Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Sad to leave

I am sorry to say that I will be leaving Bonneville America.com. I guess you can blame my local Triumph dealer for my departure. I purchased a 2012 Triumph America in April of this year. In July I was in an accident and totaled it. I wanted the same bike, so I had my dealer locate another one for one. But for 2 and ½ weeks they acted like a car dealer. I called him and made an appointment to discuss the OTD price. Got there and for 2 hours all he did was run back and forth to his manager and put stuff in his computer. So I finally got tired of sitting there and said we’d get together later that week. I spoke with him Friday of the same week, he said he was coming over to my house on his way home and would have the numbers together and he would call when he was on his way. Guess what he never called or showed up. I went into my local Harley dealer the next day and had an OTD price within an hour for a 2013. I lost confidence in my Triumph dealer. There were other issues that had happened over the months I had the America. I feel that they took me for granted, that’s poor customer service.

Sorry to see you go! Good luck with whatever you wind up with.

I have noticed that there seems to have been a few people commenting about leaving their Triumphs (or not purchasing one) lately due to bad dealers, which I don't entirely understand! After I bought my Speedy (1 year used w/400 miles), I never ever went back to the dealer.. about the only time I did take it to the shop was to have them replace the warped front brake rotors which were covered under warranty. The local dealer here is one of those supermarket types that carries every brand under the sun and has sky high prices, so I took it a couple hours away to a shop known to specialize in Triumphs. To me, it wasn't that big of a deal; I was buying the bike, not the dealer. And there are plenty more dealers out there if who you are dealing with doesn't rub you the right way or you don't like doing work yourself. Maybe it's just me.

Cheers,
Brad

Sorry to hear your bad experience with your local Triumph dealership turned ya off to the brand, Skip.

Which I suppose begs the question: HOW HARD can it really be to sell great lookin' and well engineered motorcycles?????

(...yep, one would think ANY moron could manage that, huh!!!)

Same for me. I went to southern California to buy mine as there was no dealer in Vegas at the time. Only went to the dealers in Vegas after we got them to look at stuff, and ordered parts once. They seemed OK, but didn't last. Now we have another so if (when) I decide to buy a new bike in the future, I may find out how they are.

And Skip, you don't have to leave the site. In fact you may get better info about riding and issues with your HD than you would on another site. We may have some fun teasing about other brands but there is a wealth of varied experience here, so don't be a stranger.

I've never been back to the dealer except to buy my KLR. Everything went smooth as silk. Actually, they give me too much attention (reminders for this and that, birthday cards, you name it).

There isn't a dealer or salesman alive that could get me to buy a Harley.

It's not just Triumph dealers. My Hardly riding friends never go to the local "bigshot" dealer, except to buy a bike or some clothes. Good local garage shops around here get their business. I think the only local Hardly riders around here that go to the dealer are wana bees, who only shine their bike out front and the occasional tavern run. But Jeez, it's amazing how few good dealers of ANY brand there is. I think it's a cultural thing. In the "early" days, bike shops were mostly mom and pop kinds of things, and dealers were riders who loved bikes. Now, it's just a money making, boutique kind of thing.

In my humble opinion bad dealerships are directly related to bad mechanics. In turn bad mechanics are related to bad dealerships. Dealerships don't get rich selling motorcycles dealerships get rich servicing bikes and selling accessories. Thing is, dealerships tend to pay mechanics very poorly so what happens well the service department sucks, people don't bring their bikes to dealerships. The mechanics in turn get paid less, so when you bring your bike in for service you get hosed. Vicious circle eh? Think of a motorcycle as a commodity: buy the commodity don't buy a dealership relationship.

You don't have to leave just because ya got a bum dealership, and had to go to another bike. You could write the corporate office for Triumph, they are trying to build the name up. I'm sure they will not just shrug this off. You can hang around here and your Harley can stay too if ya like. You may end up getting another Trump later down the road.

So how is the new Harley working out?

Skip, I can relate to your experience. The dealer here in my neck o the woods will be happy to sell a motorcycle, but it seems to me they focus sales on the BMW brand. Their service dept is okay (I've only taken my BA in once for a new front tire & they did a fine job). Their parts department SUCKS. I ordered a new speedo cable right after the Midwest rally this year & I'm still waiting!

