| Author | Message | ||
     Tom_b |
Went to Forman H/D Buell in Stillwater Oklahoma to day to pick up my X-1 that a friend had dropped off to have serviced, tires changed and broke belt replaced. Usually I would have done most of this myself, but no time to do it. also my friend was having his x-1 service, tires changed and Power commander set up and rear shock adjusted. We could never get it right. The guys at this shop are were good to deal with, the work on the bikes seems to be great. Rode them 150 miles home with no problems. The parts guys all wore Buell shop shirts and said they loved the x-1's we brought in. Even though they were very busy due to an open house George{the shop foreman} took the time to show us a cityX and talk a while. the cityx does look way cool in person, pic's don't do it justice. We left feeling this was a good dealership. It was also way cool to see so many buells in one place. | ||
| Brad_buell |
It is refreshing to hear a story like yours. I'm glad you had a good experience. We all need an experience like that someday. | ||
| Rek |
I called my "local" dealer (366 miles away) and scheduled a shock upgrade a week and a half in advance. I also had them do a 5,000 mile service at the same time because I felt guilty about just having recall work done. The day I show up no one in the shop knows anything about it. Oh well, I drop the bike off and continue on my journey. Two days later I return on my way home. The bike is not done. The shock is not in and won't be for several days. And this is after I scheduled the work a week and a half in advance, since I do live 6 hours away. Short version, I take the bike home and wait for them to ship me the parts and do the work myself. Pizzes me off that I have to drive all the way the Great Falls just to be shat upon. I could've stayed home and saved myself a lot of grief. Rob | ||
| Brad_buell |
And unfortunately, that's how most of the dealer stories go around here.  | ||
| Tom_b |
I was just telling a positive dealer story for a change. I know there are good dealers out there. Just seem we hear more about the crappy ones than the good ones | ||
| Jeremyh |
DEALER! that should explain everything for most of us. | ||
| Crashm1 |
It isn't just Harley dealers. My girlfriend has been trying to schedule an appointment to get her tires changed on her Guzzi. She's called them four times and left an equal number of messages and can't get a call back. So today she's going to town and stops at the dealer, she mentions this to the service writer who says " I don't bother checking my voicemail." and " Too bad life sucks huh?" Baffling. The dealer I use for the stuff that requires a tire machine or scan tool is great and I think I will see if they can do her tires if I take them off and carry 'em in. If they won't I think I'll see if anyone else can. I have a hard time paying for bad service. | ||
| Pa_xb9sx |
I'll put a plug in (no, I don't work there) for Schaeffer's HD/Buell in Orwigsburg, PA. This is one great dealer. First, they matched prices on the 2005 XB9SX with another dealer. Next, they delivered the motorcycle for free, which was a two hour round trip, because I did not have insurance on it. In addition, they have had most parts in stock for it, such as frame pucks and the service manual. One part that they had to order was the special handlebar end plugs for the XB9SX, but they arrived promptly and I picked them up the next time I was there. They don't have the most or best Buell apparel, but the sales, parts, and service teams are top notch. I'd encourage anyone to stop in, if you are in the area. | ||
| Outrider |
You would like Milwaukee if you can handle the weather. So many dealers and independents that you never have to wait for service if you don't mind calling around. Not to mention it is one or two day delivery from the Franklin Distribution Center. Now, if I could only find something to do in winter, I would be a happy camper. | ||
| Ceejay |
I saw a pic around here somewhere of a fun time winter activity, I believe it included a CR250, tire spikes and some whiskey. | ||
| Daves |
And it's only 100 miles from Appleton! | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
You would like Milwaukee if you can handle the weather. So many dealers and independents that you never have to wait for service if you don't mind calling around. Not to mention it is one or two day delivery from the Franklin Distribution Center. What??? Never have to wait for service?? If you dont get to Hals 2 hrs before the doors open on a saturday you will be wasting your time going there at all...great guys but they are so popular its almost a pain to get in there at times. House & Milwaukee HD are the same way too. Havent dealt with the indy shops though so I cant comment on them. And being close to the distribution center doesnt mean much, I have waited 2-3 weeks for parts that were supposedly there. All depends on when the dealers feel like phoning their orders in. For petes sake we had folks in this area drive all the way to Iowa to get bikes & parts from Dave when he was there & now they travel to Appleton...what does that tell you about the state of the dealerships in this area? | ||
