| Author | Message | ||
     Uly_dude |
Last Monday I got my uly back from the shop. For those in the Minneapolis area, I thought I'd tell you my experience at the Eden Prairie HD dealer. The bike had a bad clutch. Called HD and they said they could look at it right away. It took them a week to get to it(bait n switch?). They took the primary cover off, saw lots of metal shavings, and wanted to split the cases and look in the tranny! I said hold the horses, just take the clutch off and see what's up with that first, it's just a 15 min job for that. They took the clutch off and found the problem - the needle bearing was fried and things were breaking apart. $350 in parts + $250 in labor and the bike is back on the road. They wouldn't warranty the bike because I said no to splitting the cases and looking for more metal flakes in the tranny case and they couldn't get all the metal flakes out of the clutch hub(??). I thought that was BS but just happy to get the bike back 2 weeks later. In general, I felt the mechanics there were not very savy with buell bikes. Only knew their harleys. They were either fishing for more work to get out of me, or they didn't know what they were talking about by splitting the cases to look for damage. Then to weasel out on warrantying their work didn't instill alot of confidence. They also said things like, "we can reflash your ECM" and then later "we don't have the right equipment to do that". Just not overly impressed I guess. Their service writer, Aaron was very helpful though and kept me up to date ONCE they finally got going on the repair. Basically they took 2 weeks to do a 2.5 hr repair(paid extra to overnight the parts). They seemed very busy prepping new bikes for sale. That's it. Hope this helps someone. | ||
| Ourdee |
$250 in labor. Manual is only $60. You could have bought $180 worth of tools with the left overs. Start working on it. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Greg, Now you know why I work on my own. I'm close to you, I'll teach you if you don't have the skills. Brad | ||
| Ronmold |
But did they swap your front tires? And remember I can re-flash your ECM free! | ||
| Uly_dude |
Ron, at first they said they would replace that front tire with a used one, but in the end they said they wouldn't. Sort of a general theme there. And Chris the mechanic you like was never there either. Ourdee and Bluzm2, thanks for the offer of help. I did consider doing the work myself and have the manual. But for $250 I decided to let them do it plus they can get the parts faster. I had a fishing trip over the long weekend and a daughter graduating, I did not have the time(it would've taken me more than 2.5 hrs) and it's primo riding season. I'm ok with the repair(so far) it's just the way they went about doing it is where I dinged them on points. Thanks all. | ||
| Discochris |
My only dealings with them are purchasing oil filters (because they're very close to where I work). Before the shutdown, and before I bought my bike, I was in a few times looking at Buells and they didn't seem like they knew too much about them. A co-worker of mine has an HD and a Buell, and he's been happy with them for his Harley, but less so with the Buell. Any dealer service I need will be at St. Cloud. Even though it's 50 miles away, they know and appreciate Buells, thought I did have the bike towed to New Richmond when the belt broke, because I was in Wisconsin at the time. (Message edited by discochris on June 07, 2010) | ||
| Biffdotorg |
I would concur on the dealer in St Cloud, they have at least one Buell Fanatic on staff who has actually raced Buell! On that same note, Wild Prairie is a sister store to St Paul Harley, who have always been a great Buell dealer. When I was shopping my Xt in 2008, Wild Prairie scored huge in my book by getting me a reasonable deal off list price and gave me an amazing out-the-door experience as far as run-through on the new bike. I was introduced to everyone that I may encounter in the store, financing, sales managers, clothing, parts counter, service manager and the primary Buell mechanics. This tour and introduction was very impressive. When I needed to go back for service at mileage intervals and for my comfort kit at around 6000 miles, they were very helpful. Speed was not of the essence, but I was the first Buell to get the comfort kit installed in that location. They had some changing of staff over the time I have worked with them, but they were minor stumbling blocks. I would bet it is difficult to keep good techs on staff for the Buells, but they have committed to the party and assure me they will. Sorry your experience was not better. I have minimal choices here in Fargo. But St Cloud and Brainerd are not out of the question as the Donahue guys are great. | ||
| Discochris |
