Dealers A concern or not?

6841 Views 18 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Blexcroid, May 6, 2006

TwoWheelers

Discussion Starter · Jan 23, 2006

???

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

myhrdly

· #2 · Jan 24, 2006

That's a tough one!

I have to say I love my Yamaha and it does have a lot of room under the seat. But, my dealer was real friendly and let me look at everything. I didn't ask to test ride it. Coming from buying used Harleys, thats just something you don't do! I know now that alot of new bike dealers let you test ride! I don't take my Yamaha to the dealer for it's services. They wanted a little over $200. to do the 600mile check up!! To much for me!! I do it myself and record and save all reciepts!!

Now for me, I would be totaly turned off by a A#@ hole dealer. In fact I talked to one over the phone and didn't like his attitude and didn't even go to the dealer to look!!

I do have to say I haven't seen any other scooter close up and personal. Only from a distance, so I can't say anything about the others!!

Another thing to try is going back to the Yamaha dealer when the person who helped you is off, or just ask for someone else to help you!!!! If you would like a picture of the trunk in a Maj. let me know and I will go and take a picture of it!!!

Good luck on your decision!

See less See more

Rubble

· #3 · Jan 24, 2006

Unless you are so stuck on the Majesty that nothing else will do then go the Burgman route. Steer very clear of a dealer that won't even go to such simple lengths as opening the trunk. You could look for another Yamaha dealer elswhere.

Dave

Blexcroid

· #4 · Jan 24, 2006

It's disappointing, but it sounds like that particular salesman was lazy or having a really crummy day.

As for test rides, many dealerships no longer allow them due to the insurance requirements. If they do not allow test rides, their risk decreases and their insurance premiums go down. I don't like it, but I DO understand the economic resons for the decision.

One of the main reasons for choosing a bike should be fit. Seat height, in particular, varies between the Burgmans and Yamahas as does the comfort in the saddle. I'd recommend returning to both dealerships and asking the salesman to "spot" you while you take the bike off of the centre stand and check it for leg length (too tall? too wide?) Remember, you'll be spending a lot of time with the bike in that position each time you are stopped at a traffic signal. When the bike is on the centre stand, sit on it and check for comfort in the saddle. Is there enough leg room/length? Is the handlebar reach comfortable?

The other thing I would do is hang at each dealership over a couple of weekends and talk to some of the riders bringing their scoots in for service. Ask THEM how they rate the service from the dealership. Do they treat the scoots as important as the rest of their customers? Are they 'second class citizens'? Also ask the regular motorcycle riders where they get their bikes serviced. Sometimes the smaller 'independent' bke service shops will give you much better attention and service for basic maintenance (oil changes, etc). And for a much better price.

If you like the fit of the Yamaha, but get treated poorly again at the dealership, try a different Yamaha dealership. Whilst it might be a pain to travel further, why give your money to an [email protected]#$%hole dealer?

See less See more

calgary2800

· #5 · Jan 24, 2006

In Seattle, the trend with test rides is for you to buy the bike first than you get 15 minutes on it to decide if you want it or not. If not all your money is refunded. Sounds fair to me, I have no complaints about that. Separates the bullshit test drive people from real buyers.

I bought my without a test drive, I read so many online reviews I knew it was not necessary.

I suggest the Majesty over the Burgman because the Burgman has awful service intervals with valves checks. Plus I have read their motor is not as strong as a Majesty.

TwoWheelers

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 24, 2006

Our next nearest Yamaha dealer is 40 miles away. We've done business with them before and are totally satisfied. So for us it's worth the drive. Too bad for the nearest Yamaha dealer.

CajunBass

· #7 · Jan 24, 2006

I have mixed feelings about the dealership I bought my Majesty from.
I didn't ask for a test ride, because I didn't have a motorcycle license at the time, so it would have been silly. I didn't ask if I could set on the bike. I just did it. If they didn't like it, too bad. They could ask me to leave if they wanted to. I would have. No one said anything about it though.

The salesman I worked with was great. I didn't know enough about a motorcycle to ask an intelligent question. Larry listened then showed me three bikes he thought would be good for me. A Honda 750, a 650 and the Majesty. After hearing what I wanted from a bike and my lack of experience, he recomended the Majesty. I was impressed because not only was the Majesty the lest expensive of the three, but was the only one I wouldn't have to add windshield, farings, and saddlebags too, a further savings. For one reason or another, Larry was no longer employed there when I went back a few weeks later to pick-up my Majesty.

That day I had a hard time getting anyone to help me. I thought I was going to have to pull a gun to even get my bike out of the showroom. The rest of the staff has pretty much ignored me since then.

I have never taken my bike back for service. I sent them an e-mail and asked how much the 600 mile "rip-off" (No. I did not use the term "rip-off" when I wrote to them.) cost. I was told $360.00 plus parts. They're out of them minds if they think I'm going to pay them $360.00 to change my oil and "check" stuff that should have been right when it left the dealership. I did it myself. When I went back to buy an oil filters I was told "We're out of stock." Now, to my way of thinking an oil filter is about as basic a part as you are going to need on anything. If you don't have them in stock, what do you have?

I really don't know if I'd recomend them or not.

See less See more

ctpaddler2000

· #8 · Jan 24, 2006

It looks like "2343" nuked his initial post, but I will reply anyway. In Connecticut it is almost unheard to offer test drives on new motorcycles. I would advice "2343" to buy whichever bike he (she?) like better and then just deal with the dealer situation later on.

I have had dealers offer to throw in the first service as a freebie if you buy from them "today only". Doesn't hurt to ask.

Rob

calgary2800

· #9 · Jan 24, 2006

If you owned a Motorcycle shop, would you offer test drives? I think 90% of us would say no.

