Places a small overcharges don't recommend don't have every part in stock wouldn't go back again. I prefer motorcycle superstore/ or JP cycles read more

Knowledge is priceless, and Tom has a LOT of knowledge! I brought my 1981R65 in to have it check out and I'm so glad i did. Tom took the time to go over the bike with me in great detail, and gave me a list of priorities for repairs. We agreed on a list of things for him to do, and a list of things that i could do myself to save some money. He worked within the budget I had and did a quick turnaround to get me going MUCH better than before. Tom knows BMW's in/out and i wouldn't want to take mine to anyone else. Honest, knowledgeable, thorough, and worth every dollar spent! The best part was that Tom check on the bike a couple of days afterwards to make sure that all was well, and AGAIN a couple of weeks later. Customer service like that is hard to come by these days. Really couldn't have asked for more!! A+++ read more

Tom Pfeiffer is a first class mechanic for BMW classic airheads and K bikes Nobody better in down read more

If Motorcycle Works was a movie, Tom would be the bike-whisperer that the protagonist/Matt Damon partners with in order to win Daytona or rob a bank in spectacular fashion. The pre-war wood and iron exterior of his shop may appear quaint to some, but inside is a state-of-the-art mechanics paradise. A while back, I bought a 1998 R1100GS with 18K miles and right from the start I started bringing her to Motorcycle Works in Brooklyn. For the next three years Tom performed all the regular maintenance and although I ride all four seasons, not once did I experience a serious mechanical problem. It was right about the time she hit 38K miles that my mid-life crisis went into high gear, and suddenly my brain was inundated with visions of riding West with the throttle rolled, stopping only for gas until I hit the California coastline. My biggest concern was not whether I was crazy enough to do it, but whether my 14-year-old bike would hold together long enough for me to see the Pacific. I had read something about how BMW's reliability was legendary, but I also knew that the same legend becomes worthless if my mechanic overlooks the smallest detail. It's one thing to go curb-hopping around Manhattan knowing that Tom's shop is a short distance away, but this time I'd be going across the country, and I'd be traveling by myself. I informed Tom of my intentions and asked him to give the bike a solid going-over and replace anything that could become a source of trouble. I expected a litany of potential issues, but the only thing he recommended was to replace the timing belt slightly ahead of schedule as a precautionary measure. I adjusted my suspension to handle the weight of my panniers and hit the road. If you ride in NYC, you rarely find occasion to break 100mph, and if you do, it's only for 3-10 seconds. On the open road, you can do it for hours, as long as you have the right machine- and on the eve of my 2nd day of riding, I had made it all the way to Kansas City. By the afternoon of my 3rd riding day, I was enjoying the cool, Colorado Rockies. By the afternoon of my 4th day, I was feeling a warm ocean spray through my open helmet while the alternating gray, black and yellow hues of the Pacific Coast Highway raced underneath me. I made it. Over 3,500 miles and my bike never blinked once. To those one-star reviewers who found Tom's demeanor unexpected or unnecessarily harsh, you should know that I once felt Tom's condescending wrath, in person, where shortly after he began inspecting my machine for the first time, he started chastising me for letting my rear tire dip eight pounds below the recommended pressure. Once I got over my own ego, I understood immediately that on a car, this results in a slight understeer or poor gas mileage. On a motorbike, a lack of adequate tire pressure means that your sidewall could fold in the middle of a turn. I'm grateful that Tom is a great mechanic. Perhaps I should be more grateful that his safety tips, and especially the manner in which he delivered them, were f*cking unforgettable. read more

See all

I recently bought a 1994 BMW R1100 and wanted it looked over by a professional. I found Motorcycle Works by chance and called. I had a list of issues and items I wanted Tom to address. He really exceeded my expectations and like a lot of his reviews say, Tom will treat your bike like it's his own. I can now ride my bike with confidence knowing that it is safe and dependable. If you're looking for a tech that knows his stuff, call Motorcycle Works. read more

