Branson’s Motorcycles, Yeovil

[Phild]

Just had an email from Yamaha UK that Branson’s are no longer Yamaha Dealers.

They’ve now given up / lost Kawasaki and Yamaha. They are still an authorised Honda Dealer.

It’s a family run affair, so I hope they can keep going.

[The Doctor 46]

My nearest Yamaha dealer opened in Exeter then as soon as I noticed they were there, they closed down again. I don't know what Yamaha are doing wrong? 

[Phild]

Yamaha dealers are thin on the ground in these parts.

There used to be one in Weston and Bridgwater. 🤷‍♂️

[Barbel Mick]

They're not making V-Stroms. 

[Pete O Tube]

Gone are the days of there being several dealers for one manufacturer in a town/city - I think back and there were at least three Honda dealers in Nottingham, a couple of Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha - I didn't know the dealers in Derby because there were that many in Nottingham.
Now, none of the Japanese manufacturers are represented in Nottingham and Triumph have only recently reopened. I believe Ducati have recently reopened but BMW are no longer represented.
Unfortunately a sign of the times and the MCIA figures make for sad reading compared to the 80's when close to a third of a million bikes a year were sold (less than 100,000 new registrations for 2025).

[Phild]

I bet most of those new registrations were scooters for the fast food delivery apps…..🤷‍♂️

[The Doctor 46]

I've just looked online for the nearest Yamaha motorcycle dealer to me, GT motorcycles in Plymouth which Google maps tells me is 55 miles away. So, a 110 mile round trip just to look at a Yamaha in a show room and as it's been said, Yamaha don't even make V-Stroms. What's that all about?

I'm not sure that the UK market is the biggest for most manufacturers and bet that they sell many more small motorbikes in other countries. Not only that but the sports bike seems to be growing more unpopular in the UK, I think it's the state of our roads and the amount of speed control that's doing it but mostly the state of the roads. 

[Pete O Tube]

I suspect the age demographic in the UK has something to do with declining sportsbike sales - I'm 65 next month and I'd love another GSXR750  (managed 'til 62) or 1000 but I'd have to sign up to intensive yoga to contort my 6'2" on to it.

Yes, the UK is a relatively small market in relation to population.

The MCIA figures give a breakdown by month and year for manufacturer, capacity class, type and specific model - they make for interesting reading, for a manufacturer such as Ducati, their sales figures average 5 bikes a month, over the next few years I'd have said that's unsustainable.

Chinese manufacturers CFMoto and Voge are making an impact.

[Snakebite]

Yeah, I think it's us old creaky gits that are doing it!

Although, I'll be damned if I'm giving up my Thunderace or Busa for anyone!!! Well, never the Thunderace, may trade the Busa in...

[NeilM]

It has been the case for years that manufacturers like Honda, BMW and I assume others, require dealerships to be lit and decorated in corporate colours, to the satisfaction of said manufacturer. These days, the dealers that can afford or justify that huge expense are few and far between.

Down here in the South West we have very few big dealers; Fowlers in Bristol, Riders in Bridgwater / Bristol and others in Taunton and Exeter. However, in between all those big showrooms are a whole network of little independent dealers some specialists in a brand, MZ or BMW, some selling Chinese and Indian brand bikes / scooters, all of them with good s/h stock that constantly turns over.

I don't know what impact these little dealers / workshops have on national sales figures, very little I suspect, but they seem to be the ones making a steady living out of sales, service and MOT's.

Long may they continue.

[Phild]

I’m still amazed that our little Suzuki Dealership in Weston keeps up with the ‘big boy’ Fowlers, just up the road……… but it’s good news for us locals.👍

Fowlers in Bristol and Bridge down in Exeter are the only multi franchise dealers I can think of now. Others are one make dealers…… other than Riders, but they’re Harley and Ducati so not my normal places to visit. Particularly after they shut the cafe down in the Bridgwater branch.🤷‍♂️

[NeilM]

Riders are Ducati and Indian at their Bridgwater branch now, Bristol is Harley only, that was at the demand of HD.

AT have just taken on Voge as well, and have already sold an 800 and a 900!

[Phild]

I’ve got to pay a visit to AT to book my bike in for a service and MOT. I’m settled with my V-Strom….. but I like the look of the Voge and my get a test ride once it stops raining.

If I was a betting man, I’d say the Bridgwater branch of Riders, without HD, is on borrowed time.🤷‍♂️

[Phild]

@NeilM……. I went into AT today to book my bike in for service and MOT………..

They’ve now sold 6 Voge’s in a matter of weeks. There were two other blokes in there, at the same time as me, looking at them. My service / MOT isn’t until towards the end of March, but Ash said I could have the 900 for a couple of hours whilst mine was in.

I know I’m going to be tempted if I like it. Mine will be due a valve check in March 2027…… thick end of £1000….. 🤔

For anyone who is considering buying a Suzuki bike from Fowlers and trading in a bike, give Ash at AT a chance. A fair few of Fowlers trade-ins get purchased by AT in Weston and end up in his shop.

[The Doctor 46]

Phild, I paid £450 for a valve check on my V-Strom 1000 2014 with the same engine as the 1050. It required no adjustment so no costly shims required. You are just up the road from Bridge in Exeter so I would consider them if I were you.

I can foresee one possible problem with you visiting Bridge though, as you know, the shims must be done when the engine is stone cold so you may have to deliver it the day before so could mean staying in a cheap hotel overnight but the total would still be less than a grand. 

[Phild]

Thanks Doc, but AT is my go to garage, and has been that way since before they became a Suzuki Dealership. They serviced previous bikes for a number of years, and will always try to give me a deal on tyres etc.

The £1000 is Suzuki’s stated servicing cost in order to keep the on going warranty (that includes the full service as well), so I can’t see Bridge being any cheaper (if I want to keep the Suzuki warranty). I like having the friendly, informal relationship and I usually negotiate some discount……. Try doing that with the big boys.😉

[Phild]

Another one bites the dust…..🙁

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3zd2z10w9o

[Malfos]

I bet most of those new registrations were scooters for the fast food delivery apps…..🤷‍♂️

Some of the new registrations are owned by long time older motorcycle riders, who have downsized from V Stroms etc, to more manageable twist and go scooters . There are plenty of such riders on another forum for auto scooters, to which I subscribe. Some of the 300cc+ models are surprisingly capable.