I called up my local stealership to get some prices on some Avon Roadriders. They quoted me prices slightly cheaper than Bikebandit which surprised me, but then I asked if they would install them for free and the guy laughed at me...literally. He said it was $30 for the front and $50 for the rear. So much for getting a good price on the tires. How in the hell do they expect someone to pay that much to put 2 tires on a bike when wal-mart will do it for 4 tires on a car for free?
so anyone know anywhere in central FL that will install tires for cheap/free?
PS: this annoys me as much as the people on ebay that put a really low price on an item and than want 500% markup on the shipping to make up the difference :flipoff: :2guns:
I hate my local dealership with the burning hatred of a thousand suns. I would rather have my gums tattooed while being castrated with a plastic butter knife than speak with one of their incompetent sales people. Their parts department is crap and their bathrooms are always out of toilet paper. THEY CONFUSED MY 2002 GS5 WITH A GSXR 600...
Having said that...the price doesn't seem all that unreasonable to me.
Sometimes craigslist has posts for motorcycle mechanics that might be able to do it cheaper. I would exercise caution with any work done out of some strangers garage but you might get a deal that way.
Considering that the going shop rate is $60-80 an hour, those aren't unreasonable prices if you're taking the bike to them. Ask what the price is if you pull the wheels yourself and bring them in. I had been paying $20/tire doing it this way, but when the price went up over $25, I started doing it myself again. I'm thinking about springing for the portable tire changer and motorcycle tire adaptor at Harbor Freight for about $110. It would pay for itself in just a couple of years.
I'm afraid I have to agree. I've worked in two different bike shops, the first of which mounted and balanced for "free" if you bought the tires from them. You paid the difference in the cost of the tires. I'm now a technician in a shop that charges labor for mounting and test ride like most others I know of. If the tire price quoted was lower than the internet, i'd be sure to pay someone to mount, balance, test ride, and then assume the liability for the work. And $80 for both wheels isn't bad for these parts, less than what my shop charges. Profit margin on tires isn't enormous, and if you pay a tech to do the work, its gone. You could always mount and balance them yourself, but that's another kettle of fish...
I understand that there are some really lousy dealerships who couldn't give two flying farts about their customers and price gouge at every possible opportunity, and I heartily give them the finger. I like it when the competition gives me work. But I've seen things from both sides of the counter, and there really is no free lunch.
I'm not saying I don't want to pay a fair price for the tires. In fact I expected paying more than internet prices for them at the stealership. I would have no problem paying up to $20 per tire more at the stealer than on the internet, but I would expect them to be installed for free. at least installed for free with the wheels already off of the bike.
when the shop charges $90/hour for labor and wants to charge me $80 to mount 2 tires I'm going to feel taken advantage of. there's no way in hell it takes anywhere near that long when I can remove a tire in less than 5 minutes.
It is worth it for tires, especially the rear. It is a pain to do and getting a pro to do it right for you shouldn't be cheap. When I went to my local dealership to get new tires (the only service I ever get from them) the mechanic came out after he was done and went over the rest of the bike with me and spent a good 20 minutes pointing out things he didn't think looked right. He even gave me his best guess of what was wrong and how to fix it. I went home and got to work and it turns out he was right about all the stuff he pointed out. It was well worth the cost, which wasn't even that bad. Yes, it costs more than getting car tires mounted and balanced, but you've only got two tires so the shop makes less profit on you and since you're on a bike, it is a whole lot more of a problem if they get anything wrong.
were i get mine done at its 25 if you get the tire from them and 30 if you dont.
So you want the tyres at the cheapest price and fitted for nothing......guess thats fair enough, you can only ask.........but I wouldnt cry and whinge about if they said no. They are in it to make a profit, not give you everything you want or serve your every need without question :)
If you can get a tire off in less than 5 minutes maybe you should just change them yourself, it sounds like you really know what you are doing.
I can't get a tire off in 5, but I can get a wheel off in 5 minutes - I misspoke there.
