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Oldog
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 04:07 pm: | 
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ya'll have sold bikes to these people for many years ..might be time to make them feel wanted and loved.
I dont dis agree, but I hope that our sponsors who are following this discussion
don't take this too personaly.
I wish that some of our sponsors were not 8 hours away, [ SMHD ]
In the HD dealers defence,
Few of the Buell riders spend like the HD guys do, money makes the world go round..
If Buell goodies flew out of the dealership
like Chrome does, there would be
"trilogy techs"
} As little as I know about the new bikes I still know more about them than the local shop guys do .
( the 1125 announcement was particulary amusing ) |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 04:41 pm: |
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You come to my shop and tell me you want to Pimp your Buell, I will definitely hook you up. I havent left a surface of my bike unchanged from stock. There are ways of doing it. Just gotta think out side the box. Its just that most of our modifications are of the NON chrome accent pieces. Ifn you want to lift, lower, extended, increase fork angle, bag up, swap body parts, do an engine upgrade; there ways of making it happen. Shop the sponsors, seek out the Buelligans there, you are by no means in the dark. And if you need some help with getting your bike MUDDY, that is my specialty. (btw most of you here already wrench on your bikes, I am not telling you anything new) |
Smokescreen
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 05:05 pm: |
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In the HD dealers defence,
Few of the Buell riders spend like the HD guys do, money makes the world go round..
Finally! Someone who understands H-D business!
Your absolutely right Oldog. If you guys aren't buying parts from your local shop(or sponsor) then what makes you think they are going to cater to you anytime soon? If you want more Buell stuff at the dealers, then you have to buy the stuff the dealers have first. They aren't going out on a limb for any of you looking to save money over one shop or another. You get deals by being loyal customers.
Just ask Oldog, I try and hook him up anytime he calls me.
Smokescreen |
Midknyte
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 05:06 pm: |
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It's always rather comical when *we* try to call the other side on the carpet for their chrome doodads.
Like any one of us leaves our bikes stock for more than 6 weeks. Live and let live already. |
Molly_hatchet
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 07:51 pm: |
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careful if u leave ur bike with brian u might get it back with knobbies CRF shocks and a snorkle for underwater adventures mounted to to it ..i am sure he would take great glee in personaly sanding all ur chrome parts and dullin em up for ya...be extra careful if he has a can of flat black paint in his hands when u show up. |
Oldog
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 12:54 pm: |
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Just ask Oldog, I try and hook him up anytime he calls me.
You Got that right!
 } |
Pwnzor
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 07:49 pm: |
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If you want more Buell stuff at the dealers, then you have to buy the stuff the dealers have first. They aren't going out on a limb for any of you looking to save money over one shop or another.
In business, there is risk. Provide goods or a service at a competitive price. That risk includes putting things on your shelves for which you anticipate a demand.
You want my business, you will anticipate my needs, plain and simple. This is why I shop American Sport Bike which is owned and operated by someone who knows the bikes, has most anything I need, and can get anything I want if he doesn't already have it.
This final reality was reached subsequent to giving dealer after dealer chance after chance.
Lucky for me Al's shop is relatively nearby, a pleasant ride down the coast, with a quick jaunt inland. If he wasn't there, honestly I probably would have sold my Buell. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 09:44 pm: |
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Black accessories and MUD , standard equipment on all the bikes I ride. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 09:47 pm: |
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Imagine . . . two years before you release a new model having to commit to how many red, yellow, blue body sets you'll need, how many with touring bars. . .how many with PM wheels and placing the order, based on quantities, a year in advance of production.
Forecasting is a BIG thing in the motorcycle business. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 10:08 pm: |
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>>Forecasting is a BIG thing in the motorcycle business.<<
However, the weather bureau has 'em ****ed. |
Beachbuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 10:43 pm: |
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Some of you really have NO IDEA. Maybe you should open your eyes a little more. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 02:17 pm: |
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We just did the order for every bike that we will see between now and the model year end. Trying to predict the mix off what we sold historically, what the economy is doing, what we do locally vs what the national trends are for models, colors accessories... And it isnt any easier for Buell vs HD. I have to get in the mix to make sure our stuff is the stuff that sells, but also the bikes that people expect. And yes I fight just as hard to get a Blast as I will for the 1125R. Those lil bikes are the quiet pacesetter year after year. |
Chellem
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 04:05 pm: |
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In business, there is risk. Provide goods or a service at a competitive price. That risk includes putting things on your shelves for which you anticipate a demand.
You want my business, you will anticipate my needs, plain and simple.
