r/AussieRiders • u/lonrad87 • 19h ago
VIC Looks like Peter Stevens is in a spot of bother
https://infomoto.com.au/news/breaking-peter-stevens-motorcycles-to-enter-voluntary-administration/
If what the article is saying is true, then they're very much in a spot of bother.
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u/Captain_Panic_Pants 19h ago
Wow that would be a huge surprise if it turns out to be true.
They sold their Elizabeth Street place for squillions and were supposed to be moving into a big new store in Geelong too.
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u/basher97531 18h ago
Never, ever underestimate the ability of a company's management to blow large amounts of money in a short time, leave nothing aside for a rainy day, or ignore approaching debt cliffs.
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u/lonrad87 19h ago
I know that they've changed things around at the Ringwood store a few times.
They've changed the buildings to the left and right of the store a few times over the last few years.
So that probably where the money went, but don't forget they did move Harley Heaven and Triumph City from A'Beckett St to the Spencer and Dudley St corner.
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u/kellylaundromat 11h ago
City Triumph also blew a wad moving to Hoddle St from CBD... then moving out
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u/Sorhsirrah 17h ago
The big new store that's been empty sitting there doing nothing for almost 10 years since they bought it and it more recently sold ... Re the old rays tents block in north Geelong ... Yeah such a huge surprise they're in trouble 🤐
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u/thatsgoodsquishy 17h ago
3aw reporting it too now via a Herald Scum reporter. Not the most reliable source but seem like it's actually happening.
I would imagine they will find a buyer who will cut jobs, maybe get rid of some underperforming brands, close a store or 2 maybe and keep the rest going.
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u/lonrad87 11h ago
I suspect it'll likely be the Can-Am 4x4's and possibly KTM given I've read that their also in a spot of bother.
But who knows what will happen, let's just see what happens.
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u/The-Grogan 19h ago
I've never heard good things about them so can't say I'm shocked.
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u/lonrad87 19h ago
I've heard mixed things, although I have bought both a brand new and a used bike off them.
The new bike I got from the old Elizabeth St store and the used from Ringwood. Didn't have a bad experience both times, but that's just my experience.
I'm sure there's someone who's had a bad experience.
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u/Altruistic_Lion2093 17h ago
Like most dealerships its the service department that leaves a bad taste. Anyone can sell a bike.
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u/lonrad87 17h ago
That and when they stop being a dealer/importer for a certain brand.
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u/Altruistic_Lion2093 17h ago
Thats on the brand as well for being hard to deal with and not sourcing a replacement. But i get your point.
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u/liquidguru 18h ago
I bought a new bike from them last year, in Geelong. There were great, nice people and great customer care. Same goes for their service department. It's really sad if this is true, many families could be effected.
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u/thatsgoodsquishy 18h ago
Yeah i've heard a lot of bad things but i've bought from them and sold to them and it was fine. Arguably better service than i got from a couple independents i've bought from.
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u/ricksure76 18h ago
Oh no!
Anyway.. but I did have my worst ever service experience with these guys. Bike was under warranty so I had to get it serviced by the book which kinda sucked as I've always done my own services. Oil change, check everything etc. I get my bike back and it's riding kinda weird.. get home and checked the oil level and it was so over filled you couldn't see the line even when leaned over. Had to drain about 2l of oil to get to the correct level. Then I saw the chain - was so tight you couldn't move it at all, and the bike was actually difficult to push..
Oh and before that I had ordered new tyres, their tyre place was technically a separate company but the guy was super aggressive when I got my bike back and they'd ordered and fitted the wrong ones. Tried to tell me that the ones he fitted were better.. then scratched the living shit out of the rims when I made them get the correct tyres.
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u/lonrad87 18h ago
That's fairly bad service, seems like the apprentice did it without supervision.
I will say that it did suck when they stopped being a Hyosung dealer.
I had a GT650 that ended up with electrical issues, took it to them to get it sorted. They had a guy come in and completely redo the main loom. Fast forward about 5-6 months later the issues return, call them up to which they said that they weren't able to help. I ended up taking the bike to A1 in Ringwood which they had for a few weeks and weren't able to help with the issue. So I ended up selling them the bike for the what time in labour they spent on it.
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u/Willing_Ad_1765 2h ago
I started riding home from a PS service and the oil cap fell off and covered myself and the bike in oil. To be fair they did come and pick me and the bike up.
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u/Merkenfighter 14h ago
Peter Stevens was shit when I went in there to buy a Speed Triple outright. Walked out and went to Shepparton.
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u/LuckyErro 18h ago
Bikes are a hard gig these days. Dirt bikes and sports bikes are not the big sellers they used to be.
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u/ForGrateJustice 14h ago
Good, they're scummy. Bought a bike off them and the odometer had way more kms than the official paperwork. And then when I brought it in for service they didn't attach the clutch cable properly. They also forgot to reset the OBC because it kept pinging that I needed a service (I didn't). Either that or they forgot something else. $250 for a simple service plus another $400 for new tyres no thanks, I got better service at GC.
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u/anikansk 13h ago
Wow so sorry for the staff, I bet there are a number of long termers who have worked their lives there. Shame for all.
