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Gschuette
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 01:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What is so great about a Buell that I should tolerate the dealer experience that I do? Ever since my trip to the Aprilia dealer last week I have been wondering why I put up with what I do. When I go to the dealer (to spend money for Christsakes) I get treated like a moron who is way off base in asking for a TPS reset. That is a good day though because usually they ignore me altogether.

When I bought the bike the Sales manager and salesman both said that the bike is sold with a full warranty and I have never seen a sold as is no warranty sheet for my bike. I am the first owner but it is an 06. I am not that unsophisticated to buy a bike that has been sitting for two years with no warranty. When I took it in to have the fork oil changed and the knocking in the bottom end fixed I am told the bike has no warranty. The dealer made no effort to help clarify the situation. So I call this amazing Buell customer service you all speak of. The lady says she is going to verify some things and call me back in a half hour. Three days later I call them wondering why the hell they didn't call. They say they are still taking care of things and will call me that afternoon. Well that afternoon came and went about a week and a half ago and I still haven't heard a word. Where do you go when customer service won't help?

So tell me what is so great about an XB that would make me want to keep it over a Tuono? Is it really going to carve that much better a line around a turn that I shouldn't trade it? When I went to the Aprilia dealer they instantly started drooling over my bike then trying to get me on a Tuono. Interesting, a sales staff that actually tries to sell product. Very odd!

I love my bike but it is a PITA to get even the most minor things taken care of. The dealer can't even balance my tires. And they wonder why they don't sell many Buells. It is just beyond me why a dealer would ignore a customer like that. Sorry I didn't buy a $30,000 Screaming Eagle but I want one. Why don't they say gee that poor college student worked a good deal and got outside financing on this bike. He is pretty sophisticated. We should treat him well so that he comes back in a couple years and gets a big Harley from us. I hate my dealer yet I have no other options within 3 hours of my house.
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Teddagreek
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 02:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Sorry dude sounds like you just have a bad dealer who just doesn't get it...

I go to the local Mega import dealer, mostly for gear but on occasion talk shop about bikes. Sales wise from experience compared to a some Harley dealers its night and day.


Check out your insurance, I was very close to buying a Aprilia RSV 1000 and insurance was 4 times as expensive as my XB... You need a vin for a accurate quote


Do you have another dealer in your area? I'd go farther if my local dealer was a piece of crap..

Good Luck.....
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Blake
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 02:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What dealership are you talking about?
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Sparky
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 03:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Wow. One of the pieces of paper you should have signed and received a copy of is the S.W.R. - Sales and Warranty Registration with the dealer's name & number, your name and address, and the bike's VIN number on it.

I'd think that Buell should have that on file by now. You might try Buell Customer Service again to see if your VIN is on file with your name and date of purchase. If you can find your copy of the S.W.R., see if the VIN is clearly written. Maybe it's scribbled and not legible?

It sounds like that dealer's service dept. is either trying to pull a fast one on you or, for some reason, they didn't submit a warranty claim.
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Brumbear
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 05:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well you better hope the Tuono doesn't brake down parts can be nonexsistant for months but I here you on HD dealerships they can be ALOOF but luckily I have 2 great Buell dealerships in North NJ
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Gschuette
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 06:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I really doubt I will get another bike now but if I continue to have trouble with the dealer and something does happen to the bike then I wouldn't hesitate to jump ship. I love my bike though. It is everything I wanted and more when riding, I just hate the ownership side of things.
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Paint_shaker
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 06:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

For what it is worth... Try another Dealer!!
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Froggy
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 06:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Stupid question, the bike is still under warranty right? If you bought it in Feb 2006 or earlier you are out of luck.
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Pwnzor
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 07:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've had exactly the same dealer experience and worse.

That being said, I love my Buell and it's been a solid, reliable motorcycle that is incredibly fun to ride.

HOWEVER......

I'll never buy another HD product directly from the dealer, other than oil, and only in an emergency.

I've got my eye on a used S3T though...
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Bluesboy
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 09:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Let me just say,not an excuse,look in the service dept.at your local Honda,Ducati,Yamaha,Aprilia and Harley shop.If you think for one second that some pimple faced kid making $12.00ph is going to fix your bike your living in a dream world!Should they be able too,YES! will they be able to,YOU TAKES YOUR CHANCES!So ask some ? and grab a wrench and fix it your self,at least you`ll try.It`s not the bike,it`s up to you!
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Dtx
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 10:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Bluesboy is right. From what I understand, dealerships for other brands can be just as ignorant. When you find a good dealer, you are very lucky.

