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What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle?
Posted by Steve Bough
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What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 13, 2004 01:58PM |
<HTML>Got our first appointment to detail a motorcycle today. Black 2002 Harley Road King.
The guy wants is cleaned for a show so, obviously, we'll go over every inch. I can't be more specific because I haven't seen it. I'm assuming it's in really good shape.
Question is what do you guys charge to detail a bike and how long does it take ya?
I really don't need the standard "figure your labor costs per hour, yada, yada".
What I'm looking for is "It takes us xx hours and we charge $xx." So I'll have a bit of a guideline as to what to expect.
Also, are there any special considerations as far as tools, techniques, etc?
As always...all help or comments greatly appreciated!</HTML>
The guy wants is cleaned for a show so, obviously, we'll go over every inch. I can't be more specific because I haven't seen it. I'm assuming it's in really good shape.
Question is what do you guys charge to detail a bike and how long does it take ya?
I really don't need the standard "figure your labor costs per hour, yada, yada".
What I'm looking for is "It takes us xx hours and we charge $xx." So I'll have a bit of a guideline as to what to expect.
Also, are there any special considerations as far as tools, techniques, etc?
As always...all help or comments greatly appreciated!</HTML>
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Re: What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 13, 2004 02:03PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 237 |
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Re: What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 13, 2004 04:06PM |
<HTML> Dan : Right you are ! Steve : You could call a couple of Harley shops and ask what they charge. That will give you, probably, your ceiling price. I have played around with motorcycles in the past and I can tell you there are some serious drawbacks that the customer should have to pay for. First of all, if a Harley tips over, the owner will want a replacement part for each one that was scratched. The average damage from tipping one over is easily over $400 . Second, there are special tasks such as getting burnt-on residues off of the chrome exhaust system, polishing away blueing of the exhaust pipes at the engine and lubing a chain or other part you degreased. Slippery protectants are out. Years ago, a non-skid protectant called Nirvana was marketed with the slogans, " Slip into gear, not on your ear ", and " Stick to your seat. Don't bruise your meat . "
Doug
" Don't be a hero. Hold on with both hands ".</HTML>
Doug
" Don't be a hero. Hold on with both hands ".</HTML>
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Re: What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 13, 2004 05:26PM |
<HTML>Steve,
It usually takes about five hours to detail a motorcycle and I usually charge between $250 to $300.
Almost all of my motorcycle detailing customers also use my car detailing services too, so it's rather easy to justify the cost. Since they understand the amount of time required in order to do the job right, they are very willing to pay for that time.</HTML>
It usually takes about five hours to detail a motorcycle and I usually charge between $250 to $300.
Almost all of my motorcycle detailing customers also use my car detailing services too, so it's rather easy to justify the cost. Since they understand the amount of time required in order to do the job right, they are very willing to pay for that time.</HTML>
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Re: What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 13, 2004 05:35PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 243 |
<HTML>Steve, I get 50.00 per hr, and if I don't i don't detail. The Harley thing, stay with 50.00 per hr and that is a minimum,as like Frank said it will take you about 4-5hrs to do the Road King. I did a Red Road King while at My daughters in Raleigh and it took me 5hrs. I'm old,slow,and several other things,that I can't remember right now,but you young guys may do it in 2-3 hrs. Still stick to 50.00 per hour and thats a minimum. If you get involved with buffing aluminum or anything like that using your Flitz Ball,charge extra for it. They'll sure as hell have to pay for it @ Harley Davidson Shop..Brandy!</HTML>
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Re: What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 13, 2004 05:37PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 499 |
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Re: What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 14, 2004 12:52AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 243 |
<HTML>Thanks Scott, I'm going to the $75.00/hr minimum that your are using, and go from there. I haven't done but a few here in Ashland,but all seemed impressed with the end result. I did some seat removing and other equipment to get in the nooks an crannies. I know this is part of it. If the road rigs weren't such a pain in the ass,to get up on, and down off of, I'd do those exclusively. The bikes are more tedious,at least they are for me.Thanks again for the heads up on how you price your bike detailing............... brandy !</HTML>
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Re: What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 14, 2004 05:52AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 866 |
<HTML>I charge the same as I charge for a med size cars as Doug said.
wash wax start at $95
If you start to do many of them get a bike jack. It will keep the bike straight and off the ground about 1 1/2 feet. Also get a little stool with wheels on it to sit on.
<img src=http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/009/50190/00950190000-dlv.jpg>
<img src=http://www.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/184DETAILING_133-med.jpg></HTML>
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Plays in the rain --- www.SuperiorShineDetailing.com
wash wax start at $95
If you start to do many of them get a bike jack. It will keep the bike straight and off the ground about 1 1/2 feet. Also get a little stool with wheels on it to sit on.
<img src=http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/009/50190/00950190000-dlv.jpg>
<img src=http://www.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/184DETAILING_133-med.jpg></HTML>
-----------------------------------------------------
Plays in the rain --- www.SuperiorShineDetailing.com
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Re: What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 14, 2004 12:16PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 243 |
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Re: What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 14, 2004 09:48PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 866 |
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Re: What Do You Charge for a Motorcycle? August 14, 2004 11:13PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 466 |
<HTML>Steve,
Others have given you great sound advice on the price range so the advice or tip I can share here is most bike owners who care to shell out $200 to $300 for a detail are VERY anal!
Harley owners especially because of all the chrome and the many extra special touches they get done. be careful of the rice rockets as they use carbon fiber and lots of plastic materials which stain easily by wax. I do a few of them and the dealer prep guys always get wax all over the place....are these guys blind or what?
You can get a great rep among the bike zealots if you detail the "whole" bike and not just the parts that can be seen.
Anthony</HTML>
Details, Details, Details....It's all in the details!
www.UltimateReflections.NET
Others have given you great sound advice on the price range so the advice or tip I can share here is most bike owners who care to shell out $200 to $300 for a detail are VERY anal!
Harley owners especially because of all the chrome and the many extra special touches they get done. be careful of the rice rockets as they use carbon fiber and lots of plastic materials which stain easily by wax. I do a few of them and the dealer prep guys always get wax all over the place....are these guys blind or what?
You can get a great rep among the bike zealots if you detail the "whole" bike and not just the parts that can be seen.
Anthony</HTML>
Details, Details, Details....It's all in the details!
www.UltimateReflections.NET
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