| Author | Message | ||
     Buellistic |
The way "i" get around the problem is DO MY ON WORK !!! Works for me, as "i" have a 105,290.5 miles as of the last ride ... "BUT", "i" do have compassion for those can not for what ever the reason ... They just have to put up with the "BUELLschitte" and move on ... | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Preybird, I have been in your shoes as I'm sure many of us have. At my particular local dealer I (generally) receive a warm reception and satisfactory customer service, but it seems the staff's knowledge of Buells is limited in all areas. (floor salesman doesn't know what ZTL2 brakes are?  ) Even though the staff is friendly and helpful, they often order the wrong parts or fail to correct a mechanical problem. MANY times I have felt the urge to use colorful language and namecalling when talking to the dealer staff about what they messed up but that will do nothing but add more animosity to the Buell owner - HD dealer relationship. In one specific case I paid the dealer to fix a certain mechanical issue and the work was done incorrectly. I fixed the issue myself (with the manual and the help of a lot of friendly Buellers) then went back to the dealer and calmly but firmly explained how the repair was incorrect, and discussed with the service manager how to avoid this mistake in the future. (and promptly received a 100% refund) A calm, firm, and mature interaction with these dealers is the only way IMO to make progress. The way you're responding to a very frustrating but honest misunderstanding will only give all Buellers a bad reputation and cause others to receive the same poor service in the future. $0.02 | ||
| Ducxl |
I just installed a cool new set of XBr headlights. You guys' are still talking about lightbulbs? 'Cuz mine are ok  | ||
| Buellistic |
While attending a BRAG ADVENTURE EVENT a friend from another state came up to me and ask me to check his drive belt as he thought it was too tight ... My friend said he had taken his BUELL to just get the oil changed only and the tech. had adjusting the drive belt saying it was too loose ... My friend and "i" went and talked to the SERVICE MANAGER and tech. "i" explained to them both how to do the adjustment correctly ... The SERVICE MANAGERS response was it had been done correctly and they were required to adjust it that way ... This is why "i" do not take my BUELL to any BUELL Sign on the building Dealer and do my on work ... | ||
| Woodnbow |
"Well I Really wanted to see what would happen if i went in and asked for parts." Funny thing, Sparrowhawk, when I enter a strange dealership, I do so looking for help and expecting service. Most of the time I get it. Sounds to me as if you went in with a hard on and got met with the same. Boo-frickin'-hoo... "I bet that new rotax motor makes then squirm, Eeeew its liquid cooled.I wonder how many hd-buell dealers actually have one on the floor." Not so much, my dealership has 4 of the 1125's, a few used bikes and a bunch of Beemers right alongside the full line up of Harley's. I think the V-Rod broke trail for the Rotax... "One of them!! Wow gutsy." Not really, whatcha gonna do? Hurt my feelings?  | ||
| Preybird1 |
Man you guys are awesome. I found this blog cruising the net looking for info and mods for this sweet bike style. And i have been met with open arms and a reassuring scolding at the same time! I thank all of you for there time and patience!!! With the newer buellers You all helped me keep my bike and work through the problems and now my bike tits so i went out to help others and wasnt so successful but ill help where i can! | ||
| Buellistic |
Here's another one !!! Friend goes to BUELL Sign on Dealer building and asks for SENSOR,vechicle speed(speedometer) ... Parts tech. Person says does not have ... Friend says he will take one for SPORTSTER, Parts tech. Person says it will not fit BUELL ... Calls another Dealer, gets REAL PARTS MAN that knows what retro fits ... Gets part and fix'es own BUELL ... | ||
| Fullauto |
Well, as an Australian I can tell you guys that you're not orphans in the US. My Harley/Buell dealer in Perth, Western Australia, gives me the same problems with the same attitude. Must be a HD thing. Wrong parts even though part numbers are quoted, total lack of knowledge and a reluctance to serve you when you obviously wish to be served. "We only stock service items" they tell me. Ask for brake pads for my '99 X1. "Oh. we wouldn't have them in stock. Would you like to order some?" No thanks, I'll order through Al at American Sport Bike thanks. He'll have them and I'll get them quicker. And they'll be the right thing. Well, most of the time, eh Al? These dealers had been the long term Australian importers for Buell and HD until HD set up in Melbourne last year. The problem is that, from what I can tell, they stock nothing in the way of parts in Australia and order from the States when you need something. A friend broke the drive belt on his '05 883 a few weeks ago (with only 9,000 km or about 5,000 miles on it) and they didn't even have a drive belt in Australia. Can anybody explain this to me? I do all my own work on my bikes and I wouldn't let one of their people anywhere near my Buell. Not in a fit. I don't like bashing people in a forum but I really have nothing but contempt when I experience such a lack of service, and indeed, manners. Sorry Court, that's just the way it is. | ||
