Local dealer Demo "We will see"

[ballen262]

Well its been several year sense I participated in a local meeting that I am apart of and we all meet at the local BMW retailer, was surprised to hear from the manager that they would be getting in any day a 1300 S for anyone who wants to demo it.

They say they are required to get 3000 miles on the bike before they can sell it, so hey why not give it a try.
Being skeptical about it I asked if I could take it for not just a day but the weekend for about a 500 mile run to truly feel out the bike and see what the talk is all about, as we all know it takes some time to get the feel of a new bike right?

Well the bike came in last week and last weekend I went in to see the bike, sat on it and it really perked up my thoughts of taking it for a spin after it got broke in.

As I approached the sales guy it was kinda funny how he acted as if he had really no time to get me set up to be put on the list after it got broke in.
His last words to me was I will call you and he would get it set up for me.

Now I don't want to take it during its break in period and asked if they would find someone to break it in and call me after it was, and I would like to take the bike before it got to hot like before July and they didn't say no, just that they would try.
Now being offered by the owner to the local club I'm in to please take advantage of the demo, who's going to say no, so lets see if its just talk.
If they do then I will post my entire trip and feeling here on this site for all to see with pics and true honest opinion, why? cuz Im just your average joe, that will say how I see it.

I consider myself an advanced sport rider but I will not push the bike nor me passed my level but promise to ride it like it was my own, to me its not about horse power, its not about how cool it is, its all about seeing if the bike is what fits the rider as a sport bike model, and I really want to see if this bike is not just a sport bike but a bike you can enjoy a ride on at the same time.

I just hope the dealer does not fudge on allowing me to ride and it was all just to get me hopes up.
I will keep everyone posted on how and when.
Opinions please.

[2BikeMike]

I can't imagine them letting you demo any bike for 500 miles. Just sayin'.

[lkchris]

Better assume the 3K mile figure is geard towards maximizing the number of people that ride the bike.

I'd assume the dealer is getting 0% floorplan for this period.

[ballen262]

I don't think they would object to anybody putting on 500 miles. Many dealers don't like the fact that they have to wait to sell it until they have 3,000 miles on it. So, the faster they get these on, the better.
However: They may frown upon letting someone taking it over night and especially during the weekend. They want to have more people testing bikes and usually there is more demand for this on weekends. My local dealer agreed to let me take a K1300GT for a test ride on Friday morning and have it back by opening time Saturday morning. He did not want to let me take it the whole day on Saturday

This is the truth to it, they already have couple people on the list for selling it after the 3000 miles are on, I feel lucky in a way that I will be allowed to have it over the weekend.
I feel its better to be allowed to have it over a weekend or a couple days, I say this due to the time it takes to get the feel of a new bike.
If I only had a day to ride it I would be rushing the whole day and we all know what can go wrong if you rush a ride as that alone is dangerous, but not to everyone, to me I would feel rushed.

Its all about taking your time to evaluate the bike and traveling to a place that you know you would want to ride the bike and test it out.

They havent told me no to the weekend so we will see.

[ballen262]

Yep just like I said, WE WILL SEE.
The local dealer just dont want me to demo the bike they not calling me I called them to see if I was going to demo, I CALLED THEM, WRONG.

I was told they where going to just let it out for 15 to 20 miles at a time, to me they will never get the miles on the bike, so that was said to me to get me off the demo, in other words a lie on the 15 to 20 mile thinking that would deter me.

I told them they should of been up front in the beginning and told us the rules to demoing the bike instead of leading me on for the weekend.

Told me also it was about getting someone to demo to see if they would buy the bike I say BS because then they are only saying demo if you buy.

A Demo to me puts the bike in gas stations, freeway, in the spot light of the public as a big advertisement deal, just imagine how many people will see the bike on the real life where bikers are, ON THE ROAD.

Sorry but the dealer screwed up, as I for one will never buy from them again and also anyone else I know I will share how I was treated at the dealer.

[adamceckhardt]

Yep just like I said, WE WILL SEE.
The local dealer just dont want me to demo the bike they not calling me I called them to see if I was going to demo, I CALLED THEM, WRONG.