Overall, I have taught myself to do most of the servicing on my bike(s) and have lowered my anxiety levels knowing that someone else will not be screwing up my bike.
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4cammer
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 10:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Warranty on my '07 9R is up in a bit less than a year.

After that I doubt I will ever see the dealer again.
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Dynasport
Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 10:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I agree with DTX. Bad dealers aren't exclusive to Buells. I've heard all kinds of stories from BMW and Ducati owners as well. Oh, and Japanese bikes as well. Frustrating isn't it? My dealer seems perfectly capable of servicing my FXDX, they just want me to mortgage the house to pay for it it seems.
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Dbird29
Posted on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 12:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Greg doesn't have any other dealers within a few hundred miles.
Too bad he wasn't up in SLC and have South Valley HD.
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Bad_karma
Posted on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 01:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It's about the bike and the ride. A dealer is just like those Blue lights, just part of the scenery that you can control to a certain extent.
Joe
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Gschuette
Posted on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 06:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I did most of the 10,000 mile service myself with the exception of the fork oil change and TPS reset. So please lets not bring up whether I should be doing the work myself. The point is that the bike SHOULD be under warranty and if there is something wrong like a knock in the bottom end the dealer should be competent enough to find and fix it. I enjoy doing maintenance work myself but if something is wrong with the bike I do not want to waste valuable free time fixing the problem when I could drop it off at the dealer and have it done in a day or two with no direct out of pocket cost.

I bet Bluesboy and Dtx give 20% tips at dinner without so much as a refill. Just because I can do some mechanical work does not give the dealer an excuse for incompetence and bad attitudes.
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Dtx
Posted on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 07:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Oh, I wasn't bashing you Greg. Trust me, I have had my fair share of incompetant dealers for service. (Like the time I had a total motor rebuild and got the bike back with ONE quart of oil it it.)

All I was saying is that it is something I have "learned" to live with and I combat it by teaching myself how to do most service work.

I agree with you and understand your frustration.

Cheers.
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Beachbuell
Posted on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 07:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Warranty goes into effect on the date of purchase. So lets say you bought a 2004 model in 2006. Then the warranty is valid from the date of ORIGINAL purchase in 2006 for two years.
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Bluesboy
Posted on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 07:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Greg,my point is if you dont like your buell buy something else,the aprillia is a fine bike,if you dont like your dealer find a better one and spend your money there. And I dont tip for bad service,i`m a much better cook than most so I dont eat out much.
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Kyrocket
Posted on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 08:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Luckily I found a guy in town that has been working on v-twins for decades. My closest dealer is 30 miles away and I've learned my lesson there. The local guy has an '86 FXRD that was only made in '86 for a cross country bike, a '36 knuckle, #60 made and a '65 and '66. He owned up to 14 at one time so he knows his way around a motor and his prices are reasonable and he'll talk shop all day with you, cool guy.
I guess what I'm saying is ask around. I found this guy through a friend of a friend at a bike night one evening. If you ride with different folks bring it up in conversation about who their mechanic is and if they're satisfied with them. Good mechanics usually don't have to advertise if the word of mouth is good enough.
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Gschuette
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 02:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Sorry to seem defensive. I appreciate the replies. Even if I found the most amazing mechanic I would still have to pay a pretty hefty hourly rate. I am frustrated that Harley seems to have no desire to honor the warranty. As myself and Dbird have already pointed out the next closest dealer is about three hours from Cedar City. This dealer is already about 45 minutes away.

WHile I am ranting, when I last brought the bike in I had to be at school at nine in the morning so I loaded it in the truck the night before and took it in bright and early. They open at 8 and I arrived at 7:45 but the doors were open. I get there and the service guys tells me that they don't open for another 15 minutes. Only after reiterating for the 10th time that I came from 45 minutes away already and I have responsibilities where I came from did he offer any assistance. What kind of dealer does that?

I like my Buell. I love my Buell! Just not the dealer. I really want a Tuono for bike #2 not my only bike.
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Edstevens
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 02:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Stopped into a local Ducati/MV Agusta dealer in Winchester, VA. Duc Pond dealer/owner meets you and engages you in conversation immediately. He has passion about his product. He has raced Ducs for 20 years. HD Winchester has a new mega mart dealership and yes you get about the same level of customer service and product knowledge as Wal-Mart provides there. WELL, who do you want to deal with.

As Buell diversifies its product with ever broader customer appeal isn't there someplace I wouldn't have to be blinded by chrome just to hear someone to come up to me and say "I speak Buell". Buell is more than good enough to stand on its own.

