Westedge Cycle

Westedge Cycles looks like a hole in-​the wall dive of a little bike shop if your just driving by. But don’t let the outside of the business fool you. This guy runs a squared away, profesional shop inside.
The owner/​operator is a great mechanic with experience on a variety of different makes. He used to be one of the main mechanics at Maryott Honda back in the day.
The actual service area is downstairs in back of the old building and consists of 2 or 3 lifts, a couple tire macinges and even a full Dynojet on site! OK, the Dyno is actually upstairs, but how many independant shops have that!?!
As far as the complaint from another reviewer about tire changes… welcome to 2011. Not too many shops doing them in Skagit County. I just went through the same thing with a set of tires purchased online. Most shops either A) won’t do them or B) want $ 50 PER TIRE. I understand being upset over the miscommunication, but 2 stars? Really? Even after you were satisfied with other service still willing to schedule a tune up?
So far, I’ve had a great experience with this place and will start to bring my Triumph, Ducatis and Husqvarna to him from now on.
Please look at all the glowing reviews that have been strangely filtered out by Unilocal (I’d give him a 5 too, but I’m afraid my review will hit their «fake review» filter, too). As independent motorcycle mechanics go, Westedge is a real find.

I was on a ride with some friends on Wed. As we approached the Deception Pass bridge on Whidbey Island, I start to wobble bad due to the fact my rear tire had gone pancake flat. Stranded. Called the first motorcycle shop in Anacortes that came up on a search. Rob answered and within 45 minutes he was there with his truck and trailer loading up my bike. I had got a small nail that punctured the tube (spoked wheels). Rob got the tire off, put in a new tube, re-​balanced the wheel and reinstalled. This was about 2 hours of his time. He said «How ’bout $ 100 plus the cost of the tube.» Wow. I upped the ante a bit considered he dropped everything he was doing to come get my bike and get me fixed and on my way. I wish I lived closer to Anacortes because I would take my bike to Rob in a heartbeat.

I’m not sure you’re if the last person is experiencing a bit of «Can’t see the forest for the trees» syndrome. But I won’t go into deconstructing the possible errors of his final logic or barrating someone I don’t know online, and besides, this is about westedge. I“ll try and say it simply so this doesn’t come out too long. I called getting an estimate for a rear tire for a sportster, he quoted me (I was surprised that the quote included tax and labor!!!), I made an appointment, recheduled because of snow, showed up with a screw in my tire from Oak Harbor, talked, checked out his awesome shop (you’ll be interested to know it’s the old anacortes jail, really the place is cool, and by the way he’s chosen to maximize the space, you can just tell he has a history with bikes, and knows what he’s doing and talking about), I asked where a BofA is he said 2 blocks away, I left my bike parked outside, walked the 2 blocks to the ATM, got a drink at the safeway and walked back looking to talk some more, when I got back it was done. My mouth pretty much dropped. So here’s the short review: Prompt! Honost! Friendly! Knowledgable! Convenient!(considering it was winter) Reliable workmanship! And on this occasion, fast! One hell of a deal for me and I recommend it.

I’ve used Westedge a couple of times to mount up tires I’ve purchased on the internet, and have been happy with the service and the price of the service. First time was a pair. He mentioned he could beat internet pricing for the most part. I told him I’d buy some tires from him next time. Then I promptly forgot.
I had to replace one new tire that went flat after 1000 miles due to a big hole. I figured I’d get free shipping and ordered two other tires for my other bike at the same time. I took the single tire in to Westedge. He mentioned our prior discussion. I apologized and told him I’d forgotten (this was a year later), but after my next set I’d check out his pricing.
Today, I went in with the final pair.
Westedge: «Hey dude, what’s up?»
Me: «Hey, can you mount a couple of tires today?»
Westedge: «If you can leave them with me, I can probably get to it.»
Me: «Okay, I’m off work around 2 – 2:30, I’ll check back with you.»
Me: «By the way, I need a 12k mile service done on my other bike, a blahblahblahfitty, what’s an average cost for a service?»
Westedge: «Oh, I can’t tell ya man, I’d have to look it up. If I just gave you a price, I’d shoot myself in the foot»
Me: «Fair enough. Want me to bring in a list?»
Westedge: «Nah, I can look it up in the book»
Me: «Okay, I’ll check back when I come in for the tires»
I open my hatch to pull the tires out.
Westedge: «Ya know man, I’ll have to pass on mounting your tires. I don’t do internet tires any more…»
Me: «I told you when I brought in the last one that I still had another set and I’d be pricing you after this set…»
Westedge: «You say that every time man, try Skagit Powersports.»
I shut the hatch and left with my tires. AND my money. I guess he’s just too busy to make money any more.
The way I look at it. He could have raised his prices to compensate for not making any money on the tires like every other moto shop does, continue on with the regular deal and keep my business, or turn me away. In this day and age, I don’t think turning down work is the right way for *any* business to operate, but what do I know, I’m just the consumer.
I’d have given him one star, but the first couple of times I went, I got decent service.
Update — 10/​17/​2011
After reading the comment by the owner, I can appreciate his philosophy on doing business, but I will refute his claim that he gave me a quote for work. Had he provided me with a quote at the time he claimed, I would have had him do the work, as I had received decent service up til that point. This will be the last post from me on this subject, as I refuse to be dragged into a he-​said/​he-​said pissing match. My review stands as written, YOU make your own decision. Go have him do some work for you, and do your OWN review.