Sport spurs business
When Mike Singh climbed astride a motorcycle at the age of 10 years, he was gaining an introduction to a vehicle which would one day make him a living.
With a history of adventure riding and motocross racing behind him, there is little the 48-year-old Rangiora man does not know about the workings of a motocross bike or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
When one or the other falters, its owner invariably turns to Mike and, after a short confinement at his new workshop at 360 Fernside Rd, Rangiora, it is returned to him or her in a fully functioning state.
What once was a sport and a recreation has become a vocation for Mike who has also served his time on quad bikes during a period as a North Canterbury cattle farmer.
He completed his mechanics’ apprenticeship and, 18 years ago, decided to open his own home business, NZ Lifestyle and Motorcycles.
Since then, he has built up a reputation for reliable service, repairing motocross bikes and ATVs that are brought to him and selling both second-hand motorcycles online.
‘‘All my stock are preowned ex-lease bikes. I also specialise in second-hand ATVs,’’ he says.
Mike has a free local pick-up and drop-off service for vehicles that have been booked in for repair.
As his business has expanded, Mike has brought experienced contractors on board to assist with repairs while he focuses his attention on sales, quotes for repairs and general customer service. He also makes himself available to provide advice on ATVs and motocross bikes.
With such an extensive association with bikes and farm vehicles, Mike considers he is committed to the genre for the rest of his working life.
‘‘I can’t see myself doing anything else,’’ he says.
‘‘Stick to what you know – isn’t that what they say?’’
Three sons – aged 17 years, 14 years and 9 years – have followed their father’s example and are enthusiastic young motocross riders. They are learning how to maintain their bikes while developing their riding techniques.
Will they follow their father into the business he has grown on his lifestyle block in Rangiora? It’s a little too early to say, he says, because teenage boys don’t always ride predictable career tracks.
However, Mike has his fingers crossed. It would be great to have some cover while he uses one of his bikes to pursue fishing and hunting interests.