| Author | Message | ||
     Motoaddict |
I wanted to get some feedback on others experience with Buell / HD dealers. I just bought an '08 Uly from a dealer in Texas. I'm too lazy to go into the details, so you'll have to imagine my elaborate and pithy rant about their apathy, arrogance, and incompetence. I'll just leave you with one of the many quotes from the salesman, "don't really like wasting time trying to sell you a Geo Metro while there are people willing to buy that Cadillac Escalade over there...", referring to the chrome monster in the corner. This is my second Buell. I love the bike, it's everything I hoped it'd be... but not sure I can handle working with the HD dealership sales and service departments if they're all like this. Tell me my bad experience is the exception! (I'd put money on it that it's not, but I'm hoping) | ||
| Hooper |
When I bought my 06 Uly 2 years ago, I went into my local dealer (Battley Cycles, in MD) already knowing that I wanted THAT bike in THAT color (black, which is faster), and had already took the demo ride (at a different dealership). I just wanted to talk price. I found them to be just fine to deal with, but in addition to H-D and Buell, Battley also sells Yamaha, Ducati, and BMW, so I get the feeling that they're a little more savvy about different kinds of riders. In the service department, I see all of those bikes up on the lifts, which tells me they've got a wide variety of talent (jeez, I hope). One of the service managers I'm friendly with is a sportbike rider, which may help in his understanding of my bike and the culture behind it. During my Uly's post-deer-strike overhaul, he and I swapped crash stories, which always bonds...I trusted that he knew how important it was to me to get my bike back better than before. So, my dealer experience is pretty unique - I don't see many H-D/Buell dealers that also sell/service other brands. I think that's a good thing. Oh, and 5 months later, I went back in to the same salesman and bought a Hog. And yes, I definitely knew I wanted that model (FXDB) and that color (black, of course), but they did hook me up with a demo ride in the middle of December at 32-degrees. I would love to walk into a H-D/Buell shop to look at Buells (like the new 1125CR!) and get ignored, but then walk over to look at the Harleys, then get the chance to ask them, "What's up with that?! I've got both!" Good luck - make a friend at the dealer - that's your best bet. | ||
| Khelton |
Southside Harley in Va. Beach has specialists / Buell enthusiasts to deal with Buell sales,service and parts. Except for taking too long to get a BAS my dealer experiences have all been extremely god..oh,yeah...come to think of it.. had the same type of experience with Pikes Peak Harley in Colorado Springs last year who went waaaaay out of their way to get 2 of our Buells back on the road and in very quick oder, took one part off a showroom bike and charged us nothing....... now that I think of it, I also have 3 Hondas and have never had that level of service at a Honda shop....no Buell dealership problems here... | ||
| Bertotti |
Yours seems like the norm about two years ago. Since then some dealers have stepped up. You just need to find one. Good luck. | ||
| Hughlysses |
You could always send a letter (actual paper sent via snail-mail) to the dealership owner and let him know how you were treated. You have actually bought two bikes there so that should count for something. Maybe he'll blow you off too, but OTOH he might jack up that salesman a few notches for having the typical "why should I work for a sale when I can sit here on my a** until somebody begs me to sell them a bike?" attitude. | ||
| Motoaddict |
It's good to hear positive experiences. Guess I'll be shopping for a service center next week. Any idea of what the 1000 mile service costs? What did you pay and what can I expect on the Uly? It's been a few years since I had it on my SS. I put on 200 GSX and R1 torturing miles this weekend. I'm still in break-in, but found I can have a blast on twisties and stay under 4000-5000 RPM. Can't wait to be able to open it up. | ||
| Crusty |
You have actually bought two bikes there so that should count for something. Don't count on it. I bought two Buells within two years at one dealership , and when I was going to buy my XT, their attitude sucked so bad that I cancelled the deal and went to a dealership 90 miles away. I refuse to give my money to someone who acts like they're doing me a favor by selling me a bike. | ||
| Motoaddict |
Basically that's what I felt. If another dealer had the bike I wanted within a 100 mile radius, I would have canceled the deal. I bought the bike, but they didn't "sell" me anything. | ||
| Tootal |
I took mine in for the 1000 check and asked the service manager if they reset the tps during the inspection. He asked what it was doing so I explained. Then he says, "We will diagnose it and if we thing it needs checked then we will do it." His tone of voice was worse than the words! When getting the bike back he explained it was the exhaust valve was not attached correctly but he fixed it. Another mechanic came out to help me load the bike and I asked him if they checked the tps and he sheepishly said no. When I rode the bike it was the same crap! I bought the vdsts from American Sportbike and checked it myself and it was off. Reset tps and problem gone. Of course ecmspy came out right after I spent my money!! Fortunately the local dealer, that I hated, was bought out and seems to be much improved. Mine is in their service dept. right now and they have been real good so far. I'll let you know more when I get it back. tootal | ||
| Teeps |
When I was looking to buy a Ulysses, fall/winter '05, I never got any 'tude from the dealers I visited. What I did get is a failure to yield on price... M.S.R.P. or leave it, that was the deal. So, I bought a lightly used Uly (850 miles)about 6 months later for a price I could live with. In two and a half years, the bike has only been to the dealer 2 times, for the kick stand and B.A.S recalls. | ||
| Slaughter |
We just have to hope that eventually the Buells will be allowed to be sold somewhere FAR AWAY from HD. What sportbike rider is going to look forward to walking through a bog filled with chrome, tattoos, leather and sales staff who are ONLY used to selling chrome couches. ...but it isn't happening yet. I'd like to see HD let Buell and MV/Cagiva sell machinery to a customer who is expecting somebody to be able to talk intelligently about performance and handling... and not how good your butt will look in those buttless chaps. | ||
| Jwnsc |
I see some Harley dealers are dropping Buell. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36 8830&highlight=dropping+Buell I wonder if the head honchos at HD corporate have to sign off on that decision? |