I think the price is exorbitantly high. Does anyone here think that $80 for mounting 2 tires is a fair price considering the time it takes to do it? or are we are brainwashed because we have all been ripped off for so long? like I said earlier, I've got no problem paying more for tires at a dealership, but I expect a fair price to mount them too, if not for free. like joshr said, he gets his done for $25 or $30 which seems much more reasonable to me. I know they have to make a profit and I have no problem at all with that, but there's a point when you go from making a reasonable profit to being an a@@hole.
i paid 70 front and rear tires on the wifes vtr
I just took the wheels and tires in and had them switch them and balance them.. ran around 40 bucks. I put them back myself, but apparently missing a part in the handbook (see http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=45796.0).. still I'd just have them switch the tires on the wheels then put the wheels back on yourself.
So take them to the same place Josh does and stop fuggin moaning.
Sounds fair to me. Like most auto work the time is pro rated.
Quote from: seamax on April 13, 2009, 11:47:12 AM
Sounds fair to me. Like most auto work the time is pro rated. I usually take the wheels off myself and bring them in. I save about $40-50.
......and factor in the cost of the fitting/balancing equipment which has to paid for.
At the end of the day the choice is yours, no one is forcing you to pay the dealer rates. If your not happy vote with your feet and find someone who will fit them at a price you are happy with
:dunno_black:
oh and i forgot 70 was just mount and balance i still had to put them back on the bike myself. average tire machine is around 5k or more from what ive seen for prices. thats alot of tires on and off to pay for just the machine not including the person running the machine.
granted there is a lot of expenses to go into being able to offer a tire mounting service, how are businesses able to do it for cars so cheaply? especially if the wheels are off the bike to begin with? with the way they rip off new buyers with high markups on the bikes and merchandise, you would think they could at least offer low enough prices on maintenance services so that they would still make plenty of money and the customer would feel like they got some value somewhere - but I guess that's wishful thinking.
Yea ... that's why the buddha business is going great. In fact even when the buddha is getting rid of people without GS500's there is enough clowns that also own GS500 but pull a bait and switch ... yea I need to do a gluclglucglab on my GS500 ... I say OK bring it over. Some other worthless POS R6 yamaha shows up, and they swear up and down I said bring it on ...
One clown has a polished YZF 600 ... right, steel frame ... polished. I sprayed carb cleaner, next day it rusted there ...
Cool.
Buddha.
Oh BTW I love it when losers buy a used bike from a dealer because they want it to be reliable ... those are the most F*(ked up most over paid POS'es I have ever seen. Worse yet, they are so stupid they dont know when you tell them sheite is busted.
Yea prettied up POS'es.
Cool.
Buddha.
---how are businesses able to do it for cars so cheaply?
Economy of scale?
Gonna go out on a limb here and guess that more car/truck tires are sold in the U.S. than motorcycle tires. The local Walmart tire center is ALWAYS packed. The local motorcycle dealership garage...not so much. ;)
Quote from: tripleb on April 13, 2009, 12:23:49 PM
with the way they rip off new buyers
If you have the sense to walk away and NOT pay them the money they cant rip you off. My point being........if a dealer rips you off, its YOUR fault and no one elses. See the link.... :laugh:
http://www.bartleby.com/59/3/foolandhismo.html
I think certain services you get a dealerships should be priced according to skill level needed to do the job. Like I don't want to pay $100 p/hr to do an oil change. Pay the big $$ for diagnostics and skillful stuff. Same for tires, not the most skilled type of labor.
QuoteI think certain services you get a dealerships should be priced according to skill level needed to do the job. Like I don't want to pay $100 p/hr to do an oil change. Pay the big $$ for diagnostics and skillful stuff. Same for tires, not the most skilled type of labor.
that's an excellent point. I completely agree.
and sledge, I do recognize that I can walk away and in fact, I won't pay those prices. I'm just asking how they think they can justify asking that much and why people are willing to pay it.
Quote from: ATLRIDER on April 13, 2009, 12:46:09 PM
I think certain services you get a dealerships should be priced according to skill level needed to do the job. Like I don't want to pay $100 p/hr to do an oil change. Pay the big $$ for diagnostics and skillful stuff. Same for tires, not the most skilled type of labor.
If they did that, you'd be pissed off next time you tried to go there and the tire guy wasn't in that day and no one else was willing to do the work for that price. Same would go for the people who wanted other service and nobody but the tire changing guy was there. You can't pay an expert variable rates based on the work they're doing because then they'll refuse specific, low paying jobs or just go work somewhere else that is willing to pay them.
