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Kevinfromwebb
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 12:56 pm: | 
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Not all shops are the same. I bought my 12R at Bell County HD in Harker Heights,Tx. I live in Arlington about 2 hours away but they had what I wanted. It was just when the 12s were coming out. No, they didn't set up the suspension for me, no big deal, I"m going to tweak it anyway. I went down there yesterday for an open house and they had a couple of 12s and Blasts sitting right outside the door with a citycross sitting inside. They had a rack of Buell shirts, different wicking riding shirts, jackets, and gloves etc all at 50% off, hmmmm must not be selling. This is right next to Fort Hood, a rather large military base and talking to a local, he said that most of the younger military guys liked the fully faired Jap bikes better. He had bought a used M2 and had it serviced there a couple of times with no problems.
They had Bubba Blackwell there yesterday to put on a show, pretty cool... So yea, it's sorta a side line business but hey it does seem like they're trying.
I've got 2 dealers within 30 minutes that from the small amount of parts I"ve needed, if one didn't have it the other one did.
Buell is a smaller 'manufacturer' but they do seem to be getter better and more popular. I think we're lucky to have the support and dealers we've got. Living around D/FW if I had a German, British, or Italian bike I'd have about a third or less dealers and have a longer drive to get to 'em... So, IMO, chill, we're still better off than a lot of others...
Kevin |
Charlieboy6649
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 05:54 pm: |
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Crip2nite,
You will soon be S.O.L. The dealer stopped carrying them and I'll bet you're in the same boat as I was with my dealer.
Your dealership must file paperwork to finalize the process of hanging up the Buell line. They're still doing warranty work now because their drop dead date has probably not been reached. ASK THEM. I bet they've got a date that "it all ends". Start looking now for other "good" dealers even if it's a drive. My closest "good dealer" is about a 2.5 hour ride/tow and I don't mind. I think you must ask yourself if the inconvenience is worth your time.
As for me and my BUELL. Absolutely... |
Charlieboy6649
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 05:58 pm: |
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Kim,
I'd only be interested in major projects. Simple stuff can easily be done with the choose your own adventure style service manual they've written.
However, a complete engine/tranny takedown inspection/rebuild video would be great. Kind of a follow along and do what I do video. Sometimes seeing it done is needed vice looking at the black and white on a page in a service manual.
Oh yea, and mention of upgrades upon reassembly like big bore kits etc. would be great too.
(Message edited by charlieboy6649 on September 05, 2004) |
Bigbird
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 09:53 pm: |
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I sure don't want to compete with Dave, but in the thick of all of this negativity about poor/non-existant dealer support I must urge you to give your local HD/Buell dealer a chance. If you have tried them out and found they aren't interested in Buell and don't want to help you then I understand your frustration and avoidance. But I think it's important for you to know that there are dealers out there who embrace the Buell brand, carry parts for them, service them, etc. I happen to work for one of those dealers. We might not be the best or the fastest, and we might not have everything in stock when you need it. But we have significantly increased our inventory over the last year, and our Buell service work has grown exponentially this year. And yes, we do have certified Buell people. Most importantly we're committed to Buell. We've also spent money on Buell open houses and participated in a 10 dealer Battletrax series this summer. This year our Brag chapter had a long weekend at Deal's Gap and several rides to the battletrax events in the series we participated in, as well as some other smaller weekend ride get-togethers.
We sell almost 600 Harleys a year, and maybe 15 Buells a year. But believe me, it's not for lack of effort. Things continue to get better, but the Buell brand is still not profitable for us. Many dealers when faced with repeated losses decide to bow out. Depending on the circumstances I can't necessarily blame them. The Buell bikes are definitely a niche product. There are only so many potential sales in a specific market area, and in most cases there is probably much less potential where the roads don't curve. A dealer cannot be expected to bear the brunt of financial responsibility in steering Buell products to the mainstream to cultivate more market potential. That responsibility lies mainly with the mother company. In this case, the "mainstream" is the typical purchaser of Asian bikes. Most of those buyers only pay attention to the spec sheets and the races. Never mind the fact that they can't conjour up the balls (or skill) to use it, they buy it because it's cool in the eyes of their peers. We all know that compared to Asian bikes the Buell loses on paper. It takes an afternoon like the one I had a couple weeks ago to get the attention of the Asian bike rider. I was on a Buell, there were 3 ZX-10's, a couple R1's etc. We did a 300 mile ride through S.E. Ohio. All but 1 ZX-10 and 1 R1 either got their arses handed to them or at the very least they couldn't get away from me (despite the 80 horsepower deficit the Buell has compared to the ZX-10), and I'm not that great of a rider. But some of them are. If I had more time I'd do that more often. It would sell bikes. But then I probably wouldn't have a license for very long! Short of that, exactly what do you think a local dealer should do, and how much should they spend and/or lose per year to carry the brand? There are other factors at work which some of you may not be considering when you talk about the "bad" dealer.