| Outrider |
I surrender...I surrender!!! I forgot Appleton is a Suburb of Milwaukee. No doubt about it. When it comes to Sales, Product Knowledge, Customer Support and just plain old Enthusiasm, nobody in the area comes close to Dave Stueve. Although, I have to admit that at Hal's Buell Demo today, Aaron and both Steve's from Brew City BRAG are right up there with Dave. If only they were allowed to negotiate and close the sale, eh? PS: Dyna, your R1 feels like a lounge chair compared to an XB12R. I liked everything about the XB12R except the ergo's to the bars. The legroom was fine, but then I have short legs, a long torso and long arms. Getting tucked in was quite tough for me. Think I will stick to the X1 until something more comfy comes along. LOL | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
I keep telling folks the r1 is actually pretty damn comfy. Race rep ergos?? What the heck are those?  I suppose if I actually attempted to squeeze down below the windscreen then it might be a tad bit tight but the way I ride & the size I am it fits just fine as is. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Can anyone tell me if there are any dealers within 150 miles or so of Indianapolis that have any significant amount of Buell clothes in stock, especially leather? | ||
| Mikey85 |
I took my 2000 s3 to the Harley dealership in College Station Tx right after I got it for a rear rockerbox leak. I go to pick it up and the tank looked like it had been used as a football. Was so many scratches I almost had to cry. Chunks were taken out of a few of the vinyl letters. They said that there was nothing they could do but give me free service. You talk about mad. Never even got my free service. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
If you dont get to Hals 2 hrs before the doors open on a saturday you will be wasting your time going there at al Umm, I disagree. CJ was there last saturday, around 2 PM and got her tire replaced while she waited. I understand this is not the norm. I also brought the wife's blast in on Thursday morning, no appointment, and they had it done on friday morning. No complaints here about the wait  | ||
| Koz5150 |
I got next day service for tires when I dropped my rims off at The Torque Center. They ordered the tires the day I droped off the rims and had them mounted and balanced by the next day. I was very happy with the whole deal! Hal's is a zoo for service. I wanted to take mine in for a 500 mile check up and it was a 2+ week wait to drop the bike off and at least a week to get it done. Appleton took the bike same day and had it back to me in a few days. They also replaced my rocker box gaskets in less then 1 week with no appointment. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Well I can say this for my local dealerships. Eagle Harley Davidson/Buell, Lafayette, In I bought my 9R from Eagle Harley. Dale Bell (the owners son I believe) sold it to me. Dale is a great guy who is enthusiastic about Buells. I think he wears alot of hats though, as it can be hard to get ahold of him since he is so busy. He did however give me what I thought was a good deal on the bike ($7500 for a new 2003 XB9R), helped me get the helmet and handle grips that I wanted in a timely manner, and gave me two free t-shirts and a ball cap. He's even going to have service put on the new grips for free. He has also been very helpful in getting my first service scheduled even though I've had to cancel once already because of the crummy weather lately. Eagles service department thus far has been great. I havent had any service done yet, but when I picked the bike up thier resident Buell expert, Ryan, walked me through on it and gave me alot of good advice. Also, as I was riding the bike home and the friend I had drop me off had already left, I had no room for the video tape that came as part of the package. Thier service rep, Brian, was nice enough to tape a post-it note with my name on it to the tape and held it behind the counter for me until I could come back. I came back a week later and true to his word, he still had it for me. Now for the bad part. They have no parts in stock, and very very little in the way of clothes. In fact, all thier remaining Buell apparell was on the clearance rack the last time I was there. Southside Harley Davidson/Buell, Indinapolis, In Two of thier salespeople, George and Doug, are very involved with Buells. George is a founding member and