And here's another thing about business - you anticipate the demand of the largest customer base. And I'm sorry, but even here, where we do our best to drum up Buell business, it's still a very small percentage of the overall business.
A lot of dealers have to choose carefully where they invest their dollars, and they have to go with what turns faster to get a return.
I'm not saying it's right, it's not necessarily how WE do it here, but despite everything that's said, there just simply aren't as many Buell customers as there are Harley customers. That's actually what I like about you guys - your desire to be different and unique, but NOT in the same way as all the other "unique" bikers out there.
Not everyone has the same passion for Buell as everyone else. Hell, not everyone in the H-D business is even in it because they have a passion for motorcycles. Some are just in it for the business. And if that's the case, then for a very long time, Buell was not necessarily the best business choice.
But, for us at least, it's the best passion choice. And with luck, our passion choices turn into good business choices.
->ChelleM |
Old_man
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 04:30 pm: |
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When you visit other than Harley dealers you can find accessories and gear from any number of manufacturers.
The Harley dealer has nothing other than Harley stuff, unless it's something Harley doesn't make of a comparative nature.
Buell has a very limited assortment of Buell merchandise.
Most dealers choose to stock almost none. |
Chellem
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 04:56 pm: |
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Other types of dealers, like Honda for example, don't have a 791-page catalog of PURELY manufacturer stuff. And that doesn't include the Clothing and Collectibles. And THAT doesn't include the licensed product.
At least, not at any Honda dealer I've ever seen.
So they HAVE to stock other aftermarket type things, because there's little else to choose from. Not NEARLY as much Honda factory gear as there is Harley gear.
(And even less Buell gear to choose from, frankly.) |
Old_man
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 05:39 pm: |
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Collectibles???
I didn't mention Honda or any other maker.
The many other bike dealers around here usually have a large selection of motorcycle gear and accessories from varied manufacturers other than the brand of bikes they sell.
Many of these will work well on my Buell.
I will find nothing at the Buell dealer, other than, maybe, a tee shirt or ball cap. |
Chellem
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 05:45 pm: |
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You said "other than Harley dealers", so I assumed you meant dealers of product other than Harley. Such as Honda. I guess I misunderstood.
So I'm not sure what you mean by "other bike dealers" if not other brands. Is that aftermarket dealers? |
Old_man
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 06:08 pm: |
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Other than Harley dealers - would be bike dealers other than Harley.
Not just Honda but Honda and all the other makers. European and Japanese.
Do you doubt that as a Buell owner there is nothing on display in the Harley shop that I would have any use for.
Perhaps they might where you work but all I've visited in my area have nothing.
I have better luck finding something at any of the other shops that would be of any use to me.
I have no doubt that Harley has a huge catalog for Harleys, but I own a Buell. |
M2nc
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 11:46 pm: |
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And here's another thing about business - you anticipate the demand of the largest customer base. And I'm sorry, but even here, where we do our best to drum up Buell business, it's still a very small percentage of the overall business.
And there is the rub. The culture that drives business at most HD dealers is counter-productive to Buell. I buy my gear from our local Big 4 dealer. The Big 4 dealer knows about all the products they sell even the low volume units like sport tourers. I have never been told by a sales person "I don't know anything about that Vstroms, Concours, ST1300, let me get the one guy that deals with them," even if they only stock one of each a year. Most HD customers are looking for a good Chrome consultant and most Buell customer are looking for a dealer that knows about the motorcycle business as a whole. A new Buell customer is comparing many makes. A Ulysses in the middle of a Big 4 dealer would generate traffic rarely seen in a HD dealer. I know this from experience. Three of us Uly riders pulled up to the local Big 4 dealer on a sunny Saturday morning and every eye in and out of the house was on us. A crowd formed around the bikes as we walked inside. I never see that at a HD dealer. I just do not see an easy fix for Buell. Harley is definitely a double edge sword. I believe Harley bought into Buell to open the company to new riders, but culture gap between loyal HD customers and potential new Buell customers is very wide. So that is why some of us here are laughing at a job title where some take offense at our humor. |
Doerman
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 11:36 am: |
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So how do you sell dissimilar but related products under one roof? Take a clue from Barnes and Noble. The vast majority of the floor space is dedicated to books. Over in the corner there's a dedicated space to Starbucs coffee.
The first thing a Buell dealer could do is segregate. Buells and its related merchandise collected in one space with a Buell knowledgeable person nearby to answer questions and do the deals.