TwoWheelers

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 25, 2006

ctpaddler2000 said:
It looks like "2343" nuked his initial post, but I will reply anyway. In Connecticut it is almost unheard to offer test drives on new motorcycles. I would advice "2343" to buy whichever bike he (she?) like better and then just deal with the dealer situation later on.

I have had dealers offer to throw in the first service as a freebie if you buy from them "today only". Doesn't hurt to ask.

Rob

I didn't nuke it, must have been a moderator... because I named dealer names. I did change the remaining . to ??? after the fact.

texascycle

· #11 · Jan 25, 2006

Dealers can matter if you have alternate bikes to choose from, but if you must have a particular brand/model then sometimes you have to take the risk and just go for it. If I didn't buy from a dealer because I don't trust them, I would never own a brand new motorcycle.

TwoWheelers

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 26, 2006

texascycle said:
Dealers can matter if you have alternate bikes to choose from, but if you must have a particular brand/model then sometimes you have to take the risk and just go for it. If I didn't buy from a dealer because I don't trust them, I would never own a brand new motorcycle.

The wife as a driver likes the Majesty, as a passenger "no."
So I'm almost 100% Sure she'll be trading in her 2005 750 Vulcan for a new 2006 Majesty where she bought her bike last year, (40 miles away.)
I've already purchased and received the manuals for the Majesty.

Me: I'm still bikeless and looking and researching and... My last was a KLR duel purpose type.

His and her's Majesty's are not out of the possibilities.

happyman

· #13 · Mar 28, 2006

myhrdly said:
That's a tough one!

I have to say I love my Yamaha and it does have a lot of room under the seat. But, my dealer was real friendly and let me look at everything. I didn't ask to test ride it. Coming from buying used Harleys, thats just something you don't do! I know now that alot of new bike dealers let you test ride! I don't take my Yamaha to the dealer for it's services. They wanted a little over $200. to do the 600mile check up!! To much for me!! I do it myself and record and save all reciepts!!

Now for me, I would be totaly turned off by a A#@ hole dealer. In fact I talked to one over the phone and didn't like his attitude and didn't even go to the dealer to look!!

I do have to say I haven't seen any other scooter close up and personal. Only from a distance, so I can't say anything about the others!!

Another thing to try is going back to the Yamaha dealer when the person who helped you is off, or just ask for someone else to help you!!!! If you would like a picture of the trunk in a Maj. let me know and I will go and take a picture of it!!!

Good luck on your decision!

the thing about the Majasty is its is a little too cramperd for the legs. like the looks of the biek and it from what is stated is pretty good for reliaillity.. was wanting to see a morpheus but they did not have one set up so that was a bummer .. i think they are a little longer and just may have better leg room.. ir will go to another brand i guess the 250 may be a littel shy on performance not sure but two up riding i feel requires a bigger motor.. the 650 burgman has better dervice intervals on the valves i think don't it.. but then i guess things are harder to get at on it than the Majesty Happy

texascycle

· #14 · Mar 29, 2006

wrong about the valve intervals ... yamaha has always been the best on that ... check the out the details again.

mudspoke

· #15 · Mar 30, 2006

If you owned a Motorcycle shop, would you offer test drives? I think 90% of us would say no.

I know insurance is relatively high, but I simply will not buy a bike unless I can test ride it. In fact, I wasn't terribly interested in the Majesty until I took it for a test drive. Not only did I buy it, but I also purchased an additional helmet and top case, so I dropped an extra $400 on parts. And now, I spend all my waking hours on this forum....

Seriously, would anyone buy a car without test driving it? I don't see why motor scooters/cycles should be any different. Just my thoughts...

Mudspoke

texascycle

· #16 · Mar 30, 2006

I think I read somewhere that the majority of claims come from a new rider on a new bike in the first 5 minutes. I do not know if that is true, but if it is even close to being true, then one should be able to understand why most dealers would choose not to give rides. Also, there is a catch 22 about bikes that have been ridden for test rides ... in my mind they are no longer "new". I am not going to pay full price for a bike that 15 other people have ridden around the block. Cars are okay with that to a certain extent, but not bikes.

But, then again, I think there should be some discretion towards riders who have had their MC license for say, 5 years, and have completed an advanced safety course. I am sure that if I were able to test any bike in the shops, I would have chosen differntly over the years. And that makes a test ride program very valuable.

doxiedog

· #17 · May 6, 2006

I called my local dealer,and informed him i had just looked at a X9 500. He said come on down. I rode my sv650,and when i got there was thirsty. he told me coke machine was out of order,used his key to give me a free one. The said if you need me,give a call. I sat on,bounced and opened every thing i could. He came back and said,you should see it in the sun. wanta take it out for a ride? I told him i still need to see the honda and suzuki first. Now he knew i was just kicking tires,but i would go back there as i enjoyed his salesmanship.

calgary2800

· #18 · May 6, 2006

The dealer that I bought my Majesty has a very fair policy towards test rides. You buy the bike than get 15 mins or 15 miles to ride the bike to see if you like it, if not you get all your money back. That way they are in no way liable if you crash. Very fair. I bought my bike without a test ride.

Blexcroid

· #19 · May 6, 2006

calgary2800 said:
The dealer that I bought my Majesty has a very fair policy towards test rides. You buy the bike than get 15 mins or 15 miles to ride the bike to see if you like it, if not you get all your money back. That way they are in no way liable if you crash. Very fair. I bought my bike without a test ride.

Impressive!! It sounds like you have a dealer who has the customer in mind too not just one who wants to sell a bike. I'm flying to Seattle to buy my next scoot. It will give me a good excuse to visit my father too!!
.
.
.
.
oops! he doesn't know his nearly 50-year-old daughter rides!!

I guess he'll find out! :lol:

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.