Supporting local shops...TRYING to
I have tried to buy from local shops as much as possible, for not just motorcycles, but computer components, etc. If something costs 300 online, I would go as high as 340 probably, locally, but I will NOT, no way, no how, pay something like 450 locally. That is the way motorcycle shops are, they have absurd markup. Perhaps their vendors get gouged from the manufacturer, then in turn gouge the shops, if so, find a new distributor is all I can say.
If shops would have decent prices, I would do it, but when it comes down to it, they are not economically viable 99 percent of the time.
Rob