Quote from: tripleb on April 13, 2009, 12:51:08 PM
Quote
and sledge, I do recognize that I can walk away and in fact, I won't pay those prices. I'm just asking how they think they can justify asking that much and why people are willing to pay it.
Perhaps you had better direct the question towards a dealer rather than an owner. Personaly I think the answer has been covered............. but thats up to you.
I agree with Fred. (again) Don't be a socialist and decide how much people can make or should make. Next thing you know they'll be deciding what YOU will make. Find a mechanic who will do it for a price you're comfortable with or get some dynabeads and do the damn job yourself. I don't like stealership prices either but I combat it by going elsewhere or doing it myself.
Do you know why they can get $80 + tax to mount two tires on your bike? Most of their customers are 55-year-old accountants and physical therapists who don't want to get their hands dirty.
Go ahead, get your hands dirty. Be a man!
As for mounting car tires, it's cheaper because it's faster and easier to mount and dismount car wheels than your bike, especially the rear.
Tripleb,
you forgot to mention what all the local shops are charging. Main line and independent alike.
when all charge about the same.....it is what the market will tolerate.
if one is significantly cheaper.....go there
or buy 2 tire spoons and a c clamp and skip the balance if you want to be a super cheep a$$
Fred,
Most dealerships probably feel that way & that's exactly the reason I don't take my cars, bikes to dealerships. 99% of the time I do it myself or would be looking elsewhere to get it done for what I consider a reasonable price. Back in the day I was a svc advisor in a car dealership and we did drop prices down on oil changes so we could keep customers happy and coming back. I'd be just as pissed off if I had to pay through the nose for these simpler services. Just my .02
I think at this point we can all agree that there's no one forcing us to pay these rates so let's forget about that. I'm not paying $80 to have someone put tires on 2 wheels when they're off the bike. you can talk all you want about why you think it's a good price but you will never convince me it's a fair or reasonable one.
The way I see it, once a person has a bike the way you continue to make money off of them is to encourage them to come back to you again and again. Price gouging them is only going to piss the customer off and drive them away. but if you offer them good prices and decent service than you will customers for life. I personally will never buy anything through this dealer again because of their ridiculous prices and that's a customer they lost because they want to charge out of the a@@ for a simple service that I'm happy to pay for at a decent rate. just my $.02
I live in Ocala Fl. and we have a little hole in the wall bike shop that installs bike tires for 25 dollars each, the only catch is they only install what they sell-----the good news is they sell quality name brand tires much cheaper than the dealer. I have been dealing with them for years and never had a problem.
I need to find someone like that here. What's the name of the place? I'm up in gainesville every so often and might stop by there on the way.
Quote from: tripleb on April 13, 2009, 03:18:30 PM
I think at this point we can all agree that there's no one forcing us to pay these rates so let's forget about that. I'm not paying $80 to have someone put tires on 2 wheels when they're off the bike. you can talk all you want about why you think it's a good price but you will never convince me it's a fair or reasonable one.
Thats a fair comment, so.....why all the pointless ranting :dunno_black: Plenty of people are prepared to pay dealer prices and will do......leave them to it.
Quote from: tripleb on April 13, 2009, 03:26:31 PM
I need to find someone like that here. What's the name of the place? I'm up in gainesville every so often and might stop by there on the way.
I've yet to put tires on my bike but my dealer has been quite reasonable with everything else. who did ya use? Central Florida Powersports is where I get most stuff. But, the motorcycle Clinic may have better prices and they are really good guys they help me out all the time!
If my shoulder allows there are Two dealers and Motorcycle Clinic is less than five miles I can get a base price. Unfortunately, I think I'm getting close to tires too! Well, not for a couple of weeks dang road debris!
Mary
I tried Fun Bike Center here in Lakeland. They've been condescending towards me before because of my "little" bike so I should've expected as much. I priced out the Avon Roadrider AM26's and they quoted $99 for the front and $115 for the rear which is about $5 better than Bikebandit overall.
Maybe I can come thru O-town and we can do that ride around Disney when your arm is better and then go check out those places.
accwhse.com usually has better tar prices than biker bandit. They dont call him biker bandit for nothing.
Cool.
Buddha.
Here is Cental Florida Powersports number 407-847-2453. I bought the bike from them they in no way wanted to push a big bike on me. Actually, one of the service guys have one! I like walking in and they know me by name never have to tell 'em what I got. They usually don't sell me what I don't need with the exception of a screw that was already in the trip meter knob I bought from there.
