Harley-Davidson vs. BMW: Why a 30-Year Expert Finally Switched

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This interview with Carolyn Marosy, a veteran motorcycle sales professional and musician who shares her deep history with biking and rock & roll. She recounts her early days riding a Harley-Davidson Sportster to Sturgis and her eventual career transition to selling BMW motorcycles at Max BMW. Marosy describes her passion for customizing bikes, the importance of safety gear, and her involvement with the LGBTQ+ motorcycling community in New York City. The source also highlights her musical life, including her long-term correspondence with Pete Townshend of the Who and her collection of signed memorabilia. Throughout the dialogue, she emphasizes how both motorcycles and music represent a fundamental sense of freedom and personal fulfillment. Finally, she provides professional insight into the evolving motorcycle industry, noting the increasing presence of women and the technological advancements in modern bikes.

For more music from Carolyn and her band - Orangutwins - check out their newly released EP "We Are A Genius"

If you would like to buy a BMW from Carolyn, email her at - carolyn@maxbmw.com
https://www.maxbmw.com/

Transcript

Carolyn Marosy Interview / Garage Tour / Live Performance

Okay. All right. All right. Safe travels. Nice to meet you. Likewise. I had a great time tonight. Yeah, thank you so much. Break a leg. Yeah. This is Carolyn Marosy. I met her at Max BMW where she's in sales. Carolyn is a rocker, collector, and rider. She invited FÉROCE to her home where she shared her very cool she cave, played a live gig for me, did a garage tour, and talked about her experience in motorcycling. Hello, beautiful motorheads, it's Annick. You meet the coolest people on bikes. Come meet Carolyn. 

 * INTRO *

Carolyn: So this is my very first bike, uh, which was a 1993 XLH 883 Sportster, and it had a 2.2 gallon tank. So, uh, Minnesota, uh, does not have gas stations within, uh, more than, you know, less than 60 miles apart. So after 60 miles, I ran out of gas in Minnesota. So my friend Jack was, uh, jamming along on his Low Rider, and I was behind him, and then putt, putt, putt, and I just went to the side of the road, and there went Jack.

And, uh, I just waited, and then he eventually figured out I was not behind him, and then, um, he came back, and a Minnesota State Trooper, uh, pulled, ca- pulled over behind us and said, you know, "What's the problem?" And then he actually emptied out a soda bottle. Jack siphoned gas from his bike, put it into the bottle.

We put it into my tank, and then we eventually found a station. So, um, yeah, that was good times on the road on the way to Sturgis 1993, which I did after having my motorcycle license for a total of, like, four months. Um, I figured, you know, if you could ride 10 miles, you could ride 1,750 miles. Why not?

Annick: Where did you start off from? 

Carolyn: New Jersey. 

Annick: Okay. 

Carolyn: So it was, it was fun. It was a lot of fun. We did it in two and a half days. So it was, uh... It was something like 700 miles the first day. I don't know. Then, then I think we did 600 and, you know, 400, something like that. It went, like, a little bit less each day, but, um, by day two, my butt was quite sore.

I'll, I'll tell you that. Um, this was when I had the 883. Um, and I put the FXLR tank on the bike, um, because, you know, customizing a Harley is what people do. And, um, it took quite a few tries till I got it stable on the bike, um, to get the right brackets and everything. But I was working at the parts department in a Harley dealer, and, uh, I loved, you know, fishing around in the parts department, figuring out, like, rubber gaskets, and I wanted to, you know, use some sort of vibration isolation mounts, and I was just coming up with all these different ideas.

And, uh, that was on the way to Montreal, and that was a great trip on the way to the F1 races. Um, this was my Dyna Super Glide T-Sport. We were on a run for pancreatic cancer. That was an awesome bike, too. That was, um, a 2001 And then this is my wife and I at New York City Pride on my BMW. Oh, 

Annick: did you do the Sirens where you- 

Carolyn: Oh, yeah.

We, I, I've probably ridden in the, uh, pride parade pro- about 20 times. 

Annick: Ca- can you tell everybody what the Sirens are? 

Carolyn: Okay. Yeah. So the Sirens are the... Let's see. Th- they're not the oldest motorcycle club, women's motorcycle club in, in, uh, the United States. Um, that would be the Motor Maids. But, uh, the Sirens are an [00:04:00] LGBTQ, women's motorcycle club from New York City.

And I'm not part of the Sirens, but they are very, we're very good friends. I'm friends with a, a lot of them. And they lead the New York City Pride March every year. And I can honestly say that riding in the Pride March is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Without a doubt. Um, so after I met my wife, it was wonderful that she was out loud and proud and wanted to ride in the, uh, march.

And so there we are. That was a few, that was actually at the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. and then from there, this is on my 2006 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, which, um, we're gonna see in a minute. And, uh, that motorcycle I got, um, as an inheritance, which, you know, was really obviously bittersweet because, uh, my cousin [00:05:00] John and I were best buddies.

We were concert buddies, and we were riding buddies, and he passed away, um, of heart arrhythmia, uh, at 49 years old. Um, and so after he passed away, his girlfriend, who was left pretty much most of his, um, assets, said that I would be the only person he would ever want riding that motorcycle. So I have it today.

And, um, when I'm on it, it reminds me of him, and, uh, I talk to him and stuff like that. Wow. And so, uh, yeah, I'll have that bike forever. And, uh, it brought me back to my Harley roots, too, which, you know, I'm a BMW rider now, and, uh, and I love BMWs. And I honestly think they are superior in terms of, uh, performance, you know, without a doubt, but there's a certain heartbeat to a Harley that is undeniably wonderful.

Annick: So let's go take a look at it. 

Carolyn: Yes, let's do it. 

Annick: All right. 

Carolyn: Okay.

Oh, here we are 

Annick: Oh, wow. 

Carolyn: So yeah, it's not like, uh, As, as, uh, clean as some garages might be. But this is a real garage. here is the 2006 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. It does have a windshield, but I think it looks way cooler without the windshield. as I mentioned, when I went to Sturgis, actually both times in '93 and '95, I did it without a windshield. And when you're 25 and 27 years old, that's great. You can do anything at that age. Um, but you know, when the years pile on- ... you like a windshield.

Annick: Yeah. 

Carolyn: And so it's a lot more comfortable that way. Um, but yeah, this is John's bike as he, um, customized it and everything with the pipes, which are extremely loud. Um, Vance & Hines Sweepers, um, and then just, you know, air cleaner and, and a bunch of other little doodads. He loves the skulls. Um, so I usually polish it up.

Uh, the last time I rode it, I don't think I did a full detail on it, but when this bike is polished completely, it does absolutely look gorgeous shining in the sun. 

But then you get to the completely versatile, go anywhere, do anything bike, and that's my 2004 R1150GS. And I bought this when I was working at BMW in Manhattan, and this came in on a trade. And I said to my boss, "Let me take this home and see if I like it." And, um, I don't even think I made it home and I knew I loved it.

And at the time, I owned the Dyna Super Glide T-Sport, which I thought was the best handling bike. It was, up until that time, it was the best handling bike I owned. And of Harleys, it probably is the best handling, but th- it's no comparison to this. Um, I was commuting in and out of New York City every day on it, and I did that for two weeks, and then I got back on the Dyna to commute, and I just said, "Nope, that bike's gotta go.

I'm not gonna be riding it anymore." And so yeah, this is, uh, the GS. See, I have the little, the little bell on there to keep me safe. Oh, here, I've got an extra bell. 

