it eventually made me hate motorcycles.
I now run a Chainsaw shop. Far more reliable industry, at least around here, and allows me to spend more time riding.
Opening a moto shop seemed so lucrative, and fun. I was wrong...
KVDT
Posts
70
Joined
1/28/2016
Location
Charleston, WV, USA
3/21/2016 1:14pm
I love when a thread like this one - or the ever popular "how to get a job in the moto industry" topic that inevitably comes...
I love when a thread like this one - or the ever popular "how to get a job in the moto industry" topic that inevitably comes up every few months...and people are full of negativity and always have the same tired responses:

- don't do it if you really love moto
- want to make a million dollars in moto industry? then start with two million!
- never mix your job with your hobbies or passion

Think there's no money in moto? Think you can't love what you do? Try telling that to Pete and Geoff Fox, or Troy Lee, or Eddie Cole, or Malcolm Smith, or Don Emler, or...

My point is, most of those men probably love their careers and they also probably love their bank account balances as well.

Is it easy to make a good living in the motorcycle industry? No, but show me a line of work where it is and I'll be right in line with you to score an easy pay day.

Until then I'll just keep grinding while the negative nancy's stay negative

Boom, truth bomb. It's like that with every industry that has a hobby/enthusiast following though.
Moto810
Posts
815
Joined
1/25/2015
Location
Milton, WV, USA
3/21/2016 1:14pm
The best way to make 1 million dollars in Moto is to start with 2 million!


3/21/2016 1:24pm
Perhaps a good local fellow WV person for you to chat with would be Jamin Jones, owner of Appalachian Off-Road Motorcycles / KTM-parts.com. Jamin has since also started the company P3 Composites. From my dealings with him, he's a pretty open minded guy, so as long as you don't come off a potential competitor / threat to his current businesses dealings, I don't see why he wouldn't be willing to give you some of his time to chat. Perhaps it may be best to try and get together with him in person, to ease the comfort level. Good luck!
3/21/2016 1:27pm
I love when a thread like this one - or the ever popular "how to get a job in the moto industry" topic that inevitably comes...
I love when a thread like this one - or the ever popular "how to get a job in the moto industry" topic that inevitably comes up every few months...and people are full of negativity and always have the same tired responses:

- don't do it if you really love moto
- want to make a million dollars in moto industry? then start with two million!
- never mix your job with your hobbies or passion

Think there's no money in moto? Think you can't love what you do? Try telling that to Pete and Geoff Fox, or Troy Lee, or Eddie Cole, or Malcolm Smith, or Don Emler, or...

My point is, most of those men probably love their careers and they also probably love their bank account balances as well.

Is it easy to make a good living in the motorcycle industry? No, but show me a line of work where it is and I'll be right in line with you to score an easy pay day.

Until then I'll just keep grinding while the negative nancy's stay negative

You're comparing guys that were here at this sports infancy. Big difference. Sure, there is a chance you can make it big in the moto industry. There is also a chance I could become the president of the united states, and declare a national motocross day.
Better have a very revolutionary idea and some fantastic sales gimmick that will pay off quick, then sell before it dumps out on you. Coming to the table with industry standard goods, and more than likely you're not going to make it.
Do it as a side gig, and see where it goes. That's your best bet. Or have a couple small business ideas you can profit from. Diversify your portfolio a little.


MelonFan123
Posts
1556
Joined
8/20/2006
Location
Ventura/LA County, CA, USA
3/21/2016 1:40pm
Moto810 wrote:
The best way to make 1 million dollars in Moto is to start with 2 million!


KVDT
Posts
70
Joined
1/28/2016
Location
Charleston, WV, USA
3/21/2016 1:51pm
Perhaps a good local fellow WV person for you to chat with would be Jamin Jones, owner of Appalachian Off-Road Motorcycles / KTM-parts.com. Jamin has since...
Perhaps a good local fellow WV person for you to chat with would be Jamin Jones, owner of Appalachian Off-Road Motorcycles / KTM-parts.com. Jamin has since also started the company P3 Composites. From my dealings with him, he's a pretty open minded guy, so as long as you don't come off a potential competitor / threat to his current businesses dealings, I don't see why he wouldn't be willing to give you some of his time to chat. Perhaps it may be best to try and get together with him in person, to ease the comfort level. Good luck!
I know him well. He's my cousin actually. The shop P3 is in now was his dad's old Yamaha, KTM and Suzuki shop. I worked for him 20 years ago when Jamin was in junior high. He's done well with AOMC and P3. I've mentioned investing in his company in passing conversation. We get along good and our boys ride together. Probably best we not mix money and business.
paul937
Posts
388
Joined
6/19/2009
Location
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Fantasy
3/21/2016 2:50pm
I love when a thread like this one - or the ever popular "how to get a job in the moto industry" topic that inevitably comes...
I love when a thread like this one - or the ever popular "how to get a job in the moto industry" topic that inevitably comes up every few months...and people are full of negativity and always have the same tired responses:

- don't do it if you really love moto
- want to make a million dollars in moto industry? then start with two million!
- never mix your job with your hobbies or passion

Think there's no money in moto? Think you can't love what you do? Try telling that to Pete and Geoff Fox, or Troy Lee, or Eddie Cole, or Malcolm Smith, or Don Emler, or...