Motorcycle clinic's number is:407-846-7508. They have been awesome with me esp with the LED debacle they walked me through everything and encouraged me that I could do it! Again, never pushing stuff on me I don't need. They have also let me borrow tools to do quick fixes in the parking lot!
The Kawi dealership has been great too. Where I got the awesome tank bag! Also, when needing a bolt to hold my rear brake resevoir they gave me a whole handful of bolts! There number is 407-847-6686
I look forward to riding. Are you in Lakeland? I grew up in Auburndale. I know down in the back woods of Lake Wales is some good riding!
Mary
yeah, I live in south lakeland. I don't really know of any good roads around here so I'm always looking for good ones.
you could alway run time trials around the lake....lol
Find a cycle gear store near you. The one in lafayette La. told me if I bought tires from them or somewhere else they would mount and balance them for free if I brought them in. One of those perks just to get people in the door, But I must say they do have good prices, and also they carry frank thomas gear with lifetime warranty, they told me if it gets screwed up by defect or crash, wear and tear, they will replace it no questions asked... www.cyclegear.com The only draw back is that they mainly have stores on the three coasts. No mid-north states yet..
Thanks for the tip Chanse. I checked and there's quite a few within an hour from me. I called and they quoted me $20/tire if bought there and $30 if not.
The prices were higher - $109 for front and $135 for the rear. That's a installed total of $284 excluding tax at Cyclegear and $294 here at the shop in town. Further proof that the local shop is ripping us off :flipoff:
Sledge; when read the title of this thread, the forst thought that came to my mind was the WC Fields movie "You can't cheat and honest man." Just like you said.
prs
Quote from: sledge on April 13, 2009, 12:40:28 PM
Quote from: tripleb on April 13, 2009, 12:23:49 PM
with the way they rip off new buyers
If you have the sense to walk away and NOT pay them the money they cant rip you off. My point being........if a dealer rips you off, its YOUR fault and no one elses. See the link.... :laugh:
http://www.bartleby.com/59/3/foolandhismo.html
Quote from: tripleb on April 14, 2009, 09:47:22 AM
Thanks for the tip Chanse. I checked and there's quite a few within an hour from me. I called and they quoted me $20/tire if bought there and $30 if not.
The prices were higher - $109 for front and $135 for the rear. That's a installed total of $284 excluding tax at Cyclegear and $294 here at the shop in town. Further proof that the local shop is ripping us off :flipoff:
I know times are tough and money is tight but that is $10 difference. For me 'personally' if it is ~$10 I would take it to the local to save the time I would have to ride for an hour to a cycle gear store, unless I have to go riding anyways. And a $10 markup/difference is not outrageouse to me at all.
That one hour ride there and one hour back I rather spend working and making money.
Yeah, I agree that the $10 isn't a lot, but the stealer has that kind of "F you" attitude if you have a little bike and even more so if you didn't buy it from them. I don't want to give people like that my money. besides, I've got plenty of free time on the weekends and don't mind the ride at all.
Quote from: tripleb on April 14, 2009, 11:53:10 AM
Yeah, I agree that the $10 isn't a lot, but the stealer has that kind of "F you" attitude if you have a little bike and even more so if you didn't buy it from them. I don't want to give people like that my money. besides, I've got plenty of free time on the weekends and don't mind the ride at all.
OK, this I agree with. I think customer service is the key. Good and knowledgebale customer service will always bring me back, even if I have to pay a little more for it.
Believe it or not Lakeland doesn't really have any big lakes! There are a ton of little ones that have small little two lane roads that are usually stopped up with traffic. In Auburndale Lake Arianna has a nice little ride around it about five miles. If you go on 27 toward Lake Wales the road next to the Eagle Ridge Mall has some good twisties out toward that Chalet Suzette place. I haven't ridden it on the bike yet but was fun in the car.
We def gotta ride! Wow did the weather suck for you today? It was bad here 50mph wind gust and tornado warnings! Thought we were having a tropical storm LOL. But, my bike did well considering I couldn't get it on the center stand!
Mary
i could have sware theres a lake right in town over the the bball stadium
I think you're talking about Lake Parker. It's about the biggest lake in Lakeland, but there's no road all the way around it that I know of. You could do runs around Lake Hollingsworth as it's nice to watch the college girls run around (esp. when it's hot :woohoo:), but there's a lot of traffic and a couple of lights.
