| Author | Message | ||
     Along4theride  |
I see quite a few comments being made about HD dealerships that aren't doing their part to support Buell's or Buell riders and I had to comment on the dealership I frequent. I am having a clutch issue, maybe it's just being a girl but I find that the clutch on my XB9R is really tight and makes my wrist hurt. It has gotten pretty bad and I posted asking for ideas. The General Manager for Stone Mtn. HD read my post on the board and was working on the problem without me even knowing. I went to the dealership Saturday to meet up with some other Buellers and he tells me that they pulled an easy pull clutch off of a sportster and he had the guys in the back modifying it to see if it would work on an XB. He then put it on a CityX and rode it home for the weekend to test it out. That is what I call SERVICE!!! I have to say that the Servicing dealership I go to ROCKS!!! I would hope that eventually more dealerships share this attitude and promote not just the bike but the riders as well. Thanks Cameron!!!  | ||
| Bomber  |
Ride sounds like ya found a keeper -- your job is to keep spreading the word, and to make it worth their while to perform like that (as I'm sure you already are by giving them your business!) great news -- thanks for posting it! | ||
| Djkaplan  |
The service department must have changed dramatically since I stopped going there almost 4 years ago. | ||
| Blake  |
Rebecca, That's great news. I have some advice that might also help your sore wrist issue. Be sure that the clutch lever is afixed to the handlebar in a position so that a line projected through the clutch lever and the handlebar ends up in-line with your forearm. Most bikes come new with the lever rotated WAY too far up, which puts a huge strain on your wrist when you work the clutch. Rotate it down so that it is in-line with your forearm or even further down and your wrist will thank you. The brake lever is much the same, but since it doesn't get used with as much range of motion or force it isn't as big an issue. Cheers, and thanks again for the good news!  | ||
| Johnk3 |
Wow. I have the opposite experience. Sheldon's HD in Auburn, MA cross threaded my plug. When it failed they told me I was on my own. They are the only ones to ever have touched the plugs. Cost me 1000 plus out of my own pocket to fix my head. Bike was 3 mos out at the time and I had put only 5000 miles on it. Had both the factory 1year and the extended 3year, but factory won't cover dealer's crappy service. BEWARE of Sheldon's! | ||
| Midknyte |
In the other extreme, mine was rotated too far down/forward and I found myself reaching into the clutch and it was too easy to slip my fingers off the clutch - not something ya wanna do with all that torque behind ya! Don't sell yourself short or think you have to get used to anything. All that stuff is adjustable. Even the shifter and rear brake levers. Makes all the difference once they are right. (Message edited by midknyte on December 07, 2004) | ||
| Black_sunshine  |
Clown is Da Man! 3%er represent  | ||
| Court |
Rebecca: This is GREAT news.... The next rung of the Buell ladder is the dealer network. I am pleased to hear about your experience, more pleased that I am hearing this more frequently. I got a letter from the dealer in Bloomington, IL yesterday and I can't tell you how thrilled I am about that. Send me the name and address of your dealer if you get a chance. And, oh yeah, next time you are there give him a hug for me! Court | ||
| Along4theride |
The Dealership I am bragging about is Stone Mountain HD in Atlanta GA and the word is getting out that is for sure!!! I have heard a rumor that they were working on Badweb Sponsorship. Then everyone will be able to benefit from these great guys, their open minds and willingness to 'do what it takes' even for a Bueller. Last year Shred broke down, can't remember what it was but something broke and he was STUCK on the side of the road. They were having a BIG event at the dealership and everyone was swamped. Cameron told him to just get there. He then pulled a part off a Buell on ths showroom floor and put it on Shred's bike so he could get home. So this is an overall attitude they have not just a one time thing. Djkaplan If you got crappy service at St. Mtn then I have to say that things definalty have changed since last time you were there and you should check it out again. | ||
| Court |
Djkaplan: Well, here's what we gots to do..... First, you are my "team mate" by virtue simply of being here. You're in?..right? Good. I hereby, through the lack of power vested in me, annoint, appoint and do hereby invest you into the Undercover Patrol to Confirm High Up Common Knowledge (UPCHUCK) among dealers. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to do a bit of snooping for me. Here's what ya neeed to do.... Ease on into the dealership. First, does it LOOK like a Buell dealership. A sign, some stuff, a couple shirts...something. Ask yourself, if I owned the place, depended on Buells for my livlihood would my story have an opening paragraph that told folks what I sold? Next....root about. See if they have the following:
