Sad day for Biking......Mountjoy Motors Closing

Bradidup

I just heard reports that Mountjoy Motorcycles is closing its doors for good next month. They go back donkies and was one of the only family run Motorcycle Shops left in the country that would still cater for all bikers. They even stocked some obsolete parts for classic bikes both Jap & Brit and had an excellent secection of lids, clothing and accessories.
http://dublincitycentre.com/locations/mountjoymotorcycles.htm

madrab

holy crap, i never thought they would go

sad day indeed

mcgrailg

god i never thought they would go

Bradidup

mcgrailg wrote:

god i never thought they would go

You can blame on line purchases, jap & foreign imports, cheap German supermarkets and insurance for the younger riders. I remember in there in the 80ies and there would be a que from the door on a saturday or during the week with couriers. I was in there recently and they didnt even bother to have bikes outside the door, I also had to ring the bell inside for assistance. I heard the date is set for the 25th May. There web site is currently down.

KTRIC

I popped by the shop yesterday evening and the shop was cleared out, just the parts desk.

The only thing they have is a 1967 Honda Cub 50 in better than mint condition.

Owen

Bradidup wrote:

You can blame on line purchases, jap & foreign imports, cheap German supermarkets and insurance for the younger riders.

Would you mind qualifiying that statement? How do cheap Online Purchases, cheap German Supermarkets and Insurance for Younger Riders close a shop?

If we didn't have cheap foreign Supermarkets we wouldn't have competition, likewise with Online Shopping - it's opened up a world of retail that didn't exist before, and allowed us, the ripped off public to get some value. And Insurance for Younger Riders? Surely if anything that would encourage Mountjoy to stay open with more bikers on the road.

I welcome all these things you complain about ... but I'm sure your doing it for the sake of complaining - as they obviously have nothing to do with Mountjoy Motorcycles closing.

Bradidup

ned78 wrote:

Would you mind qualifiying that statement? How do cheap Online Purchases, cheap German Supermarkets and Insurance for Younger Riders close a shop?

If we didn't have cheap foreign Supermarkets we wouldn't have competition, likewise with Online Shopping - it's opened up a world of retail that didn't exist before, and allowed us, the ripped off public to get some value. And Insurance for Younger Riders? Surely if anything that would encourage Mountjoy to stay open with more bikers on the road.

I welcome all these things you complain about ... but I'm sure your doing it for the sake of complaining - as they obviously have nothing to do with Mountjoy Motorcycles closing.

That had every bit to do with them closing because I know guys in the trade and there will be more to come, why do you think they were open between 7pm and 9pm during the week trying to squeeze in that extra bit of business.

Yes I agree competiton is great until you want to get something in a hurry. Someone like myself doing a courir job on my Honda Bros and the clutch cable or brake leaver snaps, I now have to wait a week for it to be ordered from Honda and get ripped off even more or try getting it on line. There is not that many places that could beat Mountjoy and I never complained about paying the extra for the convenience.

I should have realy headed this thread as a sad day for couriers.

Kinetic^

Used these a few years back when I was courier......RIP.

Owen

Bradidup wrote:

That had every bit to do with them closing

You still haven't answered how German Supermarkets and having more young riders on the road can close a Motorcycle Shop.

jameshayes

ned78 wrote:

You still haven't answered how German Supermarkets and having more young riders on the road can close a Motorcycle Shop.

I hate the way people are always looking for a fight on boards. Leave it out. This thread is about a family business and all your worried about is a small section in someones post. Show some respect to a family that served bikers for as long as I can remember.

Pigeon Reaper

The online shops have much lower overheads and thus cost less to buy off. This in turn means local shops loose business. High insurance has meant fewer people getting bikes. This means fewer parts being sold. Those with bikes tend to be middle aged(proven by stats) and use them as hobbies so they may be less likely to run in to get parts/service a bike themselves(unfortunately I've no imperical data to prove this but from taking to other bikers etc) I think the main problem is mountjoy is one of the most respected shops in a prime location yet they're closing. It's most likely to be an indication of changing habits of bikers etc rather than the end of biking in Ireland. It does mean that parts will be harder to get until something else comes into the market. Perhaps cityspares will start stocking more new parts for example. What we do know is that local parts sales have dropped dramatically in the past few years along with bike sales. This will continue to thin out the market. Hopefully it won't result in only one or two shops serving the local market result in a possible monopoly.

