| Author | Message | ||
     Onebuell |
I find it hard to believe that yesterday I got into it (and was a better man for walking away) then listen to some shovelhead riding younger then me (42) BUELL/HARLEY dealership parts counter EMPLOYEE "dis" Buells and henceforth MY Buell included. " bucket of bolts " were his words and his attitude toward them was even worse. Thats when I listen to my mommy's long standing rule " you are a better man if you walk away from a fight" she would tell me. I was talking to him about my gas mileage and Italian frame and some of the pros and cons of a Buell. I was questioning WHY Buells and americans in general (im american btw) dont embrace them. why everything has to be bigger and louder and this and that from harleys. the guy really started (*&^ me off so i walked away. these are exactly the reasons harley as a company is going to have a difficult time going forward because they have people such as described above that DO NOT and will not embrace new fresh ideas and technology. I didn't ask but he prolly hates the V-Rod too. And he WORKS for a harley dealer. So, my point is... Have an open mind about all bikes. the pros and cons of each. This "guy" at the dealer has that shovelhead bigotry in his fat hillbilly dork head of his. I should mention his name and what dealer but I don't want to be a worse (*&^% then he treated a CUSTOMER. I was and AM a customer when i walk in them doors whether I buy something or not. Oh i spent my share of dough at that place, and these dealers get that &^%ty arrogant attitude with me ? because why? they have a shovelhead and so know more and are BETTER then me because I don't? well frankly im sick of that my bike is better then your bike attitude. it's stupid, immature, and that guy COULD make them lose business with attitude like that. so if there are any europeans around this board i would welcome your comments on this. i see it all the time within brands and within eras. the knucklehead guys think they are better then the the panhead guys think they are better then the shovelhead guys THINK they are better then the EVO guys and the evo guys think they are better then the twin cam guys and the revolution guys think they are better then the coming (my prediction) revamp of the twin cam guys... I like to talk to OPEN minded people about bikes. I know this is a Buell board but the topic is appropiate. Buell dealers got some crappy personnel. Just like I was being crappy about that drummer pipe (yet i apoligized) wouldnt you say that Buell dealers should SUPPORT the brands they sell? and NOT offend a customer's bike? hell ! i ride a dyna and the buell. both have pros and cons about them. | ||
| Trojan |
In the UK it depends entirely on which dealership you happen to walk into. Some will greet you with exactly the same attitude as you have experienced there. There are others that will happily chat fervently about Buells for as long as you want to stay. The same goes for test rides, some are good some are bad. The refreshing thing in the UK and Europe is that once you have left the Harley dealership you are accepted as a motorcyclist - period. Personally I think that Buell would sell a lot more bikes over here if they took them out of the H-D dealerships altogether. It works in France where they sell alongside Voxan and Ducati in some dealers. | ||
| Onebuell |
" The refreshing thing in the UK and Europe is that once you have left the Harley dealership you are accepted as a motorcyclist - period. " So, would be safe to assume that in the UK and Europe in general tend to have less of this bike bigotry? or what seems to be a sort of bike bigotry? It would make sense, because the USA is still a very racist and bigotry-laden place to live and so carries over to their bikes and possessions. | ||
| Bomber |
I thiunk Trojan's nailed it -- it is highly dependant on the dealership, and, indeed, on the employee within the dealership . . . sad, but true I'm reminded of Walt Kelly's Pgo cartonn -- "We have met the enemy, and he is us." | ||
| Mikej |
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| Wyckedflesh |
   Barcelona HD/Buell Barcelona Spain...NONE of the dealers here in AZ come close... | ||
| M1combat |
You are correct. My local didn't even stock a throttle cable or belt, let alone extra red body work, hats and bags... Granted, the service department likes Buells and has a capable tech (he rides a duck and does his own service to that). | ||
| Onebuell |
i aint seen no buell display like that around here... northeast ohio. we got 100 miles to ride before we get any twisties around these parts... ill buy stuff ONLINE from out of state buell dealer. that way i deal with the products themselves not the people. and i got ALL the part numbers from the parts book. the HELL with all the local buell shops for parts except ONE which i will revisit today to check in on their attitude ! | ||
| Cataract2 |
Now what Wycked posted above is how you promote Buell!!! | ||
| Phantom5oh |
That looks like a great dealership! I'm sure more Buells would sell if the dealerships promoted them like that in the good old US of A! | ||
| Mike_bolts |
I know the local HD dealership quite well. They are all gung ho "buy American" blah blah blah... but one of the managers rides a Ducati and the service manager has a BMW. They only take on this attitude for the sake of their hardcore customers (Rich Urban Bikers). They are motorcyclists at heart, but I guess you do what you have to make a living. | ||
| Daves |
You mean like this?  This is one side, but wait, theres more!  Sorry about the empty spots on the shelf, sold the race muffler and Firebolt custom seat yesterday.  I wish I could keep more bikes in stock, they just keep selling around here?    Bwwahahahahahahaha! | ||
| Cruisin |
Now THAT's what we're talkin' about! | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
But Dave, we all know you don't count...Everyone already KNOWS that you "GET IT"  | ||