Finally, ask about servicing your Buell, like a simple oil change. What I'm looking for here is not so much "we can do it right now? (but, that would be good) but rather that you aren't ask to leave the bike for two weeks till they get to it. Just get a feel for their feel for what "Service: is. A couple other things....be alert and gracious. When you are done, let me know what you find. Ask yourself how they did on this simple test. Are they set up to give you something in return for your money and desire to deal with them. If they fall short anywhere, don't raise a hissy fit. Rather, it's your call to action. Get together with other Buell owners and ACT. Do something, see what your common needs are and let the dealer know politely. The end product should be a win-win-win deal for Buell-Dealership and the customers. Most important is that these guys, who it sounds like have worked hard to serve their customers, know that you are there and WANT to be a good customer. Take my word for it....POSITIVE things beget positive things. The dealer network is on the upswing and I like what I am hearing about Stone Mountain. These are exciting times for Buell and you, as a customer, are right smack dab in the center of it! Court | ||
| Along4theride |
Court- I think I am going to take that info to the HD/Buell dealership when I go home for X-mas and ask some questions. Maybe when I move home they'll be into Buell's like Appleton or Stone Mtn. I also want to commend Dave of Appleton HD and his efforts for the Buell 'community'. You are right up there in regards to Buell promotion & support. You don't need me to tell you what you already know but being a 'newbie' to the Badweb I notice that your customer service stands out too. Kudos where Kudos is deserved-  | ||
| Oconnor  |
Court- The dealer in my area FAILED. I had tried something like that just yesterday when I rechecked my local dealer after reading a post about HD dealers finding a reinterest in buell and stocking gear and bikes. No Bikes, no pegs or brake levers, (going to a track day and need back up parts) no shirts hats stickers pamphlets service manuals. Nothing. Oh buell was painted on the wall though. Brake pads and oil change.Leave it for a week. | ||
| Court |
Charles: First of all...I love the Semper Toon. I recall, years ago at MCRD, sitting on a footlocker, writing home on Sunday mornings. There's more truth to that than a civilian might see, eh? With regard to your dealer, here is my charge to you. You have a choice. Frequently, in your postion folks come to the internet and gripe and complain. I'd suggest quite the opposite (your Semper Fi tells me you don't give up) and suggest yoiu take the "I've got little to loose" mindset and see what you can do to help improve the dealership. Whatever measures you take will cost you but a bit of your time. The payoff could be great. Thanks for the smile at 4AM ! Court | ||
| Bigeasy |
Well court you can put HD Buell of Baton Rouge on your list as passed. They have Buell helmets, boots and gloves ect. I called them at 9am one morning to ask if I could come in to have my race kit installed and wait while they did it. (because I live in New Orleans 70 miles away) They told me to hurry up and ride my @ss over and they could do right now. I think they said they are in the top ten for buell sales, not sure though. Oh and yes there is a huge light up Buell sign at the entrance. Art | ||
| Court |
Art: Life is good. Send me a name and address. I'll drop them a note and let'em know that good news travels fast and far. Tell ya what...as Buell works to raise the level of the dealer network a huge part of the task is upon folks like you and I. Thanks for starting my day right... Court | ||
| Woodlark |
A Tale of Two Dealers: I've been trying to get my wife interested in riding, so I was looking for a Buell Blast for her to sit on. WE first went to the HD/Buell dealer in Myrtle Beach, SC. They had a couple of Buells sitting out front, but we didn't see any Blasts. We stood around for a while looking lost and nobody offered to help us. I finally accosted a sales person (female) who acted like I was annoying her. I was told they had no Buells in stock, but if I wanted to pay for one up front ($4995), they would order it for me. She then tried to steer us to an H-D lowrider and couldn't understand when I told her that wasn't the kind of bike we were looking for. Obviously this is a Buell dealer in name only! A week later, we visited the H-D dealer in Augusta, GA. They had a Blast on the showroom floor, the salesman was very polite and helpful and their price was $4195. Guess which dealership we are likely to go back to! | ||
