Motorcycle Dealers Rev Up Response Times by Catherine Colbert | Dun & Bradstreet Editor November 8, 2016 | At a time when more than 80% of motorcycle shoppers conduct research online before setting foot in a dealership, seven motorcycle brands exceed the industry average for helping to turn website leads into sales. According to the 2016 Pied Piper PSI Internet Lead Effectiveness Motorcycle Industry Study, BMW and Honda lead the industry in responding to internet inquiries within 24 hours. Other motorcycle brands that are responsive to customer inquiries include Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Zero, Aprilla, and Victory. Thanks to customer relationship management (CRM) software and its handy auto responder feature, the overall rate of motorcycle dealer responses within 24 hours has improved in recent years, climbing to 89% in 2016 from 72% in 2013. This customer-friendly statistic is encouraging news for the US motorcycle dealer industry, which, according to D&B First Research, includes about 7,000 establishments with combined annual revenue of about $24 billion.

But even the likes of BMW and Honda can run into roadblocks with certain inquiries. When potential customers posed specific questions to motorcycle dealers online, dealerships answered them only 41% of the time, according to Motorcycle & Powersports News. Granted, the flow of inquiries can be constant. But dealerships that don’t tend to this customer lifeline are likely giving up needed sales revenue to dealerships that devote the time and energy to the task. Rather than feeling overwhelmed with trying to keep up with online questions from customers, motorcycle dealers are encouraged to start with the basics and aspire to deliver more personalized solutions. Tactics include creating a response message that’s unique to the dealership within the CRM system, checking that CRM emails aren’t getting flagged as spam, and measuring and tracking the dealership’s responses. Industry Impact — Motorcycle dealers must proactively review their CRM software capabilities to ensure that they are effectively capturing customers’ online inquiries and converting website leads into sales.

Tracking the moves of consumer products makers since 2003, Catherine Colbert is an industry researcher, writer, and blogger. Previously, she spent ample time in magazine publishing, technical writing, ad copywriting, medical writing, and marketing. Follow her on Twitter. Photo by Bob Mical, used here under a Creative Commons license.Discover the DX1 Difference The DX1 platform was created by dealers who know the motorcycle and powersports business and understand that managing data doesn't have to be difficult and time-consuming. It can’t be - you have better things to spend your time on. You need a complete dealership management system that works with you - not against you. Learn why DX1 is the only end-to-end business system that will give you all of the tools you need to run your dealership.RonRon is a long-time BMW rider and has ridden over 200,000 miles on his R100/7, covering most of the US and Canada, including Newfoundland. He says motorcycling is the greatest way to see the country.

Ron is a former Motorcycle Safety Foundation Instructor. honda motorcycles for sale in bloemfonteinHe's been with us since 2000, and he and wife Evy enjoy gourmet cooking. beanie half helmets motorcycleThey are parents to CRM's mascot dog, Dunkin.Ron is always planning some kind of long distance ride. motorcycles for sale in mercedIn Fall of 2014, he & wife Evy rode out to New Mexico to visit his son & family.  wax coated motorcycle jacketDanThe newest member of our sales team is Dan. motorcycles for sale great yarmouth

Dan is an experiencedmotorcyclist, riding a Ninja 300 ES. joe rocket michael jordan motorcycle jacketHe is looking forward to trying out all the BMW's ZERO's & Vespas on Demo rides so he can lead rides this Spring.You can also find Dan at Longhorn Steakhouse in Victor where he is a waitperson. Shane started out as lot boy last summer (2015) and hasbecome invaluable to us. He assists in sales, service,parts and office as needed. As he is attending MCCfir Mechanical Engineering, he is only with us Tuesdays& Fridays. Shane is also an avid motorcyclist, ridinga Ninja 300 or Honda CBR 600. He's a versitile guy.TomTom is like the encyclopedia of BMW and Vespa parts. he can find it or knows where to find it and where it goes 98% of the time. Naturally he can't have the answer 100% of the time; that wouldn't be human, but he'll do his darnest to help you out. Tom has been with us since 2001, and has won several After Sales Select (Parts) awards from BMW.

Tom rides an R1150GS Adventure on which he commutes to work most of the time. Other days he might commute on his 1957 Isetta or 1964 Honda Super 90. He's a versatile guy.SERVICE DEPARTMENTJake and Dan and Jeff are the stalwarts in the Service Department. Read more about them here.LynLyn loves her Vespa 300 GTV as it is the most suitable  to use when running errands and it is just plain fun. Everyone smiles or waves when she rides by.  Lyn continues to strongly feel that if you want to ride, you should go for it. Don't wait around and let the desire pass you by. Taking the MSF course will tell you if it's for you. Always wear appropriate riding gear and then just go riding. Lyn loves the stylish BMW apparel and  is always glad to help you find the appropriate riding gear for you. Her other job is to keep the website and social media up to date.  You'll also find her around the dealership most days 'cracking the whip' keeping the 'boys' in line!ChristineChristine is our  bookkeeper.