| Cataract2 |
Thank you Dave, that also is the way to sell them. Gainesville and Lakeland here in Florida also have the right way to sell them also (they are the only 2 I've seen really promoting them. Others around here do but not the the extent they do.) | ||
| Cruisin |
Spitzie's in Albany area used to do pretty good. Their website now doesn't even have the Buell logo on it any more. I asked them if they still do Buells - the answer I got was "We have one 2005 bike left and we are told that there will be several new models for 2006. We do still stock parts and accessories." Wouldn't know it. They used to do Aprilia too. The used to "get it" (the owner only had one forward control bike - the v-rod). I'm not sure what it looks like inside, but I can't find a picture on their site of anything on the floor other than a HD. Not the best way to promote a product you're selling. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Meredith HD/Buell is awesome. Although the clothing/parts could be expanded, they definitely have the Buell bikes right in the middle of the showroom. And they have several in stock ON THE FLOOR, for people to see (8 I think, last I was there). Parts can be had quickly, and they know what they're talking about. The sales manager rides an XB9S, and several others ride Buells as well. (Message edited by cruisin on July 08, 2005) | ||
| Olinxb12r |
Most dealers are hard to deal with, but we ride unusual bikes especially to be sold at HD dealerships. Like it was said above, They just don't get it! I think that they should just take Buells away from the dealers that don't want them or proactively sell them. Why would you want your motorcycles sold at a shop that is half ••• about selling and servicing them? Dave, You Kick •••! Before I leave the Chicago area I think I'll try to make a trip to your shop to check it out and take a ride with you! I bought my bike from Lakeshore HD in Libertyville IL, and the salesman I spoke with was awesome! His name is Kevin, and if anyone wants to deal with an awesome Buell guy and they can't make it up to Dave look up Kevin. I used to get my services done at Heritage HD in Lisle IL, but I got the feeling that Buells are there because they have to be. They are all in the front, but I think that is because they want people to see them and come in and not actually have to try and sell them. The guys in the service dept were always nice, but I wasn't always completely satisfied. Now I have a friend that is a HD Tech do my services and he loves Buell! I couldn't be happier with that situation! Ride em till they blow up, and have fun! | ||
| Tunes |
Cruisin - I second that on Meredith Buell/HD!! The Buell display of bikes are in the center of the building and accessories are immediately behind them. They're always restocking cause stuff flies off the shelves... cause they have the stuff to begin with!! There are other Buell dealers in NH whose employees show a noticable lack of enthusiasm for Buells. They're not harleys and that's all they care about. A mechanic told me he/they prefer to work on harleys cause they get a bigger tip from the harley customers than the Buellers! Tip a mechanic after paying too much for service in the first place? However, there are employees out there who do "get it" and they are a joy to deal with. Too bad it's so erratic! I should have taken my bike to Meredith in the first place.... | ||
| Aldaytona |
WHAT......You mean my XB doesn't have a Shovelhead motor in it? Well this is a fine time to find that out. Anyone wanna buy a crappy tiny motorcycle with a junk motor cheap?  | ||
| Daves |
Ponytail Kevin is one of the good guys! | ||
| Kandie |
D can you post a pic with Buddy next to a Buell? | ||
| Rocketman |
As great as the image of the Spanish Buell dealers showroom is, and it's typical of UK dealers with similar displays, I'm of the opinion it mirrors the HD showroom experience and that ain't necessarily a good thing over here. Let me explain. They look like boutiques and that's because they are. Harley Davidson are trying to sell you into a lifestyle. The Buell experience is treat the same way. Marketing Buell in this fashion at the dealers and at the trade shows is always going to be a limiting experience to some potential purchasers. One solution would be to change the way Buells are marketed and if like Trojan sez then I would suggest sticking them amongst a floor full of Japanese and Italian bikes and the trinkets that go with the shop display show the Buell as a riders bike and not a clothes rack! Real riding gear not just fashion clothing. More go and less show from the accessory display. Can it be done? What do I know. Rocket | ||
| Computer_todd |
One Note - If you check out Meredith Buell/HD's website. There is a link "H.O.G./BRAG" - No BRAG Information provided. | ||
| Martin |
I used to work in a large UK dealership that sold Buell alongside other bikes from the big 4. The same attitude of prejudice and bias was apparent but from the opposite direction! What really let the brand down was the total lack of interest and awareness fron the service technicians. We ended up having all PDI and service work done at the one Harley dealership in the group and that involved long and expensive deliveries and collections.Couple that with the huge recall problems and the writing was on the wall. A few enthusiastic individuals like Patrick Yates and knowledgeable independents like Maz kept the flame alive while the factory got its act together. I think that there are good and bad people, end of story. Since Harley as a brand/lifestyle seems to attract particular types, so the equation can get tilted toward that inadequate, self-regarding stereotype. If it has two wheels (and sometimes 3) its a bike. | ||
| Fbolt |
