So I went to Cycle Gear today to grab some Motul 300V 15W50 for my Duc. Looking on the shelf they didn't have that viscosity so I asked the clerk if they were out or just didn't stock it. He told me they didn't stock it but they could order it, but he said there were other oils on the shelf that may be in the same genre and viscosity I was looking for. I looked at what they had and thought about it a bit but since I've been running the Motul lately and the bike has been running great with it, I asked him to see if he could just order it. So he looks up in his book to get the SKU number and then tells me that in order to order it, I need to buy a case of it, as that's the only way it's sold.
Basically it comes in two version sizes, liter bottles or 4-liter bottles but regardless of how I bought it, I would have to get it by the case, either 12 individual liters bottles, or 4 4-liter bottles! I told him to forget it and that I'd just go elsewhere, which prompted him to say that no one he knows of stocks that viscosity. My retort was that I know where I can get it, but didn't want to make the trek there to get it at the moment. I ended up looking at Motul's website and found it literally 2 and half blocks from my house! A little salvage yard service shop that I keep forgetting about. When I asked them if they stocked this viscosity, they said normally no, but can order it and it takes about a day to get and I don't have to buy it by the case!
So what's the deal here? Is this really how Cycle Gear has to buy their oil that they normally don't stock or was he literally trying to get me to buy what was on the shelf or more quantities than I could use? BTW, he added with his need to buy 4 gallons remark, "It's not like you're not going to use it eventually". Really? How does he know I'm not changing the oil one last time before I sell it?
Although I try and buy local when I can or for things like oil, spark plugs, filters, etc. If what I'm looking or is not readily available and/or I have to buy it in warehouse store quantities, where's the incentive?
/end rant
I've found myself buying less and less from Cycle Gear for a variety of reasons. I too love the hole in the wall shops. One independent repair shop locally holds clinics on a variety of service topics, so I try to patronize them for some things. It's not the best price, but no worse than other shops, and they are providing value to the 2 wheel community by holding the free clinics - not to mention that it's fun to hang out with 20 or 30 other bikers on a rainy Saturday. I did see the Motul on Amazon in 4 1l bottle quantities with free shipping - that's always another option.
I have never even been tempted to shop at a Cycle Gear.
I have never even been tempted to shop at a Cycle Gear.
I'm starting to lose that temptation more and more!
I've found myself buying less and less from Cycle Gear for a variety of reasons. I too love the hole in the wall shops. One independent repair shop locally holds clinics on a variety of service topics, so I try to patronize them for some things. It's not the best price, but no worse than other shops, and they are providing value to the 2 wheel community by holding the free clinics - not to mention that it's fun to hang out with 20 or 30 other bikers on a rainy Saturday. I did see the Motul on Amazon in 4 1l bottle quantities with free shipping - that's always another option.
Normally I go to the Ducati dealer for similar reasons, they are a good shop with good peeps, they host track days and have clinics from time to time, but the Cycle Gear is only a few miles from my house vs. 20 miles to the Ducati dealer. Plus CG was on my way home today so for convenience sake I stopped by.
I'm not totally sold on them but I have had good buying experiences in the past, but lately, it;s like going into the Bilt/Sedici store with impulse items that might be useful on your bike!
I actually really liked Cycle Gear a few years ago. You could get name brand stuff (Alpinestars, Dainese, etc). That stuff is getting less and less in their store and more of the Bilt and Sideci. I find myself shopping there less and less as well. Normally I just check out their clearance stuff for deals if I happen to go in there.
We don't have a Cycle Gear store here, so I was excited to check them out when I found one while on vacation. I was underwhelmed. :mellow:
I don'twant to start an oil bashing thread because I know this is a cycle gear topic.
You might try Golden Spectro if you like Motul.
I personally use Mobil 1 car oil in my bikes.
but in the past I used to swear by Golden Spectro..
I don't think I've ever met anyone that has had any oil related failures in their motorcycle.
Of course starving the engine for oil while riding a wheelie for 5 miles is a whole nother story.
I too, have never been a fan of Cycle Gear.
CG is kinda like Home Depot. lf you're looking for general stuff and not expertise, its fine. I kinda like milling around looking at stuff, and around here it's kinda my only choice besides the dreaded stealships. Some of the Sedici stuff isn't bad, and I love the Freeze Out.
CG is just another resource. Sometimes it fits the bill, sometimes it don't.
I don'twant to start an oil bashing thread because I know this is a cycle gear topic.
You might try Golden Spectro if you like Motul.
I personally use Mobil 1 car oil in my bikes.
but in the past I used to swear by Golden Spectro..
I don't think I've ever met anyone that has had any oil related failures in their motorcycle.
Of course starving the engine for oil while riding a wheelie for 5 miles is a whole nother story.
I too, have never been a fan of Cycle Gear.
Thanks for the tip on the Golden Spectro. After a little "trial and error" with different oils, the Motul seemed to work the best so figured I stay with it. But yeah, this is more about CG.
Cheers
I actually really liked Cycle Gear a few years ago. You could get name brand stuff (Alpinestars, Dainese, etc). That stuff is getting less and less in their store and more of the Bilt and Sideci. I find myself shopping there less and less as well. Normally I just check out their clearance stuff for deals if I happen to go in there.
+1 they use to have a whole area for VFR stuff then they just pull it one day .
