Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/551693
FOCUS PSB Adventure Bikes www.PowersportsBusiness.com Powersports Business • August 17, 2015 • 19 The Motorcycle Shop takes adventure touring to the next level BY KATE SWANSON ASSISTANT EDITOR Visiting Alaska? Perhaps you've always wanted to ride to Dead Horse, the farthest northern point in the U.S., but never had the chance. The Motorcycle Shop in Anchorage, Alaska, has become the go-to stop shop for any travelers looking for a unique adventure touring experience. "We've always been a big adventure touring market," said Andrew McConnell, sales man- ager at The Motorcycle Shop (TMS). "Up here in Alaska, we like to say that you can see all the cool things by pavement, but all the really cool stuff on dirt." As the segment's growth in recent years can attest, adventure touring has become more popular because of the off-road abilities the bikes allow. Without having to get into a car or load up a dirt bike, riders can see the backcoun- try elements that have made Alaska famous. Since 1972, TMS has been locally owned, and it's the oldest family-run dealership in Alaska. Its lineup includes BMW, Ducati, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM and Triumph. "The last couple of years especially, our six brands have gotten really competitive, with KTM coming out with the new 1190, Ducati's updated Mulitstrada and Triumph's Tigers," McConnell said. "We've got all of these differ- ent and very competitive adventure bikes all in the same room, so it's been really neat because we've seen a lot of growth there. People come in, have a great selection and see what all the really big players have to offer." TMS has undergone an expansion in recent months. The dealership relocated to a more populated area and a facility that is nearly five times its original size at 28,000 square feet. "On our old street we saw about 1,000 cars a day and now … it's a huge amount of traf- fic increase. We've always been kind of in an industrial production district, and we've moved now to a much more trafficked area," McCon- nell said. Although the competition between brands remains relatively equal, the R 1200 GS from BMW is the top-selling adventure bike model. "It seems like most people are able to see the value in it even though it's a bit more expensive," McConnell said. "Most people coming in looking at other models, they seem to have that one in the back of their minds. Once we can talk to them a little bit and explain why it costs what it does, they're usu- ally pretty accepting of it." The R 1200 GS is followed closely by the KTM 1190 for those "who are a little bit more hardcore and aren't looking to do quite as much of the road riding," McConnell said. EASY ACCESS For those looking for the ultimate road trip, TMS has experience helping travelers get the bikes they need safely and in a timely manner. "We get a lot of travelers that are flying into town and are purchasing motorcycles to ride home. That's another place where people assume that we won't be able to help them out, and they're just as surprised and excited when we say we can," McConnell said. TMS has seen visitors from all over the Fly in, ride out See TMS, Page 29 The Motorcycle Shop team posing in their new dealership. TMS has relocated to a more populated area and a facility that is nearly five times its original size at 28,000 square feet. Interested in visiting The Motorcycle Shop? McConnell and team would like to welcome you, especially folks in the dealer network of any of the brands that they support. You're welcome at any time; they just ask for 24 hours' notice. SHOUT OUT