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=28.058196,-81.932945&spn=0.08256,0.132523&t=h&z=13 (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=28.058196,-81.932945&spn=0.08256,0.132523&t=h&z=13)
Quote from: tripleb on April 14, 2009, 06:18:00 AM
yeah, I live in south lakeland. I don't really know of any good roads around here so I'm always looking for good ones.
Go find this one: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=46636.msg :icon_twisted:
Yeah sorry for the bad news but I called cyclegear's corporate office today and they no longer do it for free, it was a promotional thing like the first year.. Sorry guys. They said their standard rate is $20 if purchased from them $30 if else where...
Quote from: The Buddha on April 13, 2009, 12:36:21 PM
Oh BTW I love it when losers buy a used bike from a dealer because they want it to be reliable ... those are the most F*(ked up most over paid POS'es I have ever seen. Worse yet, they are so stupid they dont know when you tell them sheite is busted.
Yea prettied up POS'es.
Cool.
Buddha.
Hey, thats what I did. :embarrassed: I'm still trying to decide how bad I got f*cked. A 2006 GS500F with 875 miles, very clean, looks very nice on the outside. $4600 OTD. But it has bad gas mileage (~30) and the throttle response is kind of sluggish. The service manager told me today that the bad mileage is because it hasn't broken in yet and when I have about 1500 - 2000 miles on it I should be getting around 70mpg. He also said that there would be a bit of lag in the throttle response until it got broken in and that I could make that better right away by using 87 octane gas. I was all happy after talking to him, but he could just be taking advantage of my ignorance. I know for sure that the 600 mile maintainence didn't get done until 800+. Is anything he was saying true?
Quote from: wannabyng on April 14, 2009, 05:54:41 PMIs anything he was saying true?
In my (limited) experience, ummm, no. I can understand the mileage improving as the bike breaks in, but more than doubling? :bs:
P.S. I'm trying to get the quote feature to work...
P.P.S. quotes worked...now for pictures...
[/img]Go find this one: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=46636.msg :icon_twisted:[/img]
HOLY S***!!! Where is that?!
Quote from: wannabyng on April 14, 2009, 05:54:41 PM
A 2006 GS500F with 875 miles, very clean, looks very nice on the outside. $4600 OTD. But it has bad gas mileage (~30) and the throttle response is kind of sluggish. The service manager told me today that the bad mileage is because it hasn't broken in yet and when I have about 1500 - 2000 miles on it I should be getting around 70mpg. He also said that there would be a bit of lag in the throttle response until it got broken in and that I could make that better right away by using 87 octane gas.
Well, no. In fact, I'd have to say he's spewing bovine-derived fertilizer, Oh Mah Goodness. Something is seriously wrong if you are getting 30 MPG and this is not a race bike with massive modifications being run on the track, IMHO. Valves should be checked, carbs should be checked, brakes should be checked (for drag/not releasing fully).
I found it. It's actually in winter haven which is about 30 minutes from lakeland. unfortunately, it is gated :bs:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=west+lake+hamilton+drive,+lakeland,+fl&sll=28.062286,-81.88797&sspn=0.298718,0.617981&ie=UTF8&ll=28.068828,-81.663769&spn=0.002334,0.004828&t=h&z=18 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=west+lake+hamilton+drive,+lakeland,+fl&sll=28.062286,-81.88797&sspn=0.298718,0.617981&ie=UTF8&ll=28.068828,-81.663769&spn=0.002334,0.004828&t=h&z=18)
Quote from: wannabyng on April 14, 2009, 05:54:41 PM
Quote from: The Buddha on April 13, 2009, 12:36:21 PM
Oh BTW I love it when losers buy a used bike from a dealer because they want it to be reliable ... those are the most F*(ked up most over paid POS'es I have ever seen. Worse yet, they are so stupid they dont know when you tell them sheite is busted.
Yea prettied up POS'es.
Cool.
Buddha.
