Our #1 Question?

As a company, we've been around since the late 1990's. We've done our best to treat our customers right, and now that times are tough, we have an OUTSTANDING grass-root customer base. We're doing fine.

Granted, we've had to make changes. We've made a few cut-backs, have fewer employee's, and really have to be smart about how we do business. I look at this as a HUGE plus. When a company is forced to look harder within, you're forced to see where your weaknesses are. Even the most sound aspect of your business, now takes on a totally different light.

I would like to think that by doing this for as long as I have, I have the base to make smart choices. What shocks me are the companies that think that they have the magic idea that's going to shield them from difficult times. Some think that bigger is "always" better. They think that if they're open 7 days a week, extend their hours, or attend every event, that the additional cash flow will justify the expense. "I'm not going to crawl into a hole like others..! I'm going to expand at all costs..!"

First, being smart about where money ends up isn't "crawling into a hole." While expanding (if done smart) can be good, it's easy to forget where you came from, and how much expansion costs. It's also a given that employee's are the single largest expense most companies have. Many employee's don't understand that, so the owner better.

Secondly, it's way to easy for owners to think that if they expand hours, attend every event, or have 3 people sitting around waiting for the next customer, these efforts equal positive cash flow. They can, but often the end result isn't completely positive.

So why do a blog, that might be taken by some as a "what not to do" memo to other smaller companies? The fact is, those companies that involve themselves in these beliefs are going to do it anyway. One day employee's will come to work, and there will be a CLOSED sign on the front door.

My concern is for those customers who purchase from them, and have no idea what state these companies are in. They make a purchase, wait a week for their goodies to arrive, make a call when it doesn't, and only then find out that there is a closed sign on the door. I can't tell you how many times this has already happened, and it's just the beginning. The winter months are typically the slowest times (even with Christmas). Like my long time distributor Rep stated, "I have 4 major accounts that won't see Spring..".

My advise; just be careful. If you have a relationship with a company, and in the past have been treated right, give it a lot of thought before you jump ship. While price is important in these times, there's also a value associated with a smooth transaction....

California Dream'in...

Just finished a whirl-wind trip to CA to visit some Distributors, and I'm exhausted. It's not the amount of miles we went, but the "type" of miles.

I have no idea how people live and work in LA. The roads are a mess, the traffic is enough to push the Pope into committing a road-rage crime, and then there are the drivers that "think" they can multi-task. At one point it took us 40 minutes to travel 5 miles. On top of that, CA allows motorcycles to split lanes... Every bike we saw did it. Talk about taking your life into your own hands.... While CA is a helmet law State, no helmet is going to help if you go down in heavy traffic. I say I wouldn't do it, but I'm sure with time my attitude would change. Maybe...

I wonder how many crashes take place because of splitting lanes? I was amazed how close side mirrors came to these guys. I can say with confidence that hitting a few must be common place. Then you have the riders that aren't happy with just splitting lanes, but they also add a few quick lane changes. Zipping between vehicles, then all of a sudden yanking it across three lanes of traffic, only to split more lanes. I was scared just watching the show. While I was at the distributors I asked how many people crash doing this stuff. They all had stories, and all said it was pretty common.

With this being said, you would think gear would be worn by everyone, right? WRONG. Of course everyone had on a helmet (helmet law State), but I was amazed how many riders didn't have on jackets, pants, or even gloves. I see riders here in AZ without gear, but we can't split traffic. Add that, and I was amazed riders still felt comfortable wearing shorts and tee-shirts... I would think the armour in a jacket would come in handy taking out all those side mirrors..lol.

Anyway, I have a new appreciation for our freeways downtown....

Video on the site.

I just want to thank everyone who has taken the time to thank me for doing the videos on the site. It feels great to know that it's helping.

If there is a downside, it's how the video's have spiked our telephone traffic. Not that the actual calls are an issue, it's mainly that there's no way to handle them all, at any given time. Our website gets National attention from our advertisements, and we would need a staff of 20 to even begin grabbing the phone each time it rings. Needless to say, our voice mail gets a workout. I also want to handle many of the questions personally, and many customers want to speak with me about various products.