Vice-President of the United Sport Bike Association. Doug has a tricked out 03 XB9R that really rocks. Its stroked out and really flies. For the service dept, I dont know yet, I havent dealt with them at all. Parts guys seem ok. Buell parts and apparell are lacking, but better than Eagle. Manns Harley Davidson/Buell, Columbus In. They have a fair selection of bikes, but I was there on a Sunday so I didnt meet any of the sales staff. Do not come here if you are looking for accessories or apparell, they have NONE. Zip, zero, zilch. Huge selection of HD stuff though. Its a big store. Parts and service guys were great. I was a little low on oil, and they were nice enough to give me some, as well as a funnel and a rag to use. They knew nothing about the bike though. Harley Davidson/Buell of Bloomington, In Fair selection of bikes, a couple of each. Didnt talk to the sales guys. Apparell consisted of one helmet and a couple t-shirts. Thin selection of parts, including ONE frame puck. Not two, ONE. I thought that was strange. Nice selection of HD stuff though, like all the others. Didnt speak to the service or parts guys. | ||
| CJXB |
Umm, I disagree. CJ was there last saturday, around 2 PM and got her tire replaced while she waited. That's true they took it right in and we waited, it didn't take that long. Also during the HD 100th my Blast rocker gasket blew and I was panicked and they took it in on an Tues night right before 8:00 when I could get it there, and had it done the next day around 2:00 !! Know how many folks would have simply missed riding their bike during that busy week !? I have to say Hal's done right by me for sure, and if I was closer to Appleton I'm sure they would too !! CJ | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I'd like to amend my earlier post. I said that all of Eagle Harley Davidson/Buells' Buell clothing was on the clearance rack. That isnt true. They moved it, and now it just happens to be NEXT to the clearance rack. They also repositioned the Buell bikes so they are next to the clothing. Still no accessories though.  | ||
| Cyclonemaniac |
Indy, If you're looking for a dealer in Indiana that carries Buell leather, forget it! I live in Columbus, and have looked far and wide. I got lucky a couple of years ago and got my Buell leather/cordura jacket from Bloomington on clearance. Eagle had the best selection of jackets and clothing at the time I bought my bike. Can't say now though. Tried to work with Dale on the race kit. Called him a number of times. Never did get back with me. As for Mann's, parts and service guys have been good to work with, for me anyway. Only prob now is they're in the process of dropping Buell.  Buell dealers are starting to get a bit thin in my part of the state. This leaves only Bloomington, and Southside in my area. | ||
| Markiemark |
i had tires put on my 2003 xb9r in february. Ukes H-D/ Buell of Kenosha. They picked it up at in the morning and said they would have it to me by the end of the day. They called me back and said that they would definately have it to me by the next day. ( i didnt care cause it was 20 degrees and 4 inches of snow on the ground) Next morning the bike was in the drive way. I am so happy with the service at ukes h-d/buell. best service experience i've ever had. (also had race kit installed by them). | ||
| Dagwood |
I just bought a new CityX at Chandler HD/Buell in the Phoenix, AZ area. While the sales staff had little knowledge of their bikes, I found that they were very willing to work with me on my trade-in, financing, etc. I have since put on about 1500 miles and last weekend took it in for it's 1st service. Andrew in the service dept. was very cool, owns a firebolt, and knows his buells. In all, I am very pleased with Chandler HD/Buell. | ||
| Ethanr |
Dagwood, good to hear another positive report from Chandler. I bought my XB12S there and was similarly pleased with the overall experience...though I, too, found the sales force a bit lacking. They trotted Andrew out to walk me through the suspension setup before my test rides (I tried the 9R and 12S before buying). While I've been rather pleased with the service dept. so far (10K miles to date) others have been less or negatively impressed. Let's hope they're trying to move in the right direction. Another good contact in my experience has been Michael Amrozewicz, one of their service writers. He seems to know his Buell shtuff pretty well and has been very helpful. | ||
| Charlie60 |
Check out Hale's in Mansfield, OH I've had my 2003 Lightning XB9S for 3 1/2 years (love it) and I got my 2008 Ulysses a few weeks ago from Jeff Miller. I usually don't like salesmen very much but he's a great guy. He has good prices on 1125R's and he just got in a couple 2007 Ulysses and a 2007 TT. He also has a Yellow 2007 Firebolt and a White 2007 TT. |
