Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose BMW Motorcycles has been a factory-franchised BMW Motorrad dealer since 1975 and has been owned by the Hodgson family since 1992. Chris Hodgson and his wife bought the dealership in 1992, and their son Willie Hodgson took over as Dealer Principal in 2015 after 26 years working in the business. Chris is still active in the shop and on race projects.

San Jose BMW Motorcycles has been the third-largest BMW motorcycle dealer by volume in the United States for six years running. The dealership operates one showroom and one full service department in San Jose rather than a chain of stores.

San Jose BMW Motorcycles holds 4.8 stars across 634 Google reviews as of July 2026. Reviewers regularly name the specific salesperson, service writer, or technician who helped them, which reflects a staff that stays for decades. Service Manager Pete Hunter has anchored the service department for 22 years, and Assistant GM and Sales Manager Bill Asquith has been with the dealership for 21 years.

San Jose BMW Motorcycles has a documented racing record going back to the golden era of AMA Superbike, when founder Chris Hodgson built and tuned the race bike that carried privateer Harry Klinzmann to an AMA Superbike win. The shop has also set land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, including an AMA class record aboard a BMW K 1200 R Power Cup bike ridden by Brian Parriott at roughly 164.5 mph. Number one plates and class wins across BOTT, AHRMA, AFM, and the BMW Power Cup are part of the same history.

San Jose BMW Motorcycles employs factory-trained and certified technicians. In addition owner Willie Hodgson is a certified BMW master technician with roughly 20 years of experience, specializing in performance modifications and racing. The dealership also runs an in-house mentorship program that recruits local high school graduates and trains them into qualified motorcycle technicians.

San Jose BMW Motorcycles sells the full new BMW Motorrad lineup, Vespa and Piaggio scooters, alpha Racing performance motorcycles, and pre-owned motorcycles across brands. The BMW range covers every family, from the S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR sport bikes to the R 1300 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure, the K 1600 touring bikes, the R nineT and R 18 heritage models, and the CE 04 electric scooter. Prices are published per model on the San Jose BMW website.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles carries pre-owned inventory and accepts trade-ins, and pre-owned typically runs about half the volume of its new bike sales. Pre-owned prices are published per unit on the website.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles is an authorized Vespa and Piaggio dealer operating as San Jose Vespa, which was the original Vespa dealership in the South Bay in the 1970s. Demo rides are available, including for buyers who do not yet hold a scooter license.

San Jose BMW Motorcycles sells the BMW CE 04 electric scooter as part of BMW’s Urban Mobility line. The service department also diagnoses and repairs electric motorcycles alongside combustion bikes, so EV riders can use the same shop for everything.

No. alpha Racing motorcycles are purpose-built for the racetrack and are not legal for road use. San Jose BMW Motorcycles is the exclusive North American dealer for alpha Racing, and alpha Racing parts are also available through the dealership’s parts store.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles sells BMW Motorrad OEM parts and accessories, alpha Racing parts, and a catalog of custom aftermarket parts developed in-house, including components from the R nineT Daytona Tribute build. The dealership is an authorized Shoei, Schuberth, HJC, Klim, REV’IT! riding gear dealer, and the parts team carries more than 60 years of combined experience.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles offers financing across all brands, with low down payments and often same-day acceptance. Riders can get pre-approved before coming in so the paperwork moves quickly on pickup day.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles accepts trade-ins and provides a valuation through the Value Your Trade tool on its website. Trade-in value can be applied toward a new or pre-owned motorcycle at the time of purchase.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles keeps demo bikes on hand and schedules test rides, including scooter demos for riders who do not yet hold a scooter license. Test rides can be requested through the website or by calling (408) 295-0205.

A BMW special order from the factory in Germany takes roughly five months to arrive. Because of that lead time, the sales team at San Jose BMW Motorcycles often points riders toward in-stock or demo bikes that closely match the build they configured, so they can start riding sooner.

A dealer prep fee applies to new motorcycle purchases at San Jose BMW Motorcycles and covers the work of turning a crated bike into one that is ready to ride. That includes first assembly performed in-house by the shop foreman rather than at a third-party warehouse, full prep, fueling, and a test ride before you pick the bike up. The sales team walks through the fee and what it covers before you buy.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles offers BMW Motorrad Ultimate Care and extended warranties in addition to the manufacturer warranty. The service department also performs warranty and factory recall work.

Yes. The San Jose BMW Motorcycles service department works on every motorcycle brand, including Honda, KTM, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, and Suzuki, with access to all-brand repair manuals and OEM parts ordering. The shop handles both EV and combustion diagnostics and has a complete on-site machine shop, welding capability, and a professional tire changer.

Not necessarily. San Jose BMW Motorcycles offers Service While You Wait in a customer lounge with coffee, Wi-Fi, and a display of dealership history, and jobs like tire changes are often finished the same day. Loaner bikes are available for motorcycles purchased at the dealership.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles offers White Glove Pick-Up and Delivery, plus towing and roadside pickup, which extends its practical service reach across the Bay Area and Northern California. This is the usual option for riders who cannot get to San Jose during shop hours or whose bike is not rideable.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles performs body work, writes damage estimates, and handles accident and insurance claims work.

Service appointments can be booked through the schedule service page or by calling (408) 295-0205. The San Jose BMW service department is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles makes custom parts to lower motorcycles so riders can reach the ground safely, including cutting and re-angling side stands so the bike still leans at the correct angle. This fitment work is done in the dealership’s on-site machine shop.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles offers performance tuning and upgrades using California-legal items only. The team also works to keep riders inside their factory warranty, often changing gearing to get a similar feel rather than remapping the ECU. Custom suspension setup and chassis tuning are available as well.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles builds custom motorcycles through its San Jose Motosport division, drawing on founder Chris Hodgson’s background as a race tuner and engine builder. Projects have included the California Special R18 and the R nineT Daytona Tribute, and the shop also handles conversions, exhaust and gearing changes, and suspension work on any brand. Custom builds are quoted per project.

Yes. The California Special R18 built by San Jose BMW Motorcycles won the United States round of BMW’s customization championship and advanced to the international stage. The dealership’s R nineT Daytona Tribute, which honors Steve McLaughlin’s BMW R90/S win at the first sanctioned Superbike race at Daytona in March 1976, was featured in Robb Report.

San Jose BMW Motorcycles is located at 1990 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95128. The showroom, parts counter, and full service department are all at that address. Driving directions are on the hours and directions page.

San Jose BMW Motorcycles is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm Pacific time. The dealership is closed Sunday and Monday, which the shop has always summed up as “Closed – Gone Riding.”

San Jose BMW Motorcycles serves the South Bay and greater Bay Area from its San Jose location, with customers coming from across Northern California. Communities served include San Jose, Santa Clara, Campbell, Saratoga, Milpitas, Fremont, Monterey, Fresno, Santa Rosa, and Napa. White Glove Pick-Up and Delivery plus towing and roadside pickup extend that reach for riders who cannot bring a bike in themselves.

Yes. San Jose BMW Motorcycles runs Wednesday Night Rides roughly 12 to 15 times a year, starting around 5:00pm with about two hours of riding followed by food and conversation. The dealership also organizes guided tours and track days.