Mammoth PowerSports looks to fill local vacuum

If you’re a motorcyclist or an ATV rider, JW Stoehr’s Mammoth Power-Sports is your place for accessories, tune-ups, and parts, plus a full-time mechanic ready to help you with anything you may need.

Mammoth PowerSports was opened in the early 2000’s. Stoehr is the third owner of the shop, and is going into his second year of ownership this year.

Stoehr is originally from Minnesota, and has been riding and operating motorcycles since 1986, when he was five years old.

“I had my road racing license before I could drive a car,” Stoehr said. “I had a 250 ninja [street bike]. I raced in the Central Racing Association and raced at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota. I have also raced Mammoth Motorcross, and my best success has been in desert off-road racing.”

I asked Stoehr why he came to California. He replied, “Growing up in the midwest, I had to explore what California had to offer. Now, because of what it had to offer, I haven’t left since.”

Mammoth PowerSports owner JW Stoehr. Photo courtesy: Sheet staff.

Stoehr was a snowcat operator at Mammoth Mountain for several seasons after he moved to town.

In fact, that’s where I had one of my first encounters with Stoehr. He taught me how to properly operate a snowcat when I was fresh off the Michigan farm. My first impression: Stoehr was a hard-working, good-souled midwestern man.

Stoehr left the cat crew and found employment with the previous owners of Mammoth PowerSports when it was a KTM Motorcycle dealership.

“Mono County is home to some of the finest off-roading in the country,” he said. “Everything from Jeep Trails to technical single track.

“Mammoth needs a shop like this. Business has been good, and Mammoth Motorcross always helps as well.”

As for the recent closure of Golden State Cycle in Bishop, Stoehr said he wasn’t happy to see it go. “I’m sorry to see Golden State Cycle close,” he said. “There are a lot of riders out there that need support. I want to be that guy.”

Regarding his own approach to business, he said, “I believe in mom and pop shops. “Customer service is key. I try and build a relationship, because trusting your mechanic goes a long way.”

Mammoth PowerSports is a Western Power Sports distributor and can get most parts overnight. New to the Shop is a tire mounting and balancing machine for motorcycles, ATV’s, and dirtbikes. This machine is the only one in three counties, Stoehr said.

“One day I would like to have a dealership, but right now its not in the cards,” he said of future plans.

Currently, Mammoth PowerSports is a full service shop for the summer, primarily concentrating on motorcycles. Stoehr also said that winter storage is available, along with parts, accessories, and snowmobile service.

As far as snowmobiling, business has been tough, Stoehr said. But a good winter will bring back the snomos, he concluded.

You can find JW Stoehr at Mammoth PowerSports on 106 Commerce Drive in Mammoth’s Industrial Park, or give him a call at 760-924-3155.