Hey, thats what I did. :embarrassed: I'm still trying to decide how bad I got f*cked. A 2006 GS500F with 875 miles, very clean, looks very nice on the outside. $4600 OTD. But it has bad gas mileage (~30) and the throttle response is kind of sluggish. The service manager told me today that the bad mileage is because it hasn't broken in yet and when I have about 1500 - 2000 miles on it I should be getting around 70mpg. He also said that there would be a bit of lag in the throttle response until it got broken in and that I could make that better right away by using 87 octane gas. I was all happy after talking to him, but he could just be taking advantage of my ignorance. I know for sure that the 600 mile maintainence didn't get done until 800+. Is anything he was saying true?
Not too bad ... atleast its not busted broken ...
You may have a F*(ked up carb, cos air cooled crap usually wears in by 800. In fact it come out from the factory looser than pamela anderson's bra on paris hilton ...
So yea you're stuck at 30 ... breakin will do more for power and very little for much else.
50 bucks i'll get it set right ... I own this dealership here in this town, Buddha Morotcycles scooters, atv's and railroad.
Yea, I sell those big railcars.
Cool.
Buddha.
Wannabyng:
Only one thing the service manager told you is true. The GS 500 runs fine on regular gas. The rest is pure crap. Your bike sat with untreated gas in it and the carbs are gummed-up. It's the only thing a bike as new as yours could have wrong with it other than a crash. Listen to the Buddha. It can't be neglected for oil changes because it's only got 875 on the clock!
TripleB:
I feel the same way about stealerships but we can only fight classless greedy dealers by voting with our dollars.
They make money in 4 ways. New bike sales, trade-ins, parts and accessories, and service. They only make money off you for changing a tire. That, and because you're young is why you get the :flipoff: attitude. No, it's not necessary, nor is it professional, but it's their stealership and they can run it as they please. You and I are small potatoes to them, so we're not worthy in their eyes of the V.I.P. treatment reserved for the accountants and physical therapists I told you about. This is a sign of a dealer who is making fat money. He doesn't need us, so if we're smart we go elsewhere.
If I walked into the same stealership they wouldn't treat me so shabby until they learned I'm not about to hand over my very nice GS for $500 and sign my life away for a new mundane yawn-fest metric cruiser or Harley like the rest of the sheep. If I wanted a recliner with wheels I would put wheels on my recliner. I remember the treatment you're talking about. I don't get it anymore. It's one of the rewards of getting older. Until they find out otherwise they think I have money. Actually I could buy practically any motorcycle within reason if I wanted, but that's not the point. I would never treat someone that way, and you are in the right for feeling annoyed by it, but don't let it get to you much.
Just take your money to someone who treats you like a human being.
I use local mechanics for that reason. I'd rather give my money to a friendly 60-year-old codger who doesn't care what I ride, who has a GS 500, CB 450, XV800, Triumph Tiger, Norton Commando, an old Ducati 750, (man, what an ugly bike!) CB 90, (would you believe it?) and new Honda mowers and generators in his shop any day. That's my kind of place.
I am blessed with two such establishments near where I live. They only recommend work they think I actually need. It's as if they don't want to take my money. I recently asked one of them about a valve adjustment. His reply was "Wait until it's hard to start."
Wow,
I have to say my dealership is nothing like others have described. I got a great 2004 bike with 5.000 miles for $2,800 in 2007. Before giving it to me they went over it again changed the oil, checked the valves, and filled it up with gas. I also, bought my first set of gear there. When I had a problem with my gloves they took them back no questions asked. After, the second pair didn't suit me right they made it right by letting me pick different gloves and eating the $10 difference. When, my tach broke they had it fixed in about a week and since I had the warranty I saved $200 so for me the extended warranty has been well worth it.
When I broke my mirror they told me that they didn't think buying an OEM one from them would be my best bet. They gave me a number to a salvage yard to see if they had the part! When I wanted grips we went through the after market manuals and they charged me what dennis Kirk would have charged me minus the shipping. When my bike was acting a bit funny one of the guys went out and worked on it for bout 20mins shop was slow and didn't charge me.
I guess that maybe this is a rarity. I just don't like the stereotyping because they try hard to keep their customers happy! The Polaris dealership in front of my house has been super nice to me even though they don't sell Suzuki's they somehow got a suzuki racing key fob and said "here ya go thought you'd like this" or when I ran in there needing a screw to hold my rear brake resevoir together. He went and found one the right size then gave me a handful of others just in case. So, I try to do the generic things at Polaris and suzuki specific at my dealer and then the Motorcycle Clinic they have been super too.
