8 Motorcycle Business Startup Mistakes

2019/2020 was my first year self employed in the motorcycle industry, and these are the 8 motorcycle business startup mistakes that I made in my first year.
I had a lot of previous experience in the motorcycle industry, I worked for vehicle manufacturers, a dealership, and even parts manufacturers. In addition to that I had almost ten years of part-time online motorcycle business experience and four years of part-time offline motorcycle industry experience, but I had never really tried to make it completely on my own, until this past year.
I did a lot of learning and growing this year, and all things considered, it went pretty well! Of course, nothing is perfect, and learning and mistakes go hand and hand. These 8 motorcycle business startup mistakes could probably apply to any startup business, so whether you're looking to start a business in the motorcycle industry, or in any other industry, these mistakes and lessons I learned might be helpful to you!
FULL ARTICLE: www.youmotorcycle.com/8-mista...
#motorcyclebusiness #motorcyclestartup #motorcyclebusinesstips
0:00 Intro
0:45 Ideals vs reality
2:00 Better quality
2:55 Replying too late
3:55 Leverage email
4:45 Clienteling
5:50 Networking
7:00 Collect tips
8:15 Waiting to buy
9:20 First year recap

[@missioncapable4658]

I build for myself when I have time. I might start a business building bikes for others. Thanks for the information 🤙

[@YouMotorcycle]

If you enjoy it, you're good at it, and you're willing to stand behind your work, why not? Could be fun.

[@simob7862]

I had a friend who moved states visit for a week end a while back and stayed in town a week he borrowed my iron 883 Harley sportster for a few days and did some rides. He paid me even though I said it was okay he didn’t have to. Over time I managed to end up with around 8 the original one I purchased new but the other were 2nd hand fixed up and used for daily rentals for day rides as a group thing. Next year I am looking at possibility getting a small fleet of Royal Enfield scram 411 as they are really good value easy for me to work on and multi purposeful in the process of setting up a new VW Krafter support van that can take 3 bikes has an office and sleeping arrangements

[@YouMotorcycle]

What did you end up getting?

[@user-mn3uv6ep3x]

Wish you all the best for coming years

[@YouMotorcycle]

Thank you, you too!

[@choppergirl]

I never needed anybody to get back to me right away if I wanted to buy something of theirs. In fact, my last motorcycle purchase went on for months. I inquired, he wanted so much, which was too high... so I just bid my time until he went through all the flakey buyers that expressed an interest. When he finally dropped his price below my threshold, I said well, I guess I bought it. Then I gathered all the trailer and equipment to go pick it up, and sent him status report pictures along the way to reinforce that yes I really was coming to buy it... unlike all the rest. Show up cash in hand, loaded up the bike, piece of cake. So yeah with internet buyers, we're use to waiting and we may even prefer not to voice call, but do text messages that can wait until you're ready to deal with them and handle them, and it gives everyone time to think and doesn't put anyone on the spot. So yeah the 30 second return call thing don't apply, except to flighty flakey buyers who really probably aren't too serious or hot to trot for your item anyway.

[@YouMotorcycle]

It's not a motorcycle selling business though

[@infernojoe7554]

I'm in Florida so I do jet ski and bike work from my home shop. Retail shop space is crazy expensive here. I have to find a partner biker to share the expense on a warehouse. Good Luck Man!

[@YouMotorcycle]

Thanks brother, you too!

[@HayabusaOrlando]

I'm in Orlando. Lets talk about it.

[@sadorad]

Thanks for the information. Very good! What info can you give on insurance for your co.?

[@YouMotorcycle]

I got lucky that a company I already had insurance with also does commercial so it took a couple phone calls and maybe a couple weeks to get it sorted out from start to end. Since then I've just renewed from year to year. I did find that many companies would sometimes want three prior years of insurance before they would quote me for commercial insurance, so be prepared for that and call EVERYONE.

[@csajokamotoron]

Dear Adrian! It is good to you if you already leard all these things in the first year. I hope you will have a lot successful second year with all of the experiences!

[@YouMotorcycle]

Thank you! 😃 Yes, better to make mistakes and learn from them right away then much later.

[@Spartanshaq777]

90% fail the first year. SO CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@YouMotorcycle]

Thank you! Still going!!

[@BlackcatmotorcyclesCoUk]

NO1 Startup mistake that kills most businesses, is buying everything you would like in your business and or the most expensive version.. instead of buying ONLY what your startup needs to get up and running. I susgest, choose to buy only what is a priority and slowly building up as profit allows....Sure you might wish your business to have a fancy Snap on tool chest fully loaded costing over a grand and the latest diagnostics... but that could cripple youre business until it has an established customer base :)

[@YouMotorcycle]

💯 agreed

[@cyclesportservices3323]

Thank you for the video , in the process of opening up a shop what Point of sale system did you start with? Kinda lost on the route to go

[@YouMotorcycle]

I use Square reader... 2.9% + $0.30 on credit cards... or just $0.10 on debit cards, so I ask my customers if they don't mind paying debit Your rates may be different, I'm in Canada. I liked Square because it was very mobile friendly. I could take it in my pocket, ride over to someone who simply needs a boost or a new battery installed, and then take payment on the spot and ride home.

[@samwittstruck.6685]

You seam to have great customer skills. Your mechanical skills ? What is your education and job related experience in powersport repair field?

[@YouMotorcycle]

Thanks! I've worked for some of the from biggest motorcycle manufacturers, and manufacturers of OE parts, down to working at a motorcycle dealership, almost always in marketing.

[@petersantana9899]

What pos system you using?

[@YouMotorcycle]

Square