Tom knows his stuff and does an honest, thorough, high quality job. Great to talk to and honest about the situation and the work. Even called me to give periodic updates and ask about additional work once he took things apart. My 44 year old R65 runs better than ever and it a joy to ride around the city. Only downside is he is in the process of moving to FL and we'll lose this subject matter expert in the city. read more

Excellent, thorough and most importantly honest service. Came here for an inspection and learned a lot about my motorcycle. I also learned a ton about legislation changes related to motorcycles. Planning on being my bike here for maintenance because I know the quality of work will be top notch read more

I've known Tommy as a mechanic from way back when, and as far as his skills and acumen, knowledge and application thereof, he is at the top of his game and can handle just about anything that comes through his doors. Except for​ fools. As a small business owner (who gets reviewed on Yelp) I can only empathize​ (and chuckle) with Tom in regard to his negative reviews. Small business owners are not omnipresent​ and have to juggle so many aspects of their business, wasting time on inane questions or useless chat only takes away from expediting​ the work on the rack. I'm sure many motorcycle owners are put off by Tom's directness, especially if they don't have an intimate knowledge of their own machines. Want an education? Take a class. Want a friend, join a club. This is not a "safe place" where "feelings" are guaranteed to be unscathed, this is a repair shop where the work gets done. Tom has worked his charm on my 46-year old​ Triumph Bonneville, where other "specialists" weren't even aware that a vintage Triumph​ was​positive​ ground​. Complete rewiring harness, tuning tweaks, top-end work, he knows what he's doing. My R-60 was in his hands for a number of years as well, handled with care and attention as if it were his own. read more

Took my 1981 BMW airhead to a well known BMW dealership for some repair work. Well let me tell you.. I can go on and on about how I was screwed and the bike ran worse after I picked it up. I was totally desperate and I found Tom searching the internet. He told me to stop in the next day and would take a look. What a lesson I got on my bike and being new to airheads it was priceless. He took my bike in on a Friday and call me on Sunday to come pick her up . Let me tell you this bike has never ran so well hes a true genius when it comes to these vintage machines. He called me the following day just to make sure the bike was running great after I got her home. Thank God I didn't listen to any of the negative reviews from some of these knuckleheads. Be respectful listen to what he has to say and you will get the same in return . read more

Motorcycle Works - Motorcycle Repair Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I've tried man. I read about Tom's gruff persona and excellent workmanship before going to him with my previous bike, an 81 Suzuki gs750T, probably 6 years ago. He told me it was a weird model and he doesn't work with Suzuki for parts for personal reasons, but if I bought the parts on ebay he would do the work for me. I did this a small handful of times. Unfortunately, since I'm not a mechanic and at the time was about 25, occasionally I would order the wrong iteration of the part which would earn me his signature gruff. His work was always enumerated, photographed, and cataloged. I truly cannot speak ill of the work, but always felt berated and would genuinely feel anxious about calling the shop because it always felt like pulling teeth to get the guy to work on my bike. I truly don't consider myself an arrogant, egotistical or a flashy rider. I'm fine with terse conversations, I've got some terse folks in my circle, but I always left feeling like a burden and more like I had paid a fine for the crime of buying a bike that needed work rather than excited about getting the bike tip top. I ultimately did sell that bike, and last year bought a 98' BMW F650. I knew Tom was a BMW specialist so I thought, 'What the hell. Maybe if I brought him a bike he specialized in he'd be a little more amiable to doing work.' I just called him to see what his availability was and he flatly said, "I don't work on F series bikes." TL;DR: If you have one of the elusive series of bikes that Tom does work on, his work is fantastic. If you don't (and perhaps even if you do) be prepared to be treated like shit. read more

The definition of a toxic person. Tom is insulting, manipulative and a bully. You shouldn't have to walk on eggshells with a freaking motorcycle mechanic. I'm from Brooklyn too and that is no excuse for the way he treats people. He acts like a hurt person who lashes out before you can hurt him. AND on top of that, I spent a lot of money at his shop and my bike is stilll running poorly. He's slightly cheaper than other BMW mechanics, but I would pay anything not to bring my bike back to this guy. read more