Owen

jameshayes wrote:

I hate the way people are always looking for a fight on boards. Leave it out. This thread is about a family business and all your worried about is a small section in someones post. Show some respect to a family that served bikers for as long as I can remember.

James, I'm not looking for a fight ... I have the highest respect for any bike shop in this difficult market that is Ireland, and have deep sympathy for it closing, but blaming Aldi and Lidl for it, and blaming the increase in more young riders on the road? C'mon, even Stevie Wonder could see through that trolling post.

Bradidup

ned78 wrote:

You still haven't answered how German Supermarkets and having more young riders on the road can close a Motorcycle Shop.

I shouldnt even answer such a stupid and obvious question, Its basic economics, a kid could even figure that one out.

The German supermarkets can afford to sell motorcycle accessories at less than half the price of a motorcycle shop such as mountjoy, why would someone want to pay full price? and secondly having more younger riders on the road will mean more bikes, more clothing, parts and accessories in bike shops for their motorbikes, get it?

Owen

Bradidup wrote:

I shouldnt even answer such a stupid and obvious question, Its basic economics, a kid could even figure that one out.

Basic economics? Aldi and Lidl once every six months, do a special on Helmets, Gloves, and Waterproofs. They place a small allocation of these products in their Supermarkets, in the hopes that they will drive people in through the doors and buy other foodstuff products on sale at the premises. Because these Motorcycle Products are their special offers, there's only average profit for Aldi in them. They're merely used as a carrot to get punters in the door to buy milk and bread.

Aldi and Lidl have no detrimental effect on any Motorcycle store in Ireland, and to argue that they do very little understanding of how the market works. I should know by the way, I was the Manager of a Bike Franchise here in Ireland for a year.

For the record, I'm sorry to see yet another Motorcycle Shop close, and I wish we had a market like the UK where Bike Shops are as alluring as Car Dealerships - with vast showrooms, and clothing departments to rival Debenhams.

Bradidup

ned78 wrote:

Basic economics? Aldi and Lidl once every six months, do a special on Helmets, Gloves, and Waterproofs. They place a small allocation of these products in their Supermarkets, in the hopes that they will drive people in through the doors and buy other foodstuff products on sale at the premises. Because these Motorcycle Products are their special offers, there's only average profit for Aldi in them. They're merely used as a carrot to get punters in the door to buy milk and bread.

Aldi and Lidl have no detrimental effect on any Motorcycle store in Ireland, and to argue that they do very little understanding of how the market works. I should know by the way, I was the Manager of a Bike Franchise here in Ireland for a year.

For the record, I'm sorry to see yet another Motorcycle Shop close, and I wish we had a market like the UK where Bike Shops are as alluring as Car Dealerships - with vast showrooms, and clothing departments to rival Debenhams.

From the best of my knowledge Aldi & Lidl are run by brothers, between the two of them they can stagger their offers. They are probably operating out of every major town in the country now, They have already had three specials in the last month with motorcycle accessories between them and they were sold out in a matter of days. How often dose one buy a tank bag or a lid, not every 6 months. Mountjoy also had a nationwide mail order business, I used them from Ennis, they had lost out considerably in the last few years because bikers could also get their stuff locally.

Banner Motorcycles went out of business in Ennis last november because they lost out on a part of the market that could have helped keep their increasing overheads down.

Its not just motorcycle shops that the German supermarkets are killing, its small family run businesses, lawnmore & hire shops, angling shops, local hardwares. They have a special on angling this week, a huge selection of rods, reels even a motorboat complete with an outboard motor to go with it for under e200.

lawnmore this week for e275 great price my old man got one, the coinsequences in the future will be that the local guy down the road will be gone out of business because its no longer worth while selling them repairing them. What Aldi & Lidl are doing to the market industry is of no difference to what Ryanair has done to the aviation industry. Maybe this should be in the marketing forum.

