Bonus Family Garage: Block Party!

Bonus Family Block Party: Custom & Vintage Motorcycle Show…

In recent years, we’ve loved watching the rise of DIY motorcycle garages in different cities across the country and around the world. These shops provide not only the space, lifts, and tools to work on members’ bikes, but they become hubs of their local motorcycle communities, fostering the camaraderie and friendships that make our culture what it is.

Earlier this year, we were thrilled to learn that a new DIY garage is set to open in our home state of Georgia. It’s called Bonus Family Garage and will be located in the Grant Park neighborhood of Atlanta.

As many of you know, Brother Moto was a fixture of the Atlanta motorcycle community for many years. When they had to close their doors in 2021, it left quite a vacuum, so we’re doubly excited for Bonus Family Garage. Recently, we caught up with BFG’s Miles Sager to learn more.

“BFG is a DIY motorcycle garage and coffee shop. Kind of like a gym membership for your bike. You can sign up as a member and come to our space and we have all the tools you need to do whatever you want to do on your bike.” -Miles Sager, BFG

While Bonus Family Garage has yet to open their physical space, they’re already open to membership and have been planning a variety of community events. “Friends of the family” include some of our favorite motorcycle people, including Caleb Swiney (@lemonfarmcycles) — AHRMA trials champion and builder of the Allman Brothers Tribute Chopper that’s been making waves at shows across the country — as well as Brother Moto cofounder Jared Erickson (@alliswell).

At this year’s Barber Vintage Fest, BFG offered free camping spots for members, and on September 30, they hosted the Bonus Family Block Party, a custom and vintage motorcycle show, which took place during Candler Park’s Fall Festival.

Our friend and photographer Drew Perlmutter was on hand to capture the shots you see here. After the show, we got in touch with Miles to learn more about the Bonus Family Garage vision, space, events, memberships, and more. Below is our short interview with Miles, along with more shots from the Block Party.

Bonus Family Garage Interview: Miles Sager

• Please tell us a bit about yourself and your history with motorcycles.

My name is Miles. I work in production for my day job as a producer for Delta Air Line’s internal agency. I have been riding motorcycles for 11 years or so now. My dad rode bikes when he was younger and when I was a toddler there is a famous picture of my riding on the back of his CB550 throwing up a peace sign.

When I was 18 I was working in production at a summer internship in LA. Fighting traffic everyday I would see bikes zooming past me, splitting lanes and I thought, fuck, I want to do that. So I used my small amount of savings at the end of the summer to buy a 125cc scooter. I lived in San Francisco at the time and it was the best thing ever. Zipping around town, can park anywhere you want. The freedom of it was a big draw for me. I’ve struggled with anxiety all my life especially with going places but as soon as you hop on a bike all of my worries and anxiety disappears and all I focus on is riding.

When I moved to Atlanta in 2020, I purchased a bike with my partner to teach her how to ride. A 2018 TU250 and then shortly after an XS650. With a friend, we started working on the XS. Chopping the frame, putting it all together. That really started my journey of working on bikes, keeping them running and giving them my own custom style.

When I’m not on set, I work at a computer all day. There is something so rewarding and relaxing about getting up from the desk and walking out to the garage to get your hands dirty. It’s empowering to figure out how to keep your machines running and being able to fix something yourself. I’m not a mechanic by any stretch, but even if I’m just changing my oil, I have a smile on my face.

• What is Bonus Family Garage and what’s the story behind it?

BFG is a DIY motorcycle garage and coffee shop. Kind of like a gym membership for your bike. You can sign up as a member and come to our space and we have all the tools you need to do whatever you want to do on your bike.

There was a big hole when Brother Moto closed down in Atlanta. We had been working with those guys and friends with them, going to bike nights, riding, etc. At the time, I was looking at taking a loan out to go back to school when I thought, fuck it, why not take out a business loan and give this motorcycle thing a real shot. I have always been interested in running businesses and have run a few successfully in the past, so I was ready to take on a new challenge. Along with my friends, my partner, we teamed up to try and make this shop a reality and fill that void in the community.

To us, Bonus is your chosen family. The people you can rely on when you need something. We are open and inclusive to all people, types of riders and bikes. Whoever you are and whatever you ride there is a place for you here with us.

• Do you have an estimated opening date for the public retail space or private member club yet?

This is the question we get asked a lot! We do not have a set date for opening yet. We have an awesome building in Grant Park Atlanta secured, lease signed, we are just waiting for city of Atlanta to sign the our building permit. We will be opening the public coffee shop and retail space first, followed by the private club. This is a very unique business model and we want to make sure everything is approved in a proper way to ensure the longevity of the businesses and of our location in Grant Park!

• What levels of membership and benefits are available?

Tier I
$30 / Month or $330 / year

– DIY Shop, daily access to all tools and lifts during business hours
– Members only group rides
– Members only events & trips
– Technical support (we got you)
– FREE / discounted workshops
Plus: Lounge space, fast wifi, and monthly newsletter

Tier II
$125 / Month or $1375 / year

– Everything in Tier 1
– Storage for one bike in the shop. Can be for a project bike, non running, winterizing, or just overnight
– Unlimited entry/exit during regular shop hours
– Trickle charging available upon request
– Members only group rides
– Members only events & trips
– Technical support (we got you)
– FREE / discounted workshops
Plus: Lounge space, fast wifi, and monthly newsletter

Tier III
$250 / Month or $2750 / year

The highest tier
– Everything in Tiers 1 & 2
– Dedicated workstation including: lift, tools & storage
– Keep your bike on the lift for as long as you want plus store one extra bike at the shop
– Members only rides
– Members only events & trips
– Technical support (we got you)
– FREE / discounted workshops
Plus: Lounge space, fast wifi, and monthly newsletter

Social Member
$12 / Month or $132 / year

For the moto-curious, the friends, the supporters. Perfect if you don’t need access to the garage but want to be around a community of amazing people. Unlock members only gatherings, rides, and discounts.

• What can prospective members do now to support the shop?

Prospective members can sign up as Social members or Tier 1-3 now. You will have to pay your first month in order to save your spot, but they will not pay again until we officially open our doors. That really does help us so we know exactly how many members we will have when we open. We all have been organizing explore members-only events and members-only perks have already started! We gave free camping spots at Barber to anyone members who wanted to attend!

Other than that, we host a weekly bike night at Wild Heaven West End every Thursday from 6-9pm! Come meet us and meet the community. We also have a Discord channel where you can stay up to date on all events as well as meet our community for rides, camp outs, and more. You can join our Discord server here: https://discord.gg/WSFU87FY

• We saw y’all were just at Barber Vintage Fest. Do you have any other upcoming events we should know about?

Other than our weekly bike nights, we have a couple more events coming up that we are super excited about. A couple have yet to be announced so say tun on our Instagram @BonusFamilyGarage or on our website at bonusfamilygarage.com.