Dealership Great Ideas
From dealerships adding new lines to events that draw a crowd, we take a look at some of the most interesting dealership news of the week.
Gunner giveaway
Kearney Powersports in Nebraska announced that it will be giving away a 2015 Victory Gunner at its last Bike Night event of the year on July 11, with various chances to be a key qualifier throughout the spring and summer.
New Indian dealer
Grand Prix Motorsports in Colorado has taken on a new name with the addition of Indian Motorcycle to the dealership. Indian Motorcycle of the Rockies celebrated its grand opening May 3. ICON, Z1R, FOX, THOR and Moose Racing are among the brands offering specials during the grand opening. Specials include a $16.95 oil change and $5 T-shirts. The dealership also sells motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, scooters and PWC from Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha. Upstairs in the same building, Warhorse Firearms of the Rockies is part of the group and is celebrating its grand opening, with each customer receiving an entry at the door to win a SCCY 9MM handgun or a Yeti cooler. The store features 1,100 guns in stock.
Bike wash service added
Biker Bob’s Harley-Davidson Motown in Michigan is now offering bike wash services as part of its Express Lane Service Center. A basic wash is $10 and includes a hand wash, rinse and power dry. A Deluxe Wash is $23.95 and includes a hand wash, degrease wheels, clean whitewall tires, apply spray gloss detailer to high shine and give UV protection. The Full Detail starts at $129.95 and includes the Deluxe package plus buffing of painted surfaces and hand polishing of chrome-plated parts.
Mimosas for Mommas
Fox River Harley-Davidson in St. Charles, Ill., is offering mimosas and flowers for moms from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10. Plus, the first 15 moms who arrive will receive goodie bags.
New Indian dealer
Motorcycles of Manchester in New Hampshire is one of the latest Indian Motorcycle retailers. On May 3, consumers who bought an Indian bike got $250 off Indian apparel. The day also included free food and drinks, door prizes, demo rides and music.
Bike blessing
A.D. Farrow Co. Harley-Davidson in Ohio has teamed up with Leave A Mark Church to host the annual Biker Blessing on May 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Shop at NorthStar. The event will consist of free food, door prizes, vendors and much more. The Church and A.D. Farrow Co. are encouraging riders from all of central Ohio to take part in the blessing.
The circumstances around the founding of Leave A Mark Church by Pastor Steve Combs are quite unique. Steve was first called to start Leave A Mark in a bar. The Pastor was previously with Grove City Nazarene and was out recruiting for their Biker Blessing, which had grown from 30 bikes to 2000, in just a few years. Steve noticed a large gathering of bikes at Ernie’s bar in Grove City and stopped in to invite them to the Blessing. A few weeks after the Blessing, Ernie was at his bar when a young girl came in to celebrate her 21st birthday. She saw the bikes outside and stated, “I have never been on a Harley.” Ernie was eager to help the girl celebrate, exclaiming, “Well let’s go, mine is right out front!” Tragically just two blocks from the bar they were rear ended by a drunk driver, both of them were killed.
Steve presided over the funeral service and was incredibly impressed at the number of bikers that showed up to pay their respects. A while-later Steve rode passed Ernie’s and noticed a more than usual amount of bikes at the business. He pulled in to see what was transpiring. To Steve’s surprise he saw two bikers doing burnouts on the dance floor and had to inquire as to the purpose. Becky, Ernie’s sister, explained to Steve that they were breaking in a new dance floor and she welcomed Steve to take part in the celebration to honor her brother. Steve was thrilled to be a part of the celebration of Ernie’s life and left, “about twenty dollars of his back tire on the dance floor.” The three selected burnout contributors were asked to sign their names on the dance floor. Steve simply wrote, “John 3:16 the greatest mark ever left.”
As Steve left that day he felt a prompting from God to start a Church, and he already had a name in mind, Leave A Mark. This was the beginning of the church that is now located at 4818 Parsons Ave. in Columbus, OH. The church offers a biker ministry, a food pantry, and celebrates recovery for those addicted. The Prison Ministry and the Homeless Ministry both serve central Ohio. For more information on services and locations, click here.
“Come as you are, no perfect people allowed.”
Cheers for Race for the Cure runners
The thunderous booming coming from the 2014 Susan G Komen Race for the Cure Columbus course will be the 9th Annual Thunder Tunnel.
At 6:30 in the morning on May 17th, 2014 hundreds of motorcycles will gather in the parking lot of A.D. Farrow Co. Harley-Davidson Downtown to be police escorted to America’s Oldest Harley Dealer’s Sponsorship location on the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure course. Located at High and Chestnut, the infamous Thunder Tunnel will be formed. These hundreds of motorcycles will line the street and cheer on race participants with revving engines, blowing horns, and high fives. As breast cancer survivors and supporters run the three-mile trek in downtown Columbus they will begin the race motivated by the revving engines of motorcycles. A significant portion of the contributions will be made through the purchase of the yearly Thunder Tunnel T-Shirt.
The new sponsorship shirt is currently being pre-sold on the A.D. Farrow Co. website in order to raise funds to give back to the charity, they are then available for pick up on May 2, 2014 and a limited supply will be available for in-store purchase. The shirts have become a huge part of the tradition for many riders from year to year. America’s Oldest Harley Dealer will also be sponsoring several associates who wish to participate in the race. Throughout the years the number or motorcycle participants has grown exponentially as have the number of associates participating in the race.
It has also become tradition for the company to team up with Nationwide to provide coffee and donuts for Thunder Tunnel Participants. The Company’s sponsorship location being essentially Nationwide’s front door made the relationship between the two mutually beneficial.
A.D. Farrow Co. has donated about $25,000 to The Susan G Komen Columbus Affiliate.
One more new Indian dealership
Got Gear Motorsports in Mississippi is continuing to make progress on its addition of Indian Motorcycles to the lineup. The store teamed up with Oasis Customs for a pair of custom Indian paint jobs. The first one sold on the first day. Got Gear also will host a showing of the “The John Penton Story” at a local movie theatre.
Vintage show
Birds of Prey Motorsports in Idaho is hosting the 2014 Imported Vintage Motorcycle Show, presented by the Boise Riders Association of Triumph. Bikes must be at least 20 years old. Cash prizes up to $100 will be awarded. Free food provided.
New Master tech hired
Indian and Triumph of the Twin Cities in Minnesota has hired Level 5 Master Tech Joe R, who specializes in older engine repair. The dealership also is adding classic cars and hot rods to its First Tuesday Bike Night events from May 6-Oct. 7. Free pizza for attendees.
Saluting the The King of Country
Richardson Motor Sports in Texas is hosting country station 99.5 for a giveaway promotion on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. Two tickets will be given away to the George Strait concert finale at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Others on the bill include Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride and Ronnie Dunn. Radio station DJs will be in attendance at the dealership. Spyder demo rides also are part of the event.
New Triumph dealer
Cycles 128 in Massachusetts is Triumph’s newest dealer, joining a lineup that includes Ducati, MV Agusta, KTM, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, KYMCO and The Auto Moto.
What great ideas has your dealership come up with recently? Adding new lines? Crazy events to draw crowds into your store? Let us know by sending an email to PSB editor Dave McMahon at: dmcmahon@powersportsbusiness.com.
