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

[Hitcher]

What is it about me and suboptimal experiences at bike shops?

I'd like to think I'm a nice guy who is sometimes pleasant, kind to children and small animals, who pays his taxes, saves his pennies and likes to spend loose change on motorcycles, their maintenance and associated accessories.

One would think that bike shops should be a healthy adjunct to somebody with such a mindset. But on many occasions I have walked from shops completely unsatisfied, even incensed, by what should have been pleasurable having been turned into something disturbingly frustrating.

Over the past six weeks, six hours, six minutes and six seconds (not that I am obsessive about this by any means) since I sent by beloved ST down the road at Bulls and in the process broke a collarbone, helmet and vented jacket, I have been pacing breathlessly waiting for the moment I could ride again. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a melon...

With time and lack of opportunity in bucketloads, I find my mind wanders.

I still don't have a helmet (thanks, Whites), so couldn't ride even if I was able to sneak out under cover of darkness and hotwire Mrs H's Marauder in a massive act of desperation.

And another of life's mysteries is when I can expect to receive a rideable ST1300. Mrs H and I called in at ANZA on Sunday, while returning from New Plymouth in the c.a.r., to see where things were at. After trying to engage with some of the employees, I went for a walk around the workshop to have a looksee. No bike in evidence. So I left, after having sought answers, with more questions. I simmered until Otaki.

Other recent thoughts have been along the lines of "Should I sell the ST and buy something else?"

Like a Breva 1100?

Or sell the ST and buy two bikes -- like a Hornet and a Wee-Strom?

Or a Mean Streak and a ER6F?

Or trade up the ST to a newer one with an electric screen and ABS?

The demented ravings of the desperately bikeless. Pitiful.

But then comes the kicker. To do any of this, I would have to engage with (shock, horror) a bike shop. Or, more relevantly, a bike shop staffed with sales people who give a shit. And crashing back to reality I come.

What I need is a "Wanted to buy" advertisement, and see what (if any interest) I can generate through that avenue. The thought of waiting for small eternities in motorcycle showrooms while salespeople (if they exist at all, like the Marie Celeste Honda dealership in Lower Hutt) talk to their girlfriends on the phone or stare endlessly at a V-rod muffler that somebody has left on the counter to see if the part number is in Sansrit or Erdu, quite frankly, shits me to tears.

Maybe I'm not cut out to be a consumer. Maybe I just need a ride.

[James Deuce]

I've given up expecting service from anyone other than Robyn and Kerry at Sawyers/Motorad. They are brilliant.

I've also almost completely abandoned the idea of getting one of those mystical test rides before buying.

What I do is rock up to the shop, go, "HEY YOU!" to one of the sales people and whip out enough $100 bills to engage their attention.

If they so much as suck air through their teeth I leave.

I've bought two new bikes in the last 12 months, both events were relatively painless and the bike I traded sold in less than a week both times.

I understand you are frustrated, but you need to change from victim stance, to, "I own you boy. Where's my bike?"

Then all things become possible, including a positive bike shop experience.

[MSTRS:Me]

I understand you are frustrated, but you need to change from victim stance, to, "I own you boy. Where's my bike?"

Then all things become possible, including a positive bike shop experience.

Yep. Put it in simple terms that any cretin can understand. "I pay your bosses wages" is a good one.

[Burger]

You're telling me, amazing how one experience can just put you off the whole idea....

[Big Dave]

Nah.
You have to sell yourself on the idea before you can go baggin' the sales people.

Patrick at AMPS and Eddie at ANZA are both friends of mine and
will both give you no bullshite if you communicate your requirements.

[Deviant Esq]

Bike shops I've dealt with, albeit breifly, have tended to ignore me for being young, or get irritated with me for being a question asker (newbie). Though I've met a few good guys I'd be happy to deal with again, more have been more than willing to forget I exist. But the above advice I think would be priceless and should get someone's attention quicksmart. "Alright you lot, who wants some commission??"



Oh, and CB900 Hornet = mmm. I'd hit one... with a little aftermarket blade and a packrack, I'd be all over it like a cheap suit.

[Motu]

Oh,to live a dream - to have enough money to walk into a bike shop as a prospective customer,to have to decide on which bike to buy....and go right up nose to nose to a bike salesman and talk business....

How come in 36 years of riding I've never done that?

[Holy Roller]

I've ever only brough one new bike. That was from Cycle Spot back in 82. Got a free helmet and brought an aftermarket screen for it, it went on tick. The last bike I brought from a bike shop was at the Honda shop in Rotorua, saw the bike said i'll have it. "Want a test ride", "No thanks, I'll take it". Forked over the cash all $3000 for an 86 XV500SE in mint condition. No hassles with it until some broad did a U turn infront of me. The shop I deal with now is Tony Rees in Whakatane great service even if I am a bit of a pain at times. Would have brought a bike off him if he could have found something in my requirements.

[Bonez]

Fuck the new bikes. Buy a 5-10 yo one in reasonable nick with around 50,000ks up and riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide .

[Big Dave]

Oh,to live a dream - to have enough money to walk into a bike shop as a prospective customer,to have to decide on which bike to buy....and go right up nose to nose to a bike salesman and talk business....

How come in 36 years of riding I've never done that?

Admittedly the Buell is only the 3rd brand new bike I've bought - SR500, XS1100RH and XB12X - but I've had plenty of X'y second handers - Since when has having the money had anything to do with it?

[Highlander]

Again I say it BAYRIDE in Tauranga they will sort you out.

Too many shops ignore you even if you walk in their door wearing your riding kit but not these guys.

[Big Dave]

Fuck the new bikes. Buy a 5-10 yo one in reasonable nick with around 50,000ks up and riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide .

We'll have a beer waiting on the bar for when you eventually get there too.

[madboy]

You see, here's where the average motorcyclist goes wrong. They know too much about bikes and then they do too much thinking about what they want.

The purchase process for my bike was simple. I walked into the dealership, looked at the 636 and the R1 next to it. Both fit my criteria (price, condition & could annihilate pigs). Did I want the R1 that I'd be dumb enough to try wheelies everywhere? Or the newer lower mileage 636 that I was far less likely to die on? Oh it was a tough choice...

And to this day, I return to that dealer for everything. Oil, fork seals, new jacket, boots, another pair of gloves... They all know me by my first name, and they all know that sometimes I'm there to talk shite, sometimes I'm there to whip out the plastic. My partner got her stuff there, her mate got her stuff there. I always go there and I always get the service I expect. It limits my scope for new bikes to Yamahas and KTMs, but that's okay, cos R1s come in the right price, right condition and the same annihilation potential as the next brand.

[ZorsT]

There is an underlying problem that is the cause of your poor service.

The bike shops you speak ill of are in the North Island, and therefore, are full of North Islanders.

Come to Thunderbike Powersports in Nelson, and say you wanna buy a bike. You won't be dissapointed by their service.

[marty]

have you tried Botany Honda in auckland? they had a nice blue one on the floor about 6 days ago.

if insurance is paying then why not?