Annick: Angel 

Carolyn: wings 

Annick: Yeah, exactly. You wanna talk a little bit about that? 

Carolyn: So they say that if someone gives you a bell to put on your bike, it's supposed to keep you safe and keep the angels around you, and I believe in angels, so, uh, my friend Sharon sent this to me.

Um, unfortunately I did have an accident on this two summers ago. Um, but the bike survived. It's tough as nails. You know, as a motorcycle salesperson, people always ask me if a bike, a used bike, fell over before they buy it. And let me tell you, probably 99% of bikes have fallen over. Um, but BMWs are very tough.

Just because it falls over doesn't mean something's gonna happen to it. Um, I had somebody make a left turn in front of me. Classic. And, uh, we, yes, we collided. My front end, my beak had to be replaced. Um, and what else? And an engine bar. But the bike itself is solid. The frame did not bend. Nothing else bent.

The front end was perfect. so I am still riding this with confidence. Uh, and that's the nice thing about riding a BMW is the con- It's a, it's definitely a confidence booster. However, I still ride with caution because if you only ride with confidence, that's when things can happen. You have to have a, a little bit of, uh, humility and awareness, for sure.

Annick: How many miles do you think you've probably put on this?

Carolyn: On this I put, uh, ab- a little over 40,000. 

Annick: Yeah. 

Carolyn: When I bought it, it had 6,000 miles, and now it has about 60. It's like 59 and change. So it's due for its 60,000 mile service. And, um, you know, it's very important to keep your bike serviced.

That is the number one thing, because this is not a sport where you wanna take chances. You know, you want the bike to be ready for the road. You want the brakes flushed. You know, you want the oil fresh. And you just wanna make sure everything is working perfectly before you get on the road. so yeah, so this is my baby.

I love the new bikes. I love the technology of the new bikes, and I absolutely can feel a major difference between a 2004 and a 2026. Um, but you know, it depends on your budget because both of them will give you just as much fun.

Annick: Mm-hmm. You 

Carolyn: know. And as a salesperson, I'll tell you, I will find the right bike for you and your budget. No lie. 

Annick: Well, that's a good, that's a good segue. So let's talk a little bit about... Well, we, we can go in and have a seat, but we'll- Sure ... definitely wanna talk about that. 

Carolyn: Yes. Okay. And let's not forget- 

Annick: Okay

Carolyn: that some of the fun- ... of having a motorcycle is gearing yourself up in the gear. 

Annick: Yes. 

Carolyn: All right? 

Annick: Yeah. 

Carolyn: So, 

Annick: all 

Carolyn: right, don't laugh. The, these are my two earliest jackets. One 

Annick: Oh, 

Carolyn: that is killer 

Annick: This one. 

Carolyn: Right. Yeah. So this was, like, early '90s. Mm-hmm. New York City. Put the Harley patch on there. Still got it. Yes.

Annick: The thing is, is it's, it's still in style. 

Carolyn: It, it came back. Yeah, it came back. I mean- Like everything is back ... there was a time period where people would be like, "Michael Jackson." I'm like, "Not really." 

Annick: But- No, I know. I was at a dealer showing. You, you can't even believe, like, how much '90s influence there was, like, within the helmets and, like- 

Carolyn: Oh, yeah.

Annick: Yeah. 

Carolyn: Yeah, exactly. This one, which this is my, one of my... Actually, no, this one is even older. This is my original red leather. This is the one I first wore to Sturgis. 

Annick: Oh, that's so 

Carolyn: awesome. Yeah, and this is, like, basically autographed by everybody. Someday I have to make a diagram of all the people. You got Chrissie Hynde here.

Annick: Oh, really? 

Carolyn: Yeah, from The Pretenders. 

Annick: Oh, that's so cool. 

Carolyn: Yeah. And, um, and then over... God, you can't even s- Is it this one? I don't know. One of them, I have Eddie Van Halen. 

Annick: Oh, really? 

Carolyn: I think it's this one. I'd really have to look. See, I wear it. I don't worry about things fading or autographs or anything like that.

I, I feel like these are just living, breathing monuments to, uh, what I love, which is motorcycling and rock and roll. So- 

Annick: Do you wear the jacket to perform? 

Carolyn: I have not at this point. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't. There's another black leather in there, my first black leather, that I have worn to perform.

Um, this was another one I wore to Sturgis. Oh, it's so cool. Second time around. So I have my little Sturgis buttons on there. Sportster Sturgis '93, Sturgis '95. All my Ladies of Harley stuff, H.O.G. stuff. Ferrari, because, uh, F1. And then, uh, some of my, "Don't let them grind you down." That's my motto. 

Annick: I love it. 

Carolyn: Um, Johnny Thunders.

I don't know if anyone knows Johnny Thunders, but if you do, you know he was an awesome guitar player. Um, oh, Ozzy. No way. It's faded, but- I have an Ozzy tattoo as well, like, Ozzy signature tattoo. 

Annick: Oh, really? 

Carolyn: Yeah, yeah. Oh, actually, this was the one that Eddie was on. You can't really see it, though. It's that right here Yeah.

Right here. Eddie Van Halen, '91. I don't know if you can see it. It's- Probably not. 

Annick: Yeah, it's starting to fade out.

Carolyn: It's fading, but it's there. 

Annick: shall we head inside? 

Carolyn Let's head inside.

Oh, so this is where the music magic happens. So you got the roll and now you got the rock. 

Annick: Is there any, like, memorabilia that really for you is like, "Ah"? 

Carolyn: Well, I would say there's a couple of things, and one of them is, um, the, the letter that launched, you know, a thousand amazing memories, which was this letter I received from Pete Townshend when I was 14 years old.

Uh, I wrote to him, and he wrote back, and, uh, long story short, we kind of pen pal'd on and off. You know, not tons of letters. You know, I maybe have, like, I don't know, four or five different things from him, and sometimes from his assistant over the past 40 years. And the coolest thing that happened last year was when The Who played at Madison Square Garden, his assistant sent me not just a VIP pass to go backstage, but a special

It says Nick. That's his, uh, assistant's name. Special wristband that allowed me to go to Pete Townshend's private dressing room- Come on ... to meet him after the show. So yeah, that was really, that was, um, incredible after 40 years of being Pete's pen pal. And this was also the, uh, autographed photo he sent me.

See, Jan- January '84. So that was, like, down the line, just another photo that he sent, you know. So yeah, those have to be, I'd say, two of my most prized. Yes. 

Annick: That is, that is incredible. 

Carolyn: Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And then the, the one guitar, This, um, Pete Townshend model guitar, which he autographed the pickguard for me when they played at, um, the Meadowlands in, when was that?

'96. 

Annick: So who would've manufactured the guitar? 

Carolyn: That was, that's a Rickenbacker guitar, and it's a Pete Townshend model. And I brought this little plate, and he signed it right there for me. And the thing is, I really wasn't sure if he would do it or not, because I've seen him turn people down from signing guitars because people sell them.

But when I presented that to him and asked him to sign it, he immediately said, "Sure, no problem." Because he knew I'm never selling that. 

Annick: Yeah. 

Carolyn: So, yeah. 

Annick: That's incredible. 

Carolyn: So I would say those are the two top. Yeah.