I actually really liked Cycle Gear a few years ago. You could get name brand stuff (Alpinestars, Dainese, etc). That stuff is getting less and less in their store and more of the Bilt and Sideci. I find myself shopping there less and less as well. Normally I just check out their clearance stuff for deals if I happen to go in there.
Exactly. They (Cycle Gear) make a lot more money on their own-branded stuff, so you can understand why they push it, but they used to also stock a good amount of other brands. It's probably not a good sign for the business if they're having to drop the branded merchandise...
When I visited Tokyo a couple of years ago I popped into a NAP'S store:
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Now that's a motorcycle accessory shop!
Ciao,
CG is kinda like Home Depot. lf you're looking for general stuff and not expertise, its fine. I kinda like milling around looking at stuff, and around here it's kinda my only choice besides the dreaded stealships. Some of the Sedici stuff isn't bad, and I love the Freeze Out.
CG is just another resource. Sometimes it fits the bill, sometimes it don't.
I never understand why people refer to dealers as "stealerships". If you saw the margins that these "stealerships" operated on, you would have a different perspective. It's not like the auto dealers. No fat back end money on major units, no big CSI bonuses, not many extended warranties to sell. On top of that, Thin warranty labor reimbursement from the OEMs and small margins on parts and accessories.
I am not sure what industry that you work in, but the running joke for people that do is "how do you make a million dollars in the powersports industry????...start with $10 million". And to a certain extent, that's very true. HD dealers excluded. They have a whole different game. Overall It's a tough business and I have nothing but respect for the owners and managers. If you think its easy, try running one yourself. A friend of mine recently went from being a sales manager at a major Japanese OEM to owning his own store. If you don't believe me you can ask him. I am sure that he would be glad to tell you all about his margins, if he ever had a free minute to answer you since he and his wife work there 7 days a week.
There are some shady ones out there, but I think its unfair to label any shop that isn't CG as a "stealership". Obviously I am very passionate about supporting my local brick and mortar stores, because the last thing that I want to see is them run out of business in favor of a Wal Mart/ Target type atmosphere for motorcycle parts, accessories and clothing. The brick and mortar stores are the backbone of this business, and if you have ever experienced one of your good local dealers closing down, you realize how bad that sucks.
CG is kinda like Home Depot. lf you're looking for general stuff and not expertise, its fine. I kinda like milling around looking at stuff, and around here it's kinda my only choice besides the dreaded stealships. Some of the Sedici stuff isn't bad, and I love the Freeze Out.
CG is just another resource. Sometimes it fits the bill, sometimes it don't.
I never understand why people refer to dealers as "stealerships". If you saw the margins that these "stealerships" operated on, you would have a different perspective. It's not like the auto dealers. No fat back end money on major units, no big CSI bonuses, not many extended warranties to sell. On top of that, Thin warranty labor reimbursement from the OEMs and small margins on parts and accessories.
I am not sure what industry that you work in, but the running joke for people that do is "how do you make a million dollars in the powersports industry????...start with $10 million". And to a certain extent, that's very true. HD dealers excluded. They have a whole different game. Overall It's a tough business and I have nothing but respect for the owners and managers. If you think its easy, try running one yourself. A friend of mine recently went from being a sales manager at a major Japanese OEM to owning his own store. If you don't believe me you can ask him. I am sure that he would be glad to tell you all about his margins, if he ever had a free minute to answer you since he and his wife work there 7 days a week.
There are some shady ones out there, but I think its unfair to label any shop that isn't CG as a "stealership". Obviously I am very passionate about supporting my local brick and mortar stores, because the last thing that I want to see is them run out of business in favor of a Wal Mart/ Target type atmosphere for motorcycle parts, accessories and clothing. The brick and mortar stores are the backbone of this business, and if you have ever experienced one of your good local dealers closing down, you realize how bad that sucks.
I agree. I love my local Honda dealer. He allowed me to bring my own parts to him for install for years. Then he found out where I was getting my parts and the prices I paid. He agreed to match their prices for me.
And their main mechanic has owned a fourth gen VFR so he know the beasts and appreciates the love for the machines.
Duc,
I stopped buying from CG a year ago, same story. I went in to buy some Repsol 10/50 race that I have been buying from them for the last 10 years, and they had none, in fact they had no 10/50 at all. Same conversation with another CG product "expert", (uh... when will you graduate high school?), and got the same lame lines. I just went to my old Honda dealer and had them order a case from Tucker, at a discount, had it in 2 days. Next time I went in to CG the "manager" sold me some item, asked for my phone #, and I started getting marketing texts on my way home. That was it for me. I turned around, went back, and told the "manager" to take me out of their computer and tell his boss he just lost a long time customer due to his employee's shady marketing trick. :angry: I won't go back there.
I'm sure they have had some short term success with the cheap gear they are importing, but all the savvy riders I know, now shop there very little, if at all. Too bad. It was a nice franchise for a long time. I think there may still be some of their stores that are run by good people, but it seems they force those people out and hire dopes that they can pay less. When I was in that industry, I tried to hire intelligent people who were at least interested in becoming competent parts guys and girls, and didn't mind paying for it. Hard to find them these days.
Max and Boxii, I agree. MC dealers are mostly small businesses in a small niche market, trying to stay profitable. Find a good one and establish a frequent relationship with them. Take any complaints to the owners/managers, and they will treat you right. :biggrin:
Good discussion, Duc. Thanks! :1:
Ded