Mary
Mary, you found good establishments and you are fortunate. You are probably very friendly and polite, and that usually warms-up most people. You also got a killer deal on your bike. No way a dealer where I live would sell a 3-year-old GS with only 5,000 miles on it for anything under $3500 unless it was nicked-up.
I wasn't trying to stereotype anything. If I get treated like a human being, I'll go there. If they always seem to busy for me and give me the bum's rush, or charge inordinate sums, I go elsewhere. That's the only point I was trying to make.
I can relate to TripleB's problem because where I live about 3/4 of the dealerships are pretty much as he describes them. It's also a little different when you're a young man. They get the worst treatment on average in our society. I know, I lived it. Most adults treat you like a suspect. Dealerships treat me 300% better than they used to. The only thing that changed is I've aged 25 years. Do you know which dealer treats me better than any of the others? The one I bought a new bike from in 1983. I never bought a new bike again. I learned it's not worth it when 90% of the American public buys bikes for toys, don't use them much, then sell them for 1/3 the cost several years later with 10,000 or 15,000 miles on the clock. To me, buying new bikes is just a waste of money.
Having said that, I went to the spring motorcycle swap meet last weekend. All the local dealers were there. You couldn't sit on most of the bikes there, but the local Triumph dealer let me sit on every bike they had. I am aware that not all dealers are the same.
Cool Bill no probs here! I find myself very very fortunate to have found a great dealer! And yeah, I do tend to be polite and soft spoken. I learned this in the endless doctor's offices. You want to get good service make friends with the office staff. Bringing them candy and being able wait just a few extra moment have worked very well to my advantage! Usually, I can walk into the office and if I tell them I'm really not feeling well 9 times out of 10 they will see me right then. Sometimes, I do have to wait a bit that day until they can squeeze me in but it beats waiting three weeks for an appointment!
This worked at the dealership too! The other day when he was waay over whelmed I told him to take care of the other people who were in a "hurry". I could see the look of relief in his face and when he got a little less busy i walked back over and he threw in a couple of little things!
My Mantra is : "It is better to get bees with hunny than with vinegar"
Mary
the thing is that I dropped almost $1,000 there in gear because I wanted stuff to fit correctly when I could've bought everything online for about $500. I've given them a crap ton of money in profit and I still get treated like that. It's really ridiculous and I'm jealous of you guys that have found little shops that help you out and don't rape you.
thanks for listening guys, I think mostly this rant has just been because I'm pissed because that dealership likes to completely overcharge and then offer crap service to me as well. those 2 don't mix if you ask me.
Finding a good shop is often hard to do. The last one I had is now 200 miles away and likely under new management if it even still is in business, so who knows...? You simply need to find *every* shop in your area (especially the "hole in the wall" type), and visit them all, and pay attention to your vibe-o-meter - if one seems OK, then start in with whatever business you need to transact, and pay attention to how that goes.
Fortunately my local Suzuki dealer is OK for getting parts at - cost less for a new sprocket than online+shipping, and had it in 4 hours rather than a week...but I'm not all warm and fuzzy about having them do any work - something just rubs me the wrong way about the shop, and has since before I had the GS (they are also the local Yamaha dealer). The floor product runs to stupid bikes, as per the usual standard these days - certainly fails to tempt me, though I've never bought and never expect to buy a new bike, or car/truck for that matter. I was tempted by a Honda PC800 back in the day, but the tiny fuel tank (extremely short range) put me off, and they seem to have died on the vine, as I never see them used. Nice trunk, though.
Thought I had found an OK place in the more or less independent line, but after they took 9 months to do a job I had farmed out (rebuilding the master and calipers on the Yamaha) I guess they are not so good, after all. So I'm still looking. At least bikes are much more manageable to wrench on than cars/trucks - once you learn to pull the tank and wiggle out the airbox, no part is all that hard to get to, and most can be picked up without hydraulics. And don't get me started on the joy of wrenching backhoes (which starts with - if you want someone else to work on it, you have to pay about $200 to get it hauled to their shop, and $200 to get it hauled back - so do you "reeeaally" want to farm that out???)
you don't find PC800's used because people will not sell them they love them
honda remade the bike several yrs later and it was the exact same bike
it's like a MB TD wagon buy new or 20 yrs old difficult to find low mileage near new