I was told they where going to just let it out for 15 to 20 miles at a time, to me they will never get the miles on the bike, so that was said to me to get me off the demo, in other words a lie on the 15 to 20 mile thinking that would deter me.

I told them they should of been up front in the beginning and told us the rules to demoing the bike instead of leading me on for the weekend.

Told me also it was about getting someone to demo to see if they would buy the bike I say BS because then they are only saying demo if you buy.

A Demo to me puts the bike in gas stations, freeway, in the spot light of the public as a big advertisement deal, just imagine how many people will see the bike on the real life where bikers are, ON THE ROAD.

Sorry but the dealer screwed up, as I for one will never buy from them again and also anyone else I know I will share how I was treated at the dealer.

I'm sorry that things didn't work out for you as you anticipated. It does stink when you get your hopes up to do one thing and have things turn out differently.

However, you have to look at this from the dealer's perspective. Despite many popular beliefs, they are in business to do very few things. Sell bikes, sell bike paraphernalia, and work on bikes. Marketing, as you referenced in your "so people see the bike at gas stations and out on the road" is not really up to the dealer- it's up to corporate. The dealer just needs to get people in the door and send them out with a new set of wheels.

Test rides are a huge liability for dealers, and if they had their way they probably would never take on a demo bike that required so many miles before it qualified for sale. Many manufacturers that I am familiar with offer little or no compensation to the dealer for putting a "demo" into their fleet. They pay full flooring expenses, pay the same price for the bike, and in return get to sell a used bike with wear and tear for a reduced profit. I use the word "profit" loosely here. Some of the rare times that I remember selling for a loss often involved a demo.

I guess the moral of the story is that they probably should have been upfront with you from the start- "no, you cannot take the bike for 500 miles, especially if you have no intentions of buying it." My impression is that you made it pretty clear that you weren't going to buy the bike. They were just doing their best at running their business and minimizing their liabilities.

[thompsonr]

Am I hearing this right? All BMWs have to have 3000mi on the clock before they can be sold? No… I would not want 50 yahoos (like myself) riding my bike if I were out to by a new one. What’s the benefit in the 3000 mi other than letting someone else test drive the bike? If I want and order a new bike I want very few check miles only.

Tell me I got this wrong.

[bicyclist]

Am I hearing this right? All BMWs have to have 3000mi on the clock before they can be sold? No… I would not want 50 yahoos (like myself) riding my bike if I were out to by a new one. What’s the benefit in the 3000 mi other than letting someone else test drive the bike? If I want and order a new bike I want very few check miles only.

Tell me I got this wrong.

OK. You got it wrong.

[cjack]

I can't imagine a dealer would let a customer take a bike on a 500 mile test ride over a weekend.
I also don't think a serious buyer and rider would need that to decide to buy a K1300S.
I've never taken a test ride on any BMW I bought in 38 years. I figure it takes me awhile, a week or two, to get used to a new model and I always do end up liking it. I can't expect to do that on the dealer's dime.

[ballen262]

OK everyone to help some who are having a hard time figuring this out here it goes.

Two weeks ago the owner to the local BMW store told the BMW chapter Im in, that meets at the local dealer once a month, told us first that we could be able to demo the new 1300 that was coming in and to get on the list.

He did not explain nor did I ask the exact rules to the demo, but I made it clear that I would like to take it over the weekend based on them saying they need 3000 miles on a demo in order to sell it after it becomes a demo.
So I said I would be more than happy to put 500 or so on a demo ride.
Now this was now 3 weeks ago, they at that point did not say NO nor did they say that is a little to far for a demo, nor did they say no to a 500 mile run, and I also said this to the owner in his office two weeks ago.
Last weekend I went in to see the bike and asked if they would break it in first as I did not want to be the break in person, met the sales person at that point who was going to be in charge of demo'ing the bike and he told me he would call me.

This week he did not call so I called him and he then told me at that point they did not want to bike to go that far and couple hours only.

