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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Quick Board Archives » Archive through August 15, 2005 » The Good, the Bad and the Ugly... « Previous Next »

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Paint_shaker
Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 03:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The good..
So I says to myself, self be selfish and ride again today. I don my gear (including a Buell T-shirt) and head out on the S1W. I roll into the local H-D/ Buell Dealer and and spot right up front a salesman and a few customers looking at a Firebolt. I am instantly drawn to what looks like a Ulyssess and possibly a Lightning Long next to them... Yup, sure enough they are!!!! Hmmmm.....Test ride time!! (see the Ugly)

The bad...
At 5'11" I am on my toes to touch the ground... and the taste in mouth after "The Ugly"...

The Ugly...
So I oggled and drooled and looked at the Ulyssess from every possible angle, went into the shop and went back to the bikes. All the available sales staff were gathered, smoking and talking behind a brick wall (on the other side of which were the Buells). Several sales people saw me eyeing the new steed, but none came over or said anything (including a guy in a Buell shirt). I refrained from tracking one of them down just to see how long it would take for one to finally come over. (Side note, anytime I start looking at a Harley at a Dealer, I get practiaclly mugged by a salesperson.) 30 or so minutes later the salesman that I saw at the Firebolt when I first pulled in finally comes over a gives the typical H-D sales greeting. I ask about a test ride and he replies "are you interested in buying, or trading in?" I tell him I am looking for a test ride. He asks if I have my endorsement and I tell him yes (I do have it). Off to somewhere he goes to ask if I can get a test ride. A short while later he returns with the bad news; "No test rides today, the bikes are brand new and haven't been prepped yet",

What B.S.... why would you put new models out, and not allow test rides. My instinct tells me the salesman knew I wasn't going to buy, so I they didn't want to let me take it for a test ride. The typical H-D attitude of if you aren't going to buy it, you don't need to test ride is NOT going to help convert new riders to Buell.

To be FAIR, this particular dealer appears to be trying to somewhat promote Buells, as they had the 3 models outside and up front, they have one of the lean over displays inside the front door and they recently started carrying some Buell appearal on the showroom floor, although you have to look to find it....

Is a test ride that unreasonable??
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Court
Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 03:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

At this stage of the game it is plausible, and quite likely, that the bikes HAVE NOT BEEN PREPPED.

It is common for many dealers to not keep many of the bikes on the showroom floor prepped.

Did you ask if they would be offering demo rides on the Buells?

If not, why not?

If you'd like, I'd be pleased to ask them.

Test rides sell motorcycles.....it's that simple.

Court Canfield
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Paint_shaker
Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 04:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Court, no I failed to ask if they would be offering Demo rides... Just plain forgot.. It was an unexpected discovery of the bikes at the Dealer anyways and kinda spur of the moment asking for a test ride... During my next trip to that particular Dealer I will be preppared to seek a test ride...
I hate when people complain and don't offer a solution so currently, I am trying to figure the best way I can approach this Dealership and help them promote the Buell Line...
Thanks for offering to help, I'll let you know how it goes!
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Court
Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 04:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

>>>I hate when people complain and don't offer a solution so currently

I do too.

But be aware that, read the title of this thread, you were pretty quick on the trigger before having all the facts or giving these guys a fair shake.

The bad Buell dealers have worked hard to be bad and have gotten very good at it. Don't cast another dealer, absent reason to, in their midst.

There has been much improvement and will b e much more this year.

Court
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Paint_shaker
Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 05:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Court... You may be right about the quick trigger, but the "Ugly" was based on previous visits to this Dealership that have produced a feeling they aren't really interested in the Buell line. I also noted the difference at this Dealership when looking at Harleys, as opposed to Buells.
On the solution side, as I said, I am still working out what I can to help this Dealership promote Buell (if that is what they want to do). As you indicated, inquiring about demo rides is a start. Also inquiring about them possibly sponsoring a BRAG Chapter is one of my thoughts. I purposely witheld the name of this Dealership in the event my opinion may be biased...
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Court
Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 07:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Good work...keep us posted.

Tell ya what....try, for an exercise that will benefit other areas of your life, to take "teaching them to get it" your personal Buell mission.

Think of it this way, you've little to loose, much to gain and the Buell moon is on the rise.

Let me know if you need ideas, help or support.

Court
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Tramp
Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 08:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

court- i'm with you, to a degree, but it's really not on the potential customer to 'teach them'. the best way to do that, in effect, is to go elsewhere.
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Vfrbart
Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 09:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm in CO. Because the launch event was in Denver, I figured the local Buell dealer where I'm at (Rocky Mountain Harley) might have an Uly to look at. No dice. In fact, they had only the following Buells on display: 2000 S3, 2001 Cyclone, a Blast and an XB.

I know there is Sun HD across town. Maybe I'll try them next week
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Paint_shaker
Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 01:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Part Duex...

The Good,
I went by the same Dealership today and the new Buells were out again... This time I was able to take the Uly for a very short test ride...

The Bad,
When I asked about the bike, the salesman was only able to tell me it was a Buell, it was tall and it was a 1200... The Dealership was very apprehensive about the test ride and requested it to be very short, less than a mile...

After the test ride, I ask the salesman if they have a BRAG chapter? "Huh" is the response I get... I explain BRAG to him and he says they don't have one... Ok, "Would your Dealership be interesting in sponsoring a local BRAG chapter?" "I'd have to go ask someone" he says... Inside we go to a manager type. "Do we have one of them Buell Clubs?" says the salesman to the manager, "BRAG" I say... No, replies the manager... "Would you be interested in sponsoring one?" says I. "No, we really don't have the customer base."
"Have you thought about getting the Demo truck down here?" "We thought about it, but we just don't sell enough of them. There are only like 4 Buells in the whole county. We don't make any money on them. We stock very little Buell stuff on the showroom floor.

