| Author | Message | ||
     Anonymous |
buell brenner ( excellent name!) with crash bikes somtimes you (the tech) will make a discovery that wasnt on original estimate. service manager at the END of the job (bike done and washed waiting for you to pick up) should call ins co. with whats called "additional supplement" these are added repairs . It adds time to the pick up process. If you dont want to pay out of your pocket then you have to wait for dealer to get his money. Between faxes , mail ,other customers this takes time, be patient ,call your ins guy and touch base with situation , while you have him on the phone ask if you can have all parts (wrecked) have him (ins guy) verify this with service mgr. Give them (dealership) nothing incl header. you should be able to handle this between service mgr and your ins guy . Be polite and calm with both and you will win! waiting to get your bike back from a crash is tourture but keep in mind that you are ok (not dead) so it might seem like they are not concerned but it is a very hectic enviorment and that position (service mgr) is extremly shall i say overrated. remember be nice be calm like court says it REALLY works! and dont just blow out of there , take time to look over bike no joke spend about 15 mins sit on it , get on your knees and look , if anything is WRONG make the discovery WHILE at the dealership, not a week later cuz no one will believe you ! | ||
| Anonymous |
Rick A , you wouldnt be talkin about Kissimmee H-D would you ? and yes Orlando H-D and Kissimmee H-D are 2 different worlds , yes same owner but 2 VERY different stores . When you order from Kissimmee it really does take a week but from the time the brown truck drops off at main store (orlando) and part gets logged in with 3,000 other parts then gets driven down to kiss is another week.Sometimes you just gotta wait, dont take it personal steve , doug , and michelle are truly sweethearts! I commend you on that journey you took , i have done it quite a few times and getting ready to do it again on mon or tues this week if your interested. only im going to the big apple to see my buddy cronrath | ||
| Buellistic |
Rick_A: Try Harley-Davidson/BUELL of Lakeland Interstate 4 at exit 33,phone (800)841-1357................ In buelling LaFayette | ||
| Stingaroo |
Any you all in Pennsylvania should make a stop at Battlefield HD/Buell in Gettysburg. They have about a quarter of the store donated to Buells, have 3 XB9Rs, 2 XB9Ss, an S3T, an M-2, 2 X-1s, and about 4 Blasts. The owner has his own X-1, one of the salesmen races his X-1, there are two full time Buell mechanics, some mechanics even ride Buells, and thier service is generally timely, yet like most dealerships, I feel a little overpriced. I love this place, and I make sure to stop by a few times a month just to say hello and demo a few bikes. They have a fair number of essential items in stock, and are pretty timely on services and ordering parts. The #1 Cycle Center in State College I hear is not that bad of a place either. I fell blessed to have such good dealerships around me, hell I ride with some of the employees. | ||
| Buell_Brener |
Destination HD in Tigard finally fixed my bike. I still am not sure its a new header pipe on it(see post from 3/14) but they did follow through with the insurance and after 8 weeks the bike is well and my broken leg (damm Volvos) was OK on the ride home. Reflecting on the incident the only real complaint I have is that Destination HD should have called when they found additional damage instead of simply trying to present me with a bill that was 3 times what I expexted from the origional estamate. I did get a free T-Shirt. | ||
| Phillyblast |
Well, here's one for you - called Barb's HD in Camden CO. NJ to see about installation of the new tires on the S2 - service manager asked what kind of bike, I told him and mentioned I had the tires already, (Avons) he mumbled something about "special procedures" for replacing tires on Buells ("you know, you have to mumble mumble . . ."  and then told me the earliest he could "squeeze me in" was sometime in June. Called Brian's HD in Langhorne (they're a longer drive for me, I live right near the bridge to Jersey) and the service manager said sure, piece of cake, when I told him I already had the tires, he said swing it by Monday or Tuesday they'd take care of it. What, if anything is so difficult about replacing tires on an S2 that requires a 6-8 week wait? | ||
| Buellistic |
ATT: Phillyblast & BUELLERS: Be sure to take your rotors off your wheels if you take them in for tire replacement(IF YOU DO NOT YOUR "ROTORS" WILL BE BENT)................ Rember Harley-Davidson DEALERS are "FULL OF HOGSCHITT" and some Harley-Davidson/BUELL DEALERS are full of "BUELLSCHITT"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In buelling LaFayette | ||
| Henrik |
Philly; nothing at all. The only issue I've run into with Buell rear wheels is that the hub is very wide. One shop I went to didn't have a spindle long enough for it to fit on the balancer. Henrik | ||
| Southernmarine |