I can't say enough good things about Tom. For those that think he is rude, I call BS. This is Brooklyn, and Tom--like most New Yorkers--can be blunt and tell it you straight, but he is no way disrespectful nor "discourteous" in the slightest. He clearly has decades of experience and an encyclopedic knowledge of all types of motorcycles, but I found him to be extremely patient and willing to share his insights. I brought him a 1973 CB350 that was in poor shape and he did an extremely thorough job finding and repairing every issue. Tom went the extra mile in many cases to save me from future headaches and cut no corners. He communicated his assessment at every step and even took before and after pictures of all his work. After Tom's detailed tuneup the difference is night and day. The bike starts reliably, runs smoothly and is a joy to ride. It feels like a totally different bike! His prices are fair and as a _courtesy_ he did not charge me full the extent of the hours he spent. He kept his shop open later just so I could test ride the bike before riding off. The next day, he even followed up and called to make sure the bike got back safely and was still running smoothly. Never in my life has any mechanic followed up after the job is finished just to check up. Don't hesitate to place your bike and trust in Tom's capable hands. You will not regret it. read more

I have never done business or even called but I'm looking for a stable dealer to do business with, it has been difficult. Each dealer ive looked up in the NY area seems to have issues towards the customers, why is that? is it they have the Idea that . BMW is the elitist brand? and they are the royalty? well BMW isn't an elitist bike or brand you can find much better and cheaper. I find the remarks lessen when you have bought one from them. why is that? ... ass kissing? you spent 20 grand as they kiss up to you. is that the policy? Not this guy, one comment the guy says the shop doesn't work on F models, likely bought from them. WTF? it's a BMW shop. you don't fix what you sell? if my team were to behave like that, "YOUR FIRED" I have seen bad attitudes take down business's. if the owner does it then these places need a lesson in humility and a letter to the manufacture representatives to help in humility or take the franchise away. read more

Tom is not just the best motorcycle mechanic I've encountered in 30 years as an enthusiast. . .he's the best MECHANIC, period. He's been doing this for 45+ years and has seen everything, many, many times before. Tom and I met when I brought him my beat-up 1981 BMW R65 for inspection. I had bought the bike sight unseen, yes, I know, I know. I was fully prepared for bad news, but Tom gave it to me straight, like a doctor, in terms of what was wrong, why it was wrong, how it could be fixed and a rough estimate of what it was going to cost. Seems the prior owner had rebuilt the carbs. . . but managed to leave the o-rings off the idle jets. Clutch cable was from a Harley, stuck out a foot in front of the bike. Leakdown test (which I should have done before I bought the bike, I know) was showing 5% in the left cylinder (good!) and 19% in the right cylinder (bad!) Front fork seals were leaking oil onto the brakes, not only is that against the law in terms of passing inspection, but it's against the laws of physics in terms of stopping the bike. . . Tom related all this in his no-nonsense, direct style, without sugar coating. When it comes to stuff that can mean the difference between life and death, I appreciate his all-business approach. He answered all of my novice questions with patience and with the kind of attention to detail that can only come from a true expert, somebody who makes it look easy. I left the bike with him and returned ignominously home on a Revel scooter. And you know what? When I picked it up from Tom, it was like it was a DIFFERENT BIKE entirely. The clutch no longer required an iron hand to actuate. The brakes actually stopped the bike and there was minimal fork dive. But the best of all is that the engine would idle at 900 RPM, just like the Factory prescribed, which meant that I could actually get it into gear at stop lights without having to drag the engine down with the clutch. I rode away convinced that my dollars were well spent with a mechanic who treated my motorcycle with the care and attention he would if it were his own. Of course there's more to do on the bike, Tom pointed out a few items that I elected to defer until this spring when the bike came out of storage. Guess where it's going as soon as winter's over? Straight back to Tom's place. If you want an experienced, no BS mechanic to help you with routine maintenance or major repairs on your BMW motorcycle, whether airhead, flying brick or whatever, I highly recommend Tom without reservations. Bring a positive attitude and be prepared for a truthful, honest assessment of your bike and what it needs, treat him with the respect you would afford someone with 45+ years experience, and you will get back incredible wisdom and a feeling of confidence in your machine. That is a priceless, rare experience these days, but invaluable to the true enthusiast. read more

