 Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Just thought I'd share ...
When we took the rental H-D back, the guy from rentals was outside moving a bike.
I pulled up next to him and nodded ... nothin' - I was quite upset as I was wearing my new lid and Elton John style mega sized fly goggles 
He went in the dealership and returned with some spray type cleaner ... I tried another nod, without the lid and goggles this time ... nothing.
We stood inside for several minutes (he obviously knew we were there) ... and waited ... and waited.
Someone put out a call for 'Don' who came back in with a face like a smacked arse!
Me: Mornin'
Don: We just had a bike totalled ..
Me: Is the guy OK?
Don: .. and it's in Virginia!
Me: But is the guy OK?
Don: Yeah but the bike is totalled and it's in Virginia!
Me: But as long as the guy's OK though ..
Don: ... *blank expression and insert image of rolling tumbleweed* ...
Shari and I exchanged one of those 'okaaaaay' type glances and left shortly afterwards with a cosy warm glow you obviously get when dealing with H-D 'customer care' ...
He never once asked "how was the bike?", "how was your ride?", "do you want to buy one?".
I was going to suggest adding a few more speakers, perhaps an sub woofer and amp (Mat and Mark had to get alongside the bike at lights to hear it properly!!) but they lost their chance for customer feedback on the quality of the stereo.
Oh yeah, the lack of iPod holder is a shocking omission in this day and age.
Last edited by Adey; 09/27/2006 9:14 AM.
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
Quote:
He never once asked "how was the bike?", "how was your ride?", "do you want to buy one?".
This was because he knows the answers already since you had the bike for over a week. 
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
And yet my local HD dealer.... £70 of stuff for a raffle at the Triumph Owners Rally! Lovely guys....just a shame they sell Harleys!
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel...
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
You would be upset too if you lost a member of your family...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Adey,
So how was the bike ... what did you get?
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Obviously cares for his bikes and not the people who ride them... Quote:
Don: Yeah but the bike is totalled and it's in Virginia!
or maybe he had to go and pick the pieces up.... 
Ray(UK)
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Hey Thanassis Quote:
Adey,
So how was the bike ... what did you get?
It was a Street Glide FGTYREDGHHIUYTTGFDC ... or something!
Actually it was a Street Glide FLHX - nicknamed Fat Lardy Harley Xcrement
I actually enjoyed it - it's no shocker, I said it at the rally.
The 'screen' wasn't worth jack and if I tried to ride with my visor up, the turbulence tried to rip it off.
Normal riding meant my head wobbled a lot too.
On tick-over, the whole bloody bike shook - ask anyone there. The mirrors stopped shaking at 2000rpm - I conducted a scientific experiment to find that out.
The bike shakes so much, the foot boards are two piece and are rubber mounted to reduce vibration.
If you remove the panniers, the exhausts are also rubber mounted.
Changing gear up near the red line (very easy to get the rev limiter), the gear lever shook like a shaky thing that was shaking!
The actual gear lever was so high, I couldn't change with the toe part of my boot as normal, but I had to use the bridge of my foot.
All sounds bad but the pluses:
It was a VERY comfortable bike, easy to ride, quick enough (though it should be at 1430cc or whatever it was).
I like foot boards now and might get some.
The radio/cd player was a hoot (despite saying initially ripping the p!ss).
The dishwasher and microwave could have been bigger but at least the coffee machine worked well.
To be fair, I was happy to ride.
I'm happy to ride any bike.
If push came to shove, I doubt I'd part with my own money for one.
If I were given a H-D? Put a decent screen on it and give it a multi-CD changer and who knows
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 671
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 671 |
The guys a disgrace to both the biking world and the name Don!!!! sounds to me like you enjoyed your time on the HD Adey...... I'll be setting up a book to see when the single end on wheels goes up for sale to buy a new hd tractor in its place
hmmm funny line to follow
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,611 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,611 Likes: 1 |
HD's are fine for what they are -
I looked at harleys, a lot of harleys, before I discovered triumphs.
The reason I won't own a harley - the sheep, the "lifestyle", and the same attitude you experienced. Their dealers suck.
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Quote:
On tick-over, the whole bloody bike shook - ask anyone there. The mirrors stopped shaking at 2000rpm - I conducted a scientific experiment to find that out.
The bike shakes so much, the foot boards are two piece and are rubber mounted to reduce vibration.
Adey,
A "shaky" experience eh?
Well at least you now have first-hand knowledge that an HD whateverGlide doesn't actually glide along and also enjoyed yourself in the process.
