PC Bikes boasts of on-island management by Bermudian co-owner, Mel Caines. It touts the sourcing of products, on site of manufacture in Thailand, by Bermudian co-owner, Hubert Preece, who resides there.
PC Bikes is the sole motorcycle shop to feature this arrangement of one co-owner in Bermuda and the other based in the country of supply.
“(Mr. Preece) provides our much needed hands-on connection between the two countries,” Mr. Caines said. “He is a mechanic and our chief supplier, and keeps us updated on all the new and trendy products and services that come from the major companies.”
Given that distinctive advantage, PC Bikes was the first to introduce to the Bermuda market the Hondas: Wave, Sonic, Click, Air Blade and Scoopy-I, as well as the new Honda PCX. It also first imported the Yamaha Elegance.
Mr. Preece said: “In the space of two-years, three major motorcycle companies now carry the models we introduced here. This says a great deal about our product.”
In addition to these genuine Honda and Yamaha cycles, PC Bikes also carry parts for some Suzuki
models. “PC Bikes prides itself with being the only complete motorcycle shop providing motorcycle sales, services, repairs, along with tyres, helmets and many other cycle accessory complements, whilst supplying all repairs and parts for the bikes we sell,” Mr. Preece said. “We can also install our custom accessories, which are manufactured by a network of associate companies local and international.”
Mr. Caines said: “We changed the motorcycle business in Bermuda. Before us, there was no one else (on the island) doing custom parts like we were… Other people were making parts or trying to design them.”
According to Mr. Caines, the Yoko 14-in custom wheels, for example, fit the Honda Click, Air Blade or Scoopy-I. Custom plastic body kits; custom mufflers in chrome, stainless steel or carbon fibre and custom levers for braking systems are all available at PC Bikes.
Seats, handle grips, helmets, jackets, gloves, bike covers and locks are among the other custom parts and accessories prominently displayed at the shop.
“We do repairs; everything across the board,” Mr. Caines said, “Flat tyres to engine to bike rebuilds… [to] lights under the bike.” Mr. Preece noted how PC Bikes started out as “a small home-grown project and hobby for the love of cycles”. He said: “Due to the popularity of the product and service, we were forced to move to our current location.
“We knew we had a product that was of high quality, stylish and very popular, so we anticipated this day.”
“We currently have very little competition when it comes to pricing and efficiency of service, both of which PC Bikes takes very seriously, one customer at a time to achieve,” Mr. Preece said.
He also noted: “We deliver our services on same day fixes largely depending on the time of day the cycle is brought in for repairs.”
PC Bikes is located in a grey building at 32 Union Street, up from the theatre on the northwest side of the street.
Don’t be misled by the residential-like façade. Behind its entrance door is a retail area of some 800 square feet.
Further back is another 1,200 square feet of work and storage space, while 800 square feet next door provide additional room.