BMW Motorrad Dealers Closing: Farewell Bahnstormer BMW Maidenhead | BMW 1300 GS BMW and 1300 GSA

[@lestersmyth692]

This is a trend throughout the country unfortunately with many long serving dealerships closing. The customer base is becoming increasingly older and the current financial downturn are major factors here for sure. Thanks for the post I’m sure you’ll find another suitable hangout 👍

[@ianwilliamson7703]

It’s so sad, many dealers across the UK, appear to be closing. I own a Harley and my dealership in Reading, has closed, along with the Watford branch It’s getting harder these days, to find a local dealer, to do servicing etc. They always had a great selection of bikes, sorry to see them go.

[@adamwhite5155]

Like you guys , i have bought many bikes from Pete ,booked my bike in for a service then got the dreaded call they could not do it as they were closing.Very sad news ended up going over to North oxford .Can honestly say they were equally as nice and professional as the guys in maidenhead

[@muz1406]

Called in last week to have a look. Didn't realise it was closing . Great shame to see any dealer close but I fear the future of motorcyles is not looking good.

[@lifeisarideuk]

No, it is not

[@julianmorris9951]

Dealers are amalgamating like completely motorcycles, it’s for survival because they can’t live on a dying trade, not enough youngsters coming into biking, it’s way too expensive.

[@J.Harry.T]

I watched that to find out why the business closed. I am none the wiser.

[@stewy62]

I felt the same. I looked on the Internet and this is an extract from their statement which like most corporate statements skirts around the issue rather than putting it in black and white ; “We are now at the end of our lease and the economic backdrop has changed for operating the business out of this location. BMW Motorrad have exciting plans moving forwards that will require significant investment in premises and systems and this therefore feels like the right time to adjust our plans to continue providing the best experience for our customers” (…..at the Alton site)

[@simonrichardson3167]

Heard that a big successful bmw dealer ooop norths sales are down 30 percent on this time last year. Partly to do with the GSA new model crossover perhaps, but also I reckon an indication of how rubbish things are right now in the UK, not much money floating about for these expensive toys. It's a bit of a leap of faith to stick 20k plus on a GS when it's littered with teething troubles and recalls.

[@Jmbo65]

Nick I feel your pain as a good dealers are hard to find as discussed. Hopefully North Oxford rise up to the challenge 👍

[@lifeisarideuk]

or triumph Wokingham

[@BikerandBits]

i’ve found Oxford more or a corporate service than personal service that Maidenhead gave that’s why i used Maidenhead even though Oxford is closer

[@lifeisarideuk]

I am inclined to agree with you, but I think they've had a major shake up and I think things have changed but time will tell

[@3countiesmotorcycletrainin787]

I have now used both North Oxford and Vines, both have offered great service. North Oxford is about 1hr 30 and Vines is 40 Mins away.

[@lifeisarideuk]

I think one of these dealerships will be mad not to offer a collection service

[@davidkerley3405]

Sad to see any dealer close.

[@lifeisarideuk]

it is sad

[@3countiesmotorcycletrainin787]

Not the only one in the area. Reading HD and Bracknell KTM have also gone

[@lifeisarideuk]

Sure is

[@lifeisarideuk]

hard times

[@tatmandu1722]

Damn, that’s a real bummer. Sorry for your loss.

[@lifeisarideuk]

Is there a loss another gain?

[@Dazmpower]

North Oxford have been good to deal with - No issues.

[@Scarletsb0y]

had the same problem in Wales both dealship closed down now have to go to Bristol to get my BMW fix. Which I have to say service has been great and I got a new R1250GSA as the R1300 GS just seems to have to many problems for me to get one. Still 1.45 hours away but its worth it so far.

[@lifeisarideuk]

agreed

[@paulgibson490]

My two bmw dealers have been bought by Vertu who seem to be buying all the dealers they can, it's up in the air as to how good the service will be. One of the dealers was Alan Jeffrey's which used to be excellent it is sad.

[@MotoPapa88]

That's really a bummer. I live in Los Angeles and have ordered a few parts from Niall at Bahnstormer, who has always been exceptional with whatever I needed. I thought they were doing well. Shame.

[@lifeisarideuk]

I know you have a lot of parts that I have reviewed you have ordered keep up the good work and the good reviews. Drop me an email [e-mail]

[@StruddersMotorrad]

Niall is moving to Alton Bahnstormer I beleive, so you can still deal with him.

[@randlcars4582]

You pair should have kept them going on your own

[@joshnnik]

I had the email from them saying it was closing. Just had a service carried out there, so okay for a year. What next, North Oxford is close enough for me but I’m tempted to return to Honda bikes again.

[@simonwaldron1700]

I use Oxford I'm closer to cheltenham but Oxford service excellent .

[@lifeisarideuk]

Good to hear

[@larrymickey3419]

I think the used market is finally affecting the sale of new expensive bikes .

[@lifeisarideuk]

Agree

[@rudyhonings]

You bought 18 bikes in 2 years? I guess you were their only customers, who just had too much time and money! I'm going into the 10th year on my 1200 GSA! You guys are funny!