That said, and being somewhat mechanically inclined I have determined to do whatever wrenching that may need to be done myself. (with the help of the broad technical knowledge base found here if necessary)

I'm in aggrement with locopony, You don't have to leave just because ya got a bum dealership, and had to go to another bike.

Not til the 18th. To me that sounds like plenty of time to change your mind. Heck, for all the $$$ you putting in the that new shiny HD you could find yourself a real low mile BA or SM customize and BUILD the engine anyway you like. AND still have plenty of change to ride around and vist folks like me.

But like its been said you really don't need to leave at all.

So they got you a bike faster? SEPTEMBER 18th? omg... And your pissed at Triumph?

Yep! Gotta admit I was a little perplexed about that TOO, Jim!

I understand how a dealership can affect your decision on what make to purchase. I think it is very important. Particularly for one like me who does not have the skill, or time, to do all their own repairs. I purchased my America because it was THE bike I wanted. But as I have alluded to in another thread, if it were just up to the impression of the dealer, I would own a HD. That dealer (Harley) has a sense of community, where the Triumph shop is a just a Honda dealer with Triumphs as an afterthought.

Ultimately, I think I will end up with a Road King Classic. I like lots of chrome, whitewalls, big fenders and everything else that looks like it is straight out of the 50's, even IF the technology is as well!

But for now I am pleased with the America. Best wishes to you Skip and keep in touch!

First of all, why leave? You are part of a community here, a family of friends and acquaintances who leap at the chance to help another out. I read what you said as, "sorry all you Chevy folks, I bought a Ford so I gotta go." No, my man... you stumbled upon amounts to be, the most amazing m/c community known to exist within our quadrant of the galaxy. We are community/family. Bury your sadness and stick around. Oh, and f*ck your stealership! It's the bike that matters. Just get it somewhere else, like through here, ebay, craigslist or a different dealership.

Turn "sad to leave" into "happy to stay" and buy another Triumph, or not... but stick around here!

Not pissed at Tiumph, loved the TA. Don't want anything to do with the dealer. Only dealer with in 120 miles. I don't have any faith or trust in him. If he treated me the way he did before I bought the 2nd bike from him, he'd just take me for granted down the road and I'd be at his mercy. The HD is only about $1500 more than the TA, which my (Triumph) dealer had in stock. Iguess it just comes down to the ride. I want to just ride and enjoy it. No matter what we all ride we all just want to have fun and ride. We don't have to have pissing contests about who's bike is better. We all like what we like and we all just want to enjoy the ride. I'm looking forwards to riding my new HD (after my leg heals). Hopefully by the end of September. Mean while ya'll enjoy riding until I can get back out there.

Well Skip , sorry to hear that even though we don't have to deal with Lucus, prince of darkness any more, the poor dealerships still seem to be common.....I know if I ever had to part with my Bonnie-A and was left with my aged ('97) Sprint or Frankenstiened '96 Trophy/Trodent or even my older Jap bikes I'd still hang around here, you are a welcomed member, don't feel like you would be shunned if you didn't have a Bonnie-A or Speedy.....if there be a Bonnie in yer heart mate !

Skip, I was just ribbing you about the wait for the new bike is all. What we ride doesn't matter. Riding does! Good on ya for purchasing what you want. Get well soon and I look forward to both seeing pictures of your new ride and hearing how you like it!

Be sure to post them in the other bikes section.

As others here have said, once I bought my bike at the dealer, 4 hours away, best price in tx, I only went back once.

Since then I have done most of it myself or found a independant shop. The local Triumph shop is pretty hospitable too.
Most places are all like car sales. I never go in with the expectation of "this is going to be a family /club atmosphere." its a store. If I'm proved wrong,, then they have my buisness after the purchase.

What the hell do you need a dealer for?
Most are useless anyway.... Work on your own bikes....I just went 200 miles away to get my new Vic. Have had many bikes and have never had a good dealer,HD, Vic, Triumph and all the Kawayamahondasukis.
Going to HD though! Make sure you get the costume to go with it.....

Heh Heh! Drank the Harley Kool Aid, Eh?