| Author | Message | ||
     Jiffy |
This is an experience from the SV board members and most of these guys love Buell. No bashing in this thread it's all about how they were treated by the dealerships. Erik needs to take note. http://forum.svrider.com/index.php?topic=88727.0 Here is another from BARF forums. A huge Bay area forums with thousands of riders. There is some bashing here but a lot of bad Dealership experiences that don't help either. http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthrea d.php?s=&threadid=202396 Something has got to give. Buell has a great product and it needs great people selling it's product. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I have been riding Buells for four years, on my third one. I guess you could say I like them. The Harley thing is something I have just learned to accept. One has to realize that the Motor Company is among the most successful American Corporations, and they are simply not going to change the way the sell about 250,000 bikes a year because of the desires of Buell owners, who buy 10,000 bikes a year, half of them abroad. Harley sells more tee shirts than Buells in dollar value terms. That being said, I agree that there is hardly anything more annoying for a Buelligan than visiting the typical Harley dealership. Solution: don't do it.  There are a half a dozen real Buell supporters among the mass of Harley dealers. Most of them are sponsors of this site. Visit them instead. For example, the Demo weekend sponsored by Stone Mountain Harley Buell, and their local Buell owners club, the 3%ers, March Badness, is probably the best motorcycle demo day of ANY manufacturer in the country: you can ride EVERY model Buell over real mountain roads at meaningful, if not illegal speeds. Otherwise, I recommend buying the shop manual, fettling one's bike oneself, and ordering parts from those sponsors that specialize in OEM, or aftermarket parts. I must recommend American Sport Bike as a particularly useful example of the later. This web site itself will provide all the technical knowledge, support, encouragement and friendship that any rider will ever need. As a result, I would say that owning a Buell can be more fun, more economical, and overall, a better ownership experience than most of my friends have with other, lesser brands. Just my .02ยข PS: I almost forgot, when things do go awry, there is the inestimable Court Canfield, the unofficial Buell Ombudsman, who has proved so helpful time and again, in setting things aright. No one like him else where that I know about. (Message edited by gentleman_jon on May 07, 2007) | ||
| Doerman |
Gent_Jim I agree with your assessment from the point of view of a current Buell owner. The issue is the would be new buyer. In other words, how can BMC expect to see rise in numbers when the product is sold in a hostile environment? You and I will get our next Buell from a specific Buell friendly dealer because we know the terrain. We'll get our parts and accessories from sponsors here. For the first time buyer, walking into a HD store to buy a Buell is a crap shoot whether you even get the time of day or any kind of respectful treatment. Asbjorn (Disclaimer: Some HD dealerships are awesome purveyors of Buell motorcycles and merchandise. My statements apply to those that are not) | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
In other words, how can BMC expect to see rise in numbers when the product is sold in a hostile environment? Good Question, Asbjorn. The answer simply put is: They are can't. They haven't. And they aren't going to. The reason: It just isn't worth changing the successful Harley formula to sell a handful of Buells. The real question, in my opinion, is why did Harley bother with Buell in the first place? | ||
| Cityxslicker |
If you walk into our dealership, you are seeing the Buells. You see them on your way in, on your way out, to the restroom, and coming into the parking lot you will see MY dirty CityX. Everybody gets asked have you tried the Buell? Why? Because I think they are Fun, and I think everyone should have one of their own. That being said, I will sell you a Harley too. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
There are crappy Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, BMW, Yamaha, etc. dealers everywhere. Just like there are bad Ford, Chevy, Lexus, Toyota, etc. dealers. The trick is to identify the bad ones and stay away. Some will change in time. Others will not. Generally, the bad ones exemplify financial Darwinism at it's best. As Jon said, utilize the good resources available. The post on SV simply warns others of BAD dealerships. Here we do our best to recognize good dealerships (Stone Mountain, Smoky Mountain, Bumpus, Appleton, HD). Rarely does the rock yield when you smash against it. | ||
| Doerman |