The coffee machine must have also proved useful.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Sometimes the reasons people buy motorcycles and the reasons people sell motorcycles aren't the same reasons.
Stands to reason............
JH
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,204
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,204 |
Not all HD dealers are bad, as I told you guys earlier I have an shop account at one of the HD dealers here in Tulsa, and whenever I go in to do business They always treat me right and are pretty friendly(they still give me a rash of s**t for riding a Triumph but then they add "at least it's not a Jap bike")......Angelis
1200CC BIG BORE, W/WISECO PISTONS,.250 STROKED CRANK, PORTED/POLISHED HEADS AND LARGER VALVES, CUSTOM WELDED EXHUAST, DUAL 42MM MIKUNI CARBS.
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Quote:
Well at least you now have first-hand knowledge that an HD whateverGlide doesn't actually glide along and also enjoyed yourself in the process
To be fair, once you pulled away (and apart from high rev gear changes!) it was smooth.
Like I said, VERY comfortable.
It was also the first time I'd ridden with highway pegs too.
Very useful if only to offer a change in leg position 'for something to do'.
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2006
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well i know at least 2 hard core H-D boys that are complianing that there dealer of choise (TSI big here in CT)
are starting to get downright arrogant and treating long time customers like crap.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
The folks at the local dealership here in Clovis are nice enough. The OL's Lowrider is in to get a minor FU in the installation of the lightbar fixed. It's in warranty and it is a real pain to remove the tank (no petcock on the FI version!) so they can fool with it. Acts like they didn't plug in the relay tight.
They even came outside to see my Triumph and didn't even try to sell me one of theirs.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I have rode a lot of bikes and all kinds of makes. I always enjoy the ride, but when I get back on my TRIUMPH I always think; Man, it just don't get any better than this.
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Guys, I have to say this. I love crackin on Harley guys as much as the next guy. I mean, my neighbor just left his wife and two kids, doesn't pay child-support, goes out an buys a brand new Harley. What's great is his car...a bright yellow volkwagon beetle!
But I digress. I was a Harley owner before and I still love the bikes. I'm sorry but there is nothing that sounds as great as a Harley.
Wait, better story. The Beetle guy. His battery dies on the bug. He calls his ex-wife, who jumps the car, drives it to her house, where she changes the battery for him, while he holds the flashlight. You just can't make stuff like that up!
Anyway, if I had the funds I'd have a Harley in my garage right now in addition to my Triumph. It's not the bike, it's the rider in my opinion.
Besides, it's not what you ride...it's that you ride!
"I am what I am, and that's all that I am."
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,960
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I'd have to agree with TBANGA. I ride with several HD riders and they are great guys to know. It's the Dentists and Chiropractors that have "bought" into the lifestyle, lots of chrome, clothing, trailers and attitude. You can't buy being a biker, you just are or aren't.
Not that I've ever considered myself one, I just like to ride but a friend who's been riding for over 40 years called me a real rider a few months back. Still don't see myself as one but having someone like that call me one made me feel proud.
John
Like a dog on a car ride with my tongue in the wind
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Quote:
I ride with several HD riders and they are great guys to know. It's the Dentists and Chiropractors that have "bought" into the lifestyle ..
You're not wrong mate.
I also know a couple of H-D riders - top guys.
When I bought my America, one kept telling me I'd buy a Harley.
Still wouldn't even after riding one for no other reason than too much £$£$£$£$£.
My sister called last night to see how my trip was and I told her the dealer has everything from dog collars to sweat pants and she said "I know, *so-and-so* who works with me has it all, belts, wallets .. everything" .. I left it at that.
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,954
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I went into the local HD dealer in Anderson(SC) to get some soft straps when I moved my bike up north last weekend, and they asked if I was a HOG member. I said "Nah, I ride a Triumph and think RAT might get miffed!", nothing but grins and friendly treatment despite ridin' one o'them "furrin" bikes!! Just like anything else, there are A-holes in every lot...
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Okay....
...A priest, a rabbi, and a methodist minister, all walk into a Harley shop, and....and.......
....oh sorry!
Wrong thread!
Cheers,
Dwight
(hey...gimme a break...I'm gettin' old and a bit "corn-fused" a lot lately)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Harley dealers .. they're all heart!
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,382
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,382 |
One of the mechanics at a local HD shop here in VA actually rides a tricked out Speedy.
'06 TBA - Black, AI and Snorkel removed, K&N Drop In, Gutted Stock Pipes, 145/42, 2 turns out.
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