Jiffy Lube for Motorcycle's

[BranNwebster]

So I was thinking the with the price of fuel these days and people buying up motorcycles, there could be a lot of people that own bikes that don't have the desire or ability to maintain it. They also might not want their bike to sit for three days at a dealer shop and get charged 200 dollars. So why not have a Jiffy Lube of sorts for motorcycles? Maybe not just oil, but chain and cable adjustments, and other minor maintenance that can be done in about 30 minutes and for about the price you would pay to get the oil changed in your car. This place could also be very inviting, a social place, it could have a coffee bar and sell a few things but be simple and keep inventory to a minimum. My basic thinking is have a Cycle Gear store with a Starbucks type waiting area.

Open seven days a week. Joe biker that lives in an apartment with no tools comes in at 9am Saturday morning. He gets his oil changed, chain lubed, tires and fluids checked, has a cup of coffee, buys a pair of gloves, quick chat with the cute girl behind the counter, watches some TV or reads the local paper, and when his bike is done in about 30 minutes he is ready to leave when he wants, with confidence that he and his bike is ready to take on the rest of the day. With gloves (lets say 25 dollar ones), oil change, coffee, he spent roughly 75 dollars.

It sound like a something that could work to me.

 

[fast blue one]

Let me know when you start the franchises.

 

[reiobard]

are you hiring? I could be a manager! How much you paying?

It is a good idea in theory, it would absolutely be convenient, but the only thing with motorcycles is that everywhere has a "Riding Season" and business would drop significantly in the off season.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Sounds like a good idea. There should be a tire shop too! Maybe all in one. Gas, Tire and Oil.

 

[HavBlue]

While I think this is a novel thought, I also think the business would literally starve in most areas while it may have a chance in those areas with tons of RUBs. Traditionally the bike owner has been somewhat of a gearhead and how often have you heard or read "I don't let anybody work on my bike." To many working on the bike is as much fun as riding it.

 

[fast blue one]

are you hiring? I could be a manager! How much you paying?

It is a good idea in theory, it would absolutely be convenient, but the only thing with motorcycles is that everywhere has a "Riding Season" and business would drop significantly in the off season.

Nah.... Come September just turn the signs round and do winter checks for the cagers.

 

[chokeslam512]

are you hiring? I could be a manager! How much you paying?

It is a good idea in theory, it would absolutely be convenient, but the only thing with motorcycles is that everywhere has a "Riding Season" and business would drop significantly in the off season.

Winterizing and storage services....

 

[fast blue one]

...........................And grade the coffee; a quick check = a starbucks and the full works gets you a cup of blue mountain

 

[Scott64a]

good idea.

As mentioned above, the market is limited though.

The gys who are insane enough to actually pay someone to do oil changes are the Harley owners, which is ironic to the max, because the whole pitch they base the sale on is one of independance and free-spritedness. (is that a word?)
Anyhoo, the Harley people pay through the nose for a name, and get a bike that WILL need to have the motor rebuilt in 50,000mi. Rebels without a clue.

I bet if you could set up a mobile unit, like a trailer to work out of with good generators, tools and jacks, you could go to meets and service a lots o' bkes on the cheap.
You'd have to have certification, though, as nobody will want a fly-by-nighter without credentials tooling their precious bike that their life may well depend on in the case of NOT having a malfunction.

What about a mobile unit or a cheap storefront with sponsorship from a reputable oil manufacturer? Is is too much to try and compete with a major motorcycle company for their product placement?

It's a great idea, if you can make it marketable to the small number of motorcycle owners who actually ave others do the work on their bikes.

Heck, I wouldn't buy it, but many would if you count the rising number of bike owners...
Oh yeah, and the scooter people too.

 

[FZ1inNH]

How about in the winter, doing snowmobiles? Also year round is ATVs? Put in a gear shop along with it? Coffee and internet cafe? Leather cleaning?

 

[fast blue one]

Well I want my franchise in Jamaica with a good long season and lovely customers.

 

[CHEMIKER]

While I think this is a novel thought, I also think the business would literally starve in most areas while it may have a chance in those areas with tons of RUBs. Traditionally the bike owner has been somewhat of a gearhead and how often have you heard or read "I don't let anybody work on my bike." To many working on the bike is as much fun as riding it.

I know that traditionally bike owners are gearheads but I was talking to a m/c dealership the other day and they are seeing record numbers of first time owners. People here are fed up with gas prices ($4.60 at the moment) and gridlock traffic. My guess is that there are quite a few who are buying bikes for cheap transportation and lack experience or desire to do their own work.

I have been thinking of this idea as well. Everywhere you look, it's a week or two to get your bike into a shop. There may be a market for independent m/c shops (not tied to a dealership) to take the overflow of folks who don't want to work on their bike and don't want to wait two weeks to have their bike worked on. I could hire certified Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda mechanics and buy genuine parts. I think it might have a shot.

 

[BranNwebster]

Some parts of the country including here in Houston you can almost ride all year around.

 

[Fred]

I like the idea, IF you do a couple of things.

1. Hire certified techs as you said.
2. Do not impose time limits on services. Jiffy Lube wants each vehicle in and out in under 15 minutes. Their goal is 7.5 minutes per vehicle. So they rush and make mistakes. (And one of those mistakes cost me a transmission rebuild on my pickup truck.)
3. Limit yourself to fluid changes, chain adjustments, steering head bearing adjustments, and tire changes. These are all quick jobs that can get the bikes in and out in a short time.
4. Dedicate a mechanic for each job. One guy does oil changes all day long. Another does the steering head bearing and chain adjustments. One does the tires. Each has his own lift with specialized tools for the job.

This keeps you from having three mechanics working on the same bike at the same time, which is a recipe for chaos. The bikes are passed from one mechanic to the next as the work is completed.

Anyway, that's one way to do it.

Fred

 

[bossdoc83]

I agree with Fred. I've been in places where you are bumbling along with other guys on the same vehicle. As for the whole idea itself, I love it!:thumbup: That is something I would love to be a part of! What better way to feel up another guys baby and get away with it!! An upside is you wouldn't have to spend alot in advertisement since word-of-mouth would be all you need in the biker community. I'm all excited just thinking about it! I:bow:to you for the idea... LOL

 

[Avalon786]

good idea.

As mentioned above, the market is limited though.

The gys who are insane enough to actually pay someone to do oil changes are the Harley owners, which is ironic to the max, because the whole pitch they base the sale on is one of independance and free-spritedness. (is that a word?)
Anyhoo, the Harley people pay through the nose for a name, and get a bike that WILL need to have the motor rebuilt in 50,000mi. Rebels without a clue.

I bet if you could set up a mobile unit, like a trailer to work out of with good generators, tools and jacks, you could go to meets and service a lots o' bkes on the cheap.
You'd have to have certification, though, as nobody will want a fly-by-nighter without credentials tooling their precious bike that their life may well depend on in the case of NOT having a malfunction.

What about a mobile unit or a cheap storefront with sponsorship from a reputable oil manufacturer? Is is too much to try and compete with a major motorcycle company for their product placement?

It's a great idea, if you can make it marketable to the small number of motorcycle owners who actually ave others do the work on their bikes.

Heck, I wouldn't buy it, but many would if you count the rising number of bike owners...
Oh yeah, and the scooter people too.

Not only Harley riders pay for oil. I do all my services at moto dealerships
But i have seen that mobile unit you talk about, saw a biiig pick-up driving around with something like "Mobile Motorcycle Service Unit: Brakes, Transmission, etc etc..." writen on the side.