Owen

Bradidup wrote:

What Aldi & Lidl are doing to the market industry is of no difference to what Ryanair has done to the aviation industry. Maybe this should be in the marketing forum.

I'd agree on moving this part of the debate. However, I fundamentally disagree that the token number of products, and the frequency they're offered can have any impact on a well run, and established Motorcycle business. The products offered by Lidl and Aldi (You're correct in that they're run by Brothers) are not high quality, and would be bought by type of person looking for a bargain, the type of person who wouldn't spend 300 on a decent helmet anyway.

From my experience as the manager of a Motorcycle Franchise, if you're well established, and run your business correctly, the local Supervalue, or Aldi cannot impact on your business when they choose to offer their low priced offers from time to time.

I applaud Lidl, Aldi, and most importantly Ryanair for bringing lower costs to the consumer and shaking things up. I applaud Online Shopping for allowing me to buy parts for my bikes abroad that would be hard to get here, and overpriced. If something in Ireland is 50 more, I don't mind paying the difference. If it's hundreds, and quite possibly thousands more, I will not stand to be ripped off, I have a choice, and I can use it. That's the power of consumerism.

I stand by my statement that Aldi and Lidl could not have impacted on Mountjoy's business, and that an influx of young riders would have only helped to expand their portfolio of customers.

Bradidup

ned78 wrote:

I applaud Lidl, Aldi, and most importantly Ryanair for bringing lower costs to the consumer and shaking things up. I applaud Online Shopping for allowing me to buy parts for my bikes abroad that would be hard to get here,

I stand by my statement that Aldi and Lidl could not have impacted on Mountjoy's business, and that an influx of young riders would have only helped to expand their portfolio of customers.

I agree with you on Ryanir and I use them regularly, but could you please give me a valid reason why the staff and pilots of Air Lingus would want them?, (This is for the avaition forum).

I never once said that the German supermarkets were wholey responsible for the closure of Mountjoy Motors in my statement, I said they were a contributing factor and one of several that I mentioned, and I hold my name to that statement. The whole point of this forum is that we have lost a well known family run bike shop due to marketing trends and it is going to be missed by many including myself.

madrab

Can we leave out the argument about semantics?

bjmotors

thats a shame, that place has been around for years.

romperstomper

its a huge pity, I have bought plenty of stuff in that shop over the years and always found the staff to be very helpful and knowledgeable.

on the side issue of why more and more bike shops are closing, the single biggest factor is insurance for young riders and specifically the lack of competition in the market place for insurance.

However much I want to blame those money grabbing scumbags that make up the insurance market, the fact that there were 800 accident claims from pillions on bikes riden by drivers on a provisional last year show that rider education (and even basic things like 'obey the law') are sorely lacking and we as riders have no one to blame but ourselves.

Next time a friend of yours who has a provisional gives someone a lift, it is YOUR responsibility to set him straight and remember that all of us are paying the price in higher premiums.

murphaph

Lidl and Aldi are not run by brothers. They are completely separate and in competition with each other. The Albrect brothers own the TWO Aldi (Albrecht Discount) companies-north and south (we have Aldi south here in Ireland). Lidl is owned by the Schwarz family who also own a heap of other companies like Kaufland, Kaufmarkt, Handelshof etc.

faceman

Jaysus news to me! Where will i get all me honda parts now???

faceman

Bradidup wrote:

Maybe the German supermarkets might be good to us now! what are you riding? Bros?

deauville! Im sure everyone can say "uh, try www. etc" but sometimes you need something in a hurry at a respectable price!

Bradidup

faceman wrote:

Jaysus news to me! Where will i get all me honda parts now???

Maybe the German supermarkets might be good to us now! what are you riding? Bros?

Bradidup

faceman wrote:

deauville! Im sure everyone can say "uh, try www. etc" but sometimes you need something in a hurry at a respectable price!

Thats what I have been trying to explain to these "www.online.heads", they go on about how much we have been ripped off in the past by high st bike shops. I would pay double for "now". its already a pain in the ass having to ride all the way out to Francis St in Cherry Orchard without this happening.

