“Because sometimes your ‘ride’ needs a ride.”
And with those words, Motorcycle Man Transport and Storage was born.
Noel Dobson’s journey to starting his own motorcycle towing and storage business was a natural progression for the life-long motorcyclist. From owning an Amoco gas station in the 90s, to spending more than 20 years as a long-haul truck driver, to working at a local Harley-Davidson®, Dobson has let his need to help others flow into a thriving business in the San Diego and Orange County areas in California.
And what has this evolution of his career meant to him? One word. Freedom.
“The best thing is working for myself,” Dobson said. “My wife and I, we used to own an Amoco gas station back in the 90s and it was fun. I loved talking to everyone who came in. And then I went out on the road in a big rig. It was fascinating going from driving one of the biggest things on the road to the smallest when I came home and rode my motorcycle.”
Specialty Hydraulic Lift Gets The Job Done Right
Motorcycle Man uses a special hydraulic lift designed to hold up to 2,500 lbs. of weight. Dobson said this lift allows one person to safely and securely load and transport up to three bikes in the back of a heavy-duty pickup truck. This is important, particularly for areas where a traditional tow truck cannot find egress to pick up a rig.
“Up in Laguna Beach Hills (CA), you can’t get a regular tow truck or trailer up there, it’s too tight,” Dobson explains. “I can get up there just fine. I’ve gotten two Harleys and a dirt bike on the rig just fine. We have moved up to 12 bikes in a weekend for a group ride to wine country.”
Gabriel Aragon, Law Tigers Marketing Manager for the greater San Diego County area and a motorcyclist, said it may look easy to transport a motorcycle, but the reality is that it can be complicated to do it safely.
“Transporting motorcycles may look like a simple task, but if you want your bike to travel safely you better have someone who not only knows what they’re doing but also has the right equipment to do so,” Aragon said. “Having the right tools for the job makes all the difference.”
Dobson also offers storage for motorcycles, a benefit that came about through transporting bikes for military members, and for others who ran out of space in their garage, or don’t have a place to store their motorcycle.
“We store bikes for people who live in apartments, or have a bike in the garage and they are tripping over it and want it stored someplace else,” Dobson said.
“When I worked for Harley-Davidson, I would refer people customers to towing companies I knew of. One day, I thought, ‘I’d like to start this’ – and then I just started transporting bikes,” he recalls. “I kept getting guys deployed for months and years, so I thought this storage thing would really work, and it has.”
10 Tips to Storing Your Motorcycle
Dobson said there are maintenance protocols to follow for bikers when storing their motorcycles, whether for a month or a year. Below are his recommendations for prepping a motorcycle for storage:
- Clean the Motorcycle: Thoroughly clean the motorcycle, removing dirt, grime, and any corrosive elements. Wash and wax the bike to protect the paint and metal surfaces from deterioration during storage.
- Fluid Check and Change: Check all fluid levels, including oil, brake fluid, and coolant. If any fluids are due for a change according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, do so before storing the motorcycle. Used oil and old fluids can contain contaminants that may cause issues over an extended storage period.
- Fuel System: Fill the fuel tank and add a fuel stabilizer to prevent the fuel from deteriorating and causing problems in the carburetor or fuel injectors. Run the engine for a few minutes to ensure the stabilized fuel circulates through the system.
- Battery Maintenance: Remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry place. If possible, connect it to a battery maintainer or trickle charger to keep it charged. Regularly check the battery’s charge level and top it off if necessary to prevent it from discharging completely.
- Tire Care: Inflate the tires to the recommended pressure. If possible, lift the motorcycle off the ground using a stand or paddock stand to reduce pressure on the tires and prevent flat spots. If there is no stand, rotate the tires periodically.
- Lubricate Moving Parts: Apply lubricant to moving parts such as the chain, cables, and pivot points. This helps prevent corrosion and keeps the parts functioning smoothly.
- Storage Location: Choose a suitable storage location, preferably indoors and away from direct sunlight. Ensure the storage area is cool and dry to prevent moisture-related issues. Use a breathable motorcycle cover to protect the bike from dust while allowing air circulation.
- Elevate the Motorcycle: If storing the motorcycle for an extended period, consider elevating it slightly using a motorcycle stand. This helps alleviate pressure on the tires and prevents flat spots.
- Security Measures: Take appropriate security measures to prevent theft. Use a lock or security system, and consider additional security measures such as an alarmed disc lock.
- Documentation: Keep all necessary documentation in a safe place, including the owner’s manual, registration, and insurance information.
The next, natural progression of Dobson’s business was adding dealer services to his menu. This is particularly helpful for customers who want to sell their motorcycles, such as someone who is deployed, or a community member with a bike in storage that they no longer need. California has strict regulations governing the sale of motor vehicles. By providing this service, customers can avoid the hassle and bureaucracy and let Dobson complete the sale for them.
“You know, I started out with the towing, then added the storage, then folks wanted to sell their bikes, but there’s a lot to go through to do that,” Dobson said. “I have completed all the necessary things to become a licensed reseller, and I’m doing that now as well. Everything is falling into place.”
Community Partnerships Are Important Bonds
Other synchronicities include a partnership with Law Tigers. Aragon was instrumental in forging this relationship between Motorcycle Man and Law Tigers. These types of alliances are important, not only to vendors such as Dobson’s Motorcycle Man, but for the community as well.
“It’s all about localized efforts,” Aragon said. “It’s the best way to spread the message and show that we support the community at large. Partnerships of this kind are crucial to (everyone’s) success.”
What’s in the future for Noel Dobson and Motorcycle Man? Continuing to offer great customer service, fair prices, and getting the word out that Motorcycle Man is the outfit to take care of someone’s precious baby.
“For me, success means being a professional and prompt as possible,” Dobson said. “The old saying ‘treat others as you want to be treated’ still rings true today. To that I would add following through on what you promise. Be courteous – call if you are going to be late. People are forgiving if you communicate with them. These small things really matter.”
Need a lift, a place to store your bike, or someone to sell it for you? Call or text Dobson and Motorcycle Man Transport and Storage at 760-517-6066. You can also visit their website here.
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