The Ugly,
says the manager type, "We only carry them because they are part of the Harley line."


I have done my part to at least spark an interest, to no avail. I the consmer should not have to educate the local Dealer. While I understand Buell is making improvements, you could certainly not tell by going to this Dealer.
As the saying goes, "It pays to shop around!"

(Message edited by Paint_shaker on August 08, 2005)
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Halbard
Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 04:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If you are interested in buying an older Buell, I have the places to look... In Reno, NV. They have dozens in the back, and for a good reason. They carry the Buell brand because it's a package deal with Harley... I've actually had sales people walk away from me when I mention I'm looking at Buells. Oh yeah... they will only get in one each of the new bikes... "We can't sell what we have, and see no reason to stock more things we can't sell." By the way, don't ask about a discount on last years model (or the year before that, eithor) they are new bikes, and are to be sold at full markup, including all dealer costs.

I'd love to see Buell dump Harley, and get their own dealers who give a s**t about the line. Till then, I guess I'll wait till someone trades one in at my local Suzuki dealership... they have no problem with me taking them for test rides. And the sales people there (in the Suzuki, Yam, and Kawa dealer) know more about the bikes then anyone I've ever met at any of the local Harley dealers.
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Paint_shaker
Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 05:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hal, thanx for the info on Tubers but I already have 2 (a 97 S1 and a 98 S1W). I was really interested in test riding the Ulysses and a less than 2 minute test ride is not enough to convince me to get rid of the springer softail.
I look forward to a longer test ride in the near future!

(Message edited by Paint_shaker on August 08, 2005)
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Vfrbart
Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 06:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"By the way, don't ask about a discount on last years model (or the year before that, eithor) they are new bikes, and are to be sold at full markup, including all dealer costs."

So thats why Rocky Mountain HD still want's $7599 for that 2000 S3 out in front. At least they dropped the 01 M2 to $6500.
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Frausty12r
Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 10:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well, Since we're on about dealerships, allow me to praise, congratulate, and promote Ocala Florida Harley Davidson-Buell.

This is a family owned/operated HD/Buell dealership, they are the NICEST salespeople I've ever talked to, and also PROMOTE the HELL out of the Buell Line. I even got my 2005 XB12r for 9788.90 OUT THE DOOR. which is 33.90 MORE than Adamec's in Jacksonville wanted before tax/tag/title/fees etc...

Just to give you an idea, I put a deposit on the 2004 model, they had one black one left, in stock when I put the deposit down, and since I'm 2-3 hours away from them, and hadn't gotten my endorsement yet, I asked that I could come down and get it in a few weeks. They said "sure". Well the next day I get a phone call saying that a gentleman came in with cash in hand and purchased the bike I'd put a deposit on. (needless to say I was a bit..umm.. miffed) The immediately followed up with But we have 4 2005's due in next week, and we'll give you the same price (8500$ before t/t/f) I said ok..

Well a week went by, then another.. then another.. and finally I got the call it was in. (first Black 05 XB12R shipped to the southeast *grin*)

I go down, and the salesman I spoke to on the phone (never saw his face before) approached me as I was wandering through the 20 or so buells they had parked right out by the road.. behind them.. you guessed it.. their harley's. He asked me if I wanted to take on for a ride, I said well actually I ordered one about a month- and he interrupted and asked if I was Ryan, I said yes, and he pointed over in the prep bay and said "there it is man." They gave me two Buell shirts, and free Hog Ties for the situation with the bike being sold out from under me, and also gave me a free oil change for my first service.

This dealership is one that WANTS buell to make it, hell the owner has an XB9s and rides it more than his Dyna Glide. Even though it's a long ride down, I still try to make it at least once every couple of months just to stop in, have a free cup of coffee, and a doughnut, shoot the breeze with the awesome sales staff they have, and even chat with the 50 or so buellers that show up there.

Kudos to Ocala HD buell for their interest, in my interest in the Buell line.
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Halbard
Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 06:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm Glad to hear it... I'd love to have one like that in this area. I'd hate to drive across country to buy my next bike in feb. or march, but it would be one hell of a break in ride getting it back...

Wouldn't be the first time, besides, I've promised some friends in the Daytona area I'd stop by one day...

Still would love to see the option for getting Buell out of dealers who don't support them, into a place that does though... I've got a guy at Michaels Suzuki who rides a Buell (and a Busa) and knows alot about them. They almost always have a couple in stock (slightly used, under 8k miles) and they move the things better than the Harley dealers in the area... Just sad.
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Paint_shaker
Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 06:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Frausty12r,
Glad to hear you had a good experience at Ocala... I know they have been pushing the Buell line for a while and last time I was there they had a rack dedicated to Buell shirts. Hopefully they will get some accessories in there...
2 other good Buell places in central Florida are Gainesville and Lakeland.
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Mike748
Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 02:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I also called Ocala Buell about a leftover '05 XB. Sales guy was very helpful and even offered to trailer the bike to me for free. I'm 2 hrs away.
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Wasions
Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 02:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I was in Daytona last week. The new Destination Daytona HD/Buell store in Ormond Beach on I-95 at Rte 1 opened on Monday the 3d and it is HUGE. They had three black Ulysses on the floor, and though we didn't test ride, they let the bride sit on the back to see how she'd like it. She didn't like the fact that my feet didn't fall flat on the floor and insists that I'd want the low saddle. That was last Thursday, the 7th. By Saturday, they'd already sold one of them. They also had a XB12Ss in a window, 2 Blasts (one had the low saddle) and several Lightnings, but no Firebolts.

Steve
Gear up!
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