In 1978 Sam, Pearl, their son Robert and daughter-in-law Caryl opened Road Rider Motorcycle Accessories on Monterey Highway. This road, also known as “Blood Alley,” was one of the main thoroughfares in San Jose, California. The shop operated in one-third of a warehouse across the street from Just Breakfast, the kind of greasy diner that is so bad it’s good. Boxes of oil were stacked for aisle ways, and Corbin seats dotted the floor. The latest and greatest in motorcycle apparel – we’re talking leather bomber jackets from Hein Gericke – hung on racks Pearl purchased from a store that was going out of business. Their mission: to offer riders the best selection of motorcycle gear at reasonable prices.
Even though Sam and Robert had started a couple businesses in the past, including a mobile home towing company, some people were not so optimistic. One sales representative for J&D Distributing, legendary Greg Beck, said the store wouldn’t last. “They ain’t got a chance in hell of makin’ it,” he said. But Road Rider thrived (thanks to enthusiasts like Greg). Road Rider Motorcycle Accessories became the one-stop shop for cutting edge motorcycle riding products, and its family atmosphere became like a front porch for riders.
One by one, as the other businesses occupying the warehouse moved or folded, Road Rider took over the entire space. Tires, air filters, jackets, gloves, and every other motorcycle-related thing filled all the nooks and crannies in the 10,000 square foot building.
The store was and always has been a family affair. Sam and Robert managed the parts, Pearl managed the apparel, and Caryl kept the books squeaky clean. Robert’s cousin David came in to work the parts counter, and dirt customer Scott soon joined the team in 1983. And when Robert and Caryl started their family, the children eventually came to work, too. They started out sweeping floors and zipping jackets, and when they got older, they took on other roles.
Today, Road Rider’s staff remains the core team it was, and the years have brought many new members on board. And even though Sam and Pearl eventually retired, you can still find Sam shooting the breeze with customers and Pearl making appearances at parking lot sales.
Now Road Rider is thirty-something. The new website, roadridermca.com, launched November 2009, extending Road Rider’s commitment to value and quality to riders nationwide. Even after so many years have passed, Road Rider still seeks to offer riders the thing that caused Sam, Pearl, Robert, and Caryl to open doors in the first place: the best products available for motorcycle riders.
