BMW Motorcycles of Countryside

[lilredroadster]

Went to visit Countryside Friday afternoon and Cary gave me the tour. Very impressive. Huge facility and will be well stocked. Big service area, lots of used as well as new bikes. They are going to really do well!
I met Carl in the parts dept as well and will be a regular customer from now on!
It is a little distance from me but worth the trip!
Again, thanx Cary and Carl for the hospitality (and for finding a filter for my little red R1150r).
Oh yeah. Cary mentioned they will have a trailer at the national!

[Jogitu]

Made the trip today from South Bend. Nice facility, great inventory of bikes and gear. Told me more gear yet to show up so I don't know where they will hold it all! Nice place to wait while in for service. If they treat people the way we were treated today they will do well.

[careycsg]

So many kind words that are greatly appreciated! The vision of the owner Richard Fisher is becoming a strong reality and he has let us do the work and not micro managed us, but at the same time, directed us in the ways that have proven successful in his nine car dealerships.

Please let me correct the few that have thought I am the general manager. Mike Abt, known across the country as quite possibly the most experienced and respected BMW salesperson, is the General Manager of BMW Motorcycles of Countryside. I am the sales manager selling new and used bikes as well as the buyer/merchandiser for apparel and accessories. I have known Mike since our teens when we rode dirt bikes all over Bannockburn and went to Deerfield High School together. I am honored to work for Mike and I have learned alot about the bike business from him. He is an extremely tough act to follow and combined with my sales, marketing and merchandising background, we will grow this dealership and exceed the expectations you all have of it.

It is more hard work than I imagined, but it is very fulfilling and I am having a great time meeting so many of you and other riders. We are off to a fanastic start and please stop in to see the constant changes we will be making. The coffee bar is complete, so ride on over and visit with a fresh cup of the great Metropolis coffee, roasted right here in the great city of Chicago. Follow us on Facebook and be on the lookout for our trackday event this fall at The Autobohn Raceway, with a featured instructor you will not want to miss.

[Different Drummer]

Picked up a part that I ordered from Countryside BMW yesterday. I was met by sales manager Carey Caldwell and he gave me a top-to-bottom tour of the facility....thanks, dude! Very impressive, and first class all the way! They really seem to be working at making this a customer-centered operation. Their waiting room was well stocked with bike books, magazines, movies...and coffee.

A large array of quality riding gear and apparel from BMW, Olympia, Sidi, etc.
Their stock of bikes is extensive...except for the new K1600s....orders seem to be exceeding production. They had one....hope they remove my drool stains!

The maintenance facility was top-notch and already in full gear.
Looking forward to their grand opening (the real one) on June 25th.
Although I enjoy doing some of my own wrenching, it's great to know that there's a bonafide BMW dealer close to home!

[careycsg]

It was nice meeting with you and we are glad you were impressed with our operation. We will continue to fine tune it alot of things, but the core is in place for this to be a model of inspiration for other motorcycle dealers. We look forward to seeing you often. Thanks again for taking the time to visit us.

[OU812]

I gotta get down there one day.

[Bob T]

I gotta get down there one day.

Agreed....

[jgetz1961]

It's nice to have a great place to go and get the part that you need to get back on the road! Thanks to all the staff at BMW of Countryside.

[greenwald]

Stopped in at Countryside on June 6th for a brief visit, before heading off to the Brookfield Zoo.

As a former car delaership facility, it's quite expansive, and features a huge lounge for customer waiting. Lots of reading material provided, and various coffees. Needs a soda machine though, as the one they have is 'buried' in a more remote part of the building. Said to be working on this issue.

Many new models on display, and an impressive, well-stocked parts/repair department.

A good selection of helmets, though the clothing lines could be expanded a bit beyond BMW and Olympia. They also need more accessories and after-market items (lights, trunks, raingear, tank bags, etc.) on display in the showroom.

Located at a very busy intersection of greater Chicago, so be aware of that. Parking is most convinient on the east side of the building, so plan your final approach accordingly.

Staff was friendly and not high pressure at all. They spoke to me of plans to offer loaner bikes and even loaner cars while your BMW is in for same day service. That may prove an inviting option for this metropolitan/business-orientated area.

All in all, a nicely developing dealership in terms of hardware and support facilities. Time will tell if deals and their repairs reputation are as top notch, but I hope this dealership flourishes, as a support facility for BMW motorcycles is sorely needed in this region, and the people at Countryside seem genuine in wanting your business and earning your trust.

Best of Luck!

[wezul]

The date has finally come.
Tomorrow, Saturday June 25th is the REAL Grand Opening.

I'm going to take a run down there and say hello.
Looks like the weather is going to be great.

I got an email (how'd they do that?) and they mentioned something about a BBQ lunch? And the BMW demo truck is supposed to be on hand.

Maybe I'll see you there.

[ghostridery2k]

I visit countryside bmw but they did not let me ride anything,.I wonder why?
Nice dealership,lots of room inside.
Did some gear shopping but did not find right color and size,o well, maybe next time.

[wezul]

Hey . . . . or boo!

Just was curious, the BMW scooter (the C not the E) rumored to be produced and available in 2012. Any truth?

Casey if you are there I might be interested but let me know as I would give you guys down there first shot.

Thanks!

[greenwald]

Hey . . . . or boo!

Just was curious, the BMW scooter (the C not the E) rumored to be produced and available in 2012. Any truth?

Casey if you are there I might be interested but let me know as I would give you guys down there first shot.

Thanks!

I was in my WI dealership (Nicks) yesterday to have tires mounted, new air filter and FD grease, etc. done to my R1200RT before soon-to-be hibernation.

Discussing many subjects with the owner (Jim), scooters came up. They are planing on offering them in Spring, and even have clothing and accessory lines associated with them.

BMW already has more than 100 in production and more to come, according to the dealer.

Will take a curious peek at them after winter (or at an IMS in Chicago, if BMW puts on their 'Big Boy Pants' and actually shows up at more than a handful).

[wezul]

Hey Kevin, thanks!
They are shipping to US as well?
Oooh!

BTW, here's a vintage Sheboygan pic for you. (1890)
No poke, just thought you might get a kick out of it.

[careycsg]

It will be available in late summer/early fall 2012. The recent dealer meeting in Dallas had some talk of it, but no firm dates. Great studio shots of it have been all over the internet and this will do very well. We already have two spoken for, sight and price, unseen. As with the K1600, Europe will most likely get first shot at distribution. As soon as more is known, we will be posting here.