Support your local motorbike store

[wheelers]

called in yesterday to buy and for a chat, business to business. they feel the same way as we do. the landlord wants to put up the rent so minimizing to save money. as they said , at least they are paying rent , the landlords don't seem to realise if they don't collect rent they are loosing money both in rent and having to pay business rates as well. they are also feeling like us, bikes are generally toys nowadays. OK we have a couple of customers who ride 5 or 6 days a week to work but the rest on our books are low use riders. recently we have had to put bikes back on the road after 5 years off, then the decision is do I keep it? not so much shall I ride it! Back in the sixties when the Mini and Reliant's were invented things were slowing down , now we are going the same way. put the word round and try to get more friends, work mates , family on two wheels

[Long John]

There's good reasons to support your local bike store, but it can take away part of the fun of working on your own bike. GJB Motorcycles are highly recommended in Hanham, Bristol. However, after having a bike for the last 6 years I've yet to give them any work, apart from the MOT test. Luckily, all the work my bikes have needed I've been able to do myself, and none of the jobs have been difficult.

However, when it comes to buying bits I couldn't agree more with WR6133, as a recent trip to Fowlers for a set of plugs for the Blackbird revealed, they asked for £89, yes, I kid you not. I tried buying them through a trade account, but didn't have any paper work, so they offered a 10% discount! big deal!

Thankfully, I'd got a check price off the net before buying, but having never bought these plugs before I could have thought, they're expensive at least I can save a few quid by fitting them myself? Bought them via the net for £36 including carriage, this may be one reason why people are choosing to avoid the local bike shop.

[QB1]

There's good reasons to support your local bike store, but it can take away part of the fun of working on your own bike......

You maybe dont realise but Stevens in Trowbridge dont repair bikes.

[Grey haired bloke]

Hi MayallRob, I'm Swindon based and Artdeans in Swindon is possibly worth a look, http://www.artdeans.com/
The store has recently changed somewhat but still worth a wander around, I recently brought some new Weiss textile clothing and found Artdeans very closely priced with Fowlers of Bristol also stores in Abingdon and Oxford http://www.kingstwowheelcentre.co.uk/ that are worth a look now and again.

I'm a bit old school I'm afraid, when I buy something I expect to take it with me after parting with my money, yes, you can buy many things (most) cheaper on line but many things I just wouldn't feel right about buying if I couldn't handle it first, gloves, clothing etc, no way would I be buying Boots, leggings and jacket, helmet without trying them on in store, I'm quite happy to travel a reasonable distance to get what I want (an excuse for a ride) but I also feel I can go straight back with any problems, whereas if on-line, it can become a nightmare to exchange or get a refund. As for parts or servicing if it's not simple (oil change etc) then it has to go to the man that can, as has been said 'your life may depend on it'.