Omigod! What if I want to buy a new bike...

**Beemer** · 7th February 2006, 21:37

Originally Posted by Jim2

Right, just to put this in perspective, I've just fielded some calls from some rather upset motorcycle retail business owners, who are feeling a bit hard done by. I tend to agree with them. The right of reply isn't readily available to them on here, without them looking a bit "whingey", and I tend to agree that the thread started about ANZA but the scope(in only a few cases) soon changed to the motorcycle retail industry in general.

Perhaps if these upset motorcycle retail business owners started providing a modicum of what could loosely be called service to EVERY customer, not just the ones they feel like bothering with, perhaps we wouldn't need to moan about them. Until then, most of us will do our talking with our feet and shop elsewhere.

**James Deuce** · 7th February 2006, 21:41

Beemer, people make comments in a public forum often without ever trying to address the initial problem. One visit, without the result you wanted doesn't make the whole organisation a bunch of losers/morons/disinterested vendors.

People hardly ever relate good service events, instead they make a lot of noise when one thing goes wrong. In my experience, often this is because of poor communication by BOTH parties.

Motorad/Sawyers have helped me through a difficult patch in my life (one that you personally didn't make any easier I might add), and I have always been able to end up with a result in terms of buying bikes and accessories with them. Their service department is great, in particular Gareth, who really goes out of his way to make sure the workshop understands EXACTLY what you need done. Derek McAdam is a meticulous mechanic, and Hazel, Robyn, and Kerry are the kind of people I'd want working for me in that environment. Brendan and Barry HAVE always dealt with me in a fair and realistic fashion.

Stew at TSS is a good bugger and has helped me out on ocassion too. Mike at WMCC at least pretends to be pleased to see me. I don;t think people try to establish a relationship with these people, and throw their toys out of the cot a bit too soon in my book.

By the same token I've never had any issues with car dealers either. No lemons, no attitudes, and any minor problems sorted quickly. How many times have I seen it on here where people sit on a problem for a couple of weeks before getting it fixed, or make it worse trying to "number eight fencing wire" the problem only to create a biger one?

I wish I could rely on my mechanical skills to service my bike, but I can't. I always have bits left over. I'm happy to pay people I trust to look after my stuff. But I'm not happy to have them mercilessly bagged in public, by people only willing to relate their bad stories.

**Bonez** · 7th February 2006, 21:52

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Tell that to a CB350.

350/4s are quite nible where it counts- tight, twisty, back county roads. So to the old 350 twins, better than the later 360s I might add. Now if you graft a cb500 engine (know someone who did just that) into a 350/4 frame, the thing is, well-priceless.

Now that I think about it, my old CJ250T use to do almost weekly trip from Hobsinville to Havelock North sitting on 105ks-110 most of the way. Hell even my CB400T could keep up with a Ducati 900SD in the tight stuff.

**Bonez** · 7th February 2006, 21:56

Originally Posted by Ixion

Cos y're like me - a bottom feeder living off the end of the biker food chain. And bike shops don't have those sort of bikes. 'Tis OK - I get as much fun from a 20 year old $1000 dollar bike as someone who swans into the bike shop and pays down 15K for a new one. And then crashes it a month later!

Aint that the truth.

**James Deuce** · 7th February 2006, 22:02

Originally Posted by Ixion

Cos y're like me - a bottom feeder living off the end of the biker food chain. And bike shops don't have those sort of bikes. 'Tis OK - I get as much fun from a 20 year old $1000 dollar bike as someone who swans into the bike shop and pays down 15K for a new one. And then crashes it a month later!

Hey!

I've had mine for 6 weeks and the magnetic ground attraction field has worn off. I didn't spend that much either. In fact I haven't put more than $7k into a bike purchase except once about 12 years ago. And it was worth it.

The Cb400 I sold just before Christmas was just as much fun as anything else I've ever owned too, and I'd love to get my hands on a CB400/4 one day. Problem is they are starting to cost real money for a good one.

**Big Dave** · 7th February 2006, 23:38

Originally Posted by Bonez

350/4s are quite nible where it counts- tight, twisty, back county roads. So to the old 350 twins, better than the later 360s I might add. Now if you graft a cb500 engine (know someone who did just that) into a 350/4 frame, the thing is, well-priceless.

Now that I think about it, my old CJ250T use to do almost weekly trip from Hobsinville to Havelock North sitting on 105ks-110 most of the way. Hell even my CB400T could keep up with a Ducati 900SD in the tight stuff.

OK - Take the CB and I'll race you point to point through the most demanding section you can name on my Buell then? You =

:slap:

**Beemer** · 8th February 2006, 10:08

Jim, I don't think it is true that people don't tell tales of good service - I can recall many threads where someone has said a big thanks to this that or the other business/person for great service. I have often done the same myself. I will also bring the matter of poor service or faulty goods to the attention of those who can and will do something about it. However, if I go into a shop and get poor service and other outlets have the same products, I don't bother bringing the matter up, I just shop elsewhere.