Donahue in St. Cloud is a class act dealer all the way. I'd recommend them to anyone. The only reason I didn't buy there is that I stumbled across mine barely used in Duluth with only 2900 miles, and the deal was too good to pass up. Allen, the sales guy at Donahue even agreed, much as I really wanted to buy from them. If I ever buy a Harley, it'll be there - no question. We're really pretty fortunate in the Twin Cities area that we do have a number of dealers if needed that are still supporting the brand. St. Cloud, Eden Prairie, St. Paul, New Richmond, WI and Elk River are all still servicing Buells. Far as I know, only Blaine and Lakeville are not Buell-friendly. Blaine never had the brand that I know of, and Lakeville abandoned them a couple years ago and sold their inventory to other dealers. Outstate, Faribault might be (they showed as such on Buell's website) but they've never had any signage, and I've never been in there, despite my in-laws living there. Brainerd is (satellite of St. Cloud), and I think Duluth still is too, though I've had no reason to go back since I bought mine. I think Albert Lea has dropped the brand, and I don't know that Mankato ever carried them. | ||
| Od_cleaver |
The Faribault dealer does not service Buells. The website is wrong about this dealer and has been wrong since at least 2007. | ||
| Mnrider |
Faribault does the riders edge with Blasts and they will service Buells. The're good guys. The parts manager for ST. Paul and WP is a Buell guy. | ||
| Andymnelson |
"The parts manager for ST. Paul and WP is a Buell guy." ....and he's gone cold since the shut down. He does not care about Buells or Buellers any longer. Shame. I've found the best parts and service guys in the Twin Cities (sort of) recently to be Zylstra in Elk River- in the service are there is a guy who rides an S1, and a guy who rides an XB, and the General Manager rides an XB12S. Great guys, and straight shooters in my experience. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
This is all good info for us to know in MN as it seems none of us live on their doorstep. Here in Moorhead, I need to drive quite a ways and I would rather stay in MN. Stutsman Harley in Jamestown claimed to be a Buell dealer for ever, but never had anyone specialize so it was truly a red-headed stepchild for them for years. Since I knew the owners I literally walked in and wanted to place an order for an XB12xt when they were generally available. The sales guy and sales manager had no clue that it was different than the 06 and 07 new 12x's they had in stock and refused to take my money. The final straw was when he tried to get me to sit on an HD Rocker. Then I was done. I do believe they pulled the plug on Buell before the shutdown so that they were not forced to support them now. I'm glad to send what little business I give to Donahue, Zylstra or the WP/ST Paul HD stores. | ||
| Mnrider |
Last time I was at WP the parts manager was talking my ear off about Buells so I was hoping he would take care off our parts needs. | ||
| Mnrider |
he tried to get me to sit on a HD Rocker. What did you say to that? I think they get the message when I just laugh when they do that. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
he tried to get me to sit on a HD Rocker. What did you say to that? I think they get the message when I just laugh when they do that. I actually asked him what their point was of being a Buell dealer if they didn't want to sell what "I" the customer was asking for? I am sure he figured I wanted to buy a bike by that time and knew he was not going to sell me one of his carry over new Buells. So he was truly just trying to trip my trigger with anything he could as I walked towards the door. It's logical to think that a Buell rider is not looking for the classic chrome lazy boy, so he went to the most non-hd thing he had within site. Honestly, a V-rod used to be that bike, the rocker would be the next. I'm not totally against ever owning a Harley. My wife has a cruiser and I would guess she will own a Harley like her mother some day. It's sort of fun having one of each in the garage. It used to be so that her and I could ride double in comfort. Since moving from the 12s to the 12xt, comfort is had on my Uly! Donahue has my vote on the most enthusiastic Buell Dealers in MN. But since I have purchased from St Paul HD and Wild Prairie, I guess I will wait for them to fail me before I badmouth them. I would guess they will all lose their taste for them as profits from dealing with them drops. My theory is that most money is made by these dealerships selling parts and servicing. It could not have been from selling new bikes! It would only make sense to concentrate their efforts as others drop support. I guess that is why I am not in the bike business. When the rumors of BRP purchasing Buell ran around, I was jacked at the thought that the local SeaDoo, SkiDoo, BRP dealer could possibly sell Spyders and Buells all under the same roof! I would strongly consider a sales job in the place! WOW. (and I am a huge yamaha fan for my waverunners and sleds) Too bad that never panned out. I guess I will keep selling Cisco phone systems! | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Thanks 4 starting this thread. Very useful and timely being I am currently back in the twin cities area and going to be using my XT as my primary transportation (yea, I've got good rain gear  ). Not sure what I would do if I needed warranty work done, but I am not in a position to have my bike in the shop for two weeks. Also would not be happy paying anything out of pocket for a bike we bought brand spanking new because it had a warranty. Hopin' its a bridge I will not need to cross. BeLinda. |
