It has been over 15 years in business and we’re still rockin and ridin.
I would like to thank all the people who have supported me through my days of being in the dungeon at the Collins Company with no heat, but a lot of cool bikes, to a shop that has two heaters. It’s so nice to be warm in the winter. Remember ride hard and take chances – we got plenty of parts at the shop to fix it.
Mitch
P. S. Please remember if you ride the trail systems in the area, support your local clubs. If it wasn’t for groups like the Berkshire Trail Riders, Netra and others you would have no where to trail ride. Please donate or join their groups.
Posted December 14th, 2011 by Mitch | Filed under: News | Comments Off
Dealernews , January 2005
Mitch Wylie Knows Dirt
Strictly Dirt goes from Dad’s backyard shed to storefront off-road mecca
What does Strictly Dirt mean?
It means running hare scrambles on any Sunday or trail rides and big hill climbs any chance you get. It doesn’t mean big lumbering V-twins or asphalt blasting sports or cute-as-a-button scooter rides.
To Mitch Wylie the phrase is a business philosophy that took him from backyard shed, to axe factory basement to mainstream storefront.Like many before him, Wylie took a sweat-and-blood hobby, and with even more of the same, turned it into a living. His is a specialty shop in every sense – it’s in the name for Pete’s sake – Strictly Dirt.
“I don’t cater to anything in street,” says Wylie of his Canton, Connecticut, motorcycle shop. “There’s nothing really to offer anybody in that. I don’t do Harleys. I don’t do lawn mowers. I don’t do go karts. I do dirtbikes.”
You’ve seen places like Wylie’s before. You’ve known guys like Wylie. Ask for a set of forks for a RM125 and he’ll point you to a cluster of tubes and triple clamps so dense that confusion is the only adjective that comes to mind.
Not for Mitch. Even in that chaos, and on the shelves of clutch baskets, the stacks of shocks and mess of used parts, his knowledge is encyclopedic.
“If I’ve got it, I know where it all is. As far as those used parts go, that’s all in my head. We don’t have a computer listing. You don’t punch it up and say it’s in grid G over on shelf four. Nope, it’s all upstairs. So the concussions over the years of racing have been taking their toll”
Wylie initially tapped into the used parts market because it was untapped in his area. With his business plan in mind, he moved into the bottom floor of the historic Collins Axe Factory. Now he has a storefront shop where he sells new products alongside stuff that qualifies as used – parts about eight years old and newer.
“A lot of guys can’t afford to go out and buy a $5,000 or $6,000 bike, but they still want to go out and ride,” he says.
These days, he doesn’t do repairs on bikes more than 10 years old, but does stock a hefty supply of used parts. He gets calls from people all over the country who heard about his used selection by word of mouth.
“The furthest I’ve shipped parts is Alaska and Mexico,” he says, stressing he’d rather not go international.
In sticking to selling only dirtbikes, the disadvantages and the advantages start to bleed together, he says. Slow season means he gets to put the weekly grind on hiatus and close the shop for three weeks in January. Sure he’s closed, but it’s a nice respite from the long hours his staff of four works five days a week.
One big bonus of staying strictly dirt? Sticking to one specific area of motorcycling means he can be a purist in his business practices, a tack that leads to running a real specialty shop fueled by his expertise, he says.
Pull your 95 YZ250 into his service shop and start it up and Wylie says he can tell you everything the bike needs just by listening.
For a hobby born on rides on his grandfather’s touring bike and nourished at the early years of Southwick, Wylie figures he’s been around motorcycles his whole life.
“I had no idea what this thing was going to grow into,” he says. “This started out like I said – it was just my hobby. I liked dirtbikes. It more found me than I found it.”
Posted December 14th, 2011 by Mitch | Filed under: News | Comments Off
Between less and less land and the lawyers that dream up new ways to sue innocent people on behalf of their clients stupidity, they have all but killed MotoX in Connecticut. For example, a woman spills coffee in her lap and gets $3,000,000 now no one gets piping hot coffee anymore. It’s the same thing with riding, many of us ride and take the chance while others take the chance, crash then sue the land owner, hence, less and less open land to ride.
Let’s not forget the people that move into new developments, with no regard to the area they are moving into. These are the people that call the police to complain the first time they hear that someone is riding a dirt bike and the noise annoys them. The funny thing is they moved into an area where people have been riding for years. Remember neighbor, “You moved into our neighborhood, we didn’t move into yours”.
Also, thanks to the lawmakers and legislators who have closed our public land to offroad riding! They have gone as far as to give the D.E.P. the power to come on to your property without a warrant and issue tickets to all riders who have not registered their dirt bikes. Last time I checked this was still the United States.
In Maine you are not allowed to sue a land owner if you crash your sled while crossings their property. How is this a benefit? The land remains open and you can ride large expanses of land. Have you tried that in Connecticut lately?
-enjoy-
Posted December 14th, 2011 by Mitch | Filed under: News | Comments Off
Just a few days left until Christmas and we’re kicking it off with a killer Tire Special. 10% off all tires in stock. Including tires already on sale! That includes our Michelin Starcross HP4 special. Rear 110/90-19 only $55, Front 90/100-21 only $45. Buy the set for only $90 and take another 10% off. $81 for two tires can’t be beat. Must mention offer to receive the deal.
Posted December 18th, 2011 by Mitch | Filed under: Specials | Comments Off
15% off all in stock helmets between now and Christmas. Must mention offer at time of purchase. Tell your friends, only a few days left.
Posted December 16th, 2011 by Mitch | Filed under: Specials | Comments Off
Come on down and check out our latest shirts. Kick butt designs in tie-dye and black. Get yours today.
Posted December 14th, 2011 by Mitch | Filed under: Specials | Comments Off
From now until Christmas all HJC CL-15 helmets in stock are on sale for $79.95. Much mention this offer when purchasing. We’ve got a great selection but at this price they won’t last long.
Posted December 14th, 2011 by Mitch | Filed under: Specials | Comments Off
Universal Handlebar
You’ve heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, well now you have Dirty Thursday. We’ve got a sale on Universal handlebars between now and Christmas. 7/8″ bars regularly $64.95 are on sale for $35, 1 1/8″ bars regularly $79.95 on sale for $39. Must mention this offer at time of purchase. Valid only on bars in stock. Stay tuned for more holiday sales.
Posted December 6th, 2011 by Mitch | Filed under: Specials | Comments Off
When it comes to combining quality of construction, the most advanced safety technology, comfort, durability, and good looks, the 2012 line of racewear from Troy Lee Designs is as good as it gets. Come in today and see for yourself.
Posted November 9th, 2011 by Mitch | Filed under: Specials | Comments Off
The choice of motocross, off-road and Supermoto riders everywhere, Honda’s championship-winning CRF450R received a host of refinements in 2006.
This bike features One Industries plastics and graphics for a unique look.
$2,350
Posted November 9th, 2011 by Mitch | Filed under: Bikes for Sale | Comments Off