Annick: So how did you get into the motorcycle industry? Uh, well, after I, um, graduated college, it was like, "What's next? What do I do?" So I graduated with a degree in communication, and I thought, "Okay, so, you know, there, there are a number of different places I can go. Um, but what do I want to do?

Carolyn: What's, you know, what's really gonna make me happy?" Um, because I interned at a radio station, and I was offered a job, but the pay was low, and I had other am- ambitions musically. So what's gonna fit into those ambitions and I'll be happy with it all day? So I thought, "Motorcycles." You know, I love motorcycles, um, since I'm maybe five or six years old, I just loved motorcycles.

And, um, my neighbor actually rode up his driveway, um, on a Harley, and I saw it, and I said, "I think I wanna work for Harley," you know? And so I went to the local Harley dealer, and I just said to them, um, "Listen, you know, I'm looking for a job, and I don't really know that much about motorcycles, but [00:18:00] I wanna learn every single thing I possibly can, and that's something I can do, is learn.

Um, and so are you looking for anybody?" And they hired me. They hired me f- uh, for the parts department. And so I got to know, you know, the intricacies of all the different parts of the bike and everything. And then maybe after about a year, um, the owner said, "You know, I think you'd be great in sales. Do you wanna try sales?"

So I said, "Sure." And then, um, yeah, it, it became a great fit. And I, I loved it, you know? I, I love learning about the bikes, all the new models. I like interacting with people and telling stories, and that's really what it's all about. Because, um, at the end of the day, you know, you have a product, but it's really about the people- 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm

Carolyn: and, and listening to what they want. So yeah, that's how I got into it, just purely loving motorcycles and wanting to know everything about them [00:19:00] and just be around them all the time. 

Annick (2): Yeah. So you basically, you've made your whole career in motorcycles. Like, you haven't- 

Carolyn: I have- Yeah ... and it just kind of like morphed into that, I guess you could say.

Yeah, yeah. You know, I didn't really have this ambition like- Of, oh, I want this one specific career. 

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: You know? I think for me it was important to have a balance between having a steady paycheck- 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm ... 

Carolyn: and the ability to make music. 

Annick (2): Yeah. So w- well, let's- That's- Yeah, let's talk a little bit about that as well.

Mm-hmm. I mean, obviously, you know, you gave me a tour- Mm-hmm ... and, uh, you played with your bandmate, which was like, it's amazing. I can't wait to share that with everybody. Yes. Um, and obviously, with The Who, like, you, you were like 14 when you reached out. Yeah. So music seems to have always been a part of your life.

Carolyn: Absolutely, yeah. Okay. So, you know, since I started playing guitar when I was- Yeah ... nine years old. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: And simultaneously, I mean, I always wanted a motorcycle. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: Uh, but my mom was a nurse, and she's like, "Yeah." "There's, there's no way you're getting a motorcycle," you know? Yeah, 

Annick (2): yeah. 

Carolyn: And so, you know, the reality of having one wasn't, you know, something that was gonna happen.

So, um, you know, of course, I focused on guitar and, and I loved that. Um, but you know, I had neighbors across the street that were like big Harley guys. Like, they were into building Choppers. Mm-hmm. You know, and they had the van with the flames on the side, and there were always Harleys back and forth on the lawns everywhere across the, directly across the street from where I grew up.

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: You know? And I would just stand in my front yard looking at them at, completely enamored like, "Oh, my God. That's just so awesome," you know? And, um, and then of course, Evel Knievel, who was huge in the '70s. 

Annick (2): Oh, wait. 

Carolyn: And so, yeah. We'll, we'll take a look- Okay, yeah ... at my, my Evel Knievels later. Okay. Um, but you know, loved watching Evel Knievel jump over whatever he was jumping over.

You know. Um- And just the, you know, the, it's about the thrills, I guess, and the adventure, um, of being free. Mm-hmm. You know, that's what motorcycles represent really to me. It's, it's freedom. Just like music, you know? And it's something that you can do on your own or with people. 

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: And they both have value.

 then of course, you know, Happy Daze, The Fonz. I mean, the motorcycle culture was really emphasized, you know, on TV, in the movies, you know, Easy Rider. Of course, you know, that was from the '60s, but, um, anything you would see, a mo- let's say the Woodstock movie, you know, from the concert, somebody's on a motorcycle.

I mean, Michael Lang, the producer of Woodstock, what did he do? He was riding around the festival grounds on a BSA. Right. And it was just like, "I wanna be that person. That's the person I wanna be, on that motorcycle." So there was no question I was gonna get one. It was just a matter of when. Mm-hmm. So actually, when I bought, uh, my first motorcycle, I was 25, and I was working at the Harley dealer already, saving my money every single week.

And I decided I'd buy a brand-new '93 Harley Davidson Sportster, and, um, I didn't tell anybo- like, I didn't tell... At that point, my mom had already passed away, okay? But, like, I didn't tell my grandmother. Like- ... you know, if my brother and sister knew, but I, I was not into hearing anything about having one. So sh- But 

Annick (2): they knew you worked at the dealership.

Carolyn: They knew I worked there. Yeah, yeah. Everybody knew I worked there. Um, but yeah, that, that was kind of revealed when, um- How did that happen? I was, I had ridden upstate, this was early on, and, um, one of my friends followed in a car. We were, we were upstate somewhere in the Catskills, and, um, it, it was a terrible rainstorm, like horrendous.

And my friends were like, "Don't ride home. Come with us in the car." And you know, and I'm always like, "I'm just gonna do it," you know? And they convinced me, "No, leave your bike," and this nice old man, I didn't even know the guy, but he's like, "No, you can leave your bike in my barn and come pick it up." So like whatever, I went in the car home with my friends.

And then, um, a week later, I went back up with my friend to pick it up on a nice day, and my grandmother called my job. And they said, uh, "Oh, no, Caroline's upstate going to pick up her motorcycle." And she was like, "Motorcycle?" And yeah. And that was the big reveal. And then, you know, I came home and she's like, "You bought a motorcycle," you know.

So I was like, "Yep." You know, and I've had it and yeah. So that went that 

Annick (2): way. So what's it been like, like being in the industry? You know, you've, you've spanned a couple of decades- Yeah ... 

Carolyn: in 

Annick (2): this, so you've seen a lot of changes. 

Carolyn: Yeah. Change. 

Annick (2): So, like, what's been, like, the biggest change? 

Carolyn: I mean, 30-plus years. So starting out with Harley-Davidson, it was during the early, like during their boom in the early '90s.

Yeah. Like there were waiting lists for Harleys. They were being sold over MSRP. Um, you couldn't get your hands on one, you know, so they, they were ve- low in the production numbers and very high in the demand. And, um, I mean, it was a great time to be selling because just you were constantly sold out. And then that shifted when they introduced, uh, another plant, and they started building more bikes, meeting demand, and it just became very obvious that those numbers were eventually gonna shift, and that wasn't gonna be a good plan for them.

But I was in sales. I wasn't in the, uh, you know, corporate side. But back then, when I... For example, what changed w- when I first started, um, there were very few female motorcyclists. Yeah. Um, like when I took the MSF course, which I highly recommend- 

Annick (2): Yeah ... 

Carolyn: um, I think there was maybe one other woman in the course, and that was it.

And I didn't really sell many bikes to women. You know, if I sold 150 bikes a year, maybe- I wouldn't even say 10% Really? ... were women. Yeah. Yeah, there really weren't many. Numbers were really low 

Annick (2): and then, yeah. 