For me the the Duc Pond dealer would be a great choice.
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Mr_grumpy
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 05:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Greg, check your owners manual, it says in mine that the warranty is with Buell not the dealer, also the warranty is active from the day you take delivery, or 3 years from the last day of the model year, whichever comes first.

At least that's what it says in the European one anyway.

There is nothing to say that it MUST be maintained by a dealer, just that it must be done by a competent person.

It's possible, of course, that the selling dealer has failed to register the warranty with Buell. Which may explain why the dealer says it's not warranted & Buell are taking their time, if they have no records.

I'd advise you to write a (polite) letter to Buell Customer Service & enclose a photocopy of the sales invoice. Send it registered so you know it's got there.

I wouldn't think BCS were jerking your string, it's not in their interest to do so, they'll be well aware that you can take your money elsewhere next time, but they'll want all their ducks in a row before responding.

Best of luck, play it cool, polite but firm, usually works.
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Court
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 06:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

>>>Warranty goes into effect on the date of purchase.

It can, but not necessarily. The warranty (which by the way is a very detailed written legal contract) commences when the SWR that Sparky mentioned is executed. The SWR is what starts the warranty.

Dealers play lots of games with warranties.

In 1997 there was a "bounty", payable in increased HD allotments, for selling Buells. It was no unheard of to see a dealer "sell" all his Buells to his staff. . . in a criminally sales.

The problem is that this started the 1-year warranty period running.

Three years later when someone bought the bike the warranty had long run it's legal course and expired.

The other game used to be to collect damaged primary covers off Sportsters and make freight claims against Buell.

Some of the schemes get more elaborate as in the case of Tom Perkins of Dudley Perkins Company. I don't recall if Tom was ever charged criminally but he almost lost the oldest H.D. dealership in the country (or whatever) but was able to cut a plea deal with HD whereby he presented a speech on warranty fraud at a dealer meeting.

Many dealers are honorable people. An honorable person would follow the prescribed delivery process, explain the warrant and go through what it covers, what it does not cover and it's duration.

Court
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Rocketsprink
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 06:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What's so great about Buell? Nothing. You either like them or you don't Don't hate the bike because of the piss poor dealer service.
You're not the first, and I'm sure not the last, with this problem.
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Daves
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 07:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

should be easy enough to figure out.
Give the VIN to Buell CS or a friendly dealer here and have them run it.
That will tell them when and in whose name the warranty started.
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Mr_grumpy
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 08:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

2007 Lightning owners manual. European version. page E-127.


DURATION

1. The duration of this limited warranty is twenty four months, starting from the earlier of (a) the date of initial purchase and delivery from an authorized Buell dealer, or (b) the third anniversary of the last day of the model year of the motorcycle. Your dealer will submit an electronic Sales and Warranty Registration form to initiate your warranty.

2. Any unexpired portion of this limited warranty will be transferred to subsequent owners, upon the resale of the motorcycle during the warranty period.


So if you bought the bike new, you should be covered, if the contract terms are the same as the US.
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Not_purple_s2
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 09:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Dealers are hit and miss, sounds like yours is a miss. Don't give up on them completely though one day they might "get it." My nearest Buell dealership is "ok" I would take my bike in to them if I had to but I'd rather do any maintenance I can my self. The local HD dealer not only doesn't "get it" but they don't want it any where near them. They wouldn't take the time to hook a voltmeter up to check my battery/charging system or even mount a tire on my bike, things that the Suzuki/Yamaha dealer across the street was happy to do.

Check your dealership and start talking to the service guys. Ask if any of them are into Buells. If there is at least one guy back there that knows Buells then you can request that he work on you bike if you have to take it in.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 10:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If you want to send me your VIN, I can run an inquiry and verify the in-service date (date of first purchase) for you. jgoetz@hdoffrederick.com. Chances are the service department saw "2006" and assumed since it's 2 model years old, it's out of warranty. Bad form on their part, but entirely possible.

: )
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Not_purple_s2
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 02:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Maybe you should talk to the guys at the Aprilia/Duc guys. They might be able to do some of the maintenance on your bike. It's worth trying. I've taken my S2 to a Apr/Duc dealer and Suzuki/Yamaha dealer for small maintenance items. Both dealers did everything they could to get me back on the road. The duc guys even cleaned my bike up after working on it. The local HD (non-Buell) dealer will not touch my bike.
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Panhead_dan
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 07:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

This is likely just a mistake as Ratbuell suggests above.
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Gschuette
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 08:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

This dealer wouldn't know the difference between a M2 and a Ulysses. Much less the model year of a Xb.
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