Brian Croft on KTM, Dealers & The Future of Retail for Motorcycle and Powersports Dealerships

Like you, I do not have time to sit down and read. Between building a company, travel, staying healthy, and family, quiet reading time is not realistic. But learning still matters.So this year I went all in on audiobooks. Gym. Sauna. Dog walks. Driving. Early mornings. Late nights. And I learned more than I have in years.In this solo foundation episode, I break down the books that shaped how I think about sales, marketing, leadership, money, psychology, and running a tighter dealership operation. For each book, I share what it gets right, a takeaway you can actually use, and how to apply it inside a dealership.Books covered in this episode:12 Rules for Life by Jordan B Peterson$100M Leads by Alex Hormozi$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi$100M Money Models by Alex HormoziCEO Excellence by Carolyn DewarBuy Back Your Time by Dan MartellTrust Me I’m Lying by Ryan HolidayThe Laws of Human Nature by Robert GreeneNever Split the Difference by Chris VossVelocity 2.0 by Dale PollakMagnetic Marketing by Dan KennedyExtreme Ownership by Jocko WillinkAtomic Habits by James ClearGood to Great by Jim CollinsHow to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale CarnegieNext up on my 2026 list:The Goal by Eliyahu M GoldrattThe Advantage by Patrick LencioniCompeting in the Age of AI by Marco Iansiti and Karim R LakhaniThey Ask You Answer by Marcus SheridanTurn the Ship Around by L David MarquetLinks:Sponsor: ⁠dealers.motohunt.com⁠Connect with Jacob: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-b-berry/⁠Check us out on Youtube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@dealershipfixit?si=eOzwfr1XoIzQdp9v

If you want to sell more units, stop chasing random marketing ideas.Build a system.In this solo episode, I walk through an evergreen marketing framework for powersports dealers to move major units faster, protect margin, and create more repeat business. We cover inventory merchandising, first party data, equity mining, paid ads, organic content, community, service driven opportunities, and how AI can increase speed and consistency.Key topicsInventory age buckets and a weekly standup that forces movementGiveaways that build your list and create buyers even when they do not winMining your sold list and service ROs for trade opportunitiesGoogle intent campaigns and Meta inventory catalog adsThe offer formula that makes promos work year roundA 7 day challenge to implement the system immediatelySponsor: dealers.motohunt.comConnect with Jacob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-b-berry/Check us out on Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dealershipfixit?si=eOzwfr1XoIzQdp9v

What if the internet is not the real problem?In this throwback episode of The Dealership Fixit Podcast, Craig Martin joins the show to share lessons from decades in powersports as a dealership owner, race team manager, track operator, and distributor rep.Craig explains why charging customers more for internet purchases pushes them away, how flipping service pricing builds loyalty, and why used motorcycles are one of the most underutilized profit centers in dealerships today.The conversation also covers employee incentives, commission structures in parts departments, improving customer experience at the counter, and why strong brick-and-mortar stores still matter more than ever.This episode is packed with practical ideas for dealers who want better margins, better staff performance, and better customer retention without chasing every online trend.Connect with Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-martin/Follow and listen to The Dealership Fixit PodcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/32L4getcOmBCYL3fRxDlyH?si=2c816556bab94519Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealership-fixit-podcast/id1449367603Watch full episodes on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RWgq6pFKN8dHurvKa858ASponsored by MotoHunt dealers.motohunt.com

Jason Gearld joins Brian to talk about building Phoenix Handlebars, why fewer bends and clearer choices sell better at the counter, and how dealers can create a parts department customers want to visit. Jason also shares practical hiring tips from his work with MotorcycleIndustryJobs and why trade shows still matter for local stores.What you will learn:A simple spec approach that makes bars easier to sellHow to merchandise new parts without turning into a discount binCustomer experience moves that increase repeat visitsHow to write job posts that attract riders and not just resumesWhy dealers should adopt a product storyteller inside partsConnect with Jason:Phoenix Handlebars: https://phoenixhandlebars.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-gearld-2451408/MotorcycleIndustryJobs: https://www.motorcycleindustryjobs.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RWgq6pFKN8dHurvKa858ASponsor: MotoHunt Dealers https://dealers.motohunt.com

Building the right compensation plan isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most powerful tools a dealership has to shape performance and culture.In this throwback episode, Steve Dodd joins The Dealership Fixit Podcast to explain how comp plans drive behavior, how to build one that rewards performance without breaking the bank, and how to fix broken pay structures that cause turnover or missed goals.How to research and set pay levels for key rolesThe link between pay plans and dealer profitabilityWhen to include floorplan, F&I, or volume targets in compensationManaging change when switching from hourly to commission or flat-rate payHow to keep great employees motivated long-termConnect with Steve Dodd on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-dodds-ii-6274752b/Listen and Follow:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/32L4getcOmBCYL3fRxDlyH?si=2c816556bab94519Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealership-fixit-podcast/id1449367603YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RWgq6pFKN8dHurvKa858ASponsor: MotoHunt Dealers – https://dealers.motohunt.com