Carolyn: Very low in, in the '90s, uh, the early '90s, you know? And then over time, obviously, you know, women did get more involved.

And I, I do think that the first dealership I worked at, um, which was Harley-Davidson of Essex in Bloomfield, New Jersey, um, the, the owner

Recognized that having a female salesperson was gonna be good for business. You know- Mm-hmm ... number one, for the guys, and then number two, for w- women increasing, uh, in the sport and coming in to look at bikes because it was much less intimidating.

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: You know, because I do remember, uh, the first time I went to a motorcycle dealership, uh, which was actually a little bit closer to my house than the one I ended up working at, and, um, it, as soon as I walked in it was like they just hit me with, you know, "What are you buying today?" You know, it wasn't real friendly.

Um, and I, I did notice as I went to different... 'Cause then I would just go into dealerships just to see what people's reactions were, and, um, you know, I didn't always feel accommodated. I mean, I absolutely didn't get a lot of, um, people thinking I was taking it seriously. You know, like, salespeople, like, it was almost like not even a thought that, like, I was there to look for a bike for myself, you know?

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: Um, so that certainly changed over the years because I think as women started buying more bikes people realized, okay, you know, women wanna ride, too. Um, 

Annick (2): uh- It's weird you're saying that, 'cause like I have heard over the years that, you know, some men say, like, that they, they don't wanna buy from a female.

Carolyn: Yeah, have they? And, 

Annick (2): yeah, and- Interesting ... and I'm glad- 

Carolyn: Even recently? 

Annick (2): Even recently. 

Carolyn: Wow. 

Annick (2): And I'm, and which for them to admit that to me- I know, that's- ... you know, considering what I do- 

Carolyn: That's huge ... 

Annick (2): you know, is like kinda huge. So I'm really glad to hear that that's like, it sounds like maybe you haven't had as, that be as much of an issue.

Carolyn: Well, and I would say, here's the thing, I did expect to get more pushback from men than I got in the beginning. 

Annick (2): Okay. 

Carolyn: And I think that's because I learned so much about the bikes that I could, I knew about the bikes and I could talk to them about the bikes in detail, and I rode. You know, and I rode extensively, you know, having gone to Sturgis and knowing what it means to, you know, r- run out of gas on the road or-

drop the bike, uh, in mud and break the, you know, sprocket cover and have to replace it yourself. Yeah. Which I had to do also in Sturgis. Um, yeah, my- ... my, uh, partner in crime, Jack, who, um, he was a mechanic at the dealership I worked at, back when they were called mechanics, not technicians. Um, but he basically- Came up to me, we got the sp- we found the sprocket cover.

No, we didn't find the sp- we had my sprocket cover welded, and then we brought it back to my bike, and he goes, "Okay, loosen this, this, this, this, and this. Take the exhaust off, then take this off. Okay, then put it back the way you took it off." And then he throws me his tool bag and goes, "I'll see you in an hour and a half."

And I was like, "What?" You know. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: And I was like, "You..." And then I did it, and then, you know, he came back and checked it, and he's like, "Yeah, okay, good. You did good." It's a good way to 

Annick (2): learn. 

Carolyn: And I was like... It is a good way to learn, I have to say. He put me on the spot- Yeah ... and I was kinda pissed. But- Of course

you know, overall- 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm ... 

Carolyn: I put it back together. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: And then, uh, yeah, and everything was good. But yeah, so guys sometimes will test me, and the cool thing is that as the years go on, and I've been riding longer and longer, and they'll be like, "So do you ride?" And I'm like, "Yeah, I've been riding 15 years.

What about you?" And they're like, "Oh, like, three," or whatever. 

Annick (2): Yeah, 

Carolyn: yeah. You know, and then they realize, like, okay, you know, I'm just as serious as they are. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: Um, I do think sometimes men have a little bit more issue when it comes to the neg- negotiating table- 

Annick (2): Okay ... 

Carolyn: dealing with a w- woman than a man. 

Annick (2): Ooh, interesting.

Carolyn: Yeah. Because I, I feel like for one, A, they want the best price, which I don't fault anybody for that. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: You know, but there does come a tipping point of, A, we have to keep the dealership open. B, you know, I need to earn a paycheck, you know, and I need my boss to be able to make money so he can pay me.

So- I think with some guys maybe it's more of, like, an ego thing of, like, wanting to get the best number versus me saying, "This is the best number." 

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: You know, and them accepting it. But, you know, everybody's different. So I think maybe, you know, man or woman, because I've, of course, encountered women who, you know, are the same way at the negotiating table.

Yeah, yeah. So I don't know, it's just that I deal with men a lot more. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: You know, of course. But, um, one of the things that has changed over the past 30 years is the sales of BMWs and Harley. It flipped, you know? Mm-hmm. It was like Harley was up here, you know, and BMW was, I don't remember what their numbers were back then, but they, they, you know, they were nowhere near Harley.

But then over the years it just started to kinda- Well, and the- BMW rose and Harley is now, you know. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: And Harley riders are now coming over to BMWs. 

Annick (2): Well, and also, and it's interesting that also the prices have kind of come up to be 

Carolyn: about the same. That's true, too. And actually, now Harley's, like, the top-of-the-line Harley is way more money than the top-of-the-line BMW.

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: Which actually is another thing that people are very surprised about, is when they come in and they ask about pricing, they're like, "Wow, I, I didn't realize that this was that affordable." 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: You know? So- 

Annick (2): Because of perceived value, right? Right. 

Carolyn: Yeah. 'Cause it's like, "Oh, it's a BMW," you know? Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

But, um, you could buy a top-of-the-line touring bike for, you know, $33,000, say. And then the Harley one, you're gonna tag on another 10 or 15,000 now. 

Annick (2): Yeah, that's a lot. It 

Carolyn: is a lot. That's a huge 

Annick (2): difference. 

Carolyn: It's a huge difference. Yeah. Yeah. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: And then, you know, you look at the technology- 

Annick (2): Oh ... 

Carolyn: and the performance and all that.

Yeah. And, and you know, one certainly outweighs the other. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: You know, we know where that's leaning. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: So, you know, that definitely has changed, um. 

Annick (2): Wait, what made you shift from selling Harleys to getting into BMW? 

Carolyn: Well, I was at, um, Harley of Essex for about 12 years, and it was a family-owned business.

And I just felt a little stifled, like, " Okay, you know, I love this, but, like, what else is out there?" You know, because really, like, where else are you gonna go from sales? I- if you're gonna go into management, it was kinda capped off with, you know, people who were already in those positions. 

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: You know.

And so I started looking around, and BMW of Manhattan had an opening. They were looking for a salesperson. And, um, at first I kinda had my doubts, 'cause I was total- totally into Harley Davidson, everything. You know, the lifestyle, the bikes, the whole thing. And my roommate actually said to me, she said, "You know, you're a motorcycle mama.

You, you can do more than just Harley." And I was like, "Yeah, you know what? You're right." And, um, I thought, "Okay, well, like, what are the challenges? Okay, well, I have to learn a whole new model line again, and ride a whole new model line," and all that. And then it got to feel more exciting. And plus, it was in New York City.

Mm-hmm. And I was living 10 miles outside of New York City. and I love New York City, and I love riding and driving in the city, so, you know, that's not a challenge for me at all. That's, like, something I'm comfortable with. So I went to the dealership, and I really liked the sales manager, and, you know, it was mutual.

