| Author | Message | ||
     Brumbear |
Harley Dealers seem to be selling BMW motorcycles at least they are going to at Bergan County HD. I was there today and the new area for BMW's is the first thing you see when you walk in the door go figure. Its not finished but thats whats going in there and getting a top spot hhmmmmpppphhhh. | ||
| Paw |
That is the dealer getting permission from H-D to sell another brand...We have a dealer that has been around for more than 65 years and they sell Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and they dropped Buell this past summer and picked up Triumph. I do not think all H-D dealers are selling BMW. | ||
| Court |
>>>Harley Dealers seem to be selling BMW motorcycles at least they are going to at Bergan County HD. They don't need permission from Harley. Be mindful that within 100 miles is one of the largest Honda/Harley dealers in the country . . . dealers are independent business folks. | ||
| Brumbear |
I did think about that after I wrote it but all the others that sell other machines I could think of did so before that big restuctering of a few years ago and I guess I just thought they were kind of grandfathered in, The thing that got me was another high end touring bike with the marque spot that was what I should have focused on sorry about that | ||
| Rfischer |
Local H-D dealer here in Syr. [Performance Harley] had, and dropped, the BMW franchise years ago. Interestingly, he dropped it because BMW demanded too much investment in floor space, inventory, and marketing support for the volume of business derived. Yet, he has carried and supported Buell continuously. Still does - has signed on for the "seven year" deal, and has brought more bikes in as they become available. I know him well and seriously doubt he would maintain his Buell representation if it did not make business sense. He didn't with BMW. | ||
| Joebuell |
A HD/BMW dealer..... wow. I bet their Christmas party sure is a sight to see. What color does black leather mixed with flourescent green kevlar make? | ||
| Jaimec |
I wonder how the Black and Orange motif of Harley Davidson is going to mesh with the white and industrial gray colors of BMW?? FYI: White and Industrial gray is apparently the color BMWNA mandated for their dealerships a few years ago. Not the Motorrad colors, not the Roundel colors. They're also NOT supposed to display the BMW models with any competing models nearby. That got thrown out the window here on Long Island when Gold Coast (who sold every European model BUT BMW) was offered a franchise (after BMW shut down, or lost every other dealership they had on Long Island). | ||
| Mtch |
They're also NOT supposed to display the BMW models with any competing models nearby well there doesnt seem to be any competing models that i can see. the C (for custom?) model doesnt seem to be made any more in the uk HD dealers usually have other brands in the same showroom. the dealer i got my xb from also sells ducati, also used to sell triumph and their newest branch sells bmw, but not harley (Message edited by Mtch on November 19, 2009) | ||
| Drkside79 |
It's funny because BMW makes a MUCH better motorcycle than HD | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Western Reserve, a sponsor here has a Honda dealership also. It's in the same building with HD up front, Honda in the back with it's own enterance and their storage/ warehouse area seperating the two showrooms, parts and service areas. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
There's dealers around here who sell outright competitors to HD. How that happens is beyond me? | ||
| Xl1200r |
It's funny because BMW makes a MUCH better motorcycle than HD That's debatable. A local HD dealer that used to sell Buell also sells Aprilia and Triumph. | ||
| Mtch |
honda uk seem to be going to solus dealers as well. 2 local dealers have had to build separate showrooms for honda bikes. the only other brand allowed in the showroom are those that have been p/xed for a honda. what seems odd to me is that the honda showrooms have very few customers in there, while the showroom with all the other brands are usually busy bot, though how else are hd dealers going to keep going if hd sales are down except by selling other makes (Message edited by Mtch on November 19, 2009) (Message edited by Mtch on November 19, 2009) | ||
| Rfischer |
BMW quality is much more than debatable; it's a fiction. And has been since the "all-new" R/5 series arrived in the 70's. Continuing through the first generation of K-bikes to the present 2009 K1300's. A litany of woe, with poor warranty support and customer service from Motorrad. But don't take my word for it [technical sales rep for BMW Canada back in the day, thereafter an authorized dealer] Wander over to i-BMW.com and take a peeky-boo... | ||
| Jaimec |
I never had a problem with BMW Warranty service while I had my first K100. That was when it was still three years/unlimited miles. I had things replaced under warranty that I never even considered a warranty item (for example, 30 months and 60,000 miles and they replaced my battery when it wouldn't hold a charge anymore). However, when they changed the warranty terms to three years/36,000 miles I had to fight them tooth and nail over every little issue. Oddly enough, when my rear wheel bearing went at 40,000 miles (but within the three year period) they replaced it no questions asked. Other than that, though, I've had no issues since with my K1200LT (134,000 miles and still going strong). | ||
| Sparky |
In this year's Iron Butt Rally it was reported in MCNews that out of the 101 riders entered, 2 on BMW K1200GTs carried spare final drives. I guess that says something regarding BMW reliability. But, alas, it's only slightly more convenient to carry a wrapped up spare belt than a spare final drive. Oh well. | ||
| Jaimec |
Yeah, they've had issues with that new hollow-axle rear but I was also under the impression they've gotten them worked out. My bike has the older (solid axle) rear. The problem was attributed to (and I'm not making this up) inferior French craftmanship. BMW claimed the parts they sourced from a French company were the ones that failed, and the parts they sourced from a German company had no reported issues. I've put on over 90,000 miles on the replacement bearing (twice what was on the original bearing) without issues so I must have the German part now. | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
The rules of the game have changed. H-D is not in the same position of strength as they were even a year ago. What might have seemed unlikely pairing once, may become the norm in the future. A responsible dealer should and will do what they need to do to survive. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"A responsible dealer should and will do what they need to do to survive." Thus OCC became a Ducati dealer. I just don't see Paul Sr. giving valve adjustments. | ||
| Oddball |
OCC is a ducati dealer now? "Ok pool, lets git dis here Dez-mo-say-ducky up on da lift" | ||
| Court |
>>>A responsible dealer should and will do what they need to do to survive. Absolutely. The opportunities are many. It's time to think. I'd fire the first person who said "but that's the way we've always done it". | ||
| Brumbear |
I have said many times especially here in NJ NY Conn the costs are so high you must sell more than 1 thing as well as watercraft quads sleds generators mopeds and scooters. I was always under the impression more BMW more than H-D actually would not allow the bike dealer to sell anything else. I also thought it rather odd that BMW gets a prime spot in a Harley davidson Building you know the kind 2-3 floors and I was wondering how that was gonna work out on say Sat. Mornings. Also pissed me off a little that H-D never dedicated even 1/4 that space for buell sales most anywhere I went. |
