| Author | Message | ||
     Rosko |
Just FYI..they're not a Buell dealer, but anyone living in or passing through Fairfax, VA. should stay out of Patriot Harley-Davidson..they are nothing more than a bunch of arrogant, conceited crooks...my bike broke down last week, and they made me wait 4 hours to do a 10 minute test, then I had to drive 40 miles round trip to pick up my part from another dealer...i didn't get on the road to come home until 10 hours after i was supposed to leave...and when i called to talk to the General Manager, i got the same response from him, as if nothing was wrong...if this is how the future of Harley is going, no thanks...there are other bikes out there!! But I'd like to see customers take their business elsewhere...that's the only thing that Patriots will understand.. | ||
| Oldog |
thanks for the heads up.. | ||
| Ltwt29 |
how many people were already there or had appointments,or were repeat customers when you showed up? were you on a buell?or a hd?if you were on a buell you were kind of pissing up a rope to begin with most of the people there dont know squat about buell or care to learn about one. | ||
| Buellx1w |
Understood. Its clear to me that HD only caters to big $$$ now.. They quoted me $300 + to change fork oil? Then again- parts are like 1/4 of what Jap bike parts are. So the answer? Get the service manual and buy a Buell! | ||
| Bluelightning |
Rosko, Funny you should mention that shop, as I live near there. A local BRAG rider from here took his dresser into there for a 10k mile service, they sent him back with a quote to basically do a complete top end rebuild on the bike stating that it had leaky head and base gaskets, needed new valve seals, and "oh, by the way, you also need new cylinders and pistons"!! I heard that and was floored. The shop that I work as a part time mechanic took a bike in yesterday to look over as the owner just got his road king back from them with basically the same "needs". Repair order would have cost this guy around $7k in parts/labor! This shop is ripping people off big time and is doesn't matter what you ride, you should stay away from them!! (Message edited by bluelightning on June 09, 2006) | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
SCUMBAGS i say...SCUMBAGS!!! | ||
| Denfromphilly |
All HD dealers with the exception of DaveS at Appleton are SCUMBAGS! I am getting to dislike most HD riders too except the colors wearing "real" bikers. They are the only ones that appreciate my bike. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I hate to admit it but I generally don't even wave to guys on big twin H-D bikes. I will ALWAYS wave to: dual purpose bikes sportsters shovelheads sportsbikes I hate the random irrationa elitism that the phoney bikers on twin-cams dish out. It sounds like the bas attitude is carried over to some dealers as well and that is really sad. This is something that the mothership needs to come down on or it might spread upwards through the whole company like a cancer. | ||
| Griff |
"This is something that the mothership needs to come down on or it might spread upwards through the whole company like a cancer." If you have ever dealt with corporate H-D on any level, you may say this is the trickle down effect... | ||
| Rosko |
i was on a H-D electra glide...and there were only 2 other local people there..when i called the GM the other day to inform him of the way i was treated, he asked if i had an appointement...I was like "WHAT?!?...My bike broke down at 10:00 pm the might before i was supposed to leave!!"...he told me "come back in november and we would have gotten you right in"....Jacka$$......anyway, i'm used to me local dealer (Centennial Park in Pataskala, OH...thunbs up!!)...also a Buell dealer and will do anything they can to get someone back on the road.. | ||
| Rosko |
Also, was told by H-D Customer Service that all they could do was log a complaint...they had no control over dealerships since they were all independently owned...when i asked if i could expect a call from H-D regarding the complaint, the CS rep told me no....bullshit!..... (Message edited by rosko on June 10, 2006) | ||
| Buellzebub |
at least you don't have to deal with the Canadian parts monopoly! Latest example: needed new race header for my S1 (standard failure, collector weld cracked), local dealers "discount" price was around $800 Cdn + tax(if they could get it... not listed anymore). long story short, i googled it, found an new one in California, had it shipped up for $520 Cdn including duty, taxes and exchange(only had to wait for it to clear customs). | ||
| Brucelee |
"All HD dealers with the exception of DaveS at Appleton are SCUMBAGS" This is one of the better statements I have read lately. All statements that start with ALL are generally wrong. Most times, anyway! | ||
| Buellistic |
Sounds like H-D dealers are CAR DEALERS now !!! | ||
| Aldaytona |
Car dealer owners, car dealer general managers, and car dealer salesmen = car dealer greed and mentality. Several HUGE dealerships owned Mr.* by, well you can probably guess by HUGE, have a large number of employees and on any given day have a half dozen bikes ridden to work by them, usually less. You have probably guessed by now that these employees are not motorcycle enthusiasts or motorcycle owners. The ones who actually do own one are typical H D trophy owners. Knowing this, what kind of service do you expect? BTW, Mr * is actually a pretty nice guy though. | ||
| Chasespeed |
except the colors wearing "real" bikers. They are the only ones that appreciate my bike.  } | ||
| Velocity |
