Los Angeles Dealers

peterz · 07-27-2005, 07:49 PM

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to be in the LA area (downtown) in September and would like to check out some Beemer dealers. Anyone have opinions on which ones are must see and which ones to miss?

The closest ones to my hotel are:
- Hollywood BMW
- Long Beach BMW
- West Valley Cycles
- Brown Motor Works
- Irv Seaver

My main objectives will be to check out R1100S's in stock and try on some of the BMW rider gear that the local dealer up here never stocks (very small market).

Any info greatly appreciated.

-Peter (87 K75S but looking to upgrade to an R11S)

SergioK · 07-27-2005, 08:31 PM

Irv Seaver typically has more gear and bikes in stock than LB BMW. Never been to the others so I can't comment relative to those.

VetteRacer · 07-27-2005, 09:23 PM

West Valley blows. NO stock, snobby worthless old crab working there... Was 1.2 miles from my friends house. I refused to go there...
LB never been, HW never been.
Brown Motor is great, great salesman, stock, etc.
Irv is the same way.

I went from an 89 K100RS to an R90/6 to the R11S... HOLY F*CK is all I could say for the first few rides.. hehe No regrets with it!
Matt

Hedgehog · 07-27-2005, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by peterz
Hi Everyone,

I'm going to be in the LA area (downtown) in September and would like to check out some Beemer dealers. Anyone have opinions on which ones are must see and which ones to miss?

The closest ones to my hotel are:
- Hollywood BMW
- Long Beach BMW
- West Valley Cycles
- Brown Motor Works
- Irv Seaver

My main objectives will be to check out R1100S's in stock and try on some of the BMW rider gear that the local dealer up here never stocks (very small market).

Any info greatly appreciated.

-Peter (87 K75S but looking to upgrade to an R11S)

Hedgehog · 07-27-2005, 09:29 PM

Hollywood - O.K. but lots of Honda
L.B. - never been there
West Valley - VERY small mom & pop shop, skip it
Brown and Seaver - definitely check them out

Good luck

pvr · 07-27-2005, 09:44 PM

above recommendations are spot-on. skip hollywood, they're not a dedicated dealer. distracted by all the other stuff they sell, and their parts counter doesn't carry much (or know a lot about) bmw stuff.
ventura is a new dealer, they had a pretty good selection of riding gear at their open house a few months back but i haven't been there since.
can't speak for long beach, in fact has anyone been there?? i'd be curious to hear what you think.
browns and seaver are the real deal. they've been around a long time. i get my bike serviced at seaver's and they also increased their stock of riding gear. they also have an amazing collection of vintage bikes, including what they say is the oldest known r32 in existence. reason enough to check it out.

chief · 07-27-2005, 10:43 PM

I spent a week in Santa Ana and due to limited time the only dealer i checked out was Irv Seaver.

I'd definately go back there, friendly and knowlegible and lots of stock.

If you buying riding gear in the US and plan on paying tax and duty there are as good or better prices up here.

You dont plan on buying a new bike and importing it, do you?
Just curious.

SergioK · 07-27-2005, 10:52 PM

Long Beach took over Marty's so they are still working on establishing the motorcycle side of the BMW group. Not a big enough selection to make it worth stopping by relative to Irv Seaver.

Moki · 07-28-2005, 12:35 AM

Brown Motor Works is where I bought my R1100S. They were very easy to work with and treated me like a king. They also had alot of bikes and accessories in their showroom.

peterz · 07-28-2005, 05:21 AM

Thanks for all the advice folks. Sounds like Irv Seaver and Brown is the way to go. I'll definitely give them a look if time permits.

chief:

1. I'm not necessarily planning on getting any gear, just want to check it out if there is any stock. My local dealer never has anything let alone my size in stock. Special order only, how am I supposed to do that if I can't tell what size I need? Are you saying John Valk has better prices than the CA dealers?

2. As for importing a bike, definitely thinking about it. Although it would have to be used to make any economic sense. I'm looking for a 2004 (to get the dual spark) and with ABS and heated grips. No rush but if the right deal shows up I'd do it. From my research the process is relatively painless and of course in the US there is just way more selection than up here.

Thanks again for the info!

-Peter (87 K75S)

chief · 07-28-2005, 07:24 AM

If your buying Sidi, Teknic, Shoei, Joe Rocket etc...

These are items I'm talking about regarding fairly good prices.

Try Imperial Motorcycles or Carter Hondashop.

Most have sale prices early or late in the season.

As for Bmw clothing, Valk is the last place I'd go. You never get a break on any thing there.

Keep checking this forum as many riders post online dealers that have sale items on Bmw clothing.

acook · 07-28-2005, 07:35 AM

Browns in Pomona best service in SO.CAL.+ parts and accessories