Kawasaki-Suzuki of Rome

by Jimmy Lemaster

Jimmy Lemaster has lived in Rome, Georgia, his whole life. In 1976, Lemaster married his wife, Denise. Together the Lemasters have two sons, Jason and Kris, along with six grandchildren. All of the grandchildren love to ride and hangout at their grandparent’s dealership, Kawasaki-Suzuki of Rome.

Fifty years in the powersports industry—doing what you love and loving what you do—all started when a few high school and church friends would ride their motorcycles to school and church. That is when Lemaster decided he had to have his own motorcycle. When Lemaster was in the eleventh grade, he drove his Harley Davidson 350 to the Harley Dealership and the Honda Dealership to ask for a job. Lemaster landed an after-school job at the Honda Dealership in 1971, working for George and Gennett Swinford.

A few years later, Lemaster opened his own shop called Cycle Specialist. The shop was located on Dean Street in an old gas station. The Lemasters made the back of the store into a small living space. The Lemasters stayed there until just before their first son Jason was born in 1979. The Cycle Specialist was known for motorcycle repairs, parts, and accessories.

By 1983, Kawasaki of Rome was sold to George and Byron Swinford, who wanted Lemaster’s shop to merge with Kawasaki of Rome in 1984. Lemaster purchased Kawasaki of Rome from his partners and became the full owner of the dealership in 1988.

In 1988, it was only Lemaster’s wife, Denise, and one mechanic operating the dealership. The dealership has now expanded to ten employees. Kawasaki Motor Corporation

has ranked Kawasaki of Rome sixth in the eastern sales region and was the number one Kawasaki Dealer in Georgia in August of 2000. Lemaster turned a family business into a regional success.

The Lemasters have grown with the industry. In the pre-seventies, it was just motorcycles. The powersports business began to grow with three-wheeler ATVs, stand-up jet skis, and four-wheeler and sit-down jet skis. The latest growth happened when the Mule Side by Side utility was introduced. That kick started the sports machine Teryx for more aggressive riding. Around 1989, the Lemasters got their first computer and were able to offer financing to their customers—which only created more sales. The economy was improving and powersport manufacturers were broadening their products around 1992.

Now, Suzuki has been added to the dealership in 2021. Kawasaki-Suzuki of Rome’s reputation has spread well beyond Rome and Floyd County. Kawasaki-Suzuki of Rome offers a full line of street bikes, dirt bikes, side by sides, allterrain vehicles, and jet ski watercraft. Kawasaki-Suzuki of Rome also carries a large selection of apparel and accessories for all of their products.

Financing options are available to Kawasaki-Suzuki of Rome customers. This is the place for first time buyers because they will leave the dealership in full gear! “We try our hardest to meet customer satisfaction, it is of the utmost importance to us. With our staff experience, we are very helpful in figuring out exactly which product the customer is wanting,” said Lemaster.

Kawasaki of Rome has won the Best of Rome for eight years. They have also been nominated for Best of Rome 2021. Lemaster has shared his love for motorcycles with his family. Included among his employees are, his wife, Denise, his son, Kris, and his two daughters-in-law, Erica and Peggy.

In his free time, Lemaster still loves to work on and ride motorcycles. Lemaster used to race motor cross and hair scrambles all around Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. Now, he likes to ride dirt bikes with his grandchildren. Spending time on the lake is a blast—riding jet skis with friends and family at surrounding lakes and rivers. It is also great family fun to go out to riding parks with Lemaster’s two sons and grandchildren, riding their teryx side by sides! The children love to get muddy and play. “We always make a lunch and have a little picnic together—making great memories,” said Lemaster.

If you are ready for a new ride, we would love to help you and build a friendship! Come see us at KawasakiSuzuki of Rome at 2853 Alabama Hwy, Rome, Georgia 30165. You can also give us a call at 706-235-3454 or email us at sales@kawasakiofrome.com. Our website is www.kawasakiofrome.com. We look forward to working with you. Suzuki goodnewscm.com // 23