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Seattle Cycle Center
Bud Myers and company are thriving on Aurora Avenue
April
4, 2007, marks the 23rd anniversary of Seattle Cycle Center, but owner Bud Myers'
history with the store goes back to 1974 - working at the location when it was
Seattle Honda. "I've always had an interest in bikes since I was a
kid," says Myers, who once left the motorcycle industry to work for the Snap On
Tools franchise, but later returned.
Above: Bud Myers has a great place to store his pride
and joy cruiser during inclement weather. Inside the
store of course where the bike is used to showcase the latest
luggage and accessories from the many manufacturers stocked inside
Seattle Cycle Center
"In 1984 there was a distinct lack of a store with a broad selection of motorcycle
accessories, so when the opportunity came up for the location I knew what gap I
wanted to fill," he comments as we lunch at a nearby restaurant on
Aurora. Myers says he liked the idea of going independent, rather than
opening up a franchise motorcycle shop because it gave him much more flexibility
to run his business. "I still enjoy coming into work everyday," he
notes.
In The Store
When
you're at Seattle Cycle Center, you'll find two floors of street and dirt
accessories, including hundreds of gloves, helmets, jackets, pants, suits,
glasses, goggles and other assorted clothing. No matter what your riding
style is, Seattle Cycle Center carries a wide array of clothing and accessories. It's also a great place to
find things for a older bikes, including specialty tires, batteries, parts
and more.
After-market items such as lighting kits, bags and other add-ons are well
stocked here, and what they don't have they can usually order and get
quickly. Store manager Lisa Micone notes "The people on our staff all ride
and have been here a long time. We like to provide top-level customer
service. If we don't have what they need, we can special
order it and have it here typically in just a few days."
Attached to the north side of the building is a service shop for
basic and intermediate service needs and, of course, tire
replacement. From simple oil changes for cruisers, commuters
and sportbikes to top-end rebuilds for off-road bikes, the store is
one of the few independent options in the Seattle market.
 On The Web
Myers jumped both feet first into the web in the early
90s and has taken his
business to an e-commerce model where anyone can buy products through his website. With
Seattlecycle.com
He now employs a full-time web master/order processor with good
results. More recently the shop has initiated an
email rewards program so
that anyone on their email list earns 3% to 5% back on future
purchases. As an incentive to build the list, Myers frequently holds
contests for new subscribers to win top-rate gear such as an Arai helmet.
What you won't find for sale at Seattle Cycle Center is used motorcycles. Myers remains committed to being a one-stop shop for clothing and accessories
needs and would rather not divide his staff's attention between selling gear and
making a used bike deal.
SR/Winter 07
Seattle Cycle Center
10201 Aurora Ave. N.
Seattle, Wash. 98133
206 524-0044 or outside Puget Sound 1-800-208-TIRE
www.Seattlecycle.com
sales@seattlecycle.com
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