Saltire Motorcycles

[TIJ650]

Word on the streets is they’ve went into administration. This is/ was a big dealer with loads of customers. Only Indian dealer in Scotland too, I believe.
Anyone confirm or say otherwise?

 

[TIJ650]

………been confirmed sadly.
Tough game new bike sales. Especially multi-franchise ones

 

[John Armstrong]

Fewer and fewer dealers in Scotland

I suspect that the Ingliston show will be a bit sparse next year.

 

[Schtum]

Shame. I've known Calum Murray for about 25 years, ever since he was Moto Cal on Ferry Road. He's the only guy, in the trade, I've known who was into any kind of spiritual practice as well as being an Alexander Method practitioner.

 

[ktmman]

That's a shame. I know one of the guys who was an instructor for them. Personally I never really feel the need to look at newer bikes anymore, 1190 suits me right now.
Could be cost, no interest from young folk, insurance costs, bike theft, manufacturers pressure... who knows , seems a tough game to be in.
Occasionally drop into Cupar mc for a kneb and a free coffee.

 

[hic2wo]

Not surprised it the least , i had many bikes from them in the past , Dave and his brother in sales were brilliant guys who were constantly let down by aftersales department . I and many others had shocking customer service , Nobody to answer phones , never returning messages ,15 year old courtesy bikes .My last visit was for a service and wiring recall for my 1290 superduke at 1 year old . had the work done and fault light on when collecting , told the next time they could look at it would be 5 weeks . Again Dave chased this up for me to get it done quicker . Traded the KTM for a GS as i know any faults would be dealt with by my local dealer . It is a shame people have lost jobs etc and we have lost another bike shop but the Business model was terrible.

 

[Jazbee]

Saw this earlier, was distant for me but had been in on a couple of occasions when down in Auld Reekie. That's another RE dealer gone from Scotland after losing Ecosse Dundee and Ecosse Aberdeen....

 

[jaca2865]

Very sad.

I have know Calum for more years than I want to remember. I worked with his late father.

 

[Rev Chuck]

I cannot even say that I saw them at Thunder in the Glens 10 days ago, at their usual spot at Macdui's. Sad, as they were always approachable and fairly well informed about Indian's.

 

[Cjm2993]

Very sad to see and hear. They were a really great team and will be missed. I hope they can come back somewhere more sustainable.

 

[Khulu]

Shame. I've known Calum Murray for about 25 years, ever since he was Moto Cal on Ferry Road. He's the only guy, in the trade, I've known who was into any kind of spiritual practice as well as being an Alexander Method practitioner.

That is a shame.
He also worked at Alvin's before then.

 

[fatbaldbob]

They were at TITG selling everything they had at 50% of marked price. I had a long chat with Levi from sales and there was no mention of this.

Guess I’ll be servicing the Indians myself now. It’s a shame but as mentioned; customer service regarding after sales and servicing was never great. But still sad to see them go as the only Indian dealer in Scotland.

 

[Schtum]

That is a shame.
He also worked at Alvin's before then.

MotoCal and Alvins merged to become Alvins Motocal on Seafield Road. That was when Vince was still part owner and after Al had departed.
That particular enterprise went tits up for assorted reasons which we won't go into. Calum then opened Saltire Suzuki which became Saltire Motorcycles and went through
Suzuki, Yamaha, Norton, Indian, KTM, Husqvarna, Royal Enfield and Zero franchises. Have I missed any...? There was also a tie-up with Biker BnB. I wonder where this leaves them...?

 

[OnHellas]

Sad to hear. It shows, once again, how tough the motorcycle trade is.
Despite many biker mates believing that there is at least 10 grand profit in a 10 grand bike!!
(I may have said that once or twice before).

 

[jaca2865]

MotoCal and Alvins merged to become Alvins Motocal on Seafield Road. That was when Vince was still part owner and after Al had departed.
That particular enterprise went tits up for assorted reasons which we won't go into. Calum then opened Saltire Suzuki which became Saltire Motorcycles and went through
Suzuki, Yamaha, Norton, Indian, KTM, Husqvarna, Royal Enfield and Zero franchises. Have I missed any...? There was also a tie-up with Biker BnB. I wonder where this leaves them...?

I still see Vince through a mutual contact. Alvin’s too was a loss. I remember when they had the place in lower London Road! Great days.
But saltire is a big loss and strong messsge.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I still see Vince through a mutual contact. Alvin’s too was a loss. I remember when they had the place in lower London Road! Great days.
But saltire is a big loss and strong messsge.

There will be a few more this autumn and winter I guess
Interest rates on stocking unit plans and a slowdown in sales is killing the job

 

[jaca2865]

There will be a few more this autumn and winter I guess
Interest rates on stocking unit plans and a slowdown in sales is killing the job

And the demands of a manufacturer are high.

 

[Northern jock]

A lot of folk get tempted by the cheaper prices offered by big dealers down south then want the after sales support locally. It's the same as not bothering to use your local shop then complaining when it closes down.
In Kingussie we have a good co-op and use it a lot, neighbours get Tesco deliveries but milk locally.
If I want bike gear I check Mitchels in Inverness first, then online.
Use it or lose it.

 

[dave hendy]

A lot of folk get tempted by the cheaper prices offered by big dealers down south then want the after sales support locally. It's the same as not bothering to use your local shop then complaining when it closes down.
In Kingussie we have a good co-op and use it a lot, neighbours get Tesco deliveries but milk locally.
If I want bike gear I check Mitchels in Inverness first, then online.
Use it or lose it.

I wanted a new Suzuki Vstrom earlier this year, my local Suzuki dealer at Crewe, wanted full list price and offered me £500 less than a dealer at Wigan for my partX. As I wasn’t going to give the dealer at Crewe £2700 more so they can stay open I got it from Wigan. No I won’t be going to Wigan for servicing and yes I will moan when the dealer at Crewe closes, but they need to be more competitive.


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[Northern jock]

I wanted a new Suzuki Vstrom earlier this year, my local Suzuki dealer at Crewe, wanted full list price and offered me £500 less than a dealer at Wigan for my partX. As I wasn’t going to give the dealer at Crewe £2700 more so they can stay open I got it from Wigan. No I won’t be going to Wigan for servicing and yes I will moan when the dealer at Crewe closes, but they need to be more competitive.


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I understand that, the issue is the smaller dealers don't have the purchasing power or volumes so they'll never be able to compete on price. The result will be a few very large dealers and nothing locally. Which if that is what folk want, all fine.
I try and find a compromise when possible but money does talk.