Apart from ANZA - and I did mention how the guy who approached us last weekend was very helpful - I didn't name any shops. Scoular is long gone and I was referring to an incident when HE owned that shop.

You mentioned Sawyers/Motorad. In my experience, Brendan has always been helpful and I can honestly say he has gone out of his way to help me on more than one occasion. He gave up his own time to help me and others learn to ride (as did Allan Kirk), and he loaned me a demo bike for a two-week South Island trip. I would count Brendan and his family as friends. My husband has always had his BMW serviced by Michael Dobson and he has always been more than happy with the service he receives from him. Barry, Carl, Derek, Glen - all great guys too.

I have no idea what your difficult patch was and as I have never met you (that I know of), I fail to see how I contributed to your woes.

Pete at WMCC always has a greeting when we walk in and I have happily bought motorcycle gear, etc from them in the past and will continue to do so in the future. I also get great service from AFC in Palmerston North.

Sarge was fantastic when I was looking for a new bike last year and if he'd had what I'd been looking for, I wouldn't have had any hesitation in buying it off him.

I agree, people should approach the shop or person concerned and see if anything can be done to resolve the situation, but I don't agree that people shouldn't be freely able to tell of their experiences, good and bad. Many times people use this forum as a sounding board - sort of "this has happened, what do you think I should do?" and they can't be held responsible for the opinions of others who post in those threads.

I still maintain that until some of these outlets start realising that they are in a business offering a SERVICE, they shouldn't expect loyalty and respect from their customers as an automatic right. That should be earned by good service, friendly staff, good communication, etc.

**XP@** · 8th February 2006, 11:57

Was in a bike shop once with $8000 in cash in my pocket and bike written all over it.
Taking an interest in a mint Africa Twin parked up inside.
Got sick of waiting so i started it up, let it run for a couple of minutes.
Still no "hello" from the sales dudes.
Ah welll.. no pre-sales = no sales.

Otherwise if I am looking for parts then I will go to someone I know knows how to find them.

**Ixion** · 8th February 2006, 12:52

Originally Posted by Big Dave

OK - Take the CB and I'll race you point to point through the most demanding section you can name on my Buell then? You =

:slap:

Uh, hardly fair - putting a 1200cc up against a 350cc. Now, you ride a Buell 350cc and Mr Bonez can ride a CB350 - and we'll see which is best.

**Bonez** · 8th February 2006, 14:43

Originally Posted by Big Dave

OK - Take the CB and I'll race you point to point through the most demanding section you can name on my Buell then? You =

:slap:

I don't mind following behind a Buell. Saver the sound and all that. I have admitted elsewhere I ride like a Nana. Would you like to borrow my blowse? I obvoiusly could not keep pace with you Dave, you're a legend..............

**SPman** · 8th February 2006, 16:48

Mstriumph punts her CB350 around quite briskly - very briskly for a 35 yr old twin in original condition, in fact.

MD · 9th February 2006, 15:32

Popped in to Anza and saw the sad ST1300. It's roadworthy so if you get desperate get someone to ride it home. They said the Assessor's been.
The question (I didn't get to ask) is have they gone ahead and ordered the parts in advance since it's obvious what's going to be needed. Side crash bar, mirror blah blah. Bet they will wait until the letter arrives from the Insurance co. Then place an order for next month's delivery. I could be wrong of course.
Hitcher, they do have a shiny new red and a blue ST waiting for you.
I put a dollar deposit down on the blue for you. All you have to do is pay the balance. No need to thank me really.
MD

**Hitcher** · 9th February 2006, 19:56

Originally Posted by MD

Popped in to Anza and saw the sad ST1300. It's roadworthy so if you get desperate get someone to ride it home. They said the Assessor's been.
The question (I didn't get to ask) is have they gone ahead and ordered the parts in advance since it's obvious what's going to be needed. Side crash bar, mirror blah blah. Bet they will wait until the letter arrives from the Insurance co. Then place an order for next month's delivery. I could be wrong of course.
Hitcher, they do have a shiny new red and a blue ST waiting for you.
I put a dollar deposit down on the blue for you. All you have to do is pay the balance. No need to thank me really.
MD

You're a champ. Thanks Mark. I wonder where they had the ST stashed on Sunday? It's not as though it's that easy to hide. Apparently the parts are all ordered. About $6,500 worth. I'll ring tomorrow and see if they have a delivery date in mind.

I prefer the red to the blue myself. The blue lacks presence somehow.

Can't ride anything anyway until the new helmet turns up (eta 20 Feb). The things one has to endure when one wants a lid with a graphic on it...

MD · 9th February 2006, 20:12

The bike was W-A-Y out the back in another building for B-I-G bikes. No joke. They had 3 of those giant thingies, Goldwing 1800s getting serviced. One was on blocks on its side so they could get underneath, to change the oil maybe! They can't refill the oil until the crane returns next week to lift it back up.
If you don't take that blue one you owe me a dollar.
Have you given the Triumph ST a serious thought?
$6,500 for parts. We get so ripped off on bike spares. That's half a new bike. Mind you melt down the St and you could make 2 whole sportsbikes.
Hope you are recovering OK.