Tom is openly rude and dismissive. There are plenty of other mechanics in Brooklyn and I'd recommend any of them over this shop. read more

A rude person answered the phone and refused to work on my motorcycle without giving me a reason. There is no way in hell I will contact this establishment again. Thanks for nothing. read more

I have three bikes. Tom has worked on them all. Tom and I had a misunderstanding (my fault - i didnt understand what he was saying) and he was extremely patient with me, not at ll the angry person other reviewers claim he is. Every bike aficionado in NYC knows Tom is the best. If your bike has a problem he will fix it will no issues remaining. read more

My clutch cable broke coming through the tunnel to red hook. Since I moved to the city 2 years ago is haven't really found a motorcycle shop to call home so I looked up places closest to where I parked. What luck that Tom's shop was one of the closest. I have a 1978 BMW R80/7 and it's a bit of a Frankenbike. Tom was responsive and helpful over the phone and recommended a tow service (Joe was actually the BEST Moto tow ever too. Trust). When I showed up with my bike Tom spent 2 hours with me talking through what he could already see from the start. That's not even an exaggeration. Tom is a BMW whiz. I really don't think in all the years I've owned this beast that anyone has been as helpful, instructive, or encyclopedic about my machine. Tom had my bike for a while and even worked with me to hold it while I was out of town which was incredibly generous given the amount of work space he has. When I returned to NYC I started riding again and the next day my right carb was dumping gas all over my boot while I was riding. I felt totally defeated and called Tom to ask what could be wrong. You know what he did- he had me come back over, he taught me how to take my carb apart and clean it up, he installed some gas filters on my lines and he asked for an incredibly nominal fee. I mean, the guy is pretty generous with his knowledge. I'm sold on Tom and his shop. He has inspired me to be a better bike owner. You couldn't pay me to go to someone else now. I have a list of things to work on from Tom's time with my bike and I anticipate having a long working relationship with Tom and a long riding relationship with my bike! read more

Tom is probably the best mechanic on classic motorcycles in town, and he did a great job on my bike that now runs very smoothly. His prices are fair and he's honest in his assessment of what really needs to be done. That being said, and as others pointed out, he is very rude and contemptuous, to the point that its actually insulting... read more

I have been a loyal patron of Tom for over 10 years. He has been maintaining my 94 R1100RS- He is extremely knowledgable, very ethical and does stellar work. Highly Recommended read more

See all

Very reasonable rates, and 100% peace of mind. Tom is good at what he does. Very good. As a result of being good he is very busy. As a result of being very busy he doesn't mess around, and he likes things done a certain way. Nothing unreasonable - don't idle your bike on the street (he has neighbors), call ahead and stick to the point (common courtesy), don't expect an inspection outside his inspection hours of 9-12 (reasonable as he is busy, is a one-man shop, and he makes $6 for an inspection). If you respect him he'll respect you, and he will respect the hell out of your bike. He treats the bikes he works on as if they were his own. I've been with him about 10 years through two bikes, and I have nothing but good things to say about his skills and knowledge. It's rare to find a mechanic that you don't quietly suspect is ripping you off. He's actually tried to undercharge me before. I recently brought my "new" 38 year old Honda XL to him for an inspection and a general going-over, and in addition to finding a missing cotter pin and a few loose nuts (!!), he also fixed a couple of tears in the seat and replaced missing reflectors for free. He's a solid guy with solid skills, and contrary to some reports here, will happily chat about bikes, life, whatever with you when the job is done - IF he has time. read more

