Is Penrith motorcycling Mecca?

We are certainly spoilt for choice here in Penrith and it’s always good to be able shop with local business. A few of them have been trading in the area for up to 30 years or more so they must be doing something right.

My first port of call for most things is Suttos, has been since Chris opened his first store in Coreen Ave back in 93. Mainly for their customer service but also because we went to the same school and bummed around the same BMX track together as kids, only a stones throw away from the Coreen Ave Store. There was a period of time after he moved to York Rd where I was blown off by a rude arrogant sales person at the time. I didn’t go back to Suttos after that for quit some time until he moved to the Bat St store when I only went back to have a look at the new store. But as good as Suttos is I have reason at times to shop elsewhere. No one store can carry everything.

I do buy stuff from Ballards at times mainly due to them stocking some unique products. Customer service here at times is not so good. I have stood at the counter for looooong periods of time whilst I can see multiple staff out the back taking phone orders. I have thought at times it might be quicker to go home and order over the phone. The only saving grace is whilst I’m standing waiting I get to ogle Glen Bells trick Thumper Nats winning XR600 hanging on the wall.

As I’ve owned a few Honda’s and Suzuki’s over the year and currently still own an RMX I go to Westerns for OEM parts. Never had an issue with customer service. If parts not in stock usually in my hands within a couple of days.

R&D Husky is closest to my home so the quickest place for me to go for to odd bottle of oil and the like. The Applesgren family have been in business in the area for a long time and I even remember a time when Sutto worked at the old Husky Imports. 10 out of 10 from me for customer service especially recently after my nephew had a head on and cause a lot of damage to his 610.

Teknik is my obvious go to person for suspension and the WR suspenders will be there soon for a major work over. Nick also build my XR280 engine years ago when he was still working at Ballards.

Excite Motorsports? Don’t know much about them but bought a set of Dunlop Tyres from there recently at a good price mainly because I had an appointment close by and had some time to kill so went in for a wander. Now I own a Yamaha I will probably give them a go for OEM parts and see how they go.

Kelen Kawisaki? Never shopped there.

MCA? I usually drop into the Auburn store if I am down that way but to be honest other then a few cheap tyres never really bought much there. That being said when the Penrith store opens I will no doubt go have a look.

If all this fails I hit the net but I love the fact 99% of my dirtbike needs are meet by local businesses. I also like the fact I’ve never been in one of these stores and heard them dumping shit on one another. I think that speaks volumes in the confidence they have in their own businesses and the products they sell.

Oh and the bastards are sending me broke. Now after the suspension work to the WR I think I NEED a steering damper, bigger tank and maybe one of them flash recluse clutch thingys………..