Now its their store and their rules and Im ok with that, but they truly need to work on their PR skills.
All they had to do is tell me in the beginning that a trip of 500 is to much for them.

Now I just found out that a person who has bought couple bikes from them in the last 10 years did take one of their demos last year and took it for the day and over night.

So its all about who they want to allow, as BMW says it all up to the dealer to set the rules on the demo, but it must obtain 3000 miles in order to obtain the full extended warranty BMW offers.
I also found out that the last demo on the 1300 they already sold got the extended warranty but it did not obtain the full 3000 miles but they told BMW it did have the 3000 miles on it. OOPS

As a business owner my best advertisement is word of mouth, to me a person on a demo bike driving around for all to see first hand to me is the best advertisement to BMW, and that is to me the reason the demo thing is going on.

Not one person here on this site will disagree with me on this that if you could have a chance not matter how small or big the chance to take a 1300 out on a weekend demo would take it if they could, I simply brought it up with them and all they had to do is say no but a couple hours is ok instead of leading me on like they did.
If I did that to any of my customers I could expect to never see them again.
They made it sound that my trip would help get the miles on the bike to sell it so why not.
Couple hours here and their is not going to get the miles on that bike during the best riding times in my area.
:scratch

[Ted]

I have to ask - have you expressed any interest in actually buying one? From your posts it seems like you just want to take it for a long weekend spin.

[ballen262]

I have to ask - have you expressed any interest in actually buying one? From your posts it seems like you just want to take it for a long weekend spin.

Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what your gonna get.

I love my 1150 RT never will get rid of it.
BUT I love the sport look always have.
Now if the 1300 impresses me as much as every one is talking about I just might.
I will at some point have two BMW's, one for touring, and one for short rides, BUT I may at times want to take the 1300 on long trips and if I do I want to know if it is going to be comfortable for long rides, taking it on a 500 mile run would tell me allot on how my body will feel on the 1300 as its way different in riding position than the 1150RT I have now.
Yea I can just buy it without a demo ride, but hey if they offered a demo ride, I might as well take advantage of it, who wouldn't.
I want a bike that gives me what Im wanting in a bike and if Im in the mood for a sporty ride I'll take the 1300, if Im up for a long tour ride it will be the 1150.

I dont care to much about the power, Im more about the look, handling and comfortability, so knowing how cheap I can get a 1200s for I just might go with that bike, but want to see how the 1300 will feel first.

I have cash in hand within a month once I find the bike that will fit me.
But I promise it wont be the local dealer I buy it from.
Why? cus they judged me thinking just like you did that I am just looking for a fun ride.
But hey I may never buy one.
I remember once at the MOA rally that BMW did demo rides, and I never saw a salesman at the end of the line trying to get us to buy once we demo'd.
To each his own I guess.

[robsryder]

...I can't imagine a dealer would let a customer take a bike on a 500 mile test ride over a weekend....

I've actually had something like this happen.

About a dozen or so years back I stopped into a local Triumph dealership. I was riding an old (64) Bonneville and was interested in a 96 Thunderbird that was a demo bike. I'd been in that dealership a number of times previously test riding various T-birds.

The sales guy (brother of the owner) told me to keep the demo bike for several days and put as many miles on it as I wanted. He said that they would park my Bonnie on the showroom floor for customers to look at. I made certain that he knew that I was not interested in trading the Bonnie in.

Before taking the demo bike I asked about the price. The sales guy dropped the asking price by about $1000 (which was already discounted since it was a demo). Well the dealership never got the demo bike back. I did show up a few days later with a check to pay for the bike and pick up my Bonnie. The Bonnie had been thoroughly cleaned and shined up while it was on the floor. I've still got both bikes by the way.

When the now oilheads came out I was immediately taken with the RS. Earlier that year I'd purchased a used airhead GS from the BMW dealership and they were friendly and let me take numerous demo rides on the oilhead RS. When I showed up with my wife (an important step in the final purchase! :-) the dealer told us to take the demo bike out for at least 100 miles. We did!

I didn't buy the demo bike, but did purchase a brand new RS (which I also still have).