| Fullauto |
What you also need to remember is that we have one of the highest per capita ownership of HDs in the world. | ||
| Court |
>>>Sorry Court, that's just the way it is. No apology necessary. It's information like this that helps understand and solve the problems. There are several ongoing efforts. It's not easy but real world (non-whining) data like you have provided helps. Thank you, Court | ||
| Jstfrfun |
Hats off to you Court, Nice to know we aren't just pissing into the wind with this, I'm sure something can be done to relive the issue. My genuine thanx! | ||
| Ebutch |
Still better than owning a rice burner 120,000 unrebuilt miles strong!!!Pull Some GGGGGGGGGs Butch\clip art{flag USA} | ||
| Ebutch |
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r200/ebutch/P10 10039-1.jpg | ||
| Phelan |
when I go to my local dealer, I tell them the part I need and usually recieve it. I have found that depending on which guy I get, the younger one is happy to look up part numbers for me for parts that they can't get. They are no longer Buell dealers; they got out when the XBs came around. A couple times I've people say that a certain part from a sportster wouldn't fit my Buell, but I simply insist on receiving the part. The salesmen know me and know that I do most of my own research and own a sportster as well, yet they're still friendly to me LOL. Actually one of their new salesmen was involved with my sportster purchase at a used car/bike lot here in Amarillo. He worked there when I bought my sportster. With no Buell support in Amarillo, I've learned to do as much of my own work as I can and ALL of my own research. I know of one Harley mechanic here in town, who is also a personal friend, who will work on my bike if I give him the 411 on the Buell-specific details. | ||
| Tom_b |
I usually work on my own bike and usually buy what parts i need thru other than dealer sources. You would be surprised how many other than buell or H/D parts will work. Al(american sportbike) can usually get a part quicker and is nicer. the local guys aren't that great. the nearest to me who i like is Forman in Stillwater,OK. What kinda gets me is te dealer in question in salt lake became a member and logged on on just to get crappy about a service problem. granted the other side got worked up, but if that guy speaks for the dealership, he needs a lesson in customer service | ||
| Ebutch |
Almost every county has a H-D dealer.If they don,t have a part(pays to have fact. parts man.+ shop man)They put asearch on it usually 4or 5 dlrs. order and get it in a few days at local dlr.!It,s like owning a Chevey!+ cheaper parts fact. or after markit.  | ||
| Gohot |
Hmmm...dang, I thought I was the only one. The best shots I'v had at parts is from a certain HD dealer in Pomona California and a certain HD dealer in Gastonia North Carolina. Boy, I intend to get an MV Agusta Brutale very soon....days(: but I can only imagine what will happen if they do get bought by HD......eeeehhhhhhh. This is for sure, thousands of potential HD sales have been lost, due to bad Buell Service, or not wanting to bother with them. And whats more of a pisser is that they were often bought at said dealers. The only thing one can do is get another brand, which ultimatly would be quicker and faster, and much more (dealer) user frendly. Now is that what you want to hear.........dang sure, not going to settel for sub standard parts availability and service. just my thoughts....but the aforementioned shops are the best I know of, there may be more. And heres more.....If you go to the site of HD and look at all there bikes amd see the videos and watch the Hd creed, what a load of crap. I have a washer, I dont have to wear black, I worked all my life and have friends, I dont have to instill fear to the man on the street, and not everyone who rides is a (BRO) .....theres plenty of lowlife enough to go around that HD need not advertise for recruits. Buell has made their own bed,being linked to HD, now reap your rewards, or (could have been) rewards. It's entirely up to Buell if they will have repeat customers.......ya think ! | ||
| Gohot |
Oh another thing....I do all my own work, except crankshaft setup. Come on their pushrod motors................. | ||
| Jramsey |
Almost every county has a dealer.................... Hahahahahahahaha a meth dealer in every county I'd believe. (Message edited by J.ramsey on September 29, 2008) | ||
| Fullauto |