I live in Yuma,AZ. I hope that when I finally do move from here that I can find a dealer that has been as nice as Jim's Harley Davidson here. They don't have a lot of Buells, but they do ride them, salesmen and mech's. They seem to do everything they can to make you happy and take care of you and your bike. I had a problem when I intiially got my bike. The Buell expert was gone for the week and one of the other guys worked with my bike. It took a couple of days but he figured it out. They felt bad about my situation, new bike, couldn't ride, so they give me about $100 worth of goodies. I've had nothing but good experiences with them so far, oh and if you buy a bike from them the first 1000 mile svc is on them. Again, so far I have nothing but good things to say about these guys. | ||
| Eastexsteve |
I posted this in another forum since it dealt with bodywork, but I felt it might also be appropriate here. ------------------- OK. I posted above that the tail section on my M2L had developed some cracks, and I rode it over to Shreveport HD to get some warranty service. When I mentioned the word "warranty" their response was "I dunno. We will have to call on this. We have never seen this." I guess they don't deal with Buells' much or they don't get on the internet much. Anyway, they took some digital pics of the cracks, and told me they would be getting back to me probably the next day. This was Tuesday two weeks ago. I finally called them Monday last week to see what was up, and they responded that they had the tail section and to schedule a time to come in since it wouldn't take but "a few minutes" to repalce it. After juggling some scheduling days and the weather, I finally rode it in last Thursday at 10am sharp. Now, I have been leary of dealing anymore with Shreveport HD due to two previous issues. The first, being that they sold me a 2001 motorcycle as a 2002. (We eventually got square on this.) And the second being that they wanted $40 to change a tire on a rim. I didn't take them up on this generous offer. However, since this was warranty work and they are the closest dealership to me, I figured that there wasn't too much they could screw up since this was on Buells' dime and not mine. When I rode up, I noticed that at least one of the techs was a hot-rod Buell driver, so I felt a little more at ease. I went in and got the service writer to check me in, when he then asked me " your'e gonna wait on this?" I explained to him that was the whole purpose of scheduling this service call. After milling around the showroom, I noticed that my bike was still parked at the curb 30 minutes later. Now at this point, I wish to make a few observations that I feel I am qualified to make since I used to work as a bike tech in my younger years for Honda, Kawasaki, and HD. I walked to the service window and peered in. I noticed plenty of tool boxes and plenty of bikes parked inside the service area, but I only saw one mechanic working. I did however, notice plenty of mechanics milling around outside, talking with customers, and walking to and fro. Also, somebody had something strapped to the dyno and was giving it a workout. Approximately 45 minutes into the ordeal, a person who appeared to be the service manager came out to the front desk and assured me they we going to get "right on it." At that point, it wasn't a service tech that went to retrieve my bike, but it appeared to be the shop grunt. That's OK, he treated the bike with care and never started it. He pushed it all the way into the service area. This guy gets a gold star. However, I wish we had a shop grunt when I was wrenching on bikes. There were definitely plenty of techs standing around outside that looked like they needed something to do. After my bike was placed inside the service area, It sat 20 more minutes without being touched. Still only one tech actually working in the service area. At this point, the guy who appeared to be the service manager began working on my bike himself. However, between running back and forth dealing with other issues and other bikes, he wasn't getting much accomplished. At approximately 11:45, he was joined by another individual who appeared to be management material. Together, they were working on my bike. They finished it at 12 noon. They wiped the new tail section (and my tank) down with spray wax. This was nice of them. However, it wasn't until 12:15 that they actually wheeled my bike back out to the curb. Two hours and fifteen minutes to change a tail section on an M2. I was wondering if the techs outside were starting to suffer from heat stroke or sunburn since it was a warm spring day. When the service manager told me it was ready to go, I asked him if there was anything I could do to keep this from happening again. His reply was to just ride it, and if it happens again, they will replace it again. This is not very reassuring since the bike won't be under warranty forever. Now, one thing I can tell you, is that when I was a dealership mechaninc, we didn't have the luxury of wasting time. We always had plenty to do, and it was *ssholes and elbows all day. But, we were paid well because we worked hard. And, if a scheduled job came in, it went right on the lift and was done immediately. And, warranty work was not put off until later, and was just as important as customer-pay jobs. After what I saw at Shreveport HD, Buell needs to be a separate entity from HD. HD obviously hasn't learned from the japanese bike dealerships how to make the combination of chrome cruisers and crotch rockets work to their advantage. When I worked in dealerships, we used to make it co-exist quite nicely. One can compliment the other. But, evidently HD hasn't figured this out. Let's face it. Someone who has the money to spend on a decked out Road King has plenty of money and time on their hands. This isn't so for Buell riders. Like the japanese bikers, we are a different breed than hog riders. However, our money spends as well as anybodys. One more note here. Everytime I have to go to Shreveport HD, I pass right by a Suzuki/Kawasaki/BMW dealership. I paid cash for my Buell. I can definitely afford one of these others. | ||