And then, uh, they hired me. And it, honestly, it was great work, because it was a corporate environment. It was, the, the flagship store. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: And it was a beautiful dealership. And I was able... It was on 57th and 11th. It's still there, but they don't have the motorcycles anymore, unfortunately. Oh, no. Yeah.

That's 

Annick (2): too bad. I didn't 

Carolyn: realize that. Kind of a 

Annick (2): bummer. Yeah. 

Carolyn: Yeah. I think it just became- That the floor space- 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm ... 

Carolyn: is, you so expensive in, in Manhattan, it just probably didn't make sense. but I did work there for seven years. Um, and I commuted in and out of the city, and I was able to park my motorcycle right in front of the glass window where my desk was.

That's great. So that was ideal. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: You know, and the first couple of years, I had my Harley, and I'd ride it, park it there, and there it was, until I rode that GS. 

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: And my coworker, Jane, some of you might remember Jane, um, so we were the two blondes working at BMW Manhattan, and there, there was one guy sales, in sales, and she had a GS.

And she's like, "Carolyn, you gotta get on a GS. I know that's gonna be the bike for you." Lo and behold, she was right. Um, so I, you know, when I took it home, I just fell in love with the bike, and, um, even though it, you know, visually, I wasn't sure how I felt about the appeal, 'cause it's like this giant dirt bike, and that, you know, it's a big bike.

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: And, um, but then I was like, "No, this is cool as hell," you know? And it go, like especially riding in New York City, and the roads in New Jersey, you know, which can be pretty horrible- ... um, it just flies over everything. Like, you don't feel railroad tracks. You don't feel bumps, giant potholes, you know. On a Harley, it'd be like, boom.

And on the BMW, it's just, you know, like, whoop. 

Annick (2): Just soak it up, right? 

Carolyn: Yeah. 

Annick (2): Yeah, yeah. 

Carolyn: It's like you don't even... Yeah. The suspension is amazing. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: Um, so yes, I bought the GS, worked there for seven years. Loved it, and, and really enjoyed the corporate environment. Um, then around 2008, there was a huge, you know, cra- really a market crash- Crash

in a sense. Um, and things there started to change. You know, there, there were a few changes they made that- Really took away some of, uh, the perks, you know, that I was getting for working in Manhattan and, and for a corporate dealership. And again, I was just ready for another change. Um, and, and I was living in New Jersey, and then there was a Harley dealership that was going to get the BMW, uh, line.

So they were gonna be a Harley-BMW dealership. Oh, really? Yeah. 

Annick (2): Oh. 

Carolyn: So I said, "You know what? Let me check that out." 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: So now that I had all those years of Harley under my belt and BMW- 

Annick (2): It was more perfect. 

Carolyn: Yeah. It was like, okay, now it's the best of both worlds, you know? Yeah. And I always said, like, the BMW is the brains of a motorcycle, and Harley is the heartbeat, you know?

Yeah. That's the way I see those bikes. 

Annick (2): Good way to look at it. 

Carolyn: You know? And, um, so went for that job, got hired. Um, spent a few years there, but to be honest, they really didn't take BMW as serious as they took the Harley. 

Annick (2): Okay. 

Carolyn: You know? And I really think that was the reason for the, you know, the downfall if you...

You know, they, they... Because showroom-wise, they used maybe a quarter or less of what they had at their dealership for BMW. 

Annick (2): Okay. 

Carolyn: So I don't think it read, you know, as seriously as it should have for BMW riders. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: You know? Where, you know, my commitment to the BMW riders was, like, 100%. Overall, the picture didn't look like that.

Okay. You know, I really think if they maybe even built a separate, um, little facility, that would've been better. But that's water under the bridge, because I found, you know, again, you know, sometimes you can sense- 

Annick (2): Yeah ... 

Carolyn: when the mice are jumping ship or whatever. And was just kinda putting the feelers out there.

Harley-Davidson of New York City- 

Annick (2): Mm ... 

Carolyn: was going to be opening a dealership in Manhattan. Mm. So Harley of New York City is located, or was, they're, they're gone now, but they were located in Long Island City. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. It was one of the longest running 

Carolyn: dealerships. Yeah. Oh, yeah, they were. Yeah, yeah. And they were, you know, and which is Queens, so that's New York City, but- Yep

they wanted a Manhattan location. 

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: So that's, you know, I heard about that, spoke to the owner, and then I was hired as the finance manager of that. And we opened a dealership on Broadway and White, which was downtown- Yeah ... just a few blocks south of SoHo- 

Annick (2): Near 

Carolyn: the Ear, near The Ear ... of Houston. In, yeah, near The Ear.

Yeah. I was near, in fact, we did have Tuesday meetups at The Ear. 

Annick (2): Yep. Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: And, you know, all the, maybe you were there. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: I don't know. You know? Probably 

Annick (2): putting in a visit 

Carolyn: there. Yeah, we would often go there, you know, and, um, mingle and everything- Mm ... talk about bikes and stuff. Like I said, it goes back to the community.

Always. You know, we all wanna talk about, like, where we've gone or where we're heading or- Yeah ... who's riding what and what farkles they put on the bike and stuff like that. we did open up a dealership, uh, in Manhattan. And the odd thing was that the dealership was in a building that was a residential building, so it was main floor and one floor below.

Annick (2): Okay. 

Carolyn: But the thing was, because it was a residential building, you weren't supposed to have fuel in the bikes. So... Long story short of that, it, it just made it challenging. 

Annick (2): Yeah. '

Carolyn: Cause we would do demo rides from the dealership. 

Annick (2): And you guys are right by the, the entrance to the- 

Carolyn: By the Holland Tunnel.

Annick (2): Yeah ... yes, which is also, like, there's traffic there. Like, it was kind of an odd- 

Carolyn: It, yeah, I mean, you know, no one consulted me on the placement of the dealership. Yeah. I was consulted as, you know, "Here's where it's going to be." 

Annick (2): Right. "

Carolyn: What should we do next?" 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: So myself and, uh, Dina, who, Dina Brannis, who was hired as the sales manager from Greece, we were an awesome team together, and w- we, you know, did the hiring for the sales department.

we helped with the, the whole layout and everything. you know, we helped with the opening party and when they were putting all the finishing touches on the dealership. I mean, it was really exciting to do that in Manhattan. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: We, we were able to, host demo rides. We hosted the electric bike. 

Annick (2): Oh, wow. 

Carolyn: Um- I, yeah ... Harley had the, the LiveWire. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: Yeah, they brought the LiveWire there. Cool. And we had two days worth of demo rides, and that bike was really cool. 

you know, and that was at the very beginning of electric motorcycles.

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: And I'll tell you, the LiveWire was a lot of fun to ride. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: Yeah, yeah. And I know BMW has an electric scooter. I would love for them to come out with a, you know, full size electric motorcycle. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: I think that would be great. They have the- So 

Annick (2): you haven't heard any rumblings yet? 

Carolyn: I haven't heard any rumblings about that.

Okay. Yeah, yeah. No, but if they were to ask me, I would say- ... two things, make it full size- 

Annick (2): Yes, yeah ... 

Carolyn: and get, it's gotta have range. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm 

Carolyn: Now, I commute 65 miles each way- Yeah ... to work and from, you know. So even with the electric scooter, I wouldn't be able to do it. 

Annick (2): It's a little on the small side, too. You'd have to take the back roads with that 

Carolyn: one.

