Online motorcycle parts and kit shop

Riders buying for their own bikes, plus small repair workshops and home mechanics who want a reliable source of parts.

You buy at trade price and sell at a markup. Income comes from item margins, with extra from bundles such as service kits and from delivery charges.

• Knowledge of motorcycles and parts
• Accurate listings and fitment checks
• Online selling and customer service

• Distance selling rules mean customers generally have a right to return goods, so check the current consumer rules
• Safety-critical parts such as brakes and helmets: check product standards and approvals, and only sell what you can source from reputable suppliers
• Wrong-fit returns can eat margin, so make fitment details clear
• Check whether you need product liability cover alongside other business insurance
• Working from home may need permission from a landlord or mortgage lender, especially if you hold stock

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £8,000, depending on whether you hold stock or dropship, and how much you spend on your website. These are estimates rather than fixed prices.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £5,000, depending on your niche, range and how well you attract riders and workshops. That is revenue, not profit, so factor in stock and returns costs.

Check the current consumer rules on distance selling and returns, and product standards and approvals for safety-critical parts like brakes and helmets. Also check whether you need product liability cover, and any landlord or lender permission for holding stock at home.