Lindner Cycle Shop – New Canaan, CT – March 31, 2003

Lindner Cycle Shop

CONTACT
21 Forest Street
New Canaan, Conn., 06840
203/966-5188
www.lindnercycles.com

OWNER
Joel Metter

BUSINESS PROFILE
“Lindner Cycle Shop has been in business since 1949 selling BMW motorcycles,” says Ken Lloyds. (“We have no titles — everybody works for the good of the company,” adds Lloyds. “I’ve been selling motorcycles only since September, but have been a Lindner customer since 1974.”)

Joel Metter bought the business in August 2002. “Originally it was in Stamford until 1965, then it moved to New Canaan, with sales, parts, and service in one small building. They only had room to display three motorcycles.” Expanded into two buildings across the street from one another in 1984: service/parts and the showroom, each about 1,500 sq. ft. Exclusively BMW. Six employees.

GREATEST CONCERN
“Naturally, we watch the economy’s ups and downs,” says Lloyds. “But being on the ‘Gold Coast,’ we’re more or less insulated. Our riders buy strictly for recreation.” Are sales holding steady? “Absolutely. BMW has been very aggressive in promotions and we’ve had the best January and February in BMW’s history.”

WHAT’S HOT?
Lindner’s best-selling model is the R 1150 RT touring bike, followed by the R 1150 RA “open roadster” and the K 1200 RS sport-tourer. It’s interesting that the bestsellers have BMW’s shaft-drive boxer engine, “which was the original configuration in 1923,” says Lloyds.

“Parts and accessories sales really run the gamut. We’re such an old retailer that we have a lot of call for vintage parts, and we sell a lot of basic tune-up items for recent motorcycles. As for BMW accessories, we have a good call for everything from motorcycle covers to heated vests to saddlebags.”

CUSTOMER BUYING TRENDS
“Our influence ranges from New York City through New England. This is an affluent area, with (lots of) banking business,” says Lloyds.

Lloyds believes that BMW customers “have always been noted for wanting the best in fit and finish and technology. They buy the motorcycle for both longevity and in-service use.”

PARTS AND SERVICE
Lindner’s has three service technicians, all BMW-certified, and the parts manager is also the service writer.

WORDS OF ADVICE
“Operate with the customer as your number-one concern; the customer’s perception is our reality,” says Lloyds. “No matter how well you think you’re doing, it’s what they think that counts.”