Called the shop to find out if they did motorcycle claims, the guy on the phone was extremely condescending and with an attitude replied sir this is a motorcycle repair shop. I explained to him what I was asking for and he asked me what kind of motorcycle I had when I told him he said NOPE BUH BYE with a disgusting attitude and hung up the phone. I don't know how they can have ANY good reviews with that type of attitude and customer service. I would never bother to come here or send anybody I know here. read more

Great Mechanic. I highly recommend. Tom is a great mechanic, he's a very decent person, and he will take care of your bike. I can trust him with any issue. He's very fair with his costs, and it's worth every dollar. Recently I brought my 2012 Suzuki V-Strom for maintenance and some adjustments. Tom's work was great, he explained all he did, and then later i realized all the other things he did for the bike, including getting the air right in my tires, lubing the center and side stands, tightening bolts, tightening loose fairing, and even fixing my broken blinker. Also, the bill was a lot less than i had expected it would be and less than it would be if i brought it to Suzuki. Tom's the best around. read more

Don't know anything about the work they do. I was looking for a place that does NYS inspection and ppl here are just curt and disinterested.

Found my mechanic! Tom is very professional, straight to the point and as real as it gets. Every time I've come to his shop, hes taught me a new skill and given me new outlooks as a rider. His prices are fair and he goes way above and beyond to make sure your safe and happy. If your reading this because your researching places to go, I highly recommend you to go to him. But with that said If you have an ego and can't be bothered with criticisms that could save your life, go somewhere else. read more

We need more people like Tom. He's hard worker and an honest man. Bring you're bike to him and you're going to love the results.

I picked up my 1988 K75S from Tom last Saturday after he did his magic. Rode north in the cold, the bike ran like never before. Tom is a master mechanic. Let him do what he does and all is good. Thank you Tom for all your amazing work. read more

To all who love their bikes and want solid work. You may read some reviews here and be turned off, but before you click the next option, hear me out as to why you want Tom to work on your bike, especially bmw airheads. Tom is a one man show and is very direct when he talks to you. Some take this as rude. Its not. Respect his time and his services and he will respect you back. He has no customer service department so approach him with what you want done, and ask specific questions. His work is top notch and he not only fixes your bike but he will educate you through his analysis of what was wrong. Keep your ears open and write it down. He provides a detailed list of what he serviced on your invoice as well, and will lay out what your bike needs long-term as well. So for people like me who bought a vintage bmw for my first bike, my learning curve was steep and im glad Tom was the guy I went to. And yeah, you will pay that hourly rate, because he has decades of experience and your bike will show it. Or you can try a rinky-dink repair shop elsewhere and save 15 bucks an hour and realize your bike is still a mess. Tom and I have gotten to know each other over the past two months and he is pretty funny and has an old world generosity. He called me the next day after I picked up my bike to make sure she got me home alright and ran smoothly. Who does that? Godspeed, Paul read more

For anyone who, like me, is a new rider and a first time motorcycle owner I can highly recommend Tom. I brought in a 2008 Ninja 250 that had been ignored by its previous owners and outfitted with a few ridiculous after market mods. Tom patiently went through the bike with me, told me what he thought needed work and what could wait, and clearly explained the cost. He also gave me a lot of riding advice which has been really useful. The Ninja was ready when he said it would be at the price he outlined in advance. I went back today after hitting the pavement and damaged a few things. I had the same experience: clear evaluation of what needed work and what didn't, quick resolution of the problems and a fair price. Both times I've been there he has had other customers come in - people who have clearly been bringing their motorcycles to him for years. That tells me everything I need to know, and I'll be bringing my bikes here as long as I am riding in New York. He's definitely a no bullshit guy and he will be straight with you. If you are looking for a social worker you probably want to head elsewhere - Los Angeles comes to mind - but if you want someone you can trust your life with this is the place to go. read more

I found Tom to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful when I came on short notice. He is a no nonsense true BROOKLYN person and can be misunderstood to the entitled and thin skinned individuals. He was very critical of my bike as to what condition it was in and what it needed. He sat me down as he went through the bike completely for about 30-45 minutes free of charge. The necessary work was subsequently done after one business day. I can tell he's driven by passion and not dollars. I have more stuff that needs to be done and Tom is my guy. My bike is safer and starts up (1971 r75/5) on a cold start every time. Thank you, Tom! read more