If you fall into this situation, please know that I return every call the same day. There is one exception, I don't call back East after 5pm Pacific time (8pm Eastern). I have a phobia about calling way to late, and waking someone up...lol.

Getting back on the track..

I'll admit it, I have a very compulsive personality. When I do something, I just plain do it. The same held true when I decided to start a Helmet Harbor Race Team. It started off slow, but grew into a huge deal and expense. Huge enclosed trailer, truck, 3 race bikes, 4 easy-ups, outdoor coolers, fresh tires twice a weekend, you name it. Not to mention the 4 National race schools I attended to get "just a little faster." When all was said and done, I had a HUGE amount invested in equipment, and each weekend (sometimes 3 a month) were costing me 3k.

I get asked, "What happened?" all the time. I simply say, all involved got mentally tired. What started as fun, turned into stress. We stopped being thrilled to just be on the grid, into "I've got to beat that guy, and that guy, Hell, all of them." If one of us did poor, everyone felt it. Attitudes toward the sport simply changed.

Personally I could see a change. When I started I was in the back. Everyone beat me. Near the end, I felt I had a chance to win. I had bumped to the expert class, and was finishing high. I was actually hanging with guys who were AMA fast. In a nutshell, I got good. The younger guys on our team could feel me breathing down their necks, and because of that, didn't have an issue stuffing me in corners to keep ahead. By the way, this was mutual. In some races our team finished 1, 2, 3 and 4, and from the stands we looked like a freight train going around the track. Our bikes matched, and it was easy to see how well we were doing as a team.

The end came rather simple. Near the beginning of year 4 I put my guys in a room and asked if they wanted to continue. All said that they had enough, and that fast it was over. The trailer was sold, the hauler traded, and the bikes/gear placed in storage. Other than the occasional track day, we never came close to a track.

This brings me back to the present. I've had a break, and the itch is returning. However, this time it's going to much more simple, and would need to be for me to even think about a comeback. No team, just me. I hauled bikes for others for 4 years, I will be getting some payback. No trailer, hauler, just me and my bike.

Why, after a 3 year break? Simple, my attitude has changed, and I'm not all about beating, anyone... I think this time I will focus more on helping younger, and new riders. Put those schools to work and try to pass on a little of what I've been shown. Sure, I can see myself racing a little, but back as a amateur. Good bye white plate, hello yellow. New bike? Maybe, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. My old trusty steed will do just fine for what I have planned.

I was told by a track manager that, "Todd, if you get your times down, I will bump you to expert. You know that right? I don't see you with a yellow plate long." Well, if that holds true, and I'm at that level again, I guess I'll bump. Funny how before bumping up was all I thought about, now it sounds disappointing. The difference this time will be, I won't be pushing myself to make every pass, or out to out-break everyone. If it happens, great. It's going to be about going out, having fun, and having new stories to tell. That simple.

Live in the South, and still wear a leather jacket?

Owning a store located on the surface of the Sun, we figure out real quick what works in the heat. Leather isn't one of them.

I've heard it a thousand times. "I really want this leather jacket, is it perforated? I don't want to get hot during my rides." I can do nothing short of chuckle out loud. I can't count how many times I've spoke with customers who have visited other stores, have been told that Cordura and leather work great in the summer, as long as they're vented. I lecture every day that you can have 50 vents on either of these jackets, and you'll still cook above 90 degrees. Simply, these two materials should be your last choice.

Leather retains heat. I've gone out on test rides, cooked, and then tossed the jacket on the couch after returning home. 30 minutes later the jacket is still warm to the touch. Leather soaks up and retains heat. It's that simple, and 100 vents or perforation isn't going to fix that.

Cordura is a tight weave cloth, and allows zero air to pass through. Yes, you can add vents, but look at the next Cordura jacket you see. Most of the time the vents are designed to keep out the wet, and use Velcro to make this happen. Often, what vents are there will close by themselves, and now you have zero ventilation. It's like pulling on a trash bag. It's also why most of the winter jackets are made out of Cordura.

