Riders Hill in GA closing

[AJ Huff]

It is with very mixed feelings that we have made the decision to close Riders Hill before the end of the year. We have made many friends over these past 8 years, and feel as if you are a wonderful extended family, one we will miss. We greatly appreciate the encouragement and support you have given us over the years, most especially during the lengthy period of owner Anthony's absence and recovery from injuries. We are especially thankful for our dedicated staff who are indeed like family.

We would like to request one more act of support and ask that you please share this closing clearance sale notice with your riding friends. We would love to give all of you a great deal and eliminate our need to return unsold inventory!

[oldbike54]

 Well dangit 

  Dusty

[Desmo]

They were the only remaining reason to visit Lumpkin County              ........ Great people.

[tazio]

A sad day.

[jackson]

This is REALLY SAD news.  I bought a two new bikes from Riders Hill and the owners & employees were among the finest motorcycle dealers that I have ever dealt with.  I am totally shocked to read this but nothing is forever.  Best of luck to Anthony, David and the rest of the crew.

[flip]

They got me into Guzzi's. I bought my Breva 1100 there.

Good luck guys. You'll be missed.

[Bill N]

Very sad. One of the few dealers in the SE that people were happy with. It's a tough economic world out there. Thanks for being as good as you were.
Bill

[mentalfloss]

DANG it
 one of the best dealerships! SAD day

[Stormtruck2]

Sounds like a business opportunity for someone. 

[dan407]

That's bad news.

I was planning on riding up there next spring to pick up a new V7 to replace my Bonneville.
I was going to pick up the bike and ride around the mountains (anything over 100 feet is a mountain when you're from Fl) for a few days and then get my 600 mile service performed before riding back to Fl.
That plan goes out the window.
I truly don't know where I could now to purchase a MG .
I trusted Riders Hill to set up the bike properly.

There is a real lack of Fl dealers especially in the central Fl area.

I could very well end up with a new Bonneville that is coming out in a few months.
MG are you listening.....we need a few good dealers to buy your products.

[jetmechmarty]

Speaking as a resident of Lumpkin County, I gotta say this news sucks.   

[ITSec]

I'm gonna have to go down to the garage and break the news to my Norge - I brought it home from Riders Hill back in 2011 while I was working a contract in Atlanta. A wonderful bunch of people with a great concept for a dealership and widely respected execution on their idea. I hope all concerned will quickly adapt to this next phase in their careers...

[ohiorider]

Sad news.  I'm one of many who did either a drive and ride or fly and ride to Dahlonega to pick up a new Guzzi.  The dealership arranged to pick me up at the Atlanta Airport, got me to Dahlonega, picked me up at the hotel the following morning, and delivered me to the dealership (thank you, Joe Boone.)  I spent a couple of days riding the lovely roads in the area, then returned the bike so Guzzi Steve could do the first service, then pointed the Griso north toward Cleveland Ohio, riding in the hottest weather before or since for me.  Good memories, and so sorry to hear Riders Hill is closing their doors.

[Lannis]

Sounds like a business opportunity for someone.

The level of "opportunity" depends on why they quit.

If they quit because they were ready to retire and had made enough money, that's one kind of opportunity.

If they quit because there was money to be made but they didn't have the right model to take advantage of it, that's another kind of opportunity.

If they quit for any other reason, then the "opportunity" for the next guy would be called a "mistake" ....

lannis

[AJ Huff]

I guess  this means no Motus here. :(

-AJ

[smdl]

Sad.  This was the first dealership I visited (to get new tires) when I bought my first Guzzi in 2010.  Great vibe in the place, and everyone was very helpful.  Thanks, folks -- best of luck with what comes next.

Shaun

[Kev m]

That sucks.

I don't think I ever heard a bad word about the place and there are so few good ones.

[blackbuell]

Too bad about this. Anthony and Susan are great people. Anthony delivered a Norge to me in northern Kentucky five years ago, and I made several 400 mile trips to Dahlonega to have Steve work on the bike, because I was so impressed with the entire operation. I'm actually surprised at the closing, as it appeared that the business was pretty successful. In fact, they had fairly recently expanded the service division of the business. I know that Anthony had been dealing with some pretty nasty injuries sustained in a fall; I wonder if that was a factor.

Jon

[jetmechmarty]

I don't pretend to know anything about this or any other business.  Living near Dahlonega, I try to do business with them as often as possible.  I enjoy having them there.  I sure was easy having access to new tires less than ten miles away.  It's a great place to hang out.  Lot's of nice rocking chairs on the porch.  Lots of folks stopping in and hanging out.  Here could lie one of the issues.  Lots of motorcyclists hanging out and few spending money.  Who's coming all the way to Dahlonega to buy a Suzuki?  How many Italian bikes can you sell here?  I sure wish it was a lot.  I have really enjoyed having them here.   

[Stormtruck2]

The level of "opportunity" depends on why they quit.

If they quit because they were ready to retire and had made enough money, that's one kind of opportunity.

If they quit because there was money to be made but they didn't have the right model to take advantage of it, that's another kind of opportunity.

