After reading through the posts in here, and on another board; I started to think about things while working on the house.

It seems to me that lots of businesses sport the ASA, ORBA, DUNERs, SDORC, and a few other organization tags out there; but really, what is their true interest and level of involvement?

How many times does the business know what is going on out at the ISDRA?

How often do they try and talk to people about the various orgs and what they are doing?

How many dealers that sell motorcycles and atvs, really tell people about the safety courses or the rules/regulations out in the riding areas?

Have you ever found a flyer in your bag of parts telling you about a meeting or an issue?

How many of the business support the meeting or events by showing up (ORW has at a few that I know) as a group?


Just a few points...I know of quite a few people that have been at more than a few of the businesses in San Diego county, and none of the above has happened.

Again, it is a matter of effort, involvement and awareness that will help us turn the corner in our battle to save riding areas.

Pondering.................................

Cant speak for them all but Grant George the owner of FUNCO is the President of the ASA. I think he knows a little about the issues at hand.

In my experience it's pretty mixed.

One local buggy shop usually has plenty of flyers on the counter, posters in the window, and a pretzel jar for donations to the ASA on the counter....but they don't even bother to read any of it themselves and can't tell you a thing about what's going on. If I'm in the shop and someone asks they usually just direct that person to me.

Another local bike shop is VERY actively involved, has organized clean-ups, does everything the above shop does...and if you ask them about the issues...well you better have a few hours to spare because you'll get a LOT of info and opinion from them

I've ordered parts from a large well known shop in CA and when they got here there was an ASA newsletter, a CORVA newsletter and another informative publication stuffed inside with my receipt.

But there's also another local bike shop that flat out gives misleading info and I've yet to find anyone on the floor there who knows what they're talking about. Kind of surprising too given that the owner was on the TRT until recently so you'd think they would have shared some info with their employees.

Personally as a consumer these kinds of things have quite an impact on where my $$$ goes when I need parts. There's a reason I'll mail order and wait for things even if I could get them locally at the same price sometimes. And also a reason I'll sometimes pay more locally even if I could save money mail-ordering.

Good point. I personally would rather spend a little more at a shop that has the ISDRA's best interest in mind than not.

Well I used to be an ASA rep for the West Phoenix area. I can honestly say some shops are better than others. HOWEVER, ever the so-so shops, once I explained to them how important (no dunes=no business=no $$$=sucks to be you) in a respectful and honest manner, they seemed to step up to the plate! I really enjoyed going to all the buggy/bike/trailer/RV rental etc. places in my area. The only reason I stopped is because I went from basically a stay at home mama to a working full time mama.

Flashpoint - Yes, Grant George and the Funco family are well known for their involvement. In many ways, it would seem to be the model for other businesses to follow.

Jhitesma - Exactly! This is the type of stuff I'm talking about. Many want the $$ but don't give an eff about the rest.

QG - Got that t-shirt as well. :-)

I'm curious as to other peeps experience, and to start some folks thinking.

Not to sound like a clashay, (did i spell that right) but i try to buy all my stuff for quads and toy hauler crap from buisenesses that support the caus.I allways spend a little more from these places, at least when I brag about how enexpensive I payed for something. someone around camp allways got a better deal!

Good questions,,, MY ANSWERS BELOW.



I have yet to get a cold shoulder while visiting a business regarding dune issues. Those I do visit on a regular basis, appreciates my leaving them information for their customers and the education I give them.

I can only speak for myself. I own and operate Flick Enterprises. I invented and now produce the billet flag mounts that mount safety flags on two-wheeled motorcycles. I am a member of the ASA and I donate mounts to organized cleanups. I am 24 years old and i have been going to the dunes since I was six months. I am just a guy who loves riding his motorcycle in the dunes. I want nothing more than to have the dunes to stay open forever.

First, because it is my lifestyle. I enjoy myself there, doing what I love with family and friends. I hope to take my nephew and my own kids there someday and let them experience what I have for so many years.

I happen to make $ by selling my product to individuals and (mostly) wholesale to shops and vendors. I have a vested financial interest in having the dunes stay open. I also have a vested interest in the growth of the dune going enthusiast. Most have the opposite. Most would like to see smaller crowds. For me though, more duner's = more $.

I gain financially from exposure of my product: word of mouth, commercial and print advertising, as well as retail stores and vendors inventory. So, donating mounts to cleanups and such events, for me is motivated by both financial reasons and personal reasons. Keeping the dunes clean and ultimately keeping the dunes open benefits me financially and personally. So you tell me. Is it wrong to have a symbiotic relationship to the hobbie/sport/lifestyle you love. I see myself as very lucky to be in the situation I am in.

I don't feel guilty one bit for making a slight profit on something I invented, which benefits everyone and may help (at least a little, and every little bit counts) keep the dunes open by providing motorcyclists with a reasonable method for following the laws. Laws which must be accepted and followed by the masses if we want to continue to enjoy what we love.

I feel like I am doing my part. Most of these shops and businesses you go to for parts and such are owned and operated by people just like you (excluding perhaps the Glamis Store)--(Not sure how they are now because I have not been there for a while).

These businesses are in the business of making money but many of them started with asking themselves the question: Wouldn't it be great to make money doing what you love? Granted some are a-holes. Ask me and I'll make you a list. However that list would be pretty short.

I have had the best time and met some of the best people through my business. Like mine, most desert focused business owner's intentions are the same as the rest of the dune going population. They want the dunes to stay open. They, unlike the rest of the dune going population also have a financial interest in keeping the dunes safe and clean and open. So anything they do to help the cause benefits them in two ways. I don't try to hide that fact and any business owner that does is probably confused about how to relate in an honest, healthy manner to their customers.

Just my two cents, (or three or four I guess. Sorry for ramblin but at least you know where my head is).

Darren Garrow, Owner of Flick Enterprises.

Darren, that's one of the most honest posts I've ever read from a vendor. And no, no one worth a pile of sand would fault you for making a profit at something you love to do. I only wish I was smart enough to do so. You obviously give back to the sport too, which is a wonderful gesture. I think this thread was started because of the fact that many businesses are making a profit off of the sport and whether or not they truly believe in and support the true effort.

Unless I misunderstood this from the begining.

I hope I didn't come off defensively. I just wanted to explain the situation as best as I could from my perspective. Without proof-reading.

That was a great post, THANKS...

You understand, most do, how many of them help like you???

From organizing the Glamis Poker Run the first 3 years I know first hand that the majority of businesses are VERY generous. We had PLENTY of great prizes each year to gave out... Just look at the ASA raffles both past and present and tell me the businesses don't help...

As I'm also on the ASA Business Sponsor committee (vice chair) we have over 500 businesses listed on the website now... And we have 50 of those offering DISCOUNTS to our Supporting Members...

ASA Premium Sponsors

But I have come up against those that just don't get it YET... Manufacturers too...
But the majority does...

Thanks "Sanduners". That reminds me, I offer free shipping to GlamisDunes.com members.

Cool, I don't even have a bike any more and I'm ready to buy one.

And Sanduners, thanks for the update. I must admit, I'd be interested in a list of those that "don't get it yet". As I would like to patronize those that do.

Runninrich and sanduners...awesomeposts.

Well, I can't really give you those that DONT...

BUT... here is your first place to look before spending your hard earned $$$

ASA Business Sponsors who donate BACK...

We have spent MANY, MANY hours working on the link above. Use the cool & easy KEYWORD searches (thanks Jason )
first to find a business that sells the item your looking for and SUPPORTS your sport by giving back...

Also check for businesses on ORBA's website:
ORBA members

And PLEASE thank them... for supporting your experience in the dunes...