Dixon Polaris

I happen to like recommending and patronizing small, mom and pop and/​or business establishments. It’s true that they sometimes cost a little more, but I happen to think that you’re paying for quality– in more ways than one, when you get down to the brass tacks.
But as the saying goes, for every rule, there is an exception.
Dixon Polaris can be easily defined as a family-​owned and cash-​friendly business. There’s no doubt about it, Herman Schroeder and kin will be your best buddy in the whole world. But once your money becomes theirs, expect to have the same gut feeling of being suckered that one would get after being left on an empty rural road, miles from nowhere, as your friends speed off, laughing.
To begin with, owner Herman Schroeder can talk a good game, but if pressed, you’ll find that he does not know anything about motorcycles, the lifestyles associated with riding, or the various types of people who ride them (though a few of his sales staff do and are actual riders). You will never see him at an event, he will never sponsor anything in-​shop, you’ll be hard-​pressed to find an advertisement in motorcycle magazines– nothing!
This particular non-​understanding carries over to what is known as «the after-​market” — that customers want to modify and customize their rides. This is painfully clear in the lack of even the available basic after-​market accessories, which are all but non-​existent! The owner does not try to hide his disdain for Arlen Ness– who in addition to building custom motorcycles also makes custom parts and will not carry any in his shop.
How about simple after-​market items that every rider needs: gloves, helmets, boots, and whatnot? You won’t find them here, but they can «special order» them. A lot of good that does the average rider, who usually shops for these items the day they need them, not two weeks in advance.
But credit where credit is due– this shop does know ATVs inside and out, and are quite capable of tearing them down to the frame, and putting them back together– good as new, or even better, depending on what abuse they’ve managed to suffer. It wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say that this could be done blindfolded.
But All Terrain Vehicles are not motorcycles, and the apparent lack of basic customer knowledge, makes me advise any motorcycle owner or soon-​to-​be-​rider to look elsewhere for purchase, maintenance, or repair. I recommend to just outright avoiding, though some will find amusement in calling or even stopping in to listen to his «riding stories».