Stark Cycles

Super sweet, I needed something cut or bent on my bike and didnt really know where to go, I had tried heating it up to no avail. Once at Stark Cycles for their bike night, I was asked to bring my bike in the bay so they can do it right then and there!!! Love that since I am the same, way, if you need something done to your bike this is the place to go with all the tools to make custom bobbers and trikes as well as work on anything they can!
Jonny — San Diego Riders

Super friendly, personable staff and excellent customer service. I now have a new bike shop with these guys. Top notch work. Highly recommend this shop!!!

These guys are as good as it gets with cycle repair. I have an old ’85 Hionda Magna. Parts are extremely hard to come by and most dealers won’t even deal with my bike. They’ll spend hours tracking down the problem and always find replacement parts. Their pricing is way better than Fun Bike Center and personnel are way friendlier! I’d give them 100 stars if I could!

Great guys and honest service and pricing. They have worked on my DRZ when other shop would not do it. Will always bring my bike here for service. If you are looking for a bike shop try these guys out

My boyfriend used to take his bike here for repairs but they always seemed a little pricey. The mechanics are pretty nice which is why I gave two stars but everything else is just to sketchy. This review is because of our last and FINAL business we will ever give this place!
We took it in because of an electrical problem. First off the lady at the front desk told us the bike would only be a few hours more and when we went down there she had the mechanic tell us the bike wasn’t ready they still don’t know what’s wrong with it. We brushed it off as them being busy and couldn’t call but then almost a week later we get the bike back and they charged us for FOUR diagnostic tests! Those were $ 80 a piece! Why is it the customers fault if you can’t find the issue the first second and even third time!
We get the bike home and not even 48 hours later the same light comes back on!!! So you’re telling me after 4 tests you still couldn’t figure this out!!!
Looking at some of the reviews on here it’s sad we continued to bring them business.
Lastly as you can see from other responses to reviews here you get talked down to and treated like crap by this place other than whoever our mechanic was. The older lady that is in the front at times is so rude and talks to you like an idiot if you have any questions.
Like I said the mechanics are nice and their customer service is the only reason for any stars at all!
Take your business elsewhere! You won’t regret it!

I had my carburetors cleaned by Stark Cycles and I have to say that they are the best shop around… The people there are very friendly and, pardon my french, give a shit about your bike. Stark Cycles is the best shop around, good price and they do it all! Would recommend 100%.

Stark Motorcycles
I highly would not recommend the use of this shop for any motorcycle repairs. Although the people I had contact with were personable, their service stinks to the point of feeling like not only being ripped off but subjected to the worst mechanical service.
Had the bike towed in for some engine work. I was called and was told the started didn’t work. I told them to change out the starter, trusting they knew what they were doing. I received what they indicated was a «rebuilt». It started when I picked the bike along with a $ 3000 bill. Within that day, I started experiencing problems starting the bike and shortly took the bike back along with an obvious exhaust leak they were supposed to have repaired. I advised them at this time, that I could hear relays when the starter button was pressed, but it would not turn over. Got it back and within a few days, I had the same problems. I had to have it towed back in as it would not start and was charged another $ 280. Not sure for what as this was what they were supposed to have repaired in the first place.
They continued to tell me it was the starter button which do to the age was no longer available, although I told them relays could be heard when I pressed the started button. When I picked up the bike for the 3^rd time and was driving home, the air cleaner cover fell off as it was not tighten properly. When I got home, I lost one of my air filter bolts as both were not tightened by their mechanic. The heat shields on the exhaust were haphazardly slapped on The bike failed within a couple of days.
I removed the primary chain case cover, hit the starter button and observed that the jackshaft did not move, but one could hear relays, thus it was the starter button that was not working. I removed the starter, had it tested, it failed. Their mechanic should have done this after their «rebuild», but apparently didn’t. I replaced with a new starter, and I’ve not had any problems. I took the old starter apart and it was extremely worn. Thus they «rebuilt» a well worn starter. Exactly what was it I was paying for? In my opinion, this is not a reputable business.