I guess that the dealers of various brands are more willing to let one have a demo ride if they believe that a sale is likely to occur.

[Motodan]

This year's official Demo bike program requires a min of 3,000 miles before the bike can be "officially" sold and qualify for the dealer's demo discount program. But as we all know programs may not be followed to a "T". Bikes sold to the dealer under this program have a huge discount...from BMW to the dealer. They can pass some, none or all of that discount along to the end buyer. They can parcel out the discount of their books across several different bikes...the scheme can have many applications. Some dealers have a higher demand for demos and some don't. If demand is low, a 500 mile demo to a somewhat possible buyer might be allowed...or may be not if a number of people want to buy in that market segment. Sometimes, if the dealer doesn't really want a certain person to ride for hundreds of miles, they'll add rules.

It doesn't take a stated number of miles to decide if a bike is right. And it certainly doesn't take 500 miles...why should a dealer allow anyone to ride their bikes that far? 500 miles is not a reasonable distance. If every customer wanted to ride 500 miles there wouldn't be new bikes to sell. Our dealership sees most people riding 25 to 30 miles. Within that period they can warm the bike up, do city streets and interstate as well as some back road. 500 miles as a routine distance is "nuts".

I have a demo bike, but I put all the miles on it and bought it as an employee. I've seen other demo bikes have 3,000 miles put on them and they are still not sold. The dealer takes a chance...he or she should decide who rides...not the "possible" customer.

And yes, the normal required distance for a correctly prepped BMW motorcycle is 15 miles before the retail customer takes delivery. These miles can be referred to a "shakedown" miles. It allows for a short, full heat cycle to ensure all is fully operational. However, like everything else it doesn't always work that way...especially when the customer doesn't want anyone else to ride his newly purchased bike with only 8 miles on it thus far. Dealer will sell it with 8 and let the customer finish the required 15 before losing the sale...and so would any of you.

Perhaps while you are putting 500 miles on the dealer's bike, you'll let him demo your 1150RT to the tune of 500 miles...I'm sure he'll promise he won't sell it.

[MotorradMike]

Geez guys:

I'm pretty happy to get 20 minutes in a conducted ride. Allowing test rides is pretty expensive for everybody but the rider.

What would it cost to rent one for a 500 mile weekend?

[cjack]

Good post Motodan.
My dealer doesn't do demo bikes much, although they do demo a bike when asked to by a buyer.

[SIBUD]

Must vary from dealer to dealer. Perhaps another BMW dealer would let you do what you want, perhaps not.

Friend of mine bought a GS from a dealer that had 600 miles on it, and he put 300 of those on the clock.

Try to go to a HD dealer and say you want to put 300 miles on of their demos and see what happens.

[ballen262]

This year's official Demo bike program requires a min of 3,000 miles before the bike can be "officially" sold and qualify for the dealer's demo discount program. But as we all know programs may not be followed to a "T". Bikes sold to the dealer under this program have a huge discount...from BMW to the dealer. They can pass some, none or all of that discount along to the end buyer. They can parcel out the discount of their books across several different bikes...the scheme can have many applications. Some dealers have a higher demand for demos and some don't. If demand is low, a 500 mile demo to a somewhat possible buyer might be allowed...or may be not if a number of people want to buy in that market segment. Sometimes, if the dealer doesn't really want a certain person to ride for hundreds of miles, they'll add rules.

It doesn't take a stated number of miles to decide if a bike is right. And it certainly doesn't take 500 miles...why should a dealer allow anyone to ride their bikes that far? 500 miles is not a reasonable distance. If every customer wanted to ride 500 miles there wouldn't be new bikes to sell. Our dealership sees most people riding 25 to 30 miles. Within that period they can warm the bike up, do city streets and interstate as well as some back road. 500 miles as a routine distance is "nuts".

I have a demo bike, but I put all the miles on it and bought it as an employee. I've seen other demo bikes have 3,000 miles put on them and they are still not sold. The dealer takes a chance...he or she should decide who rides...not the "possible" customer.

