A constant problem facing dealers is the lack of shopfront space to display their bikes to potential buyers passing on the street.
Now biker and engineer Robert Simmonite believes he has come up with the solution.
He has developed a range of lifts that utilise the otherwise unused high-level space in showroom windows. There are various options – from a lift to display two bikes to one that holds six bikes and rotates using an electric motor.
Simmonite owns an engineering business in Laisterdyke near Bradford and came up with the idea while chatting to Charlie Jagger of Ducati dealer Cobb and Jagger at nearby Shipley.
“I know Charlie well,” said Simmonite, “so I asked him why his shopfront always looked so rubbish. I suggested he needed a bike lift to get more bikes in the window, and set about making one.
“Then the dealer round the corner, Craigs Honda, saw the lift in Charlie’s showroom and he bought one.”
Simmonite has set up BikeLifts UK, plans to start producing the lifts commercially and hopes to supply dealers and manufacturers in the UK and abroad.
His steel fabrication company is CE-approved.
The patent pending range starts at £3995 for the two-bike display lift, up to £11,995 for the rotating, six-bike lift. Bespoke designs to meet customer requirements are available together with a full fitting service. A comprehensive working range of the lifts will be unveiled to the trade at Expo in January.
Tel: 01274 400401