April 24, 2008

Free at Last

Now at 790 Bryant St. 415-503-9988

    After too many years playing second fiddle to BMW cars, BMW Motorcycles is once again a free standing motorcycle dealership, with all that implies.

    The good people from the old store remain: Larry Saenz, one of the great motorcycle salespeople of all time, Bill in Parts, and so forth, but the overwhelming automobile presence is gone.

    I had the chance to meet Eric White, the really young new owner, and was totally impressed with the most important fact that he is, first and foremost, a motorcycle guy. Motorcycles are a passion with him, making a lot of Zen good kharma in what we can expect.

    They are playing a hard round of catch up to get everything in place for this year's riding season, but already the ambiance exceeds expectations. In addition to spacious new digs on Bryant Street, they have a great showroom, nice clean and serious looking shop, and a space designed for groups of riders to hang out and watch races.

    This last is not a coincidence, as Eric's idea of a motorcycle shop is a fun place to hang out. Larry is also a true riding addict, so the overall feel could not be better.

    Another interesting theme that cropped up in my visit is the increase in women riding motorcycles. Obviously, a motorcycle is unbeatable for high mileage, ease of parking, and so forth. Traditionally, women have not thought of themselves as riders in large numbers. In reality, there are no decent reasons for women to avoid riding. BMW has several bikes that would be excellent rides for women, particularly at the 800 cc level. Many women riders are already on scooters, and we all know what that eventually leads to.

    Since I concentrate on motorcycles because of my own passion for motorcycles and hanging out in dealerships, of course this is my kind of dealership. It is terrific to see an urban dealership with the old fashioned love of motorcycles driving it.

    There will be more to come, for sure, as they get things rolling. For now, let's wish them luck.

Topic Tags: BMW Dealer, BMW Motorcycles of San Francisco, Eric White, Larry Saenz, San Francisco

by Michael Padway

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