text: wanting to find out what it takes to open up a new motorcycle dealership and service department.? seriously wanting to open up a new motorcycle dealership.wanting to find out the basics what it takes to do so,aka cost, requirements, guidelines,ect.having difficulties in getting motorcycle representatives to call me back.looking for any and all resources that can give me a better idea if i can do it and what needs to be done. well you are going to need to get a dealer's license. a friend of my boyfriend's is going to be a car dealer but he can't get his dealer's license unless he has a place. so first you need to get a place and find out if it is zoned for what you want to do.  so in order to figure out costs. first you need your rent of the building or if you are going to buy it. than you need to figure out how much you are going to pay for utilities (phone, internet, gas, electric,etc) . than you need to figure out what equipment you want in your service department and tools. figure out what office equipment you need (desks, filling cabnients, etc). next figure out what staff you want to start with. how many techs, receptionist, salesmen, etc. figure out how much you are going to want to pay them. keep in mind if they are full time you have to offer them benefits. make contacts with harley davidson and other motorcylce companies to find out how much it will cost to buy motorcycles from them to sell. you are also going to want to figure out procedures (clocking in, filing systems, paperwork for buying the motorcycles, inventory) also you have to file with your states taxation department to get a tax id number because you'll have to pay tax. also you will want to get a tax exemption number to buy motorcylces and parts because you will techincally be reselling these things so you don't have to pay tax. you also have to register your name. basically figure out what you need in terms of money so that you can get a start up loan.   got to small business admisitration website for more ideas  http://www.sba.gov/  also you need to figure out how you are going to let your customers pay, if you want to take credit cards you'll need a credit card machine. if you want to take checks you'll probably want a posted policy or in the contract for buying or getting a bike fixed that the bike will get put in their possession once the check goes through. also you are going to need to talk to a bank about financing if people want to pay with a loan.  hope this helps