Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/485263
MOTORCYCLE New facility leads to record sales for Maverick Motorsports BY KATE SWANSON ASSISTANT EDITOR What's better than loving what you do? Try loving what you do and getting paid to do it. Such is the case for Brent Gyuricza, owner of Maverick Motorsports in Missoula, Mont., who credits his dealership's success to the hard work and the enthusiasm of his staff. "We're all passionate riders," Gyuricza said. "We're all active in motorsports, so we want to do everything we can to support the groups that are here." Maverick Motorsports moved to its cur- rent location just off of Interstate 90 in April 2014. Since the move, the dealership has seen exceptional sales numbers. "It's been getting progressively busier," he said. "Our total book of business just for this past February almost tripled." With such high sales overall, Maverick Motorsports' success is a clear sign that the dealership is off to a better start in 2015. While overall sales are doing well, Gyuricza added that unit sales, specifically, had increased: "In units, last year we more than tripled sales than the prior year." Maverick also continues to see increases in more than just sales. Its parts and acces- sories and service departments are also doing better than the previous year. Both have seen sales double, in fact. From getting into the new space, learning the best way to check-in parts and increasing overall organization, the dealership could see even more future benefits, Gyuricza added. "The fact that we're gaining and keeping customers is actually because of our passion for motorsports," he said. "That's definitely what makes everyone pretty happy. It's what keeps them coming back." Besides upstanding customer service prac- tices, Maverick benefits from its location near Interstate 90. "We wouldn't have bought [the prior dealership] if we couldn't have gotten this location," added Gyuricza. "We're right of the interstate, so we're seeing a lot of people that are stopping at our shop first just because we're there." While the dealership was planning its move, Maverick bought a former Triumph, Suzuki and Yamaha dealership, allowing Gyuricza to sell those brands in Maverick's home county. "In Montana, it's different from other states — they only allow one manufacturer repre- sentative per county," Gyuricza explained. "If I wanted Triumph, Suzuki and Yamaha, the only way I could do that was to buy them from an existing dealership or go to a different county." Maverick decided to stay in the same county, buy an existing dealership and relocate to a high-traffic area. At Maverick Motorsports, customers report a positive experience overall, especially in major unit sales. "Last year we were tied for first nationally for CSI (customer service index) surveys," Gyuricza said. Maverick was also a top Tri- umph seller in its region, based on unit sales per demographic outreach. While Yamaha is its top-selling brand, Gyuricza says that the dealership has seen the largest increase in Triumph sales over the past year. "Yamaha is solid; we're doing more vol- ume with them," he explained. "But Triumph evokes more emotion. There are guys in their 50s who remember riding one when they were teenagers, so there's a lot of nostalgia value built around the Triumph line." Maverick plans to stay active in its region and community. The dealership is the first official powersports company of the University of Montana Grizzlies. It has an active presence on campus and at Grizzlies sporting events. Maverick also wants to be a bigger presence in the racing world, choosing to sponsor racers in the Big Sky MX series. As the dealership approaches its first birth- day, Gyuricza shares that there are a few expan- sion plans in store for Maverick. The 2.5-acre property has a gas pipeline running through the back, which may be replaced in the near future to accommodate a changing landscape surrounding the dealership. If it needs to be replaced, Maverick will take that opportunity to rebuild a retail facility that would be three times the current facility's size. "If nothing else — if they won't move the gas line — we'll end up turning our current facility into all showroom and parts. Then we'll build a shop out back," he said. As it stands, Maverick is building a club- room inside of the facility. Five local clubs have already asked to use the facility for their regular meetings. In the future, Maverick Motorsports will expand the brands it offers as well. Zero Motor- cycles will soon be added alongside the other OEMs, offering an electric option for riders. Expect the staff's enthusiasm for two-wheeled products to drive sales to electric motorcycle buyers as well. "There's no better advertising than passion- ate, excited, happy workers — the people that love the sport. We're excited to be here and to talk about motorcycles," Gyuricza said. "People come in and say our enthusiasm infects them more than any other kind of sales tactic." PSB Montana dealership more than triples sales in new location 40 • April 6, 2015 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Above: Maverick Motorsports carries Yamaha, Suzuki, Triumph and soon, Zero Motorcycles, in its showroom. Below: Owner Brent Gyuricza (center) and his two sons at a Yamaha demo. Maverick Motorsports has more sales volume from Yamaha than any other OEM. 'Chip's Winter Ride' will appear on MPT's 'MotorWeek' Boni Productions releases mini-documentary of Rokon riders in Maine For bikes that claim they can "go anywhere," Rokon motorcycles have certainly been tested by a number of powersports enthusiasts. One such group met up in Sanford, Maine, brought together by their love of the Rokon Trail- Breaker, a 2x2 motorcycle. The short film, entitled "Chip's Winter Ride," features the Rokon riders in a half-hour program as they take on snow, rocks and water. The mini-documentary will premiere on Mary- land Public Television's "MotorWeek" during the week of March 28. An encore presentation will also appear on the Velocity channel during the week of April 7. "MotorWeek" host and executive producer John H. Davis shared his admiration for the rid- ers. "We were bowled over the first time we saw the snowy muck that these Rokon enthusiasts were willing to take on to have some good, anything-but-clean fun," said Davis. Director Dennis Boni has already received two TIVA Peer Awards for "Chip's Winter Ride." The Television, Internet and Video Association of D.C. (TIVA) recognizes regional excellence in media. Boni Productions received a silver Peer Award for non-fiction and a bronze award for Best Documentary less than 30 minutes. The first Rokon originated in the 1950s, under the development of Charles Fehn, who wanted to create an off-road vehicle like no other. His design featured a rugged, lightweight motorcycle with all-wheel drive. The wide tires and high clearance guarantees pulling power and expanded traction for off-road driving. In See Rokon, Page 42 "Chip's Winter Ride" features the Rokon riders in a half-hour program as they take on snow, rocks and water.