I believe a dealer selling Buells, Triumphs, Aprilias, Ducs, and Benelli's would do rather well. Essentially, keeping it in the company of other unique brand names. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Rocket you can't tell that well from the pics but the window display and the shelving had some of the go fast stuff being offered. A few of the race cans from Europe, Rizoma rearsets, and such. Honestly, the Buell section was very different then the rest of the boutique. Laid out much like the import bike shops located over here. | ||
| Tunes |
Computer_todd - Place your cursor on the Hog/Brag menu selection, then slide down and select "White Mt. Thunder Club BRAGG Chapter." Everything you need should be there...  | ||
| Oldroadtoad |
Greetings! My local Buell dealer is the same place where I purchased my Roadking in December of '04, San Diego Harley-Davidson/Buell. The owner seems to be a nice fellow, and two of the parts lads are Buell owners. They have a few accessory items in stock, such as tank bags, helmets and jackets, that are specific to the Buell line. I have not yet asked, but I suppose that they keep maintenance items for Buells on hand. A couple of days ago, I inquired as to what an iBike (City-X) would run me, out the door: Per the sales man, approximately $9,400 and I am on the road. I suppose that full list price (plus tax, license and prep) is normal with Buells, as it appears to be that list is the going rate for other bikes I am considering. I am not all that keen on paying full list, but I do want the shoppe to remain in business. No matter what bike I decide upon, I want the dealer to be there when/if I need them for work, warranty or not. What other bikes am I considering? I have looked at Ducati's MultiStrada 620, Monster 620, and Monster S2R. I will research this purchase to ensure that I am getting what I want. I do not really need another motorbike,but I do want one. At least Buell encourages you to test ride their bikes. Nice shoppe you have there Dave! That said, if I were not so against large bikes, I would be riding a ZRX1200 as my third mount. I think it is gorgeous to behold, and it reminds me of (you guessed it) the Eddie Lawson Replica from back in the day. Despite owning a RoadCouch (LOL!), I tend to prefer small bikes for every day use. I fear the Kawasaki would be too much for me. What ever I decide upon, I want it to be fun. The Toad | ||
| Sinatra |
onebuell, i also am in northeast ohio and havent found a dealer i could stand yet. they all seem to be the anti-sportbike crowd. down on buells because they dont look like the typical american made lawnchair with wheels. I am real curious which dealer it was, at freedom in canton, i talked to the owner about a parts guy thats told me buells where crap. The owner in return gave us a 15% discount on my next purchase. I also feel that if Buell wasnt associated with Harley they would sell more bikes to the younger sportbike riders, but they are too associated with that whole Harley unbathed biker american made macho penis envy napolean complex thing. I know that the next bike I buy, probably in two or three years will not be through an HD dealership. I would like to see Buells along the Aprilias at State8 in Cuyahoga Falls, and Places like that. Places that are eager to sell bikes. Any Bikes. I just can't grasp the whole Harley Davidson / Buell thing. They sell but then treat the people whop paid 10 grand like idiots for buying them. Way to creat repeat customers Harley. Way to Go Willie G. Please let me know which dealer it was. I know Liberty sucks, Century Sucks, Freedom sucks, but are getting better, They do have a head service guy that was pretty cool and he rides a 12r too. So that made me feel a little better. Youngstown HD Buell just gave my friends two new Buells an 04 12R and an 05 9s for them to stunt. So i=I will be getting to know them, will post up if they are cool or not. From what Ive heard they are pretty Buell friendly. Anyway, everytime I get a knucklehead HD blowhard putting down my XB i just ask them kindly if theyd like to race or would rather just watch me wheelie around them at the next light. Thats just me, Im an instigator like that. | ||
| Simond |
I may be just lucky in the fact that I live less than 5 miles from one of the good dealers but the service that I have received from HD/Buell dealers in the UK is far better than anything I experienced with all of my previous bikes from the big 4. There have been a couple of minor complaints but the only manufacturer to do better (IMO) is BMW. | ||
| Bristolxb |
Dealer closest to me is Riders Bristol (uk) Mainly H/D and Ducati with a Buell side line. But i must say top customer service. After any parts see one guy who really knows his stuff, problem with warranty see the service manager(really helpful even on bone questions) But yes there is bias and smirking when you go into other big 4 dealers like Fowlers Bristol they have their heads so firmly wedged up a dark place its unture. Its like an honour to be served by them. They can shove it, stick to the friendly places where its a pleasure to buy bikes and parts. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
My 2 Cents as a Harley and a Buell rider... I don't beleive selling & serving Buells at H-D Dealers is the main problem... However, as already said in this thread, you can't market them to the "I have to have every trinket" crowd... If dealerships could just get one parts guy and one mechanic interested in Buells, it would go a long way... | ||
| Kuddyxbs |
To all you REAL Buell dealers here... You should call Macon Ga h-d/Buell and see about taking some of their buells off their hands. They dont display them, dont like to talk about them, REFUSE to take them for trade-ins (long story, but needless to say I still have my xb9). I must say that the service department in Macon makes up for everything the sales department lacks. If it wasnt for the service department... I would be driving to Stone Mnt for my EVERY need. Thank you to ALL the great Buell dealers out there making up for the ones that dont care! |