Owen

Bradidup wrote:

Thats what I have been trying to explain to these "www.online.heads", they go on about how much we have been ripped off in the past by high st bike shops. I would pay double for "now". its already a pain in the ass having to ride all the way out to Francis St in Cherry Orchard without this happening.

Us online heads use the net as a tool to compare prices, and to compare value. Value being the operative word. Value to me, means if I pay 15%-25% more than online, but it means I can get it now with local backup, I'll buy it now. Paying double an online price? That's fool hardy!

faceman

ned78 wrote:

Us online heads use the net as a tool to compare prices, and to compare value. Value being the operative word. Value to me, means if I pay 15%-25% more than online, but it means I can get it now with local backup, I'll buy it now. Paying double an online price? That's fool hardy!

Nobody is arguing about getting better deals online. the point being made is that if you need a part same day (e.g. for couriers) the web is fack all use to you. I go everywhere with my bike, if it breaksdown i want it fixed immediately!

Bradidup

faceman wrote:

Nobody is arguing about getting better deals online. the point being made is that if you need a part same day (e.g. for couriers) the web is fack all use to you. I go everywhere with my bike, if it breaksdown i want it fixed immediately!

Agreed. Ned 78....... enough said.

arybvtcw0eolkf

ned78 wrote:

You still haven't answered how German Supermarkets and having more young riders on the road can close a Motorcycle Shop.

Jeeze give it over.

I only find this place and find its like AH!.

Yea about Mountjoy M.C.'s closing. Thats a sad day indeed.

I've great memories of my younger days tuning two strokes, blowing the bejayus out of them and rushing in for more piston kit and gastket sets to reasemble the strokers.

Also got great service from them, and believe me I broke their hearts for many year's tickering about with my RD's, DT's, RG's etc..

Owen

Mairt wrote:

Jeeze give it over.

Give what over? I already lamented the loss of yet another Motorcycle Shop, I still stand by my posts to question Bradidup's codswallop that Lidl and Aldi are contributing factors based on my trade experience. It's that kind of broad, unfounded, sweeping statement that boards can do without.

I had the pleasure of shopping locally last week for a Battery for my 916, and yes I paid a little more, but it was local service. Not once have I disputed that.

'German Supermarkets' will never stock quality motorcycle goods on a regular basis, nor will they offer a service, or spares division to suit our needs - hence, they cannot and will not infringe the niche bike shops have for themselves. That's basic, basic economics.

And yet again, just to re-iterate this in case anyone missed it and thinks I'm being flippant with regard to the OT subject matter ... RIP Mountjoy Motorcycles, we're all sad to see another shop close.

Bradidup

ned78 wrote:

I still stand by my posts to question Bradidup's codswallop that Lidl and Aldi are contributing factors based on my trade experience. It's that kind of broad, unfounded, sweeping statement that boards can do without.
.

The increase in the dependence of electronic mail being transferred between corporate offices in and around Dublin city would be another contributing factor to the demise of Mountjoy motors.

arybvtcw0eolkf

As regards Mountjoy MC's closing, I wonder is that indicative of biker's these days not tickering around with their bikes like we did a few year's back.

Mountjoy catered for (mainly) parts with a small MC sales department, but apart from the odd replacement exhaust I hardly see any work being done on bike's these day's.

Ned you should probably just have ignored the comments re. Aldi and Lidl's, I doubt it anyone was ever going to take that seriously.

Bradidup

Mairt wrote:

As regards Mountjoy MC's closing, I wonder is that indicative of biker's these days not tickering around with their bikes likewe did a few year's back.
.

Bikes these days are just much more reliable and last longer between major service intervals than the older generation, Mountjoy also had Bohemian motors as their workshop in Phibsbourgh, Id say it was not far from 10 years ago since I last dropped in a block for a rebore and piston. Also people these days are inclined to replace an engine rather than do a major overhaul particularly on larger bikes. Yes certain individuals like to take trivial things serious and like to argue just for the sake of arguing.