Competition is fierce for motorcycle retailers across the Western Bay as the recession bites.
Retailers who spoke to the Bay of Plenty Times claimed there were too many motorcycle stores for the size of the region. They blamed the poor economy for lacklustre interest in the two-wheeled machines.
Most retailers reported a challenging first quarter, which was backed up by latest MTA figures of a 14 per cent decrease in new motorcycles (30) registered in Tauranga compared with the same time last year (35).
Bayride general manager Lindsay Beck said there were too many motorcycle shops in Tauranga for the size of the town and a handful of shops were barely making ends meet.
"Some have been struggling quite a bit, two or three are doing quite well and the ones in the middle are just hanging in there," he said.