My point is that you shouldn't lump all dealers into the same bad reputation. There are good dealers too. Contrary to the BMW scenario (I own a couple of those too) of only 150 dealers in the entire country and they aren't all good, there are quite a lot more Buell dealers to choose from. Certainly they aren't all good dealers, but even after subtracting the bad ones there is still a fairly decent dealer base out there, and they need business and support if you want them to be in business when you NEED them.
Good Buell dealers do exist. We're out there, and we're looking for you. Are you looking for us? |
Wyckedflesh
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 10:07 pm: |
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Bigbird...I can say that YES I am looking for you. I can honestly say that in all of the locations I have lived and dealt directly with my Buell, I have found one dealer local that is decent to deal with. All the others barely gave me the time of day when I dealt with them. Some outright insulted me and were not ashamed of it. I can honestly say that I have given my local dealers shots at business before I have called Dave. Dave has shown a penchent of aftermarket parts that NONE of my local dealers would even concider doing. But honestly there is more to a dealer then just carrying parts. Now I am not sayign it is this way at your shop, but with one or two exceptions, even the dealers that are Buell stockers (stock more then a filter and plugs) the staff themselves just seem to shutdown when you ask for a Buell part. Its like I am bothering them by trying to purchase parts from them. I have even gone so far as to look at the parts man and tell him "I am sorry I disturbed your day, never mind I will go find another shop that is interested in my money" and walked out. He was all over the HD customers he had been helping, all smiles even up until I said the magic words "Buell XB12"...then it was like I light the fuse on his tampon (no offense ladies but its the best anology that fit). So what I am saying is that I know for myself I have given the dealers a fair chance. Its those dealers that have not given me as a customer a fair chance in return. |
Squattingdog
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 11:07 pm: |
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Gregg,
Well it’s fine and dandy even great to here someone is getting/giving great service and support but that’s not the case here in Arizona and it never has been from my experience. The dealers have tired starting BRAG groups, group rides and everything else you’ve mentioned. The corporate head honchos have been here many times, as far back as 98 and it was nothing but smoke and mirrors from my perspective. It just didn’t work. We’ve grown accustom to “accepting” unacceptable service/support because we love our Buells so much. I personally would own several more Buells “if” a “good enough” dealership existed here but there simply isn’t in my opinion. I used to cringe every time I took my Buell in for service. It’s totally impossible “for me” and some that I know, to be tolerant and optimistic after SEVEN YEARS of waiting and playing their freaking games. They’ve had plenty of time to resolve the issues and they simply haven’t. Many have moved on, some are still waiting and some just complain. There must be something happening behind the scene that we don’t know about.
Respectfully,
-SD:
(Message edited by Squattingdog on September 07, 2004) |
SouthernMarine
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 12:44 am: |
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To all the dealers who are making the effort and providing the quality customer service.  Seriously, my hats off to you and my sincerest thank you. It's the Men and Women like you, and your Dealerships, that are a credit to Buell and HD.
This is not about those doing their job, this is about those NOT doing their job and making everyone that is look bad. Look, I have one (1) HD shop in town. The next closest shop is 2 1/2 to 3 hours away. Now why should I, or anyone, be forced to take my bike that far away to be serviced (warranty or not) when there is a shop nearby? Forcing a customer to carry their bike that far is poor customer service. Poor customer service is when HD/Buell will not allow the local shop to order parts for my bike because they don't sell Buell motorcycles.
ANYONE UP THEIR AT HD/BUELL HEADQUARTERS HEAR THIS, DO YOU ACTUALLY CARE? If you're reading this and you care, then do something about it. Please.
I love my Buell and I'll do what it takes for me to keep it. I had to drive 3 hours to buy it and I knew I couldn't get it serviced down here, didn't care. But that doesn't make it right to not allow a HD shop to service a Buell that is under warranty, or to not allow that same shop to even order parts for your faithful Buell customers.
What if a Marine, Sailor, Soldier, Airman, anyone buys their bike somewhere else and get's stationed here in Yuma? They're S.O.L. because HD/Buell won't allow the local shop to work on their bike (if it's a warranty problem). If I want to order a part, I have to drive to Phoenix to do so (3hrs), that or pick up the phone and call Dave up in Appleton (thank you for being there for us).
I don't want to take business away from those dealers who are doing a great job. If I lived in your area, I'd give you my business in a heartbeat, and recommend you to everyone that asked about a bike. I've ranted enough. Again, to those dealers who are making the effort and providing the quality customer service. Thank You and please, please don't stop, keep up the excellent service. |
Ethanr
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 04:22 am: |
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What do you Yuma folks think of Chandler HD's service? I just bought an XB12S there a month ago and was wondering about your experiences with them.