Yeah. Yeah. And, you know, it's already an hour and 15 minutes. Yeah. So I'm not adding time. But, um, I think BMW is up to the challenge, you know. 

Annick (2): Yeah, it'd be great if they- I would 

Carolyn: love 

Annick (2): that ... if they, if they could, that would be- I 

Carolyn: would, I would absolutely buy- 

Annick (2): Yeah ... 

Carolyn: an electric motorcycle. Yeah. Yeah. They are very cool.

Annick (2): Well, and that scooter is, like, one, I think one of the best electric vehicle, l- looking vehicles out there. 

Carolyn: Yeah, yeah. And, 

Annick (2): um- 

Carolyn: Oh, it's a very cool vehicle ... it's so cool. I mean, the CE 02, the smaller one, too- Yeah ... so cool. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: But, you know, um, the, the range, you know, I... So I guess if you're just using it locally, it's phenomenal.

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: Same thing with the CE 04. But, um, yeah, just they need a little bit more range. 

Annick (2): Yeah. That's 

Carolyn: all I'm gonna say. But, uh, but then, so, you know, like I said, this is 30 years. Then from New York City, um, just personal life changes, decided to move upstate. 

Annick (2): Mm. 

Carolyn: And that was always my dream to live in the Woodstock area.

I mean, here we are in the beautiful Catskills. 

Annick (2): Music history. 

Carolyn: Music history. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: And incredible roads. 

Annick (2): Yes. 

Carolyn: And great fishing. Yeah. So that's my other passion, fly fishing. 

Annick (2): I love this though. I saw the- Yeah ... yeah, I saw the suit in the garage. 

Carolyn: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, 

Annick (2): yeah. Okay. Yeah, 'cause you... Yeah, this is actually an incredible area for fly fishing.

Carolyn: It is, yes. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: So, um, you know, this has it all. Yeah. So moving up here was, became something that could be a reality. So it was like when we had the opportunity, we moved up here in 2015. and then I got a job at Woodstock Harley-Davidson, which was brief. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: Um, but it was just enough to get us situated here- 

Annick (2): Yeah

Carolyn: and to get a good footing, and then Max BMW. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: Where I've been now, I'm in my 10th year there. 

Annick (2): Already? 

Carolyn: Yeah. 

Annick (2): Wow. Yeah. So Max has a really... You know, not to make this a commercial, but the reality is, is they have an incredible reputation- 

Carolyn: Yes ... 

Annick (2): as far as dealerships. 

Carolyn: They, they really do. And, you know, I met Max when I was working at BMW of Manhattan, when he was there before he opened- 

Annick (2): Oh, really?

Carolyn: the first dealership. 

Annick (2): Okay, so you've known him a long 

Carolyn: time. I remember, you know, it, it was just- Yeah ... kind of in passing. Yeah. It was like, "Okay, this is Max Stratton. He's opening up a new BMW dealership." Mm-hmm. Which the first one was, uh, in New Hampshire. 

Annick (2): Oh, okay. 

Carolyn: Yeah. And so, you know, I met him briefly.

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: But then, of course, you know, over the years as the business grew and they got the Connecticut stores and the, the New York store- Mm-hmm the biggest competitors at the BMW of Manhattan was always- Oh, right ... Max BMW. Max BMW. 

Annick (2): Right, 'cause BMW riders will actually ride- 

Carolyn: Yeah ... as far 

Annick (2): as they need to to get the- 

Carolyn: Exactly

Annick (2): service or the, yeah. 

Carolyn: Yeah. 

Annick (2): Yeah, yeah. So- Oh, 

Carolyn: that's 

Annick (2): funny. You know- I just, yeah, that, yeah, occurred to me. 

Carolyn: Yeah, and we would do dealer swaps- Yeah ... and things like that. Um- But yeah, it was pretty funny, you know, hearing the name and knowing the reputation, and- Yeah ... and having customers of mine talk about Max in a very positive way.

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: and then, uh, when I was at the, the Harley BMW dealer, one of the first things that they had sent me on was actually a Max BMW, Oktoberfest, uh, that they had up at Hunter Mountain. Okay. It was in conjunction with Oktoberfest. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: But they did rides up there. They sponsored a big weekend of rides and everything.

So- 

Annick (2): Another 

Carolyn: great 

Annick (2): area to ride in. 

Carolyn: Oh, it's awesome, you know? Yeah, yeah. And my boss said, you know, "Go up there, you know, and set up a table," blah, blah, blah. And I said, you know, it was like, "Isn't this a Max thing?" You know? 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: But honestly, they were, they were very, welcoming and accommodating to me, which I was grateful for because felt a little bit out of place- Yeah

since it wasn't our thing. But, then when I was, you know, just putting the feelers out there, uh, 10 years ago, you know, right away it was like, Max BMW, you know? The, it was like a no-brainer. And then I went up there and met with Ben- 

Annick (2): Yeah ... 

Carolyn: my boss, and we had a great rapport, and, uh, you know- 

Annick (2): He's Max's brother.

Carolyn: Yeah, Ben's Max's brother, yes. You know, they weren't even really hiring. It was just, I went in and again, you know, told them about my background. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: We had a great rapport, and the next thing you know, you know, I was hired and just immediately started working. I'd say the, the pluses that having all those years of experience, I just walked in and was able to just, you know, learn the new systems.

That's not a problem. and then start selling. Yeah. You know, and, and start meeting people, and making phone calls, and getting to know them. And it's all about, it goes, for me, it goes back to when I initially went to look to buy a motorcycle. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: How did I wanna be treated? You know, how did I wanna be welcomed, spoken to?

How did I want the procedure to go? That's how I try to treat people. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: You know, the same way I would've wanted to be treated, and, really listen to what they want and what their plans are. And sometimes someone will walk in and say, "I want this bike." And you know, that might be the perfect bike for them.

But when I hear what they're talking about, I'll say, "You know what? Try this one, but try this one, too, because you're telling me, everything you're telling me is pointing me in this direction." 

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: sometimes, this has happened, where they'll, they will buy the one that I recommended, 'cause they're like, "Wow, like, I didn't even think about this bike."

Annick (2): Yeah. One of the things I noticed, 'cause like, uh, we, we crossed paths when I went out to Max's. 

and you asked me what bikes that I might be interested in and what type of riding I wanted to do. Right. And you set me up on, I rode I think five bikes that day. 

Carolyn: Yeah. 

Annick (2): And you were right about the bike that you thought was gonna, like, all that.

Yeah. That was 

Carolyn: great. 

Annick (2): And, but one of the things I wanna point out is that you allow test rides. 

Carolyn: Yes, we do allow test rides. Which, which is a huge- And we 

Annick (2): encourage it. Yeah, that is a huge- Yeah ... difference, because again, like, you, you know, you're saying you go in with a perceived idea- Right ... like as a buyer.

Carolyn: Right. 

Annick (2): And there's so many times, you know, I get to test ride a lot of bikes. Until you actually sit and put miles on a bike, like, you really don't know- Yes ... what you're getting into. Exactly. Everything on paper reads one way- Right ... but the visceral experience is totally different. 

Carolyn: Exactly. Yeah. And it is, it's about the feeling.

Yeah. You know? It, it, it truly is. Um- 

Annick (2): It's an incredible selling point. Like, why would you not let your clients- 

Carolyn: Right. It's a- 

Annick (2): You know, I know liability but like the, why would you not have them test ride? 

