Bad Impression - Christchurch First European Motorcycles

[AllanB]

Neithers a reason to not let someone test ride a bike,no doubt a bike shop has plenty of gear out back they could throw on a potential buyer,the one i worked at did.

Shows a higher intent. Less likely a tyre kicker.

[AllanB]

I know someone who test rides a lot. Mind you he also buys regularly so there i a fair chance if you give him a crack on it he may return with coin.

[eldog]

so far I have never ridden a bike I have brought, haven't regretted it yet either.

[jasonu]

so far I have never ridden a bike I have brought, haven't regretted it yet either.

So you buy bikes and never ride them???

[eldog]

So you buy bikes and never ride them???

good point. I meant to say, so far I have brought bikes without test riding them first.

BUT at the MO, I am not riding and haven't for some time - various reasons-some are my own fault, some are not.

I have plans afoot to change that soon.

- I shoulda prof readed it first aye -

[HenryDorsetCase]

So you buy bikes and never ride them???

Nah, that's me that does that.

[Blackbird]

Most of the posts on this thread are about rocking up to a dealer first time which I guess can be a bit hit or miss and as people say, the experience is influenced by all sorts of factors but mutual trust is right up there. First contact is only part of it - I'm more interested in the long game. When I first wanted to buy a Street Triple, rang Hamilton Motorcycle Centre to arrange a test ride and said I'd pay cash if I liked it. After the test, there was no mucking about and they threw in 3M anti-scratch film fitting and a Ventura rack as part of the price. I try and build long-term trust relationships with people I do business with because it normally pays off in the longer term. It's a 320 km round trip to Hamilton to get the Triumph serviced and I'm hardly in the door before they're chucking the keys to a demonstrator at me and telling me to bugger off while the bike is being serviced. It's an easy, relaxed relationship with both the front of house and workshop team and I'll be going back to them for a new bike around the end of the year. Same for Drury Performance Centre for tyres and other bits and pieces.

[jasonu]

Nah, that's me that does that.

Me too mate. I've put but a few miles on my GSXR I bought last May. I spend more time looking at it over a beer or two.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Mind you - People like Pete McD never seem to have an issue with me...

That's simply because I'm always just happy if someone wants to even talk to me.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I am pleased to report that I visited the store in question this very morn. Lots of people in the store. At one point I counted 7 customers doing various amounts of chatting, tyre kicking, trying on helmets and gloves, admiring bikes and jackets and generally sifting about. There were four sales staff on and all rushing about doing stuff. Fairly sure I saw at least one bike get sold.

So, you know, maybe it's just OP who has the issue?

Also, for, um, reasons, I'd really like one of those LML Vespa clones. Theres a bright red one with a brown seat. Judge all you want.

Plus I will go and take their demo Guzzi V7 for a spin.... and remind me again why I sold my Scrambler?

[Woodman]

Most of the posts on this thread are about rocking up to a dealer first time which I guess can be a bit hit or miss and as people say, the experience is influenced by all sorts of factors but mutual trust is right up there. First contact is only part of it - I'm more interested in the long game. When I first wanted to buy a Street Triple, rang Hamilton Motorcycle Centre to arrange a test ride and said I'd pay cash if I liked it. After the test, there was no mucking about and they threw in 3M anti-scratch film fitting and a Ventura rack as part of the price. I try and build long-term trust relationships with people I do business with because it normally pays off in the longer term. It's a 320 km round trip to Hamilton to get the Triumph serviced and I'm hardly in the door before they're chucking the keys to a demonstrator at me and telling me to bugger off while the bike is being serviced. It's an easy, relaxed relationship with both the front of house and workshop team and I'll be going back to them for a new bike around the end of the year. Same for Drury Performance Centre for tyres and other bits and pieces.

Goodonya, it beggars belief the grumpy unreasonable unrealistic wankers that treat shop staff like dirt. I wonder if they realise how much good easy going customers like yourself get looked after, and how much their attitudes cost them in real $$.

[haydes55]

Most of the posts on this thread are about rocking up to a dealer first time which I guess can be a bit hit or miss and as people say, the experience is influenced by all sorts of factors but mutual trust is right up there. First contact is only part of it - I'm more interested in the long game. When I first wanted to buy a Street Triple, rang Hamilton Motorcycle Centre to arrange a test ride and said I'd pay cash if I liked it. After the test, there was no mucking about and they threw in 3M anti-scratch film fitting and a Ventura rack as part of the price. I try and build long-term trust relationships with people I do business with because it normally pays off in the longer term. It's a 320 km round trip to Hamilton to get the Triumph serviced and I'm hardly in the door before they're chucking the keys to a demonstrator at me and telling me to bugger off while the bike is being serviced. It's an easy, relaxed relationship with both the front of house and workshop team and I'll be going back to them for a new bike around the end of the year. Same for Drury Performance Centre for tyres and other bits and pieces.

HMC have always been good to me (suppose they need to be, with boyds across the road). I knew the receptionist who kept trying to convince me to take the new Z1000 for a ride. I refused because I knew I wouldn't buy it. I ended up meeting the guy who bought it while having a beer in raglan.

[Blackbird]

Goodonya, it beggars belief the grumpy unreasonable unrealistic wankers that treat shop staff like dirt. I wonder if they realise how much good easy going customers like yourself get looked after, and how much their attitudes cost them in real $$.

Cheers Woodman, life is too short to get uptight. If you build up a good relationship and have a genuine grizzle, it's more likely they'll take it on board. Not exactly rocket science, is it?

[Blackbird]

HMC have always been good to me (suppose they need to be, with boyds across the road). I knew the receptionist who kept trying to convince me to take the new Z1000 for a ride. I refused because I knew I wouldn't buy it. I ended up meeting the guy who bought it while having a beer in raglan.

I got offered the chance to take out a Ducati Streetfighter a couple of years back but declined - it was a tad tall and didn't want to drop it at the lights outside HMC - wouldn't have been a good look . Had a Bonneville last time there and really enjoyed it. Great people.

[kiwi cowboy]

I look like a criminal and was offered a testride on a desmocedici, you guys must have bad attitudes.

They probably couldn't sell it and thought hey lets let that criminal looking cunt take it out and we can report it stolen. Then when the dodgey lookin bugger crashes doin a runner from the cops we can get insurance