Powersports veteran Brian Croft returns to The Dealership Fixit Podcast, this time representing KTM Group North America, where he leads inside sales for the central to West‐coast region plus Alaska & Hawaii. He shares a rich 25+ year journey through dealerships, distributors, parts, and OEM leadership.In this episode, we dive deep into:How KTM has evolved its dealer-partner strategy since restructuring and why alignment matters.The edge dealers gain when they stock highly desirable machines and build specialist culture.The major front-line challenges dealers face today: flooring costs, staffing, buyer readiness.Why storytelling, brand focus, and experiential retail are more critical than ever.What opportunities exist right now for stores who are willing to differentiate.Connect With Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/motocroft/ Connect With Jacob: ⁠https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-b-berry ⁠Follow the Fixit Online: ⁠https://linktr.ee/dealershipfixit⁠Sponsor: ⁠dealers.motohunt.com⁠Listen to More Spotify: ⁠https://spoti.fi/3N9lzfg ⁠Further Episodes Apple Podcast: ⁠https://apple.co/43FoanX ⁠Interviews YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@dealershipfixit ⁠

In this episode, Dealership Fixit Podcast host Jacob Berry talks with Gene Silas, Vice President of Sales at Brightline Dealer Advisors, about how the best dealers turn process into profit.Gene’s story starts in the Marine Corps and leads through decades in automotive and powersports leadership. He shares what’s working right now in F&I, how dealers can audit for silent profit leaks, and why training accountability is the missing link in most stores.Highlights:The biggest training mistake in dealership F&IWhy GMs must stop managing by spreadsheetWhat reinsurance really means for powersports dealersHow to spot internal theft before it drains your storeBuilding retention with real career paths, not empty promisesHow AI can simplify dealership auditing overnightConnect with Gene:Gene Silas on LinkedInBrightline Dealer Advisors: https://brightlinedealeradvisors.comListen and Follow:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/32L4getcOmBCYL3fRxDlyHApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealership-fixit-podcast/id1449367603YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RWgq6pFKN8dHurvKa858ASponsor:Smarter inventory, faster turns, better buys: dealers.motohunt.com

Why are powersports insurance rates skyrocketing? Why are major carriers leaving the market? And what can dealers actually do about it?Jacob Berry sits down with Zach Materne, Commercial Risk Consultant and former dealership operator, to unpack the real reasons coverage is getting harder to find, and how to protect your store before renewal.Zach explains what’s behind insurer exits like K&K and Harco, the truth about test ride and event coverage, and the #1 claim dealers don’t see coming: false pretense. He also shares practical ways to audit your coverage, prepare before renewal, and build a risk management culture that keeps your team, your customers, and your margins protected.Listen in to understand how to treat insurance like a system — not just a piece of paper.Connect with Zach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-materne/Connect with Jacob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-b-berry/Listen to learn how to sharpen your used inventory playbook and boost your dealership’s profitability.Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/32L4getcOmBCYL3fRxDlyH?si=2c816556bab94519⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealership-fixit-podcast/id1449367603⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RWgq6pFKN8dHurvKa858A⁠Follow Dealership Fixit:⁠TikTok ⁠| ⁠X⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠Sponsor: ⁠dealers.motohunt.com

Jacob Berry joins the One Gang Worldwide podcast to break down what is working now for powersports dealers. We cover dealer-to-dealer buying, service-lane acquisition, fast recon, and digital merchandising that moves units. Jacob also shares his journey from WyoTech grad and Mercedes tech to sales, BDC leadership, building internet departments across RideNow, navigating the RumbleOn era, and launching AMP Digital and MotoHunt to help dealers buy right and turn faster.Listen for practical steps to source better, price smarter, and turn aged units faster.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/32L4getcOmBCYL3fRxDlyHApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealership-fixit-podcast/id1449367603YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RWgq6pFKN8dHurvKa858ASponsor: dealers.motohunt.com

In this episode, Powersports Business Editor in Chief & Power Hour Podcast host, Brendan Baker joins Jacob Berry for a deep dive into the new rules of pre-owned success. Dealers across the country are surviving on used inventory and the best operators are treating it like a science.Brendan and Jacob cover:How to build dealer-to-dealer buy relationships that actually workWhy your service department is your most underused buying sourceHow to turn trades faster through smart reconditioningThe right way to merchandise used bikes online for real conversionsPlus, Brendan opens up about running Powersports Business, where the industry is headed, and why print still matters.Listen to learn how to sharpen your used inventory playbook and boost your dealership’s profitability.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/32L4getcOmBCYL3fRxDlyH?si=2c816556bab94519Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealership-fixit-podcast/id1449367603YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RWgq6pFKN8dHurvKa858AFollow Dealership Fixit:TikTok | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | FacebookSponsor: dealers.motohunt.com