Power Profiles

Bangor Motorsports – Bangor, ME – Feb. 13, 2006

CONTACT
Bangor Motorsports
34 Banair Road
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207) 942-4444
www.bangormotorsports.net
OWNERS
Kurt Thomas
BUSINESS PROFILE
Kurt Thomas’ father started a powersports dealership in 1972 in a small Maine town. Thomas worked in the service department, starting when he was 18 years old. He acquired complete ownership of the dealership in 1990 and eventually moved it to a larger customer base in Bangor. Bangor Motorsports has been at its current location, which is 24,000 square feet, for 11 years. They sell Honda, Kawasaki and Arctic Cat brands. Customers can find motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles at the dealership. Bangor Motorsports employs 15 people.
GREATEST CONCERN
“Right now it would be off-road riding areas for ATVs and snowmobiles, or lack thereof,” Thomas said. “There are some private landowners buying thousands of acres and closing them down or limiting access to them.” Bangor Motorsports belongs to Maine’s dealer association, which has been working with the state legislature on such issues.
WHAT’S HOT?
Over the winter, Arctic Cat Firecats have been popular with customers, Thomas said. People also have been looking at four-stroke snowmobiles more, likely because they are a little more user-friendly and more fuel efficient than previous models, Thomas said.
Snowmobile and motorcycle clothing is always popular in the appropriate season, Thomas said.
CUSTOMER-BUYING TRENDS
“That’s one of those million dollar questions that is hard to come up with an answer for,” Thomas said.
PARTS AND SERVICE
Service is a big part of the dealership, Thomas said. Bangor Motorsports services every brand it sells and others. Bangor Motorsports employs four service technicians.
PROMOTIONAL HOME RUNS
“Last spring for our spring open house we had the Starboyz Motorcycle Stunt Team come in and do some tricks,” Thomas said. “We shut down the street. That’s something we’re going to try to do every couple of years.” Bangor Motorsports also does some radio and television advertising.
WORDS OF ADVICE
Although he’s not much for one to give advice, Thomas did have this to say about staying true to oneself. “Try not to let the manufacturers shove too much product down your throat,” Thomas said. “Don’t let other businesses tell you what to do. You’ve got to run your own ship, so to speak.”

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