| Author | Message | ||
     V11goose |
In case anybody is on the fence and wants a long test ride, Santa Maria HD-Buell has an XB12XT in the rental fleet. It is in my garage right now but will be back in the shop in a few hours. Try it, you might just Like it. I did. Very possibly a future (finally!) Buell owner, Goose | ||
| Rightpecial |
That is one hell of a selling tool that many dealers should adopt. Spend a day on a Uly then a day on a softail and I bet Buell sales would increase exponentially. | ||
| Froggy |
Why would one spend a day on a softtail after riding a Uly?  | ||
| V11goose |
A follow up. When I parked the bike at the shop I was met by the manager of the shop. He wanted a "full debrief" from my ride. It seems like Santa Maria is really making a commitment to the Buell products. They have taken very good care of with my Harley (Tourglide), if they do as well for the Buell riders it would be a good place to buy a Buell. Hmm... Know anybody interested in a 2008 KLR650? How about a 2001 V11Sport Moto Guzzi? 2000 Honda XR650R (with LEGAL California license plate)?  Goose | ||
| Court |
If I were a dealer, I'd think "weekend rentals" with a full credit of the rental if you purchase within 30 days. Topeka Harley-Davidson used to always send me off for a couple days with interesting things . . like a Buell in 1989 and I've always found that once you make the "connection" it's tough to live without. I've bought at least a dozen bikes I never intended to buy because of this. | ||
| Ratbuell |
If I were a dealer, I'd think "weekend rentals" with a full credit of the rental if you purchase within 30 days. Way ahead of you, Court. Got an '09 XT in-fleet. First guy who rented it this season (a GS owner)...bought one a week later. It definitely works | ||
| Wbrisett |
I think all of the rental and even the test ride sessions work. Heck even the Rider's Edge course with the Blast works to some extent. You're getting somebody behind a product they may not have been even thinking about and letting them see, hear, and feel what the product is all about. My niece has been wanting to ride, so for her HS graduation, my wife and I bought her a gift card at their local HD dealership for the Rider's Edge Course. She really didn't want a Blast, but I talked to her last night and now she says she is looking for one. I wouldn't have a Uly today had somebody not been selling a Blast at my wife's work when she was looking for a bike. I didn't have Buell on my radar. Once I rode the Blast, and we bought it for her, and after I realized how bulletproof it was, Buell was on my radar. The Uly intrigued me, but being a BMW RT guy, it wasn't high on my list. However, I loved the concept. When it became evident that I really needed two bikes if I was going to keep the RT mileage down under 100,000 miles, I put it on my list of bikes to test. Once I did, I was sold. The moral of the story, anything that can get the product into the hands of potential buyers is a good thing. Having dealers that fully support the line is another. Wayne | ||
| Ericcogdell |
Court, I went to the Topeka HD shop and they didn't have a ULY. I wanted to test ride one and had to go to Wichita. I live at Ft. Riley and the sales man was nice and knowledgeable but could not give me what I needed. I just bought a 2006 ULY from a guy in KC. I will be using the Topeka store for my work. I will not use the local HD shop in Junction City, KS. Very bad customer service and attitude. | ||
| Barker |
anybody renting uly's around San Francisco? | ||
| Cyclonedon |
If I were a dealer, I'd think "weekend rentals" with a full credit of the rental if you purchase within 30 days. that would be a GREAT idea! When I bought my first Buell, I went there looking to purchase a Harley-Davidson, a lifelong dream of owning one. In 1998 the dealers were on allocation and the dealer didn't have any new ones there so Keith Ulicki talked me into taking a test ride on a Buell. I don't think I had rode three blocks before I had made-up my mind to purchase it. the trick to selling Buells is to get the customer to take a ride on one. I wouldn't have ever bought my Ulysses if I hadn't rode it because I really didn't care for the height of the motorcycle or the looks if it, but after test riding the bike, I purchased it and now feel it is the best motorcycle I've ever owned. | ||
| V11goose |
Barker, I looked all through California and parts of Nevada a a while ago, no Buells for rent. That is why I was so happy to see the XB12XT with a "Rent Me" tag. Santa Maria isn't that far, depending on how you ride it is a 3 or 4 hour ride from the south SF bay. This time of year you could get on the road really early, do a same day rental ($100) and get home pretty late. If finances permit a Hotel room for a night Santa Maria isn't (IMHO) very exciting but just north is the San Luis Obispo (AKA SLO) area. SLO has lots to do, good places to eat, good roads, etc. On the subject of rentals, I'll add my name to the list of people who wonder why more dealers don't offer rentals. The is especially true of "oddball" bikes like the Buell. If you've never ridden one and read the magazines you'd think they are pretty much junk. Once you ride them you find out 90% of what is in the road test is, to be my blunt self, B*llsh*t.  The best way to counter that is to get people firsthand experience with Buells. I've rented 3 bikes, one resulted in a sale (my Roadglide) the second will not (the Dyna is a good bike but not "me") and the third looks like it will also lead to a sale. If the dealers can break even on the rentals he will make money on increased sales. Goose | ||
| Barker |
Im thinking of renting a Connie14 in SF and traveling north but I might swing south. Thanx for the heads-up. | ||
| 984gasm |
I'm heading to Denver for my bi-annual vacation, and I am always hoping I find a new place that would carry a Ulysses, but no luck... Last year I rented a bmw gs, and this year it may be a sport bike. I know Rocky Mountain Buell carries them, unfortunately they don't rent. | ||
| 984gasm |
And to Court's point, a long weekend ride may sway me to add another buell to my garage. | ||
| Dynasport |
I just found out today that Tampa HD has an 1125CR for rent. It is totally stock. I really wanted to ride one with the high bars as the clubmans seem to be a challenge for my uhm....physique...but I am making plans to rent it anyway. | ||
| Echo15 |
I rented Tampa's 1125CR for 5 days (free while waiting for a part for the Uly). It couldn't be my only bike, but if I had the $$$ now it would be in my garage right now. |