| Court |
>>>Guess which dealership we are likely to go back to! No need to guess, Adam Smith told us when he penned "Wealth of Nations". There are two salient things are work here; economics and manners. Life's fairly simple, when distilled to it's essence. Economics and simple manners, although independent to the naked eye, are inextricably linked. I have no reservations about paying a bit more to get good service. I'd pay an extra 10% to deal with Dave Steuve, Topeka or the likes. It's the "peace of mind" margin. I also confess that I like dealing with nice people as opposed to saving money and dealing with unpleasant folks. Choose wisely. Court | ||
| Tramp  |
excellently put, court!!!!!!!!! (as usual) | ||
| Bigeasy |
Court you've got mail. art | ||
| Odie  |
Court, you are writing exceptionally well this morning. Very profound.... I would also like to put my $.02 in for Stone Mt. HD/B. I spent last Saturday up there for the dyno time and met some people I've needed to meet for quite some time. I exaggerate not one bit when I say that in the 22 or so years that I have been into motorcycle dealerships that I have not experienced one where the people feel genuine and sincere, were eager to help, although not pushy, and were just all around "nice" until I walked into SMHD/B. It was a relief. At times I had to look around and check to be sure that I was in a Harley dealership. They truly are grade A. The heck with cloning people and sheep- clone the whole dealership.....Going to bed. I've restricted myself to only one post in the am's now as I come off of 3rd shift that way I'll stay out of the hot water....Later, Odie | ||
| Bomber |
Add Illinois HD/Buell (Berwyn, IL) to the list of good good guys with the spares, P&A, and attitude to help -- Sam (their resident Buell dooode) is aces, and really displays a great attitude (even when dealing with ME, which is a stretch for him, being a leg, and all!) Also, Lake Shore seems to be increasing their Buell awareness mightily -- if there was an award for "Most Improved," they'd likely get it! it's easy to overlook the guys that do not have a huge e-presence on this board | ||
| Clown |
I appreciate the support from the Buellers. We will be a sponsor of the BadWeb in January!!! We have really focused and learned alot from the Buell riders. Yes DJ our service department has changed dramatically. Blake, without being a sponsor yet, I don't want to do anything out of line, so I will keep my work posts to a minimum. | ||
| Court |
Cameron: I sent you a letter today, yes the old fashioned U.S. Mail. Sponsorship is great and that can come with time...there is most assuredly no prohibition against a dealer being here, listening, learning and contributing. This is akin to fishing in a crystal clear farm pond where you can look in the water and see your prey. Kinda cool to think that ALL of us here are basically share the same hobby...sending money to Buell through the dealer network! You are in a good place, at a good time and your efforts are appreciated by people all over. Thank you, Court Canfield | ||
| Glitch  |
 How could you not trust a General Manager with such a winning smile? | ||
| P0p0k0pf |
'Nuther cheer for St. Mtn. HD- They rearranged the Buell Section in the showroom to consolidate the Buells into one area, and finished the section off by adding a wall of Buell gear behind the bikes- All of this just inside the front door! I'm fortunate to be able to call St. Mtn HD my closest dealer. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'm glad to hear Stone Mountain's service department is taking care of their customers. | ||
| Ingemar  |
Glitch, don't tell me the General Manager of Stone Mountain HD rides his Harley wearing the kind of All-Stars type shoes ... say it ain't true ... With that "smile" a pair of army boots would have fitted that outfit much better.  | ||
| Black_sunshine |
I can't believe that is Cameron! Man clowns are scary.  They have always given me the creeps. | ||
| Clown |
Those are not my usual riding shoes. The picture doesn't do the shoes justice. They actually have flames on them. They are just worn for effect. B_S, you are not alone in your clown phobia. I have encountered many folks with the same nausea of clowns. | ||
| Deadman |
ok guys, the simple reason we try so hard is because we give a damn. Buellers get treated well here because they're not just customers. They're also our friends. If caring about your customers and your shop is abnormal, then these are sad times indeed for motorcyclists everywhere. But we'll keep trying to up the ante, pushing ourselves and the Buell line. Hell, I converted! That xb12scg hit me right in the gut. Lets all just keep it up and have a good time. And for along4theride, this sermon is concluded. |