| Snowdave |
Under the heading of "IT'S ABOUT F*!&ING TIME", Kutter in Janesville, WI is finally carrying Buells, AGAIN! I must say that I have received good service from them even when they did not carry Buells. I will miss the 70 mile ride to Sauk Prairie, but since Kutter is less than 2 miles away, it will be nice. I can finally stop bitching about being closer to the factory than a dealer. Now if only they could tell me why my racebike is only making 88 RWHP! Dave | ||
| Rick_a |
I would be ecstatic if any local dealers here stocked ANYTHING for Buells besides the frilly crap and riding gear. | ||
| St0rmbringer |
I got a question for the more experienced riders. I had my Blast in the dealer for 2 weeks while they tried to diagnose a problem, which involved performing a number of dyno runs. That's not the issue right now. My question is this, I had to bring the bike home in my truck because of logistics, so I didn't ride it until the next day. Anyway, when I got on it the next day, I didn't get a 1/4 mile down the road before the engine started to quit and I had to switch to reserve. Now, when I dropped the bike off, I had just filled the tank, because I was low at time. Now I know they had to pull the tank when they put it on the dyno rack, but wouldn't most dealers refill the tank before returning it to the owner? Or is that just my naivete. | ||
| Mikej |
Yes, they should have put the gas back in that they took out or burned up on the dyno. But as we all know all too well, not all dealers are as customer conscious as others are. If they burned the gas while on the dyno then they may or may not have felt the need to replace the fuel. I can't see them burning up two gallons of gas on a dyno though unless it was on there a really really long time. | ||
| Rippin |
Kudos to Tim Vath(i think thats right) sales mngr. from Wilwerts HD/Buell of Dubuque, Ia for coming to HD/Buell Cycle Center of Waterloo, Ia and riding his killer X1 and also racing the B-trax there!! Very nice guy and can't wait to do more business with him. Seems very knowledgable and understands Buellls own sense of "Humors". Also thank Dave at HD/Buell Cycle Center and his crew for putting on a great time for a awesome weekend. I drove 4+ hrs to show up and can't wait to come back again!! Thanks Dave and Crew!! Ryan | ||
| Anonymous |
I don't like to prefer to post anonymously, but as the Service Manager of a fairly large California HD/Buell Dealership, I'd like to add the following to the conversation: 1. Although all bikes that are in the dealership waiting on parts are "down bikes" it is not really possible for us to order parts for all those bikes on a Down Bike basis, despite what some may think: every instance of Down Bike costs the dealer $50 out of his or her pocket, paid to Harley-Davidson for their "administration fee". Notwithstanding that many times it is a warrantable part that has failed, the factory charges us the same, and there is no reimbursement from HD, either. So . . . if you're a traveler, or a good customer, and/or someone who I think has otherwise gotten a raw deal, I'll pony up the $50. Otherwise you're going to wait the 5-10 days that normal shipping of HD/Buell parts to the West Coast entails. 2. Regarding insurance repair jobs where supplemental charges are necessary, I will normally let the customer have the motorcycle, and I will fax the insurance company the supplement, letting them know that the customer has the bike; I have only been "stiffed" once, and now I require money first from that insurance company: McGraw. It's also like pulling teeth to get them to approve what I feel are needed repairs/replacements, so I don't feel bad holding onto bikes where McGraw is the carrier. | ||
| Henrik |
Anony manager: Thanks for taking the time to share your point of view "from the other side of the counter." It's easy to let the frustration get the better of you in those situations, and it may help to know some of the (unfortunate) details of what goes on behind the scenes. Thanks for sharing. Henrik | ||
| Blake |
Anonymous Manager, Thank you for sharing your information. I hope you take my following comments in the positive way they are intended... Firstly, why not simply be up-front and honest with your customers?... Offer them expediting for the $50 fee?  Some may take it, some may not, but you will end the valid perception by some that others are receiving preferential treatment. Secondly, providing some customers with preferential treatment based upon your or other's personal opinion of their patronage is NO way to do business and is one major reason why Buell owners are many times so disgusted with the service we receive. I certainly would not expect any dealership to carry the burden of the $50 expediting fee. If a customer wants it, charge him for it. Too simple? Virtually every mail order business offers expedited shipping, but they certainly pass on the cost to their customers who want it. Again, thanks for sharing. I hope my comments are well received.  | ||