And yes, the normal required distance for a correctly prepped BMW motorcycle is 15 miles before the retail customer takes delivery. These miles can be referred to a "shakedown" miles. It allows for a short, full heat cycle to ensure all is fully operational. However, like everything else it doesn't always work that way...especially when the customer doesn't want anyone else to ride his newly purchased bike with only 8 miles on it thus far. Dealer will sell it with 8 and let the customer finish the required 15 before losing the sale...and so would any of you.

Perhaps while you are putting 500 miles on the dealer's bike, you'll let him demo your 1150RT to the tune of 500 miles...I'm sure he'll promise he won't sell it.

Great post and well put, and I for one respect what has been said here, BUT if you read my threads its not about what motodan just stated, its about how for three weeks I was not told this by them as stated by motodan, I was lead to believe it was ok by the local dealer to take the bike on this trip and they never said no at that point nor did the owner tell me no.

If a person comes threw my door at my business and they are looking for a paint job at a discount I am offering I tell them exactly what to expect in hopes to not have them disappointed on what is all offered on the deal.
They had three weeks to tell me this and they didn't.
hence the reason I started this post as I was getting excited to tell all about my ride on the 1300.
Why at the last moment did they say no, I feel its due to them judging me that I would never buy, ok, I can accept that, and I never will either.:wave

One last thing, two weeks ago like I told everyone here already in the office of the owner asked him before I took it for the weekend for this ride if they would break it in first before I took it as the parts manager said 500 miles break in is required before a long trip, at the same time I asked the owner all that was required from me to demo this bike, at that point he could of told me this, so why didn't he? Oh he was going to let me till that last week someone judged me wrong period.

In the next meeting I plan on sharing this only because after I talked to the owner two days ago about how I felt I was treated their was no sorry just that this is the way its going to be, yep I went to the owner confronted him and this is what I got.
Oh he did say he would let me take it for couple hours if I wanted, he knew that if he didn't offer two hours it would expose his wrongful way of handling this ordeal with me.
I'll still demo this bike but not from them.
I am a business owner myself and I would never treat a customer like that they would never come back.
Lets not forget for the last 4 years these guys have had all my service, accessories buys, tires etc.

[Ted]

I just went and re-read your posts and I have to say I really side with the dealer on this one. It seems you are most angry because the dealer said he would try to accommodate your 500-mile trip request on a brand new demo that happens to be a pretty hot bike right now, then decided it was in his best interest to limit the rides to 25-miles (probably so that long list of folks wanting demos you mentioned would each have a shot at it, and maybe a few sales might be generated.)

I am betting the dealer saw there was great interest in the bike and decided it made more sense to limit the demo rides to 30-mile rides so that more people would have the opportunity to ride it, and he would have a better chance to drum up a few sales. He was also probably a little put off that you asked him to have someone break it in for you so you would not have to keep it under 4k rpm on your 500-mile demo trip.

I don't think I am the only one on the thread that thinks your requests and expectations are quite unreasonable, and your anger at the dealer for doing what is in the interest of his business by making the bike available for lots of potential customers instead of just one who seems to have expressed no interest in buying, puzzling especially coming from someone who themselves owns a small business.

Personally I'd recommend taking it for a 30-mile spin - if you like it, buy it and you can take as many 500-mile trips as you like :D

[kgadley01]

Must vary from dealer to dealer. Perhaps another BMW dealer would let you do what you want, perhaps not.

Friend of mine bought a GS from a dealer that had 600 miles on it, and he put 300 of those on the clock.

Try to go to a HD dealer and say you want to put 300 miles on of their demos and see what happens.

You're right Bud, but you can rent a Harley if you want to put some serious miles on one before you decide what to buy.

[Motodan]

THINGS CHANGE and that is the bottom line. One day no one is interested and a dealer might entertain a 500-mile demo ride. However, a day or two before the ride is to start perhaps a buyer, with a serious deposit, shows up. States they'll buy the bike but not if it has more than 50 miles on it....things change. Especially today, no dealer can pass up a "sure thing" for the sake of possibly losing a "possible" sale at a later date.