My point is, most of those men probably love their careers and they also probably love their bank account balances as well.

Is it easy to make a good living in the motorcycle industry? No, but show me a line of work where it is and I'll be right in line with you to score an easy pay day.

Until then I'll just keep grinding while the negative nancy's stay negative

This ^^^

Very well said.

Paul
paul937
Posts
388
Joined
6/19/2009
Location
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Fantasy
3/21/2016 2:50pm
Moto810 wrote:
The best way to make 1 million dollars in Moto is to start with 2 million!


[img]http://www.reactionface.info/sites/default/files/images/dbed37f74cef.jpg[/img]
And this ^^^ lol

Paul
lumpy790
Posts
11662
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC, USA
3/21/2016 7:19pm Edited Date/Time 3/21/2016 7:20pm
I have worked in the MC Industry for over 35 years and as those in the industry know there are no retirement benifits so .... Moto Hose is literally my retirement. Moto Hose is a 1 man home bassed business and growing fast and Not ready to sell it yet but in another 4 or 5 years.
flarider
Posts
25496
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Daytona Beach, FL, USA
3/21/2016 8:23pm
How much you looking to spend?

For the right price, I know of a good business.

Smile


What do you want? A shop? A manufacturer? A distributor?
What experience/ experiences do you have in this industry?

For the most part, every business is for sale, at the right price.
Everything is always for sale, for the right price.

You "make him an offer he can't refuse"
lumpy790
Posts
11662
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC, USA
3/22/2016 10:00am
How many million are you ready to spend? Motivate me to retire Cool
ACBraap
Posts
1169
Joined
2/10/2012
Location
Seattlish, WA, USA
Fantasy
3/22/2016 11:40am
resetjet wrote:
I am sure alot of guys would like to dump their biz on you. I have to ask, why moto? Its easy to wind up with...
I am sure alot of guys would like to dump their biz on you. I have to ask, why moto?

Its easy to wind up with a million dollars in moto. Start with two million.

not that i have ever owned a moto biz, but after several ventures of the heart, i have learned to follow the money, not the heart.
Yes, this. Buying a moto business is unlikely to pencil as a pure $ investment IMO. On the other hand, it could turn nondeductible hobby expenses into business expenses, and help fund bikes and riding. It's all about what you're expecting to get out of it.

Same applies to bicycle businesses too.
paul937
Posts
388
Joined
6/19/2009
Location
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Fantasy
3/22/2016 12:07pm
Perhaps a good local fellow WV person for you to chat with would be Jamin Jones, owner of Appalachian Off-Road Motorcycles / KTM-parts.com. Jamin has since...
Perhaps a good local fellow WV person for you to chat with would be Jamin Jones, owner of Appalachian Off-Road Motorcycles / KTM-parts.com. Jamin has since also started the company P3 Composites. From my dealings with him, he's a pretty open minded guy, so as long as you don't come off a potential competitor / threat to his current businesses dealings, I don't see why he wouldn't be willing to give you some of his time to chat. Perhaps it may be best to try and get together with him in person, to ease the comfort level. Good luck!
KVDT wrote:
I know him well. He's my cousin actually. The shop P3 is in now was his dad's old Yamaha, KTM and Suzuki shop. I worked for...
I know him well. He's my cousin actually. The shop P3 is in now was his dad's old Yamaha, KTM and Suzuki shop. I worked for him 20 years ago when Jamin was in junior high. He's done well with AOMC and P3. I've mentioned investing in his company in passing conversation. We get along good and our boys ride together. Probably best we not mix money and business.
KVDT: the PM system still isn't working apparently, shoot me an email if you get a chance: paul937@earthlink.net

Thanks,
Paul Lindsey
resetjet
Posts
2551
Joined
3/16/2012
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
3/22/2016 12:45pm
Motogrady said it right....all businesses become a hassle sooner or later. why screw up what you love? If you dont need to work, volunteer for a team, drive the truck, wrench, make phone calls, sweep floors, whatever you do. Take the responsibility out of it. Thats where the hassle is. I think moto as a business is a rabbit hole.
Spooner
Posts
2469
Joined
1/8/2011
Location
Kansas City, MO, USA
3/22/2016 6:17pm
I'm pretty sure Sunline/Tag is for sale.

Post a reply to: Moto Related Businesses

The Latest