Took my bike in for an oil change, got it back and they didint tighten the tank screws (one rattled off the other almost did), as well as the oil drain plug. Didint notice the oil was leaking until 2 weeks later, it was barely even hand tightened. But it’s OK, they said sorry.

Very helpful and friendly staff. Helped me find bolts for my fairings on my R1. I recommend this place for sure.

Long story, but bear with me and you’ll see why I only gave two stars.
I had a front wheel bearing blow up on the way to work. I removed the wheel at work and bought new bearings from the local dealer. I found Stark Cycles on Unilocal and called them to see if they could pull and replace bearings that day so I could ride home. They said they could. I brought them the wheel and they called me that afternoon to pick it up. Everything was going as planned until I inspected the wheel when I picked it up. They had to cut the bearing from the wheel because it had heated up. No problem, except that they left deep cuts IN THE WHEEL where the bearing meets the wheel. They didn’t bother to let me know they cut the wheel, and when I brought it to their attention they said they had to do it to get the bearing out. That may be so, but when that level of work is required I expect a call. They tried to convince me that it was safe to ride with large 1.5mm deep cuts from a cut off wheel behind the bearing. I’m fairly certain that the bearings mount flush and with tight tolerances for a reason, and with deep gouges water could seep in and would shorten the life of the bearing and the wheel. They didn’t offer to replace the wheel. I had to give them a choice of replacing the wheel or taking their chances in court. They ordered a new wheel, which took a week to come in. When the wheel came in it turns out that they had ordered the wrong size wheel. They ordered another new wheel, which took another week to arrive. All in all it took over two weeks to get one bearing replaced. The only reason I didn’t give Stark cycles less that two stars is because everyone there was very polite, especially the owner. She doesn’t appear to be very knowledgeable about bikes and has a clown of a mechanic working for her. I am extremely frustrated, and I DO NOT recommend that anyone use this store for service.

It was time for a new front tire on my Sportster, so I took it to the local dealer and they told me it would take about 3 days to get it done if I just dropped it off. Not a good plan since that was my transportation at the time, so I called Stark.
They told me it would take about 45 minutes, much better!
The owners are great, very friendly and knowledgeable. I have since had it in for other work and the experience is always great, prices are good.
Stark is the only shop I will trust to work on my bike!

Thanks Sam for taking care of my 2004 Honda VTX. You guys are awesome. They picked up my bike for free from downtown, did a diagnostic at shop and fixed it. Prices are reasonable. Very friendly and highly professional personal. Surely will recommend to my friends. Thanks again guys.

I just had my 20,000 mile service completed along with the installation of a new ignition. They charged less than what I was quoted and did it all in one day, as planned! I believe the job was 7 hours or something close to that. I have a Yamaha FJR 1300. Thanks to the great mechanics and of course, the owner Teresa. I shall return for my 26,000 valve job.

I’ve used Stark Cycles a few times in the last 2 years and they are awesome. They get the job diagnosed and repaired in a day or two vs the Harley dealership that takes weeks sometimes and double the price. Today my bike wouldn’t start and Stark Cycles sent their mechanic over with a trailer and picked up my bike and took it to their shop for repair. Awesome old fashioned service that is hard to find these days

Disappointing the way I was talked to over the phone the guy was acting like I was in such disparity and talked to me like i was 5 years old. You can be good at what you do and not be rude.

Wonderful! I needed a quick oil change and have a new chrome belt guard installed on my Harley. Jeremy got it done quickly alright. Theresa charged me a fair price too. Jeremy also pointed out a valve cover gasket leak and how another shop had used an inferior primary gasket which subsequently caused an oil leak which I already knew of. He quoted me another fair price to replace them both, which I accepted and will return to have done next week. Friendly and helpful shop conveniently located for me.

This is where I go for tire and chain installs, always been treated fairly and the rates for both jobs are competitive. They also get the work done within the time they quote.
Additionally, I accompanied my friend when he came here to purchase a motorcycle from them. It was a Ninja 250 which they had completely rebuilt the motor in as well as other maintenance items. They were fair about the asking price and worked out a deal with my friend. I rode that bike home since my friend didn’t yet have his license, and it worked great. The only issue was that it ended up having a bad battery — Stark gave my friend a new battery at cost, which I thought was very fair. The bike has ran like a charm ever since, so it’s clear that they did good work on it. I would be happy to buy a bike from them.