| Bud |
Hell, I would pay the $50,- If that means, I don’t have to wait an other 3 weeks for parts. i told my dealer this several times Just, a thought from holland. Gr,m | ||
| Blake |
I was unable to verify anony's claim about the $50 administration fee associated with "down bike" status parts orders. I contacted anony; he was relying on claims made to him by his parts department. He is checking and will clarify/correct his prior statement. Thanks anony. | ||
| Anonymous |
Boy do I have egg on my face! EVERYTIME I "down-vehicled" a part for a customer, I was attacked by our parts and accounting people: "Do you realize we pay $50 for each one of these???" So I just stopped doing it save for extenuated circumstances: it just wasn't worth the hassle. The "straight" poop is that there is no additional charge, save for the upcharge for freight (from Ground to Overnight status), which for some items could get expensive. A one pound package is around $26, ten pounds around $52. Sorry for any confusion. (I'm going to beat on someone for this.) | ||
| Mikej |
Ah, the old "dealer added charges for processing" versus the "factory required charges". I think I'd be scraping that egg off of your face and serving up a little egg-foo-u to the money launderers at the dealership. There's customer service and then there's customer screwemsvice. | ||
| Sarodude |
There's still one dealership I can't say enough good things about. Glendale Buell is a fantastic spot for anything Buell related. They have ENTHUSIATS involved with sales (Ernie), Parts (Matty), and service (forgot names...). Truly cool guys involved in a decent dealership. Also, I wanted to say something nice about Jim's HD / Buell in Yuma. We were that way this weekend for the annual Prison Run thingie. Lotsa HD type all over the place. Motorclothes & Service were HOPPIN. With the possibility of rain on the way home, Loli and I started to wish we'd gotten her a new front tire for the Blast before leaving. We kinda forgot till the last minute. I figured we'd give it a shot anyway. They turned the Blast around in 2 hours! Not that it should take 2 hours to change a tire, but that they fit us in so quickly during such a busy time. Very cool. Plus, the kid working on the bike had a Blast windshield he pawned off on Loli. It was kinda funny riding that thing back to the hotel in a large-ish box wimpily bugied to the Dyna - but that's another story... Anyway, thanks to Jim's for the quick service on that tire. -Saro | ||
| Jprovo |
I have to rate Glendale H-D/Buell as the best in the greater Los Angeles area. They have a respectable ammount of Buell parts and accessories in stock, and displayed on the floor. They also seem to have all the standard "tip over" parts in stock... The kind of stuff that you would expect a Buell dealer to have. Warantee service was prompt, and they did all of the things that you expect a dealer to do. My bike was washed and the oil was topped off (and not over-filled). The support that Glendale gives to the Golden State BRAG club is also commendable. Pomona Valley HD/Buell on the other hand should be avoided. They have little to no Buell parts/Aparrell on the floor, no helpfull sales personell. It also took then a week to ORDER (not receive) warantee parts (gaskets) even though the lead technician noted that was what needed to be replaced when the bike was bought in. The only nice things I can say about PVHD-Buell is that they have a nice sitting area with a BigScreen TV, and that their coffee is pretty good. GLENDALE - A+ PVHD-Buell - D James | ||
| Eastexsteve |
Be warned. I had a salesman from Texas Thunder Harley Davidson tell me that they were out of the Buell business and only dealt in Harleys. Texas Thunder has two dealerships in Longview and Nacogdoches. | ||
| Blake |
Longview hasn't carried Buells since like 1996. Tyler picked up their Buell franchise as soon as they dropped it. They do have a dyno though. | ||
| Phillyblast |
Any recommentdations for a Buell oriented dealership in the Southern New Jersey area (near Camden/Philly)? My sister's b/f just bought an 02 Blast, it's his first bike, and he bought it at least partly based on my experience with Buells. He won't be wrenching on it himself, so I want him to have an exemplary experience with service. | ||
| Psychobueller |
Anyone ever deal with Classic H-D/Buell in Reading, PA? | ||
| Psychobueller |
Anyone ever deal with Classic H-D/Buell in Reading, PA? How are they with Buell sales/service? Re-post...sorry! | ||
| Kahuna |
baught a bunch of stuff from modesto buell and all i can say is WOW! i was helped by deanna, who to say the least was spectacluar! these people have GREAT service. if other buell dealers offered the same kind of service, we'd have a different kind of brand on our hands. |