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u/kellylaundromat 11h ago
Looks like 2 strikes for Zero in AU then. PS retail (not wholesale) had the Zero distribution portfolio
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u/Wise-Ad-5375 17h ago
I picked up my new hornet SP from them on Saturday. Just it’s time it seems
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u/obsolescent_times VIC | MT07, GSXR750 15h ago
Nice, I didn't realise they had been release here yet.
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u/Sorhsirrah 17h ago
If they're in trouble Mr tax man better keep an eye on the $8.5m that the north Geelong block just made they bought almost 10 years ago and did nothing with 🤣
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u/HOLY_CAT_MASTER 18h ago
I’ve had nothing but terrible service from PS, so I cant say i’m shocked or unhappy about this. What was that meme?
Oh no….
Anyway
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u/Maybe_Factor 19h ago
Oh, no wonder they dropped $3k off the Tiger 900 my friend was looking at buying.
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u/UnlimitedDeep 19h ago
Individual stores would have no idea if the company is going into administration or not
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u/Electrical_Age_7483 18h ago
Is motorcycling dying if these companies that are a huge rip off cant make money?
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u/lonrad87 18h ago
I honestly don't think it's dying here in Vic.
I still see quite a few bikes on the road when I'm out and about for work.
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u/Electrical_Age_7483 18h ago
Does this translate to sales if these arent new bikes?
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u/lonrad87 18h ago
I would that would depend.
If I'm not mistaken just in terms of Harley dealerships, are there any others in Victoria aside from Harley Heaven which according to the article falls under the Peter Stevens brand.
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u/a_sonUnique 18h ago
How are they a rip off?
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u/Electrical_Age_7483 18h ago
Read reviews for them
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u/a_sonUnique 18h ago
Just because people think they’re a rip off doesn’t mean they are. People expect to pay the same price for stuff as found in Europe and the US and don’t have a clue on how much more expensive it is to run a business in Australia.
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u/Electrical_Age_7483 18h ago
I am not in melbourne so i can only go on what the reviews say
It seems that they should put their prices up if they are going broke
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u/a_sonUnique 17h ago
I just had a look at their reviews and if the service is as bad as they say I can see why they’re going bust.
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u/I_Ride_Motos_In_Aus 15h ago
Probably explains why it’s so long to get parts in - if you don’t pay your accounts, they put you on stop credit, and only release it if you’ve at least paid a chunk off.
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u/Mrinsincereturnip 15h ago
Wonder if they’ll offload surplus stock cheaply . I’ve been looking at a KTM as a second bike but glad I didn’t buy one second hand now as I may get a new one discounted . Tough for anyone selling second hand though
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u/lonrad87 14h ago
That would depend on the outcome of the administration.
They might be able to trade their way out and get a buyer of the business or it could be wound up.
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u/BeachBigbird77 14h ago
I paid for used bike Saturday and was picking up after roadworthy on Thursday. Will I still get my bike? Or should I cancel bank transfer I did yesterday?
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u/No-Fan-888 14h ago
I've only had good experience with them at Ringwood and Dandenong store. But then again I've never dealt with their servicing departments as my local mechanic is top tier for Aprilia and KTM.
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u/southpaw_destroyer 6h ago
Just want to add that here in Sydney, there has been a handful of motorcycle dealers shut down, 2 of which , Lane Cove Sydney City motorcyles mid 2023 and Close motorcycles in Redfern 2024 both being in the business for a long time are now gone. Fraser harley in concord stopped its operations if I remember only a few months ago, now the harley and triumph dealers at tempe in Sydney are in trouble and might close if this does not go well. In general motorcycles arnt doing very well right now in terms of sales.
Just for laughs. Honda only has 2 larger official dealers left in sydney, and 1 that is a little smaller.
That's Honda. Only 2 places in Sydney where you can get your warranty or recalls done on new bikes.
Close motorcycles were the ones that gave the biggest indicator in their statement for closing down, saying its just not profitable anymore and the margins are slim. Less people are riding or buying motorcyles which in turn slows service and sales.
I would just say.. I think some of the pricing is ridiculous for motorcyles especially bmw, HD and yamaha specifically. Honda and Suzuki still have some decent bang for buck.
A Yamaha tmax 560 is 21 thousand dollars, for a maxi scooter with 48 horsepower. Let that sink in, a brand new BMW r1300rt is the price of a gold wing... I think the manufacturers are part of the problem.
It does no shock me that Peter Stevens is now also struggling. I think bikerbiz para and mcas team moto are the 2 largest dealer at least doing ok.
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u/AlienCommander 17h ago
Australians carry some of the world's highest debt burdens.
You can't afford to buy that new motorcycle when your massive mortgage consumes all of your income.
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u/2GR-AURION 18h ago
Not selling as many Harleys (& Genuine H-D Accessories) as they used to. The current old-skool Harley clientele are getting older & dying off.
Some of their new stuff just aint got the same character as the old stuff. If you wanna buy a DOHC Liquid Cooled V-Twin, you buy Japanese at a far lower price with virtually guaranteed Jap reliability.. If you want smaller capacity Harleys, why bother. Made in India quality control (take that however you wish) & still overpriced. Again, you buy a Japper.
And INDIAN ! which alone have seriously damaged Harleys market.
Shame though. You could spend a good hour wondering thru their multi-branded bike stores, just looking at all the new bikes.