If they quit for any other reason, then the "opportunity" for the next guy would be called a "mistake" ....

lannis

Yes I agree.  It sounds like a recovery (or lack there of) has a role in the closing.  As for a "mistake" well, that may or maynot be correct.  Wanna go into business together???  You provide the capital, I'll provide the charm.  LOL

[Lannis]

Yes I agree.  It sounds like a recovery (or lack there of) has a role in the closing.  As for a "mistake" well, that may or maynot be correct.  Wanna go into business together???  You provide the capital, I'll provide the charm.  LOL

I enjoy eating, which means that my objectivity about restaurants and other people's tastes is completely gone, which means I could never run a restaurant.

Same for motorcycles.   Although I enjoy riding and know lots of others that do too, I'd fail miserably at trying to gauge the public perception and desires for two-wheeled products.   I'd crash so hard there'd be nothing left of my capital OR your charm .... !

Lannis

[twodogs]

Sad day. Glad me and the wife got to visit the place this summer, Motus showed up for their test rides while we were there, the folks there were top notch, I'm glad I got a tee shirt while I was there but I'll be sad every time I wear it.

[jetmechmarty]

They have to have a following to do business in a town with 5,000 permanent residents.  My wife is on the board of a local charity and I know first hand that the folks at Rider's Hill are supportive of such things.  I wish them well.

[jackson]

Anthony (the owner) fell off a ladder (a very nasty fall from high up) and hurt himself pretty badly several years ago.  He went through a long recovery and he's now 68 years old.  He had retired before deciding to build Riders Hill over eight years ago.  For all we know, there could be a deal in the works with someone who wants to take it over.  Anthony & his wife are smart business people and I suspect that they haven't been losing money with this business.  At 68 and with the ongoing problems from the ladder injury, I suspect that he just wants to slow down and enjoy life.  They are REALLY good people who know how to run a business and I wish them the best.  I hope that some enterprising, younger person will lease or buy the buildings from Anthony & Susan and re-open their version of another Riders Hill type of motorcycle dealership.

[ohiorider]

One of the best looking motorcycle dealerships I've seen, and placed in a location that put a rider on some of the best roads Georgia has to offer.  I've always wondered why so many dealerships build smack in the middle of a heavily-trafficked road.  Of course, the theory is that cagers will drive past, see the dealership, and drive back to see the bikes.  I loved the R Hill location because it was the opposite of that ....... it was out of town, in a place where bikes are meant to be ridden.

I said it previously and I'll say it again ........ I am sorry to see them shutter the business.

Bob

[cognosticator]

I hated to read that news.  I just bought my new 2013 Stelvio from them in Sept and I have been back there twice. Great people to work with, really hate to see this happen.

[tazio]

This place has just GOT TO survive in one form or another!
Motorcyclists NEED these types of places to meet-up, shoot da breeze and plot our next bike purchase.
I would not mind seeing the place full of used European bikes for sale on consignment.
I can smell the stale gas and visualize well cared for
European bikes alongside barn fresh European bikes alongside heavily modified European bikes.
You could call it European Motorsports Inc.

[leafman60]

This was a great dealership and where I purchased my '12 Stelvio.  Especially when Steve was there, no better Guzzi shop existed anywhere.

I've had feedback from Anthony and his wife for a couple for years that made me concerned about the financial payback they were getting from the place.  I was hoping that taking on the Suzuki line would have helped but it was apparently too little and too late. The recent departure of main mechanic, Ian, caught my attention and made me wonder even more.

The bikes sold by Riders Hill were mostly niche bikes and the recession was not kind to such sales.

Even more ominous is the trend of endings of other significant Guzzi dealers like Red Line in Virginia and Moto Rouge in Baton Rouge. The common thread is that such places cannot, have not, made money selling Guzzi bikes. Sales of the bikes are very slow and usually deeply discounted, owners buy few accessories and tend to do repair work themselves instead of spending it in the shop.

Earlier this week I was in San Francisco and stopped in to Munroe Motors, long time Guzzi dealer. Their showroom was full of Triumphs and Ducatis and several MV's. Stashed off to the side in the back near the shop, were two lonely Guzzis, a Griso and a black V7II. The main salesman chuckled about the Guzzis and somewhat dismissed them as a wonkish affection for wonkish people.  He even made good-natured humor at the character of the Guzzi riders they see.

My thanks to all the gang at Riders Hill. I don't expect to see another of its type for some time.

[tazio]

My thanks to all the gang at Riders Hill. I don't expect to see another of its type for some time.

“hear, hear”
Going to miss this place.
Lisa and I rode up there earlier today on the Stelvio to say goodbye to a unique place of business.
A beautiful 3 hour round trip into north Georgia. 60 degrees and sunshine.
I too have missed Guzzi Steve's presence, and more recently, Ian's.
Yes, sir. A sad day.

[Wayne Orwig]

One of the best looking motorcycle dealerships I've seen, and placed in a location that put a rider on some of the best roads Georgia has to offer.  I've always wondered why so many dealerships build smack in the middle of a heavily-trafficked road.  Of course, the theory is that cagers will drive past, see the dealership, and drive back to see the bikes.  I loved the R Hill location because it was the opposite of that ....... it was out of town, in a place where bikes are meant to be ridden.

I fear that is part of the problem. People drive by and don't even know it is there.