Carolyn: Right. And I, I do think it also comes down to, like, who your clientele is. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: Because, like, BMW clientele is, is varied in age and, you know, backgrounds.

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: But they are all one thing, serious about motorcycles. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: You know? So it doesn't matter. I mean, if it's, you know, somebody who's 25, you know, or 65, the, because they're looking at BMWs, you know they're serious about what they're doing. Mm-hmm. You know? And so with that, I think comes a certain respect for the bike, you know, and they're not just coming in to joyride.

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: You know? And, um, you know, there are certain models that, you know, like the S 1000RR. You know, we, we generally don't send people out on those, because number one, they're not usually in stock. Yeah. Okay? You know, they just sell like crazy. Um, but number two, they're extremely fast bikes. Yeah. And it really depends on somebody's background, you know, riding- Mm-hmm

a high-performance bike, 

Annick (2): it's- You're also in a tricky spot where pulling out of that dealership can be like a little- 

Carolyn: Yeah, that's what everybody says, the left. 

Annick (2): Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know? And it's like, I, if somebody w- was not prepared to ride that bike, I would never put them on 

Carolyn: it.

Oh, yeah. I know, I know. It's, yeah. I'd just be 

Annick (2): like, "No." 

Carolyn: It could, it could just go... But, you know, but if they're pulling up on, like, a 1000cc sport bike- Yeah ... okay, you know, I get it. You can really ride that. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: Um, but if we have it in stock, you know, it, it really just d- depends on, you know, a number of factors.

But we like to try and set people up on bikes that they wanna ride. Yeah. You know. 

Annick (2): From a, from a buyer's perspective, what is something that you think, if I was a buyer walking in- Mm-hmm ... that I should either ask or know about that not enough people do? 

Carolyn: Um, oh, like, well, there, there are so many factors, you know. So some of the things you wanna think about, like are you taking a passenger or not? 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. You 

Carolyn: know, are you ever gonna have a passenger?

Are you ever going to wanna carry things? What do you ultimately wanna do for the bike, w- with the bike? Um, like, where do you wanna go? Um, and is this a bike you're going to have for one or two years, or do you wanna keep this bike for five or 10 years? 

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: Because that's another thing. Like, riding styles change, and what you're gonna do with it, it changes, you know, because life changes, right?

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: you know, maybe, um, you used to ride sport bikes, but you know, now you're a little older, your back hurts, but you still want something high performance. You know, there's a bike for that. More comfortable, but high performance. Um, maybe you were single, and you just wanted, you know, a roadster to buzz around, you know, you- young, single, just buzzing around town, but you know, now you wanna bring somebody more comfortably on the back of the bike.

Yeah, 

Annick (2): yeah. 

Carolyn: you have to think about just where you're at now, but then also, hey, where are you gonna be with it in, like, two or three or four years. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: You know, because ultimately, my job isn't just to sell you a motorcycle, but to make sure you're happy with it for the next at least few years.

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: You know, because it- it's great if you come back to me every year and buy a bike. But, you know- I would 

Annick (2): never say no to that. 

Carolyn: Right. You know, maybe, like, but come back and buy a second or a third bike. Yeah, yeah. You know? and I've rarely had this happen, where people come back and say, This is totally the wrong bike."

Like, I do not wanna sell you the wrong bike. Mm-hmm. That's, that's part of my main MO. And also, what, you know, when you... This is a sort of analogy, um, that I thought of over the years. You know, going back to when you see a bike versus, that, you know, that you think is right for you- 

Annick (2): Yeah ... 

Carolyn: versus, you know, something that might be right for you.

It's like dating. You see a person that you think, "Wow, that's the one." 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: Sometimes that's not the one. You know, 

Annick (2): reality of dating. 

Carolyn: The reality is sometimes that's not the one. It looks, a person looks like the one- Yeah ... but they're not the one. Yes. This is the one, So, That's why I say ride the bike first.

It's like the fir- go on the first date. You don't wanna marry the person right away. Wait, you know. 

Annick (2): I love 

Carolyn: it. So that's the d- the demo ride is like the first date. 

Annick (2): Yeah. You 

Carolyn: know. 

Annick (2): So how, how can people, you know, reach out to you if they're interested in buying a bike? 

Carolyn: So Best Thing Max BMW- Okay ... in Troy, New York.

Annick (2): Okay. 

Carolyn: Call or email, um- And 

Annick (2): stopping in, it's worth stopping in. 

Carolyn: Definitely stop in. Yeah, yeah. Definitely. Um, and yeah, the reason why I start with call or email is just simply let me know what you're looking for, let me know if you have a trade. We take trades of all different brands. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: Um, you know, just give me a little background so if there's anything I can do before you show up- 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm

Carolyn: I will. I'll do the footwork. Um, I'll get a price on your trade. Um, but definitely come in because seeing the bikes, sitting on them, um, you know, and, and just feeling the ergonomics and if it's right for you is gonna take you to step two, which is the demo. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: Bring your helmet. Yeah. Bring your gloves, your jacket, um, you know, whatever you normally wear when you ride.

I'm not gonna tell you what to wear, but I do recommend- ... safety gear, 100%. Um, bring your dr- it's gotta be a motorcycle license. 

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: And, um, also BMW has incentives, uh, for veterans, emergency services. 

Annick (2): Oh, that's good to know. 

Carolyn: Yeah. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: So, um, BMW does offer, you know, some incentives on every model. 

Annick (2): Is there ever, like, a senior discount?

Carolyn: There's no senior discount, no. Okay, just 

Annick (2): curious. 

Carolyn: we'll, we'll see what we can do. Always ask. Yeah, just ask. Yeah. Of course, veterans, you know- Yeah ... we thank you for your service, honestly. One of the things I love about working for Max BMW is there are no games. There's not all this back and forth. There are not tons of extra fees. Um, you know, some dealerships, you know- 

Annick (2): Yeah, I do. Yeah. 

Carolyn: It's, it's like Ticketmaster, you know? Yeah. It's like you have the, you touch the computer- I 

Annick (2): know

Carolyn: fee. You have this fee. You have ... Yeah. You 

Annick (2): have that one. You're like, you know, in the end you're like, "Well, what ... Like, what is this?" Yeah. "This is not what we talked about." 

Carolyn: Yeah. Yeah. We have like the motorcycle- Yeah, yeah ... the dock fee, and tax. 

Annick (2): There, there's also one other thing I, I ... Because I went up to the dealership and actually looked, and Ben gave me a tour.

Okay. Your, your ... The shop is amazing. 

Carolyn: Oh, yeah. The shop is excellent. Yeah. I'll tell you, our technicians, uh, they're well-trained- Yeah ... from BMW. Um, our service manager has been servicing BMWs forever. Yeah. I mean, he, he... We can literally service ev- every- And- ... end-of-year BMW motorcycle ... 

Annick (2): that was, yeah, that, that was what actually I was impressed about, because now as you see, like, all these dealerships moving towards even just the latest and great- like, just what they have.

Carolyn: Oh, yeah. 

Annick (2): When I walked back there and saw all the vintage BMWs that you guys were working on- Yes ... I, I was shocked. 

Carolyn: Yeah. 

Annick (2): In the best way possible. Right. I'm, like, really impressed that... And it's, like, immaculate. Like, it's a clean shop. It's- 

Carolyn: Yes. 