[@iancharlton5530]

Brought my s1000r from Pete great dealer sadly gone.

[@MikeK6046]

Due to the "overall" high price of BMW & Harley motorcycles, I'm guessing that more dealerships will be greatly challenged and may close. IMO this is due to the overall bad economy and lack of new riders to replace the old guard. ALSO, (IMO) there are now many "very good" $12Kish and below motorcycles that challenge many riders to spend more.

[@lifeisarideuk]

Agree

[@ianross225]

I had a dealer in Caterham which was swallowed up then closed by Vines of Redhill and then all bikes moved to Vines in Guildford. Hardly a positive especially the service I received. Bahnstormer got great reviews but just too far way for me in Croydon. I went to Honda being nearer then KTM nearer still. I’m returning to Honda being better build quality, residuals and service.

[@TheHooverit]

I’ve used all the dealers near me,Maidenhead was closest for me.

[@lifeisarideuk]

and who was best

[@TheHooverit]

@@lifeisarideuk vines in Guildford have been great 45 minutes for me but always get a loan bike if needed

[@vgedik]

Excuse me. What is the brand of your soft top case ? Thanks.

[@lifeisarideuk]

sw

[@johnalbone3372]

I had an email a while back to tell me they are closing Lind Motorrad in Norwich also closed

[@lifeisarideuk]

very sad indeed

[@kamil3667]

What central bags you got on GS?

[@lifeisarideuk]

Sw leaky junk get loan rider they don’t leak and don’t need it in a bag

[@milabaigar]

Find out where the Mecanics are going to , hard to find a good bmw Mecanic that knows his stuff 👍 yes sad day 😫

[@checker3694]

You will never find any good mechanics in main dealers, fitters yes, the good mechanics are in independent bike shops, carry out mechanical repairs and mods Main dealers are oil and brake, and software installers and anything more detailed Motorrad Germany helps them with video tutorials. And fitting complete engines for warranty purposes as they don't have skills to strip and repair.

[@David-jv9gk]

Their branch at near Alton is still open

[@lifeisarideuk]

if you want a one hour 30 minute ride I’m not sure whether I do time to decide

[@benattwell487]

Maybe Harley Davidson are taking over as there one out the front.

[@geoffsmith1616]

Vines in Guildford chaps there brilliant

[@lifeisarideuk]

Far far away

[@geoffsmith1616]

@lifeisarideuk shame. It's a real pita losing a local dealer we lost Yamaha Honda and Aprilia locally, my nearest is a choice of x3 all about an hour away consisting of; group 1 in Brighton, Barnstormer Alton or Vines Guildford, Japanese or krm bikes it's p and h in Crawley

[@rejects101]

Maidenhead is also closing. BMW not doing well.

[@lifeisarideuk]

well, it would seem so wouldn’t it but I think that’s not the case. Most dealers are doing fine.

[@milerale5286]

It’s not bmw it’s crappy dealers

[@philliplum3845]

Something is going very wrong.. Loads of dealers closing.. A few Harley dealers are closing, and my local multi franchise dealer, who was trading for over 30 years went bust..

[@stevegray5709]

Young people are simply not interested in riding motorcycles. Who can blame them with the four wheeled congestion on today's roads and the clowns that drive on them. Anybody that has a pulse seems to be able to get a cat B license and many many many have not a clue about 'driving' so I understand younger peoples reluctance to ride on 2 wheels..

[@dvdh4937]

Or they made enough money and just stop... no one is gonna share the real reason

[@milerale5286]

No wonder they closed, worst dealer I’ve used

[@johnalbone3372]

Lind in Welwyn Garden City is about 40 mins from Bahnstormer Maidenhead

[@lifeisarideuk]

Agreed, but less likely to get stuck in horrendous traffic heading towards North Oxford which takes 32 minutes

[@El_Tel]

@@lifeisarideuk I had terrible service from Lind at WGC and became a Bahnstormer Maidenhead customer as a result

[@jjnewman65]

@@El_Tel hey ho.

[@mikebarrett1004]

Typical, bmw pulling the plug on a (very profitable dealer) ( dealer) my 2020 r1250 rs exclusive cost shy of £20k and now worth £8k with full history and only 6k miles and treated as a baby…………….i will stick with my Suzukis, faster, more fun, totally cheaper to purchase, more reliable and simply more fun to ride🦊

[@mikebarrett1004]

Ps. If you want a real mechanic and totally honest and true motorcycle engineer try Pete at (Holland engineering) at mursley in Milton Keynes, racer, rider,tourer,(bmw rider) 🐸 and all round top guy……………..don’t mention my gen 2 busa as he might throw u out of his workshop🙈 but he and boon are so knowledgable and just so much fun 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@Greggspies]

Nice when you have £24k to blow away

[@lifeisarideuk]

3 k down 100 a month works

[@EWAScotland]

Guess what happens when you try to sell £25k bikes to an ever reducing and ageing customer base, in a cost of living crises 🤷🏻‍♀️