Rosko: I live near there, and could tell you some stories.You must have seen the building, they have to pay for it some how??? Several friends have had bad things go wrong, it is on our #1 place to avoid. The HD dealer in Winchester is buell friendly and has a buell racer for a service manager. For what its worth. I worked there years ago so I keep in touch. Scott | ||
| Essthreetee |
What I see is that when you buy a Big HD you also get a Big ATTITUDE to go with it. Seems like (generalization) the people that are buying HD's are all of a sudden TOUGH and MEAN (at least they pretend to be). I am NOT a tough or mean guy, I don't try to act like it. I enjoy riding and being a rider, not acting like I am a biker...that is why I ride a Buell. Our local HD dealership is still pretty friendly and will TRY to do what they can for you if you are broken down or what not. They are not Buell dealers (most of the employees don't like them), but the Head mechanic used to be a Buell Tech at his previous dealership so I like to pick his brain when I am there. | ||
| Rosko |
Well, I've been riding for almost 20 years (I'm 34), I have a '00 HD Electra Glide Classic that I RIDE (read: not trailer)...have had everything from '79 sportster (bastard!) to 5 Buells and a Ducati...I have both my arms almost sleeved with tattoos...and I don't care what anyone rides...and I have NEVER been treated as poorly as I was at Patriot H-D...EVER!! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
..."'79 sportster (bastard!)" Amen! I call my '79 "the blue bitch" | ||
| Denfromphilly |
I was out riding on Sat and there is a local grass strip airport where the "elite" of the motorcycle community congregate. I stopped by and felt snubbed big time. Some of these people are real bikers too, not the bearded tattooed type but they pull up on an Aprilla wearing a leather jump suit full of race patches with knee sliders that are well worn. Obviously the guy can ride. There were 3 Duc's, Guzzi Griso, Aprillas, Bimmers, Agusta Brutale, and my shuddering hunk-o-milwaukee iron. When I backed into a parking spot between some of the big buck euro bikes the group of people standing around actually moved about 20 feet. Like my bike was offensive to them. I had run into the guy on the Brutale earlier in the day and he would not let me pass or pull up beside him, he would just speed up. I could not figure out what he was riding and wanted to pull up and check it out. After a while when we were at a stop light that merged into a highway I just said to hell with it did a big time launch and utterly wasted his skinny butt. It was a nice looking bike and idled and ran perfect but did not have raw power. I slowed down and he came flying by at about 100mph but I think I made my point. He pulled in a little after me, parked about 10 spaces down and looked at bike after bike but ignored mine. SNOB!! If it were me I would be curious to see what kind of bike could overtake me with such ferocity. But then again perhaps he knew.... So far, the only people I run into on the street that will ride with me are the old bearded bikers, and young guys with sport bikes. And that's ok with me because many of them actually know how to ride. | ||
| Jreichner |
I have to tell you that I have received the same responses from both HD dealers and HD riders. I usually only take my bike in for service if it is an emergency and since most of the Buell dealers are no more this becomes difficult. The last HD dealer I had my bike serviced at was Mikes Famous and let me tell you my bike looked like crap when I got it back. Mechanically it was ok but please find me a HD that would come out of there that dirty and scratched. Never again! Buell dealers only...Montgo Co Buell is for me! As for fellow riders, check out www.sport-touring,net. I have been able to link up with a few guys from there and let me tell you they were the most open minded guys I have ever ventured out for a ride. I think the thing that amaized me the most was that these guys could ride and I think that they were impressed because they had never hit the twisties with a Buell before. Check them out. Good group of folks in my opinion. | ||
| Outrider |
In retrospect, other than it being Euro Day, I think your mistake was pulling up along side another rider that didn't know you. That sort of violates a rider's safety zone if you get my drift. Won't elaborate on the subject other than to say if you had done that to me, I wouldn't be amused and if you kept pestering me....yadda, yadda, yadda. No animosity intended with this post, just a kind word of wisdom. | ||
| Denfromphilly |
You could be on the money, I didn't consider that. It was a two lane road and I would get an opening and the opportunity to pull along side in the other lane and he would swing into the opening in front of me and take off. I still think he was a snob! I get people on bikes that pull up in the lane beside me somewhat often, it's just curiosity. Many expect a smooth revving Jap bike but hear the low lumpy exhaust and gotta check it out. The Augusta was a sweet looking bike kinda like a monster and the motor sounded really great, idled like a swiss watch. I checked out the specs and they have a high top end but the 0-60 time is about 5 secs. HD lists the Street Rod with the revolution motor at 2.9 and many of our Buell's are in the same weight to HP and torque ratio. Hey James thanks for the heads up on Mike's, I was going to try them for service. The best dealer I found was Shaffers in Orwigsburg Pa, up in the pocono's. A long ride but the head mechanic had a hot X1 and is good with them. | ||
| Bomber |
sport-touring.net DOES have some good folks on it -- I've met a few from the Chicago-ish area that are aces |