I must say though, even with the parts problems, I wouldn't swap my X1 for anything else. Well, maybe a S1W. And I thank Erik and HD that the engines are such a simple and lovely thing to work on. I just got her back on the road after snapping another front engine mounting bolt and taking the boss out of the right hand side of the head with my billet NRHS front engine mount. The first one heard of, I believe. While she was in bits, I replaced the rivetted clutch plate with two steels and a fibre and also pulled the oil pump drive gear to put the new bronze one in which I'd purchased a while ago from Al. After 67,000 kms it was barely worn. The rivetted plate was fine too. Am I not riding it hard enough? The tube frame Buells, in my opinion, are true American classic motorcycles at least as worthy as anything ever made there. And you guys have to part them out to sell them. What a tragedy. | ||
| Preybird1 |
ebutch 120k Wow!!! that is outstanding!! Sounds like you take ecellent care of your bikes, Like i do as well....I wish i had a garage at home. | ||
| Brinnutz |
I pulled into one ex-Buell dealership after getting my bike. I pulled up to the service entrance just to ask a question. Four days after getting it, I washed her, and the carb overflow hose was just hanging out. Before I knew to look in the book and even before knowing about this place, I pulled in there just to ask what that hose was. Before I even dismounted my steed and got my helmet off, I hear "We don't touch Buells." So, I asked if I could just ask someone about the hose, they said no. Sweet, thanks for the help, won't even buy oil from them anymore unless it's an emergency. I'll drive 40 minutes to get to the other dealership. The assholes are only 10min away. | ||
| Jstfrfun |
In most cases it's not just the parts dept which lacks sadly, In many cases the tech who works on your Buell is reading step by step out of the service manual online, and as we all know, it can sometimes be inaccurate. A problem that does not exist with the big four japanese, or the euro offerings. I'll never buy a new Buell, but I love my 10 year old beast. and I'm blessed with Bad Web! | ||
| Court |
>>>A problem that does not exist with the big four japanese, or the euro offerings. Buell is the only motorcycle manufacturer in the world that has techs that misread service manuals or service manuals with errors? May I quote you? I own Kawasaki, BMW, Yamaha and Cushman. I urge you to get the memo to these folks pronto . . . they obviously missed it. When you talk to BMW tell them the fuel injection (the one they blamed on "owners who don't know how to ride" ) from 1999 is still surging. Call when you get back to Earth . . . . | ||
| Kyrocket |
I told myself I wasn't going to post to this thread again. Not in any way is it bad but I said my piece...but I just received the Enthusiast ShopTalk in the mail today. It's HD's little self promotion pamphlet, sometimes it has Buell but usually not. This time was a not but the back page was devoted entirely to customer comments about dealership service. I couldn't help but think of this post and wondered how many people they had to talk to to get a page out of it. Granted it's HD talking to HD owners but three of my close friends won't even take their bikes to the dealership and the fourth only does because of warranty work. At present time I'm tearing down to do a 1250 upgrade, XB rocker boxes and oil pump drive gear, I just wish I had a bigger garage. My wife let me clean the rocker boxes in the dish washer, how cool is that? I figured the money I saved in labor charges would buy me some more goodies. | ||
| Numb_nutz |
I pulled into my dealer and the first thing a salesman asked me when he saw my 99 S3 on the trailer was Man what the hell did you do to that sportster. Are they that old they don't realize what it is. The big problem is the lack of interest the parts people have with buell. As many have said some sporty parts are the same, at least give me the same respect you give the guy on the sportster. | ||
| Woodnbow |
Numb, some of those guys aren't happy unless they're yanking somebodies chain... If you'd pulled up with a sporty on the trailer the first thing you'd hear is "why you riding a girls bike?" or, "well, half a harley is better than no harley". It's just the way it is... up to you to lob the ball back, or not. | ||
| Preybird1 |
You know wood I THINK YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD THERE!! | ||
| Buellistic |
Court: technicians can not read a FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL and understand when it is saying to do something "WRONG", please spare me that "BUELLschitte" ... That is why they are called technicians !!! "REMEMBER THIS": Factory Service Manuals are written by technicians for technicians which is PROOF read by technicians !!! In BUELLing LaFayette Jenne' | ||
| Woodnbow |
Bird, I grew up with a duo-glide owning older bro'. Believe me, nothing else is even a Harley... |
