22 • October 2023 • Powersports Business www . PowersportsBusiness . com

BY MADELYN HUBBARD ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Simply Ride of Eden Prairie , Minnesota , is the largest pre-owned motorcycle dealership in the state . “ We have the largest used inventory in one place in Minnesota ,” says Andy Brinkhaus , general manager of the dealership . “ We ’ ll consistently be between 200 to 250 units at our height . That ’ s at one building .”

Owner Brian Cox opened the dealership in 2006 after selling used motorcycles out of his garage . “ He bought a motorcycle , was out riding with some people and sold his bike and realized he could make some money ,” Brinkhaus says . So , he opened Simply Sport Bikes and began to grow his inventory of used motorcycles .

Three years ago , the dealership took on Yamaha and began selling ATVs and side-bysides in addition to motorcycles . Cox changed the name of the dealership to Simply Ride , “ because we pretty much sell anything you can ride and have fun with ,” Brinkhaus says .

SHARE A BEER AND TALK MOTORCYCLES

Brinkhaus credits the dealership ’ s success to Cox ’ s hard work and engagement with the community . “ He would sell all of his bikes on group motorcycle rides ,” Brinkhaus says . “ Community engagement is what really made the dealership work . It ’ s also what we lean into now .”

The dealership hosts numerous events , from large demo days to afternoon cookouts . “ Sometimes we ’ ll say , ‘ come out Friday , our sales support guy will be grilling burgers , so come on down and have a beer and talk motorcycles ,’” Brinkhaus says .

The dealership is in a warehouse district , so there is plenty of parking space to host

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Andy Brinkhaus , former Powersports Business 40 Under 40 honoree , has been the general manager at Simply Ride for two years . Photos courtesy of Simply Ride

events . “ We aren ’ t a typical store front dealership ,” Brinkhaus says . “ As busy as we are , it ’ s all through word of mouth and online , because you certainly don ’ t drive by our store . It ’ s tucked away .”

The dealership also gains awareness through its support of the local police , fire departments and military . Having retired military and law enforcement staff , supporting individuals in these professions is important to the Simply Ride team . The dealership partners with Solider 6 , an organization that provides honorably discharged veterans , police officers , firefighters , paramedics , correctional officers , and 911 dispatchers with specially trained K−9s . And the dealership puts on multiple events and rides throughout the year to support the organization .

The dealership also works with the Eden Prairie fire department to help fellow riders learn how to respond if they are in an emergency situation . “ We want to give back to those who give so much to us ,” Brinkhaus says . And having started his career in public safety , he loves the fact that the two worlds mesh and that he gets to interact with public safety professionals while doing what he loves .

GENERAL MANAGER ROLE He went to school for law enforcement and firefighting and worked in home and safety for about 10 years . Looking for a change , he entered the automotive industry and sold cars for four years . He always had a love for