BTW, I never even considered Chosa's. Back when they were carrying the brand I showed up on my Valk to check 'em out. Got nothing but attitude about my ride. Quite the opposite at Chandler where one of the service guys asked me to bring my Valk back in the next week so one of his coworkers could see the glasspack/truck stacks on it. |
Trojan
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 05:21 am: |
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I was very surprised when, on our recent visit to Florida we went into Orlando H-D to see what the new CityX looked like in the flesh.
They had just one Buell in the shop, and that was a 2003 XB9R! No accessories, no clothing, no bikes, nothing.
Seems like they just wanted to sell tourist T shirts 
(Message edited by trojan on September 07, 2004) |
Mikej
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 09:32 am: |
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"Bad Business = Yes, I have a certified Buell tech, but because I don't sell Buells anymore, if he works on your bike the service could void your warranty. Oh, and yes your bike is under warranty and he is a certified Buell tech but we cannot perform warranty work. Yes we are a HD shop and yes HD owns Buell, but it doesn't matter. But you're the only HD shop in the area, the nearest dealer/svc is 3 hours away. Sorry, still will not be able to help you. "
It would be real interesting to run this one through an impartial objective legal diagnosis with a fine reading of Warranty rules and laws and regulations. Be real interesting to read the analysis and conclusion.
Bigbird,
Your shop sells 600 Harley's a year? That's like 50 a month, that's a bunch. I wonder what the average dealership sells in an average month, I have no real idea how many units the local shops sell. |
Odie
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 10:54 am: |
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Mikej, I was thinking the same thing about the warranty. I think some fine print reading is in order and then see what they say........ |
SouthernMarine
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 04:29 pm: |
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I would venture to say that legally, they have no choice but to service my bike. But what happens when you force someone to do something they don't want to? This shouldn't be an issue period. HD/Buell should not place/force their customers into this position. |
Bigbird
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 10:37 pm: |
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I know that some of you don't have good local dealers for Buell service. I'm not disputing that point. I wrote that post because I don't want unsuspecting new Buell owners to read a thread like this and immediately assume that a) they made a mistake in purchasing a Buell, and b) all Buell dealers suck. Neither of those things are true, but rants on the internet have a funny way of sometimes being perceived as truth simply because they are in print. I wanted there to be a written record that there are dealers and dealership employees out there who would rather talk Buell over Harley (I'm one of them), and we're happy to help BOTH. There doesn't have to be a choice. They are both fine products. Buells appeal more to me because the kind of riding I can do on a Buell is at the core of what moves me to ride in the first place. Personally Harleys don't do that for me at this point in my life. I've owned several of them and for the most part I've had good experiences. But I'm just not "there" right now. Still I don't make Harley customers pay for the fact that I have more enthusiasm about the Buell line than I do the Harleys. Any dealer employee who isn't providing that same level of service and support for all of their customers isn't doing the job they were hired for.
Think briefly about these couple of questions. You don't have to answer me, just answer yourself:
1) When you have been treated poorly (bad attitude, indifference, unwilling to help a "Buell" customer, etc.) at a Buell dealer, have you told them you felt you were being treated poorly?
2) If the answer to question 1 was "yes" and if they didn't respond favorably, did you take your issue to the owner in a diplomatic (non-hostile) manner?
If you can honestly say you have done those simple things and were still treated poorly then you are 100% correct and you should avoid the dealership. However, if you haven't let upper management and/or the owner know, how can you expect them to fix the problem? They have to know there is a problem first. I have some first hand experience with this situation, having worked with someone who was saying some pretty lousy things to customers from time to time. The problem was none of us knew about it for a long time. It took a little bit of customer complaining for us to realize there was a pattern. After several unsuccessful attempts to work with the individual to change their attitude it became clear to us that we had to make a change. So we did. Had we not gotten that feedback from some customers there is no telling how many people that employee could have chased away, and we never would have known.
I'm not suggesting you should tolerate anything less than good treatment as a valued customer. All I'm suggesting is that you give your local dealer a try, and if you have a problem make it known to the people or person who has the power to rectify the situation. If that doesn't work you definitely need to seek out another place to do business with. |
Squattingdog
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 11:44 pm: |
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All I'm suggesting is that you give your local dealer a try, and if you have a problem make it known to the people or person who has the power to rectify the situation. If that doesn't work you definitely need to seek out another place to do business with.
Couldn't of said it better. That's why a lot of us have decided to move on. I know I won't be purchasing a Buell until it's resolved.
