Survey: Trackside Parts

btroxler
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Saltillo, MS US
btroxler
Edited Date/Time 12/12/2017 11:48pm
I have noticed in my region there are not a lot of (if any) shops that support local races with parts/fuel etc.

I am looking at adding parts and fuel to my trailer for the 2018 season. I am not looking at this as a business to replace my income or even subsidize it, just as a way to give back to the motocross community. If it nets profit, thats great but if it pays my fuel money I am okay with that also.

I already have a sales tax and federal tax ID and am setup with a couple distributors but want to add consumable parts (tires,chains, handlebars, etc)

Please give me your Top 10 parts you would want available to you at the track!

Thanks in advance!
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Big Tex27
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Big Tex27 12/12/2017 11:40am
12/12/2017 11:40am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2017 12:05pm
Levers, grips, tubes, and tear offs.
TeamGreen
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Thru-out, CA US
TeamGreen 12/12/2017 11:45am
12/12/2017 11:45am
In addition to Tex...
Bars
Grip Donuts
Two Stroke oil
Chain Lube
Motor oil
Brake fluid
Clutch Fluid for KTM/Husky (is it mineral oil?)
Inexpensive bike stand(s)
Googles
Oh, and...Power-bands...Sprocket Bolts and a torque-wrench...yes, I'm a smart ass.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 12/12/2017 11:45am
12/12/2017 11:45am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2017 11:46am
Assorted M4, M5, M6, M8 & M10 fasteners...

The Shop

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lumpy790
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York, SC US
lumpy790 12/12/2017 11:46am
12/12/2017 11:46am
Goggles and tear offs, sparkplugs, tubes
mattyhamz2
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So Cal, CA US
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mattyhamz2 12/12/2017 11:46am
12/12/2017 11:46am
Grips, levers, tubes, throttle tubes, cables, tires, contact cleaner, chain lube, tear offs, gloves
Kenny Lingus
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Watkins Glen, NY US
Kenny Lingus 12/12/2017 12:03pm
12/12/2017 12:03pm
Make sure track is ok with you selling stuff first, if you haven't yet. They usually want a cut.
slowgti
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Monroe, GA US
slowgti 12/12/2017 12:14pm
12/12/2017 12:14pm
Tubes, filter cleaning supplies, grips, safety wire, foam if your local area has a lot of mud races.
Xeno
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San Clemente, CA US
Xeno 12/12/2017 12:33pm
12/12/2017 12:33pm
Riding gloves- maybe a 'neutral' brand like Deft Family or 100%.

Hats/beanies- they are lightwieght, you only need 1 or 2 sizes, and you have a capitve audience who will make impulse purchases.
oldmotophan 12/12/2017 12:34pm
12/12/2017 12:34pm
Not a good business model, carrying cost of inventory will absorb any sort of profit you would make. This has been used in the past as a way to race and use it as a tax shelter (write off race expenses as cost of doing business, fuel, food,etc). Also if your racing who is watching the store? I have seen it be successful only for dealerships who pull the product off the shelves for the race and then return them after the weekend. "Giving back to the sport" is commendable I would suggest volunteering to flag for the weekend.
seth505
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seth505 12/12/2017 12:41pm
12/12/2017 12:41pm
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Grips, levers, tubes, throttle tubes, cables, tires, contact cleaner, chain lube, tear offs, gloves
x2!
oldmotophan 12/12/2017 12:51pm
12/12/2017 12:51pm
Also everyone on Vital wants you to do this....why? So you can buy all their spare consumables and bring them to the races for them and they only purchase what the need in an emergency. If you really want to do this, buy a mobile tire machine and mount it in your trailer once everybody knows you change tires at the track you will be the most popular guy in the pits.
btroxler
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Saltillo, MS US
btroxler 12/12/2017 1:10pm
12/12/2017 1:10pm
Thank You all that have input! I truly appreciate it. This will help me narrow down the keystone items that I need to purchase first and then I can add as I see fit or customer demand.
btroxler
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btroxler 12/12/2017 1:16pm
12/12/2017 1:16pm
oldmotophan wrote:
Also everyone on Vital wants you to do this....why? So you can buy all their spare consumables and bring them to the races for them and...
Also everyone on Vital wants you to do this....why? So you can buy all their spare consumables and bring them to the races for them and they only purchase what the need in an emergency. If you really want to do this, buy a mobile tire machine and mount it in your trailer once everybody knows you change tires at the track you will be the most popular guy in the pits.
oldmotophan,

First off thank you for your input. I understand your previous comment in regards to profit absorbment. I currently have a commercial 2500sq ft shop that I do engine machining, blue printing and rebuilding out of. I solely do that as a hobby, did it full time for 4 years, made good money, but lost the "fun" that is motocross. It is all paid for, so no overhead other than insurance, water and electricity which is minimal for a super cool "Man Cave"

I am no longer racing, still riding, but still enjoy being at the races. I have already purchased a tire stand and will be offering tire changing services at the track if you buy tires from me or even a tube.