Mesh jackets are the only way to go. Many have an inner rain liner that you can remove. Others have both a rain liner and the thermal liner to keep the cold at bay. Here in AZ you simply have a jacket that works year round. I've actually ridden with my mesh jacket, with the liners installed, all the way down to the high 20's. In the summer the whole jacket is a vent.

The one question I get more than any other is, "I've heard that the mesh will melt in a crash if you drag long enough." Look, if you start melting a mesh jacket, that's your last worry. You have greater issues to deal with...LOL Yes, mesh, Cordura, and even leather will grind through if you slid on one spot long enough. The jackets seams are what to focus on. The seam is what will fail first, which if happens, will expose your skin to the concrete. I've seen too many mesh jackets to count after they've been crashed. The mesh is damaged, but didn't cause injury. Simply, they are safe.

In a nutshell, if you ride in the heat you owe it to yourself to purchase a mesh jacket. You'll thank me for it later.

2008, what a mess...

I've been around since the late 1990's, and I've never seen anything like 2008 when it comes to product. Or should I say, lack of product so late in the year. Nothing is more frustrating, and time consuming as try to get product that doesn't exist.

Now why this is happen appears to the great mystery of the century, and not just one company is involved. I've seen it from Bell, all the way down to HJC, AGV, Tourmaster and Cortech. How can a company advertise a 08 product in November of 07 and still not have it in June?

Some say it's the weak dollar. US companies are holding off their purchases hoping the dollar gets stronger, and thus they pay less. Others say it's nothing more than strong demand because of the high gas prices. More people are riding, more product is being sold, and less is available.

Regardless of what's going on, or the excuses behind the issue, it equals a HUGE pain for everyone involved, right down to the customers. All I can hope is that those in charge make some good choices and make things happen. If not, you'll see Dealers like myself start looking harder at product that we can actually sell. If I was a young company looking to break into the market, this looks like a gift. Let's see if they take advantage of it.

Aren't we going "GREEN"?

I was down at my local BMW dealership last week picking up some OEM parts, and I got to joking with one of the part managers. One thing led to another, and I made a comment that I was "going green" by riding to work each day, instead of using my truck a few times a week. The part manager overheard my comment and joked, "So you're riding your bicycle?" I of course got the point and replied, "Well, I guess I've gone pond green".


Here in Arizona we have only 10 days of rain a year. Rarely will it freeze, and when it does, the roads seldom become slick. We have little excuse not to ride year round. Sure, it gets hot in the summer, but only the ride home is brutal.

Currently I'm riding a very plush BMW K1200LT. My routine is to head out to the bike, start the engine, hit the radio button, turn on the heated hand grips/seat (winter), and slap on my helmet. I pass by the gas station on the way to work, hit my bike computer button and smile as it indicates 45mpg... Nothing better than seeing that number each morning.

I'm proud to say that we have a strong "grass root" customer base. There are customers who have been shopping with us for over 10 years. They are more than customers, but truly friends. When I suggest a product, I take it to heart. When a product is expensive, I make sure to explain why.

The high price of gas has turned many into everyday commuters like myself. It has also motivated many to update their older gear. Here is the dilemma many face. How can I ride each day to save money, then walk into a store and spend $400 on new gear. Doesn't that scratch out any savings? Here's the math...lol

If you take the $400 and divide it by $3 (price of fuel) it comes out to 133 gallons of gas. If your car/truck gets 20mpg that it comes out to about 7 fill ups, or 2660 miles. A 30 mile commute each day equals about 88 trips, 17 weeks, or about 4 months... In other words if you buy the gear, ride each day, 4 months in you're in the black. Less if you're like me, and your car/truck gets only about 12mpg...

The bottom line? You must have comfortable gear to even get onto a bike day after day. Once you do, the savings can start. You will also have something that will serve you well into the future. You save money in the long run, have a comfortable ride, and everyone wins...