Page 74 - Motorcycle Trader (February 2020)

This R NineT Urban G/S
‘Option 719’ came in looking
for extra protection.
Is he allowed to have favourites with
BMWs? Apparently so. “I’m fond of the
old GSs – have had a few of those along
the way – and K100s.” At the moment his
modest personal fleet is an R 1200 GS
plus a current model, though the latter
is mostly playing demo platform for his
range of accessories.

PEOPLE SKILLS
While the motorcycles change, Chris
reckons people don’t, and his job provides
ample opportunity to study the human
race. “I’ve never done psychology, but
I reckon there’s only about five or six
different sorts of people,” he wryly
observes. “We’re a bit lucky, we don’t
seem to get that really needy guy, the
demanding customer. Maybe it’s our
attitudes, people feel a bit more at ease
to start with.
“You get two problem people a year
– you just do. But generally speaking,
you take them aside and have a chat
and they’ve nearly all become long-term
customers. Maybe they’ve been burned “I won’t travel anywhere in the world
before or they’re nervous – generally you now unless it’s on a motorcycle”
can sort that.”
Internet and social media, however, is a “There’s a set methodology for most
whole different basket of ferrets. When it problems. Bring your bike in and it will tell
comes to people diagnosing each other’s me what’s wrong with it.”
issues online, “Internet drives us mad – Given what he does for a living, can he
the corollary is a bloke in the pub told me really still summon up any enthusiasm
what was wrong. At least he was looking for riding? “Oh, shit yeah. I’m not a rider
me in the eye! that rides Sunday morning for the sake of
it, because we work all week on them. But
when we plan a holiday or a trip, I won’t
travel anywhere in the world now unless
it’s on a motorcycle.
“This year was Canada, last year was
Ireland, next year is Morocco, Spain and
Africa. Purely because I meet more people
S H E D M A S T E R S and I enjoy motorcycling, obviously.
BM Motorcycles
Travelling in Canada this year, people
came up to me, hear the accent and want to
talk. Ireland was the same.
“Plus, every year for 20 years around
Melbourne Cup week I’ve organised a four-
day ride with mates. To keep in contact
with friends from places like Portland,
Hamilton and Warrnambool.”
The international travel is a relatively
recent indulgence, he confesses, as “all I
did till I was 50 was work, work, work!”
What’s the best part of the job? “I do
Contact like dealing with people. They can be the
BM Motorcycles worst and the best. And tinkering with
5 Heatherdale Rd, Ringwood, Vic motorcycles is always nice, when you’re
Ph: (03) 9870 3807 fixing something there is a satisfaction.”
BMMotorcycles.com.au Not a bad way to spend your time.

72 MOTORCYCLE TRADER