Cityxslicker. I've not been to your dealership. But I am quite sure that you fall in the category that I wrote my disclaimer for. And that is a real and true bright spot. I am a Buell enthusiast. I have been so since I bought my first Buell in 1995. I can not expect the dealers to change. Doing that is surely as foolish as thinking that politicians have our best interests in mind. After all, it is a business they are running and not a charity (HD dealers, not politicians - or maybe it applies to them as well). But, I long for the day that we can walk into a dealership selling Buell that treats me the way I am treated when I walk into a Triumph, Ducati or BMW dealership. Those brands seem to have figured out that dealers are the last critical link in the chain from factory to buyer (There are certainly bad dealers of those brands as well, but they get booted). Until then.... Asbjorn | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
But, I long for the day that we can walk into a dealership selling Buell that treats me the way I am treated when I walk into a Triumph, Ducati or BMW dealership. Those brands seem to have figured out that dealers are the last critical link in the chain from factory to buyer (There are certainly bad dealers of those brands as well, but they get booted). EGAD! I hope I don't get treated like you do at the local BMW, Ducati, Triumph dealer. They have a BOHICA sales program. BEND OVER HERE IT COMES AGAIN!  | ||
| Xb9ser |
I was in Tilleys a week ago. They had a Blast, Xb12s, Xb12stt,Firebolt,and a Uly best selection I have seen there lately. They also had 8 diffrent Tee shirts! Maybe they will get back where they were 3 years ago when Bubba was there LOL. I ask about inproved oil pump gear, No idea what I was talking about would not look it up on Buells site.So I called Stone Mt and they had one in stock so I orderd it,Came 2 days later!! | ||
| Fl_a1a |
Buell Demo during Bike Week 07 in FL was great. Twisties, highway, every model, no waiting. I also tried other Buell copy cat street fighter bikes, but none match the rumble of the Buell V-Twin. In comparison the other street fighters feel like a mopeds. | ||
| Strato9r |
Lethbridge Buell H-D sells way more Harley Davidsons than Buells but I've never met a Buell owner who hasn't received excellent service there. They know their stuff and the guys in the service department like working on Buells. I know people who have had really bad experiences at other dealerships, though, and it's too bad that the dealers who handle the line dont have a little more regard for the product. | ||
| Skully |
Generally, the bad ones exemplify financial Darwinism at it's best. May I quote you? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Absolutely! You are definitely on the fittest end of the spectrum.  | ||
| Pso |
Speaking of one of my favorite issues. Purchased an Scg 2 weeks ago from annapolis Hardley. Called them on Friday to order some stuff for it, thinking I could just run up there(1 1/2 hours away) and pick the stuff up. After telling the fellow the parts that I wanted he informed me that their company policy prohibits them from taking credit card orders over the phone. I would need to come in and order and pay and then come back and pick the parts up. I just do not understand that type of mentality. I guess when you feel that you have the market cornered and the hardley owners are such toadies that they tolerate this abuse, you can treat your customers like hamered dog Sh*t. O well it is going to be a call to Appleton and get my stuff from them (which I have done before with very satisfactory results)never to Annapolis harldey again. Maybe if Mr. Buell had used a different engine he would not be stuck in this arrogant dealership quagmire. My 2 cetns again about dealerships. One last thing while I am gettin gthis off my chest (due to Managed Health care I cannot just drop into s hrinks office), I had great difficulty afer the side stand recall with Seaford hardley. biek just did not run well. I just found out the othr day that they also did not reconnect the side stand engine cut-off switch. I never realized it till all these other bikes just stop when you put down the side stand in gear. O well this is just more of a reason that I do not go to Seaford. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Don't let me interrupt a good rant, but the 05's and later Buells no longer have a side stand cut out switch (a good thing IMHO). | ||
| Nedwreck |
The Blast is too a Buell. This guy's OBVIOUSLY never ridden one. Bob | ||
| Scbigjosh |