I’ve been to stark cycles several times, against better judgement. I should have stopped the first time. I went in the first time after purchasing a used motorcycle. It needed new fork seals, and I asked for those, front brakes, and a overall safety inspection. Their prices were fair, and I rode out a happy customer… until…
I rode palomar mountain 2 days after they told me everything was safe, and good. I felt as if the bike was sliding out from under me. Upon review of the motorcycle, I realized that Stark let me ride out with 20psi low on the front tire, and 25psi low on the rear.
The second time I went, I went to get brake lines and a master cylinder rebuild. I rode out with still spongy brakes, AFTER they told me this would solve the problem. I called and asked them what was going on, never recieved a callback. I took the bike to motozone, and they fixed it (was just bled improperly).
If I wanted a shop to throw wild guesses at what was wrong, and let me ride out with no brakes, and no air in the tires, I’d go to stark’s… if you want fair prices, good labor, and a safe bike, GO ELSEWHERE.

Saw an ad on Craigslist for a «Kawasaki Katana.» Looked like a nice bike but obviously the ad was a mistake. I sent a quick message saying it’s a Suzuki. Figured whoever posted the ad would want to fix it. I got a smart-​a$$ reply, «Wow your smart.» Of course, I took offense, and explained I was trying to help because I wouldn’t feel too comfortable buying a bike from someone who didn’t know what it is. I also pointed out that he should have written «you’re» smart (yes, that was my little jab back after being insulted). His reply, «You can’t afford my bikes.» Besides being a lame come back, the guy knows nothing about me.
It was then that I realized this is a dealer and not some private person trying to sell their bike! Instead of a «Thanks for catching that» I got insulted. Real good business sense. Who was it you ask? Sam Stark. Needless to say, this place will never get my business for as long as they’re lucky enough to stay in business.
Edit — I just got this email sent to my Unilocal inbox from Teresa Stark:
«You think that’s smart posting a bad review of my business?»
I really don’t know how to take that. It almost sounds like a threat. Everything I wrote is 100% true. These people are unbelievable!
Edit #2 — I guess I’ll just keep sharing with everyone these messages. Their own words tell the story much better than I can. Here is the continuing dialogue from my Unilocal inbox:
Teresa S.: You think that’s smart posting a bad review of my business?
Me: Everything I wrote was 100% true so I don’t understand your question. What wasn’t smart was for Sam to insult me when I had done nothing to deserve it. When you are a business and you treat potential customers the way I was treated, then you shouldn’t be surprised when a negative review is posted.
Teresa S.: reviews are for REAL customers not for you.
Me: That’s where you’re wrong and shortsighted. Reviews are for potential customers too. I was looking at Craigslist ads for motorcycles for a reason. If you were walking downtown and looking at a sidewalk menu for one of the many restaurants along Fifth Avenue and you saw a mistake on one and pointed it out to the hostess and she replied, «Wow, you’re smart», one, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t choose to eat there and, two, I wouldn’t be surprised if you told everyone you knew about how rude they were; especially if they also said, «You can’t afford to eat here.» That’s exactly how I was treated by Sam so you shouldn’t be shocked by the negative review. You’ve earned it.
(That’s all the messages so far but something tells me they’ll keep responding and getting more and more rude. Like I said, not the type of place to do business with.)

If I could give it 0 starts I would! Where do I begin with the troubles I have had with them. So my bike was in bad shape they quoted me $ 600 to fix it and it would take a week. Ending up being $ 1,100 and over 3 WEEKS! Finally driving it home 3 weeks later and my bike dies on the side of the road. They bring it back to the shop and charge me another $ 100 to fix a problem they most likely caused. I bought a back of bolts and they said they would install them, they didn’t!
Sam is a good salesman but the owner doesnt have a clue and it seems like they don’t communicate with each other about anything. I will never take my bike here and recommend you do the same to avoid a huge headache.