Two of the local SoCal dealers are re-arranging the stores as we speak to accommodate this idea. Skip Fordyce will have an open house for the "Buell store in the store" on March 1-2. They have set aside an area and decorated it as EB's Wisconsin barn. It is an idea that I think will work well. |
Xl1200r
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 11:55 am: |
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Here's why a Buell/HD dealer isn't going to stock stuff that a Buell owner would buy:
In my area, I have 2 HD/Buell shops nearby. Both of them always have bikes in stock, but hardly anything in clothing or accessories. Think about it - Buell is what, 4% of HD's sales? That merits 4% of the retail space.
Also - aftermarket gear? Not a chance. Why would an HD delaer stock merchandise that would appeal to 4% of thier bike-buying customers, when those same people will likely go elsewhere (there are countless meric dealers in my area) to get the same stuff, at a more competitive price than the HD dealer could sell it for mostly based on economies of scale?
I feel dirty doing it, but I head to a big-4 or BMW shop to get my gear. |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 12:00 pm: |
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Isn't it a big NO NO for dealers to stock non-Harley stuff when it comes to Bar & Shield points? |
Chellem
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 12:28 pm: |
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Wolf - I don't think it's a B&S Points issue, but more and more, I think people are afraid of liability.
For example, someone purchases a non-H-D (aftermarket) widget. That widget has never been tested by H-D for fitment, reliability, or safety. So H-D disavows any liability to it. Say this person puts it on their bike, and something happens - their bike starts running like crap, or their wheel fails, or worse, their brakes fail. Where does the liability lie?
More and more, it seems, squarely on the dealers. Customers claim they assumed it would be safe for their harleys because it came from a Harley dealer and why would they stock something unsafe?
And even if they don't win, it's incredibly expensive.
Hypothetically, of course.
And that's not even getting into the potential morass of liability involved in modifying EPA-approved exhaust. Good grief, that's a landmine waiting for someone to step on it, (or in it) so to speak.
So if dealers are more and more wary of aftermarket items, you can thank the next lawyer you see.
->ChelleM
(This post refers, of course, to aftermarket parts more than aftermarket clothing/gear. Gear failure usually only results in being cold or wet. I think the concern there is the huge amount to choose from, once those doors are open, compared to the relatively small space most H-D dealers have on their showrooms.)
(Message edited by chellem on February 01, 2008) |
Oldog
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 01:30 pm: |
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Wolf I dont remember where I was But I have seen HD in the same building with a japaneese marque, cant remember where I think Wisconsin.
A local Dealer here in Wilmington [Britt Motor Sports] does choppers / cruisers / sport bikes, Sport touring, Quads Etc...
The reaction I get is similar to M2nc when I stop in,(rarely) they sell a variety of gear, and while it was not extensive they had enough to look at and even some in my LARGE size to try on. I understand why a shop cant have every thing all of the time.
But I have wondered why say My local Buell shop has had a set of custom wide rear wheels setting around for about 2 years, 3 walls full of chrome and clothes,
( including baby clothes ?? )
But no Buell helmets, gloves, and 2 jackets both small |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 02:13 pm: |
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>>>I have seen HD in the same building with a japaneese marque,
There have since the first Buell hit a dealers floor been Harley's, Hondas, Ducatis and whathaveya under the same roof.
Don't be fooled by the "under the same roof" sleight of hand.
A good salesperson can sell about anything about anywhere.
There are some systemic flaws that need addressed. Blaming the venue ignores the real problems. It's part of the problem, it's not the root cause. |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 02:13 pm: |
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I have purchased well in excess of $1200.00 in gear since I bought my Uly from my dealer, Smoky Mountain HD, in Maryville Tn. The only way I will spend $200.00 to $400.00 for a single piece of gear is to try it on. They stock a large selection of the new cool Buell stuff so they get my business rather than me buying from the aftermarket.
They also have knowledgeable Buell owning sales people who ride, and that is saying a lot. I have been to other dealerships to look at apparel and accessories, and as soon as the sales guy approaches me and says I should be buying a Road King because I'm ready to move up, it is over. I'll use their bathroom, but that is it. |
Old_man
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 04:02 pm: |
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ALL the other dealers must be real stupid for selling those things.
The legal liability must keep them awake at night if they have a brain in their heads. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 04:37 pm: |
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"A good salesperson can sell about anything about anywhere. "
Thinking a roving HI Cube semi with a sample of the bikes and and the ability to travel to under served BUELL areas, rallies, demo days & riding events. Do bikes and moderate accessories and roll-em right off to the waiting rider. like a big icecream truck for the Buelligans  |
Oldog
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 07:22 pm: |
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Ya Know Slicker you might be on to some thing there.... |
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