Motorcycle Works - Motorcycle Repair Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Tom is an excellent mechanic...he treat your bike like it's his own personal property.....I bring my bike to him after the winter storage, he go thru it and keep it safe for me to ride...I feel very safe and secure with every ride....after all I'm trusting him with my life....thank you Tom. read more

I recently brought my '98 V-Star 650 to Tom. It had been sitting unused and not running for some years. Tom was a bit leery of taking this job, but he worked on the bike for about two days and got it running beautifully. It's never sounded better. He did a very thorough job and documented his work with before-and-after photos. I brought him a pretty tough project (the carburetors were totally fouled, and the bike had not had regular maintenance for quite a while), and he cleaned everything up like new. And then he took the time to explain what he did and showed me the photos and various parts that he replaced. Tom knows his stuff. I highly recommend him. If you plan to bring a bike to him, call first and make an appointment. His shop is small, and he does not like to keep bikes in "storage." read more

Tom did amazing work on my bike. You can tell that he actually cares and is not just trying to take your money. The first time I met him he spoke to me for an hour for free and actually questioned whether it was worth the money to fix, which I appreciated. I learned so much just from chatting. He's definitely not going to sugar coat anything, but he's a true expert and his prices are fair. Great experience. read more

Tom is the kind of expert mechanic you want to build a relationship with over many years and many bikes. He's smart, helpful and straightforward with his advice and always does meticulous work. It's always best to call ahead for an appointment - those reviewers who report being dissatisfied most likely dropped by and expected immediate help. read more

On incredibly short notice, Tom made himself available for a safety inspection. No complaints about the service or price. Will definitely go back for future inspections. read more

I loved this place i dealt with another mechanic a few months before this one and i didnt feel too comfortable with him. But this mechanic helps you a lot he deals with one bike at a time and does very fast work and he also goes over the basics with you. checked my bike over with me first then went to work on it i only needed my steering adjusted but he also checked my rear brakes for me since i thought i had a problem with them but i didnt.. When you come to pick it up he also takes it out for a test ride to make sure everything is straight before he hands you the keys back.. read more

Tom inspected my bike on a brutally cold day, gave me an honest assessment of what the problem spots might be for NYC riding (purchased the bike with some aftermarket parts on it that some cops look to flag), and then we were done. Also pointed out some other maintenance issues that I needed to look into and gave me some cold riding pointers/glove recommendations. Good guy, good shop. read more

Disclaimer: I did not get any actual work done here I brought my bike over today for an inspection (needing it by tomorrow) and the guy could not have been more straight forward. He told me right away why it would fail and since he didn't have the parts for a sport bike, he gave me some suggestions on where to take it. His suggestion worked out perfectly and now I'm fixed up and inspected 2 hours later. Since I didn't spend any money with him I thought the least I could do was leave him a review for his help. read more

I had just purchased my first used sport bike and and brought it here for an inspection. I had the same rude experience as some of the other people mentioned. The guy clearly didn't want to do it, a few friends have told me that some shops will act this way since they don't make much off inspections. He proceeded to tell me that nearly everything on my bike was after-market which meant that it was illegal and that he won't pass the bike. This isn't true, as long as the after-market part is DOT approved it's legal. He then started telling me about his family member whose a cop, a story I could've been spared. I don't know if the experience I got was because I had a sport bike, didn't need any work done or what. I will not be returning nor do I recommend this shop to anyone. read more

Tom is a great mechanic, period. He is surely a no-nonsense guy and has a way he likes to do things. Some reviewers here take it as rudeness, but I couldn't disagree more. He took the time to take me through every problem, peculiarity, things he fixed and things he did not fix because it was not urgent yet. He explained me how to look for problems and what to pay attention to. I personally think that is the mark of a great mechanic. read more