I have a small store front in my shop which will allow customers to come by the shop and pick up items as needed.

My father uses it as his hangout during the week so he has been good about taking care of my "few" customers if they need something.

Pit Row

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mx_563
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mx_563 12/12/2017 1:20pm
12/12/2017 1:20pm
Snacks! Sounds silly, and probably not a high revenue item, but a cooler full of Gatorade and some munchies will keep the till moving.
Cokeham23
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TX US
Cokeham23 12/12/2017 2:33pm
12/12/2017 2:33pm
Levers
Bars
Grips
Tires
Tubes
Various fluid (2 stroke, motor oil, coolant, carb cleaner, etc)
Miscellaneous bolts
Air filters
Numbers
Yamabond or alike. I just recently was at a race and a guy got a small crack in his engine case. They were scrambling around for something to patch it up.
oldmotophan 12/12/2017 2:34pm
12/12/2017 2:34pm
oldmotophan wrote:
Also everyone on Vital wants you to do this....why? So you can buy all their spare consumables and bring them to the races for them and...
Also everyone on Vital wants you to do this....why? So you can buy all their spare consumables and bring them to the races for them and they only purchase what the need in an emergency. If you really want to do this, buy a mobile tire machine and mount it in your trailer once everybody knows you change tires at the track you will be the most popular guy in the pits.
btroxler wrote:
oldmotophan, First off thank you for your input. I understand your previous comment in regards to profit absorbment. I currently have a commercial 2500sq ft shop...
oldmotophan,

First off thank you for your input. I understand your previous comment in regards to profit absorbment. I currently have a commercial 2500sq ft shop that I do engine machining, blue printing and rebuilding out of. I solely do that as a hobby, did it full time for 4 years, made good money, but lost the "fun" that is motocross. It is all paid for, so no overhead other than insurance, water and electricity which is minimal for a super cool "Man Cave"

I am no longer racing, still riding, but still enjoy being at the races. I have already purchased a tire stand and will be offering tire changing services at the track if you buy tires from me or even a tube.

I have a small store front in my shop which will allow customers to come by the shop and pick up items as needed.

My father uses it as his hangout during the week so he has been good about taking care of my "few" customers if they need something.
I was just trying to be the voice of reason. A couple guys in my area have done this and they all lost money and ended up with a bad taste in their mouth. I managed a large dealership we did this at a few events and it was a lot more work than expected and a lot less income than expected. low margins and the promoters cut makes it almost impossible. Just my experience.
Jack_Mehoff
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Jack_Mehoff 12/12/2017 2:38pm
12/12/2017 2:38pm
Tearoffs tubes tires grips/glue levers duct tape zip ties sprocket bolts factory ecu
Bermworm
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CA
Bermworm 12/12/2017 2:52pm
12/12/2017 2:52pm Edited Date/Time 12/12/2017 2:53pm
Holeshot, couldn't buy one anywhere last year.
MR. X
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MR. X 12/12/2017 3:17pm
12/12/2017 3:17pm
spokes , one time i ripped some spokes out.
boston_jorj
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boston_jorj 12/12/2017 3:26pm
12/12/2017 3:26pm Edited Date/Time 12/12/2017 3:27pm
Goggles for sure. I almost always got a pair from the parts trailer at the track even if I didn't really need them. Impulse purchase.
Pirate421
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MA US
Pirate421 12/12/2017 3:43pm
12/12/2017 3:43pm
Jets for sure with all the two strokes running around again. there were times when I’d pay $10 to get the jet I needed. Tear offs for sure and tires/tubes. Every time I see a race trailer selling parts they are always changing tires all day lonng
Brad460
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Brad460 12/12/2017 3:47pm
12/12/2017 3:47pm
mx_563 wrote:
Snacks! Sounds silly, and probably not a high revenue item, but a cooler full of Gatorade and some munchies will keep the till moving.
I'd like to add coffee and donuts to this snack list..All tracks offer food though..
m.hardesty16 12/12/2017 4:31pm
12/12/2017 4:31pm
A few do that at local race series around me. Lots of items are handy at the track, many common replacement parts ans other parts that could be used somewhat often. Some stuff might include, race fuel, stands, air filters, oils, tear offs, levers, shifters, bolt kits ect. Maybe even something like an umbrella as well. Handy on sunny days.

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