Sorry, your well intended plan and possible purchase didn't work out. Who knows, if the dealer said and did this to a number of potential customers, he may see less sales if those folks he did it to feel as you do. Otherwise, if all falls into that never ending disruption of the best layed plans called - life.

[SIBUD]

You're right Bud, but you can rent a Harley if you want to put some serious miles on one before you decide what to buy.

True enough. You can also rent BMW's. :wave

Gonna ride the HD and pull the trailer to TN? :D:D

Kidding of course. How was the trip home from The Chicken Rally?

[ballen262]

I just went and re-read your posts and I have to say I really side with the dealer on this one. It seems you are most angry because the dealer said he would try to accommodate your 500-mile trip request on a brand new demo that happens to be a pretty hot bike right now,
then decided it was in his best interest to limit the rides to 25-miles (probably so that long list of folks wanting demos you mentioned would each have a shot at it, and maybe a few sales might be generated.)

I am betting the dealer saw there was great interest in the bike and decided it made more sense to limit the demo rides to 30-mile rides so that more people would have the opportunity to ride it, and he would have a better chance to drum up a few sales. He was also probably a little put off that you asked him to have someone break it in for you so you would not have to keep it under 4k rpm on your 500-mile demo trip.

I don't think I am the only one on the thread that thinks your requests and expectations are quite unreasonable, and your anger at the dealer for doing what is in the interest of his business by making the bike available for lots of potential customers instead of just one who seems to have expressed no interest in buying, puzzling especially coming from someone who themselves owns a small business.

Personally I'd recommend taking it for a 30-mile spin - if you like it, buy it and you can take as many 500-mile trips as you like :D


There was never words of "TRY TO ACCOMMIDATE" my ride the owner was very clear of my intent to take it for the weekend face to face two weeks ago.

As a business owner I do have the right to change my intent to better the other customers and the business but risk the chance of upsetting a customer who's word of mouth is the largest advertisement my business could have.

When I asked two weeks ago to the owner all that was needed from me and also what ever else he needed to tell me he could of done at that time.
And your all right he has the right to change his ways but he risks the chance of a sale with me, and he did.
I have already listed my camaro that I love so much for the money needed to finance a 1200 or the 1300, yes the pressure is killing me, letting the camaro go for addition of the sport bike.

After I demo the 1300 "not at my local dealer", I will decide which bike I get.
kinda getting scared on the issues Ive read up on the 1200, if I do any more reading on these two bikes I'm gonna go crazy.
Like I tell so many, never judge a book by its cover.
One last thing TED, once the bike is used as a demo it has to obtain 3000 miles before it can be sold or they risk the extended warranty offered by BMW on demo's.
I called BMW to verify the demo policy for dealers, they of course didn't tell me everything, but did say 3000 miles are needed.

So not one person here can say my local dealer will only allow to everyone just a couple hour rides on the demo, as we all know that would take for ever to get 3000 miles on it.
So either he will sell it before the miles are on it and not tell BMW, or he has to allow longer rides to get the miles on it if its such a hot bike that someone wants.
He told me no due to the fact he didn't think I would buy, ooops.:nono

[ballen262]

THINGS CHANGE and that is the bottom line. One day no one is interested and a dealer might entertain a 500-mile demo ride. However, a day or two before the ride is to start perhaps a buyer, with a serious deposit, shows up. States they'll buy the bike but not if it has more than 50 miles on it....things change. Especially today, no dealer can pass up a "sure thing" for the sake of possibly losing a "possible" sale at a later date.

Sorry, your well intended plan and possible purchase didn't work out. Who knows, if the dealer said and did this to a number of potential customers, he may see less sales if those folks he did it to feel as you do. Otherwise, if all falls into that never ending disruption of the best layed plans called - life.

Motodan I agree things change, and I would be the first to admit that, but when I change things on my customers it affects me long after I change things, some see the change as a better some dont.
As for this dealer having someone come in and is now interested in the bike just before my ride could be true, BUT the dealer must obtain 3000 miles once its listed as a demo, as of today its still a demo, as he did offer for me to take it for couple hours today when he told me the other day I could not take it for the weekend.