Thunder Mountain Harley Davidson in East Columbia South Carolina is an example of a dealership that is enthusiastic and educated about the product they sell. With close to one hundred new HD's in their show room they could have sold me when I inquired about the XB9R the salesman's face lit up. The people at that dealership were great to work with and at no time did anyone act as though the Buell was a lesser bike. Here is the testimonial that I wrote to the dealership, I think it sums it all up. "I would like to personally thank all of the wonderful people at Thunder Tower Harley Davidson for making the purchase of my new bike the most pleasurable buying experience I have ever had. From the first phone call all the way through to the final hand shake Chuck, Hector, and Kelley insured that my comfort and satisfaction were paramount. Customer service is a scarce commodity that the folks at Thunder Tower possess in abundance. Thank you all for your dedication to excellence. Best Regards, Josh Sprowles" | ||
| Jgeo |
If people were allowed to ride a Buell (the way they are meant to be ridden I think you would see a lot more of them on the road. When I first drove one, that was all I thought about until I had one of my own...thanks Dave  Its strange how Buellers seem to be the way Harley riders were many years ago...before EVERYONE had one. A brotherhood so to speak. It's amazing to me how nice everyone is on here to each other...and only for the reason we all ride Buells. It seems like the one thing that would really help them (the demo rides) has to end with a bad experience. People that want Harley's will buy them just because it's a Harley...But people that buy Buells buy them because they are freakin fun to ride. Sheesh. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I really was on the fence about the bikes, until I got to go to Back to the Track and put some serious time on them. (Lunch does not count) I came back and had one in the garage by the end of the week. It is the single most fun bike that I have ever had. Sure there are things that I need to tweak, but that is the nature of everything in my garage. Well enough , left alone , never got me where I wanted to go. Looking forward to another 10k before the year is out.  Ride on! | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Well, I noticed on the SVboard that the gentlemen complaining about Kutters, wasn't very far from Hals. When he claimed there weren't any good Buell dealers in a 100 mile radius, I just HAD to sign up and correct him He accepted my invitation to come to Hals on May 18th or 19th when the demo fleet will be there. We will let him get a proper demo, without the B.S. Finding a GOOD Buell dealer isn't easy. But there are two of 'em here in Wisconsin. But even I had a bad dealer experience. And no, it WASN'T Hals or Appleton. Unfortunately for the salesman, who was a douche bag, he was being rude to a Buell employee that happen to be riding with us that day. I would have loved to have seen his face as we rode away, and saw the MFG plate on the back of the Firebolt | ||
| Court |
>>>and saw the MFG plate on the back of the Firebolt Dealt with. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Court, I knew it would be. Buell should hire our group to be "secret shoppers" | ||
| Ustorque |
All i can say is buell is lucky i wanted my cityx because the dealer made it almost impossible to purchase.....i was quoted a price and left to have all paperwork prepared for my return that day for delivery, ease of purchase ended there. when i returned i was informed they could not sell it for that price and an additional $1700.00 was added on..i walked. overa two week period the salesman called my house and spoke to my wife...in his words "he wanted to speak to her cause he knew i was mad." lay terms he was a puss! the sales manager eventually came back down close to where we started, and i was just pissed enough to take it. So buell better thank its product cause the dealer was worthless to me! | ||
| Court |
Shawn: I'm glad ya stuck in there. Comments like yours are all too common and even a single such experience sends me into a tizzy. Did you, per chance, document and share this information with the dealer principle? It's essential that the folks holding the corporate reigns become aware of these shortcomings. Steve, There is a need for change. Be alert for development. Court | ||
| Doerman |
When Buell first started to distribute product in late 94 and 95, those dealers that signed up were enthusiastic and ready to do business. At the time, there was a waiting list for just about everything in the Harley product line and to have a readily available product on the floor was a welcome change. Today that motivation is no longer there. The good Buell dealers are good because they understand and love the Buell product. Others have it on the floor and let it gather dust. The dust gatherers are the ones that need to be weeded out and replaced with something else where there are gaps in the geography. Asbjorn PS: I'd love to go to a chain like Cycle Gear and do my Buell shopping for instance. But that takes willingness on the corporate side of Cycle Gear and Buell Distribution Company to make something like that happen. Plus Cycle Gear is not covering all states. XBs and Buell Dirtbikes in a Cycle Gear store.. Yeah! |
