University Honda - oldest US Honda motorcycle dealer closes
University Honda Yamaha of Seattle, Washington has gone out of business. First Honda dealer in the US, it was established in 1959 by Gilbert Eaton who ran it until 1967, it has twice changed hands, the current owner, Pete Wicken, has owned it outright since 1984.
The site's home page simply reads:
We regretfully announce that after 50 years of business University Honda/Yamaha has closed its doors
I want to thank everyone for their support over the years, and wish everyone well in the future
A sign of the times ...
John Leach took some photos Saturday night when everyone got together to swap stories and talk about old times over a few drinks. Thanks, John!
Link: John Leach
Link: University Honda
Link: Seattle PI
Kickboxer Subaru WRX Powered Motorcycle Concept
{ 19 comments… add yours below ... }
I bought my first streetbike at Uhonda twenty years ago, a 1983 550cc Nighthawk, and later a Goldwing 1100i as well as many gallons of 20w/50 for my BMW over the years. They were (are) good people who cared about what they were doing.
They will be missed.
that’s really to bad.
I guess after one look at the new Fury they just gave up! Sorry bout that.
Why do I get this feeling we’re going to hear more stories like this?
U-Honda was awesome. When I lived in Seattle, I’d use them for tire changes, ordering parts, you name it- even though we had Kawasakis, BMWs, and Suzukis. They had a great shop.
50 years is a good run .
Time to sell something american!
This is sad news. I’m sorry to hear of it. When i lived in Seattle some years back, I used to be one of those annoying kids hanging out & asking too many questions about bikes I could never afford.
What’s going to happen to the remaining inventory? I’ve got my eyes on that 919. Maybe now I can afford that new bike. Still annoying & asking too many questions.
Pete, what do you say?
Best wishes to everyone, hope the future sees you all making a quick turn around & back on your feet/wheels soon.
We are seeing the same thing happening to dealers in Canada, some due to the economic dump but sadly more due to companies like Honda turning their backs on dealers in order to follow the Power Centre idea some genius had. The idea is for Honda customers to have a single giant store where they can buy a new bike while picking up a lawnmower, a generator,and a new Accord all at the same time. The Big H has lost its way and forgotten where they came from. I actually had a discussion with some nattily attired metrosexual sales guy at the local Honda car dealership that was disturbed that Honda had recently begun making motorcycles and was worried that the car bussiness would suffer by association. In London Ont. Suzuki has told an excellent and long term (30years) dealer that they are going to take away the line so as not to interfere with the new Suzuki everything store! Shame on you guys for being so disloyal. Build bikes that people want, that are fun and not so intimidating and let enthusiastic dealers sell them and everything will be fine. Personally I will NEVER buy a bike from some geek car salesman that doesn,t even ride.
Mel Mackinnon’s observations are quite valid, at least here in Canada. There are more than a few law suits pending against Honda Canada for stripping away the franchises of motorcycle dealers to pursue the “all in one” concept. What I can’t understand is the logic involved. If three customers walk in the door, one looking at a $60,000 car, another at a $6,000 bike and the other a $60 hedge trimmer, who is going to get the commission-paid salesman’s attention? Not to mention that few car salesmen have any idea about bikes. After all, they’re really only “deal writers” at best.
I’m sorry but this sounds like another industry inundated by the worst thing that has hit our industries ….. The MBA’s who believed the theoretical hype in University.
About those Honda Canada Power Centers……
Whether you like them or not is a matter of personal taste. The myth that you buy a bike from car salesman is very obviously not true. They hire bike guys like any other independent dealer does. Whether the salesman is any good will always depend on the individual, like it does with an independent dealer.
I am not saying I flat out love the idea, but in my neck of woods, I personally prefer to go to a dealer with one brand, because it cuts down on the sales bs … “get this one over this one because this and that …” so he can get a better commission selling one brand over the other. You never know where you stand ….
Anyways, I think the Power Centers can be good and bad. It’s always about the individual, not a system ….
A sign of the times, but you would think with the way gas prices have been fluctuating a motorcycle or scooter would be something people would be more likely to buy.
Actually, I believe the oldest Honda Dealership in the USA is Dreyer Honda in Indianapolis, Indiana.
I was in their store a few weeks ago and they had a huge amount of 2009 scooter inventory. Does Honda Corp. buy then back? Will they clearance these scooters on Ebay? How does this work? I would be very interested in picking up a discounted Ruckus-50 for my girlfriend.
I would like to start off by saying to Pete and Tom that I am truly sorry to hear about your store closing. I myself growing up in a Honda dealership since 1969 do understand that it isn’t just a closing of a store , it is a lot more than that. It is a way of life and hobby that we all enjoy. You guys will be truly missed in the Honda retail world and I hope all goes well for you in your future.
ps University Honda was the oldest Honda Dealership in the United States with the dealer # 0001
Kurt Deaton
Lifestyles Honda Of Mount Vernon, WA
U Honda always had some nice vintage bikes in their show windows. As a certified vintage unit (98% of the way to 65) I’ll vouch for the fact that anyone who knows and respects vintage equipment is A#1.
I am highly disappointed, I get alot of my parts from these guys because theyre only a few blocks away. I wonder whats going to happen to their inventory.
Well I will never buy any Honda product again. I got my first Honda at the age of 16 from a Honda only store in Durban South Africa. This followed with many other fine motorcycles bearing the wings. When I landed in Canada the first thing I did was buy a Honda Civic. Boy was I proud! I was sure I had Honda in my veins.
The thing I most enjoyed was going into a motor cycle shop here and able to look at and compare multiple brands.
Honda has taken that pleasure away from me now. In a city of over a million people we only have one dealer.
Thanks for listening. Dave.
As an old time ex-Honda dealer my heart goes out to the current crop of dealers. Honda was a major part of my life, and what they are doing with their dealers stinks. As for the #1 Honda dealer in the USA…I am convinced, that the #1 Honda franchise was owned my Mr.George Gonzalez, in Batton Rouge, La. I knew him personally, and attented numerous Honda dealer conventions over almost twenty years, where Mr.Gonzalez was lauded as the first franchisee.
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