As for this falling into that disruption of the best layed out plans called life, yes that did put a smile on my face, as I know life for the dealer has a lost sale.
And I for one have now a bad taste in my mouth for this dealer.
Oh and as for the reputation of this dealer, in the last couple years the BMW group up here has had some serious issues with them in the past.
And some other riders of BMW will never buy from them as well.
I just have been giving them the benefit of a doubt.

[jamesdunn]

The dealer should have stood behind his original promise.....regardless.

[Ted]

I'd love to get the dealer's side of this - since you've already sworn him off, maybe you will tell us who it is and offer him a chance to comment.

[kgadley01]

True enough. You can also rent BMW's. :wave

Gonna ride the HD and pull the trailer to TN? :D:D

Kidding of course. How was the trip home from The Chicken Rally?

I had a good trip home from the Chicken rally. I just got my hitch installed on the RT, so I will pull the camper with the Beemer to the National. Hope to see ya there. Kenny...

[ballen262]

The dealer should have stood behind his original promise.....regardless.

Yes I agree, I don't know how many times Ive given a deal to a customer, got the car in the shop and realized I screwed myself BUT I finished what I started and finished the job and never showed or told the customer that I got screwed just that I did what I did to show the customer the great deal they got in hopes to keep them as future customers.
This is not rocket science, just great customer care.

[ballen262]

I'd love to get the dealer's side of this - since you've already sworn him off, maybe you will tell us who it is and offer him a chance to comment.

We already know what the dealer is going to say to save face.
I was thinking today how the weekend I went in to see the bike for the first time and sat on the bike I also talked to the salesman who was in charge of getting it set up for me and he "ryan" told me that he would contact me the next week to get me set up, funny how I had to call him cus he didn't have enough respect to call me and let me know, I had to call him.

And regardless of who knows the dealer or I tell everyone who the dealer is it wont change what I do, and it wont change what they did to me.

This is the reason I as a business owner do all I can to make sure my customer leaves my business with a happy face.
Even the customers who I know are hard to deal with I take an extra step to take care of them, as they are the ones that talk the most, and if I make them happy its the best advertisement I could get.

[Motodan]

You are right....you are all right.... and the dealer is wrong...as you are no doubt going to the great reward in bike heaven [or paint heaven] and this da_n dealer is going to be feeding a furance in the here ever after. NOW lets let it go - AMEN!

[Ted]

We already know what the dealer is going to say to save face.

Are you sure? Maybe he sees things differently than you do. Maybe there was a misunderstanding. Maybe he had no idea you'd be so upset about this.

As a business owner I am sure you can appreciate being given a chance to talk to a customer and address his concerns so that he does leave with a happy face - rather than finding out after he has vented on an enthusiast message board.

I still think it would be valuable to either name the dealer and give him a chance to respond or to confront the dealer face to face with your concerns - maybe he will even see how upset you are and (after finding someone to break in the bike for you) allow you to take it for the 500-mile trip. Would sure beat having to drive Cross Country to find another dealer.

[ballen262]

Are you sure? Maybe he sees things differently than you do. Maybe there was a misunderstanding. Maybe he had no idea you'd be so upset about this.

As a business owner I am sure you can appreciate being given a chance to talk to a customer and address his concerns so that he does leave with a happy face - rather than finding out after he has vented on an enthusiast message board.

I still think it would be valuable to either name the dealer and give him a chance to respond or to confront the dealer face to face with your concerns - maybe he will even see how upset you are and (after finding someone to break in the bike for you) allow you to take it for the 500-mile trip. Would sure beat having to drive Cross Country to find another dealer.

I did confront him the same day I was told by the salesman that I could only take it for a "few miles" when I called him due to him not calling me.
I did tell him I thought it was not fair that he did not tell me couple weeks ago when I was in his office.
No sorry but just said I could take it for couple hours instead.
Amazing he could tell me this on the phone instead of face to face in his office couple weeks ago.
I promise I did confront him about it on the phone, and he knew I was upset, but held on to the fact that two hours is all I get and he avoided my talk with him in his office couple weeks ago.
As ted has said above lets let it go even though we are in the campfire topic to discuss what ever.:banghead

[108625]

Opinions please.