Cheers,
-SD: |
Easy_rider
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 12:17 am: |
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Geoff,
Just saw your post....just while I was thinking that there may be a correlation between successful Buell dealers and twisty roads you proved me wrong!
FWIW, took my S3T in to Indy Southside B/HD for timing/TPS adjustment on Friday. The guy behind the counter was good enough to tell me that he just realized that his Buell tech was out for the weekend. Anyone else could do it since the setup was the same as a sporty, but he gave me the choice. I chose to drop it off this morning, picked it up this afternoon. Note that there are about 6 Buell's parked around the store that belong to the staff. Not a lot of twisty's in Indy, but they're within reach. There's a passion for Buell in that facility!
(I saw a CityX there -- don't understand the excitement.)
I stopped in at Muncie, In. a couple of weeks ago. Four Buell's on the showroom floor but when I asked about shirts, etc. I about got attacked because it's so hard for them to sell anything. I'm betting they'll drop out once those are gone. Note that Muncie is relatively flat with lots of wide open spaces.
I still tend to think that location is part of the equation. Age of the ownership/staff may be another. Hopefully Mother Harley will become an over-riding factor and create a positive influence at the Chosa's of the world. |
SouthernMarine
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 08:10 pm: |
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I was in Chosa's today. They're DONE. They have nothing, except a shirt, few other things. Good thing about it, what they have left is 40 - 50% off. Helmets normally 225 for 112. I got a few items, used the rest of my gift card and left. I'll give my business to those dealers who carry Buells, are excited about them, and enjoy selling them. |
SouthernMarine
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 10:00 pm: |
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There's Chandlers. I'm down here in Yuma and we lost ours. They have certified Buell techs, or did, just no more Buells.
(Message edited by SouthernMarine on September 08, 2004) |
Squattingdog
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 11:57 pm: |
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BTW,
Here's what Chosa's sent me when I e-mailed them last week asking why they no longer sell the Buell lineup.
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Dear Enthusiast,
As of October 1st, Chosa's Harley Davidson's contract with Buell will have run dry, meaning we will no longer act as an Authorized Buell Dealer, sell Buell, order Buell parts, or perform Buell warranty service.
Of course, we'll still offer all those services and more for your Harley-Davidson. And as we have always done - focus exclusively on America's legendary Harley-Davidson.
Thank you for your continued patronage!
Chosa's Harley-Davidson |
Easyflier
| | Posted on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 12:11 am: |
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"And as we have always done - focus exclusively on America's legendary Harley-Davidson. "
That seems to pretty well sum it up, now if you rode an HD instead of a Buell you'd be all set.  |
Buellsnblondes
| | Posted on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 12:37 pm: |
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Not surprised to hear about Chosa's... Went there last year to buy an XB9R, not a salesman to be found. Ended up at Chandler HD/Buell. Over the past year my bike has been trouble free aside from breaking off a foot peg. Chandler had the new peg in 3 days. As for service... I've always been treated respectfully and professionally there, and come to think of it, every time I stop by, if I've had contact with the parts department, service, or a sales professional, they always call within the next day or two to see how my visit went. As a racer, I spend a lot of time and money at other shops, and I can say this level of service and follow up simply doesn't occur. Although Chandler HD/Buell primarily caters to the Harley crowd, I've been impressed with their support of the Buell product line. |
Squattingdog
| | Posted on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 04:38 pm: |
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How many times have you had your bike serviced at Chandler HD? Since it's been trouble free, I guess none? How many miles do you have on your bike? Do they have certified Buell mechanics? They didn't when I used them. Do I understand you correctly that the Buell salesman knows Buells?
I'm not trying to be confrontational whatsoever. I’ve simply had a completely different experience. Do you happen to know the service managers name or Buell salesman name? Of course things can change and I haven't been there in about 6 months. Think I'll drive over there tomorrow morning, since traffic will be a bitch this late in the day.
-SD: |
Buellsnblondes
| | Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 03:01 pm: |
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They've service the bike during its normal service intervals. I also had them change the tires during the last visit (Pirrelli Diablo Corsas). The salesman was Henry Wang. He knew a lot about the 9's and 12's and had actually ridden both on the street and track. It seems Henry has moved on, but I'm still treated well. As for the service manager, I'd only want to see him/her if something goes wrong. I've dealt with several service advisors and have had the same result.
Reliability, the bike has almost 7,000 miles on it, including several track day weekends. I switched to synthetic oils at 500 miles and change oil every 3000 miles. The bike also has the Factory Race kit/ecm and a 12R airbox top.
As for confrontational....not taken that way at all... we all want the best information available before parting with our hard earned bucks, however- we all have different expectations and needs, so one persons experience may not be the same as the next....be it reality or perception.
My two cents...
Ed |
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