Annick (2): So it, it's the type of place you want your bike to be serviced.

Carolyn: Yeah. 

Annick (2): Yeah, which was pretty cool. 

Carolyn: Yeah, it definitely is. Um- 

Annick (2): And you guys do pickup. 

Carolyn: We do pickup, yeah. Yeah. Pickup and delivery- Which is awesome, because some people are like- ... for service and 

Annick (2): sales ... yeah, it's a real 

Carolyn: saver. Um, we ship bikes anywhere in the US. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: So that's another thing. We do a lot of- Yeah

out-of-state sales. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: I have people calling me from California, Arizona, Oregon, like, wherever. Yeah. And we ship, and it's very reasonable, too. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: Um, yeah, and you know, again, like, we just... I have a customer from California that shows up every year with his daughter. We take pictures together, talk about bikes- 

Annick (2): Aw

Carolyn: every year, and you know, I've seen his daughter grow up, and, like, it's just, it's really nice to be a part of not just a sale, but, like, people's life experiences. 

Annick (2): Mm. 

Carolyn: You know? And we've, I mean, we do get into talking about various things, and, um, sometimes, you know, it does get a little philosophical and deep.

And, and that's great, you know, because I mean, this is something, uh, that we're passionate about. 

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: You know, and like I said, you know, I never planned on this to be- 

Annick (2): Yeah, 

Carolyn: yeah ... a full-time career. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: But it's kinda like, well, would I wanna sell cars? No. Like, I'm not, you know- 

Annick (2): Yeah ... 

Carolyn: I'm sure I could sell You know, three times as many cars and, you know, probably make a lot more money, but is it going to be fulfilling?

Annick (2): Right. 

Carolyn: You know? And, and I believe that life should have fulfillment- 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm ... 

Carolyn: you know, every 24 hours, honestly. I mean, and there's no reason we shouldn't have that. 

Annick (2): Well, as a full circle thing- 

Carolyn: Mm-hmm ... 

Annick (2): the day that I was there, Ben, your boss, was like, "Oh, you better make sure that you get going 'cause you need to be in the city to play your show."

There you go. Oh, 

Carolyn: that's right. 

Annick (2): So I was like, you know, like I was... And then I saw you, I was like, "Oh, it's like you, you left early- 

Carolyn: That's right ... 

Annick (2): to go play a gig." 

Carolyn: Yeah. And that's- 

Annick (2): Like, I think that's cool. Like, that- 

Carolyn: It's, I'll tell you, it's absolutely wonderful and amazing. Um, and I'm not just saying this, Ben-

but that, you know, that Ben is incredibly supportive of what I do musically. Yeah. You know, he's come to see me play. That's cool. He's brought his kids, and, you know- Yeah ... his wife has seen me play and everything. And, um, you know, I've had bosses that weren't as, um, supportive and, and just, you know, couldn't even get an answer as to whether or not I could leave early.

And, you know, Ben's fully supportive, so that's really great. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

this is all as an outside observer. Like, you know, I didn't really know you before that day. Yeah. And it was just kind of cool to see, like, this all, this whole thing play out. 

Carolyn: Right. Right. Yeah. 

Annick (2): It gives you a different perspective of, like, what, what a business is or, like, what, you know, where you, you're working because, you know, as you're talking about, like, being in the s- doing that type of sales versus something else.

Carolyn: Right. 

Annick (2): the longevity of holding any job- 

Carolyn: Mm-hmm ... 

Annick (2): is knowing that it's going to, you know, be fulfilling- 

Carolyn: Yes ... 

Annick (2): pay enough. 

Carolyn: Right. Right. Exactly. Yeah. 

Annick (2): You know? That's so true. Not get annoyed by the small stuff. You know, like- Right ... jobs are always gonna have- 

Carolyn: Always. 

Annick (2): Yeah ... their, you know, irritations, but- 

Carolyn: Yeah

yeah. I mean, even, you know, and a lot of people, they'll come to me all enamored, like, with motorcycle sales and say, you know, like, "Oh my God, I wanna do motorcycle sales." Yeah. You know, "What do you think? Do you..." You know, k- And, and, you know, to something like that, I would say, "You know, if you really wanna do it, certainly get, you know, get into it.

Try it. You know, why not?" 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: But, you know, a lot of people worry about doing something for a living that you love- Right ... because then maybe it won't be something you love. Yeah. Um, because there are challenges with it. You know, and there are days where it's frustrating. And, you know, like, people say, "Well, what do you do in the winter?"

And, you know- I know at this point what I need to do- Mm-hmm ... in the winter to keep everything going. Um, but I think for a lot of people it would be frustrating. And I also think that, you know, to provide someone with an excellent customer experience can also be frustrating because it depends on who you're working with.

Annick (2): Yeah, yeah. 

Carolyn: You know, there are some people who can- It 

Annick (2): can be 

Carolyn: difficult sometimes ... make something wonderful into something completely miserable. 

Annick (2): Yeah, 

Carolyn: yeah. And that's just who they are. But, um, for the most part, you know, people are thrilled to buy a motorcycle. Yeah. Why shouldn't they be? You know? 

Annick (2): It's happy ti- it's not a, it's not a need, it's a want.

Carolyn: Exactly. 

Annick (2): Which is a whole different mindset than perhaps, like, you know, a car where you have to have a vehicle. 

Carolyn: Right, right. Yeah. You know. But a lot of riders, as you know- Mm-hmm ... it's, yes, we could call it a luxury. We could call it, you know- An accessory ... a want. Many would call it a necessity. Yeah, yeah, 

Annick (2): yeah.

It's like 

Carolyn: I have never not owned a motorcycle- Yeah ... since the first day I bought one, you know? I couldn't see my life without one. 

Annick (2): Yeah. 

Carolyn: You know, there's, there's no day that goes by that I think, like, "Oh, maybe I'll, m- you know, sell my bikes or not ride anymore." I mean, and, you know- Even though I've had adverse things happen along the way, honestly, I don't think there's anything that's gonna keep me from riding because it's just, it really is a, a wonderful experience to be on a bike and, you know, smelling all the smells and feeling the road.

You know, you know that excitement. 

Annick (2): Yeah, yeah. 

Carolyn: And- There's 

Annick (2): nothing like it ... 

Carolyn: it's like the, you know, the, uh, joys definitely outweigh the risks. 

Annick (2): Mm-hmm. 

Carolyn: You know? And we do what we can to lessen those risks, but the, um, the real joy and the freedom, you know, it, it's, it's right there, you know, on the road. 

Annick (2): It's so great.

I, I have to thank you so much for inviting me into your home. 

Carolyn: You're very welcome. Yeah, 

Annick (2): this was a- 

Carolyn: Thank you. Yeah, 

Annick (2): yeah. This 

Carolyn: was a blast. 

Annick (2): Yeah. I love it. Especially you and your bandmate, which you're gonna, I'm gonna play, you know- Nice ... after this interview, the song you performed for me. Great. 'Cause that wa- it was electric.

It was cool. 

Carolyn: Aw. Thank you, Annick. Yeah, thank you. 

Annick (2): Appreciate 

Carolyn: it. Thank you. 

Annick (2): And to everyone else, ride smart. Ciao. 

Carolyn: Peace out.

(Live Performance from Carolyn’s band - Orangutwins)

Carolyn: Song. It's called Loners, Misfits, and Rebels. That's right, those are, those are my people….

* OUTRO *