You asked for them.

[ballen262]

You asked for them.

YES I did and I appreciate them all, if in any way I have made anyone here believe I am upset about the opinions Im sorry.

I do know that I did the right thing and the dealer screwed up I believe he could care less.

In our club meeting coming up next month that is held at the dealer I do plan on bringing this up in front of everyone.

I know for a fact based now on more info I have received talking to more and more people on this issue that all the dealer had to say in the BEGINNING when I first brought it up the kind of demo I wanted was not acceptable and maybe taken the time to feel me out on why or even taken the time to let me know his view of the demo he allows.

He and the others led me on to believe it was ok to take the bike for the weekend and it was really not a big deal.
BUT they just assumed that I was never going to buy that I was just in to the demo for a free joy ride.
Their loss and I plan on telling everyone at the meeting my intention on buying the 1300 or the 1200 at a place other than that dealer.
Whats funny is I truly in many ways would of been able to get a good feel for the bike demo in a half day or so, or even a couple hours, but that is not the point.

The point is I asked for a weekend demo "who wouldn't" all they had to do is say no and explain to me there view of a demo.
2. Then when I talk to the salesman for the first time he never contacted me I had to call him,
3. it had been three weeks in the talking about this demo ride I wanted to take for the weekend, everyone knew I wanted to take the bike for that kind of ride.
4. the owner knew two weeks before face to face and he didn't tell me no at that time.
5. the just assumed I was just in for a joy ride.
6. I buy all my stuff I can from them also all my service has been done with them.

Last of all when I gave the owner a chance to address this he didn't say sorry just that this bike is a 175 HP bike and to let it out for the demo I wanted was not going to happen, but I could take it for a couple hours.
He did make me feel that I just wanted to take this bike for a joy ride.
He will lose a sale with me.
His loss.
Oh did I show my intention to maybe buy that kind of bike to them??
Well does a bear crap in the woods.
I told them if its what I expect when I ride it, it could happen, that Ive been always a fan of the sport bike.

[Motodan]

For god's sake man....let it go!

Enough.....I'd rather hear three more days of speculation on why Michael Jackson died.

[SIBUD]

Expectations lead to disappointment.

Seems to sum it all up.

[ballen262]

For god's sake man....let it go!

Enough.....I'd rather hear three more days of speculation on why Michael Jackson died.

I did let it go.
As for Michael Jackson if it was he asking the dealer for the demo ride I wonder if they would of let him take it for the weekend????:scratch

Sorry your having a hard time seeing this not end at the same time you don't need to click on the tab to keep posting either you have the ability to ignore this and not read my posts.
Curiosity always kills the cat.

[ballen262]

Expectations lead to disappointment.

Seems to sum it all up.

This is a true statement for the dealer.
In the long run I will own this bike, and dealer will not have my business.

[henzilla]

And the last word goes to...:violin

[Ted]

Hopefully the unnamed yet much maligned dealer - it would be nice to get his side of things.

[hlothery]

For god's sake man....let it go!

Enough.....I'd rather hear three more days of speculation on why Michael Jackson died.

Michael Jackson died??????


I hadn't heard.:whistle

[SCQTT]

Ballen262 Are you for real, or are you just yanking our chain?

I can not imagine being a dealer and having to put up with peoples' questionable expectations.

FWIW

I bought a 2005 BMW and rode it very little. I tried to trade it to a BMW dealer for a different model about 2 years later. The bike depreciated almost $6.00 per mile.

Not saying this would would happen, but your 500 mile test ride could cost the dealer $3K.

What is the GP% you think they make on a new bike?

[Motodan]

I did let it go.
As for Michael Jackson if it was he asking the dealer for the demo ride I wonder if they would of let him take it for the weekend????:scratch

Sorry your having a hard time seeing this not end at the same time you don't need to click on the tab to keep posting either you have the ability to ignore this and not read my posts.
Curiosity always kills the cat.


Actually, curiosity provides any cat with as many mice as demises.